GIFT  OF 
Professor  A,   J«   Cook 


Digitized  by  the  Internet  Archive 

in  2008  with  funding  from 

IVIicrosoft  Corporation 


http://www.archive.org/details/dictionaryofenglOOkwanrich 


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DICTIONARY 


O  F 


ENGLISH  PHEASES 


>*^   OP  THE        X 

'UlTIVBRSIT 
ILLUSTRATIVE    S  E  IsT  T  EN  C  E  S 


WITH 


TO   WHICH    ARE   ADDED 

SO^ME  ENGLISH  PROVERBS,  AND  A  SELECTION  OF  CHINESE  PROVERBS  AND 
MAXIMS;  A  FEW  QUOTATIONS,  WORDS,  AND  PHRASES,  FROM  THE  LATIN 
AND  FRENCH  LANGUAGES;  A  CHRONOLOGICAL  LIST  OF  THE  CHINESE  DY- 
NASTIES, HARMONIZED  WITH  THE  CHRONOLOGY  OF  WESTERN  NATIONS 
AND  ACCOMPANIED  WITH  AN  HISTORICAL  ACCOUNT  OF  THE  RISE  AND 
[E  DIFFERENT  DYNASTIES;  AND  SHORT  B] 
SKETCHES    OF  CONFUCIUS  AND   OF  JESUS. 


BY 

KWONG  KI  CHIU. 

LATE    A   MEMBER  OF   THE   CHINESE   EDUCATIONAL   MISSION   IN   THE   UNITED   STATES,    AND 
COMPILER   OF   AN   ENGLISH   AND   CHINESE   DICTIONARY. 


A.   S.  BARl^ES  &  CO., 

,  NEW  YORK;  CHICAGO;  SAN  FRANCISCO. 

!  SAMPSON  LOW,  MAESTON  &  CO.,  London.     LANE,  CRAWFORD  <fe  CO.,  Yokohama. 

'  1881. 


Entered  according  to  Act  of  Congress,  in  the  year  1880, 

By  G.  and  C.  MERRIAM, 

In  the  Office  of  the  Librarian  of  Congress,  at  "Washington,  D.  C. 

(Copyrighted  in  Great  Britain.) 

Fr^l  A  J.Cook 


RICHARD  H.   HOBBS,   ELECTROTYPER, 
HARTFORD,   CONN. 


PRESS    OF 

CASE,   LOCKWOOD  AND  BRAINARD  CO., 

HARTFORD,   CONN. 


TESTIMONIALS.  '''■"  " 


THE  TWO  FOLLOWING  TESTIMONIALS  ARE  FROM  THE  PRESIDENTS  OF  THE  TWO  LEADING  COLLEGES 
IN  THE  UNITED  STATES.      PRESIDENT  PORTER  IS  ALSO  THE  EDITOR  OF  THE  REVISED  EDITION 

OF  Webster's  unabridged  dictionary. 


TTa-i-e    Coll-egb, 

New  Hamn,  Conn.,  c/p^^^SSO 


(iii) 


IV  TESTIMONIALS. 


Harvard  Univbrsity, 

Cambridgs,  Mass. 


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TESTIMONIALS. 


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VI 


TESTIMONIALS. 


FBOU:  HON".  HENEY  BABNARD,  L  L.  I>^  FORMERLY  STIPERrSTENDENT  OP  COMMON  SCHOOLS  m  COITNIBC- 
XIOUT,  CHANCELLOR  OP  THE  UNIVERSITY  OP  .WISCONSIN,  UNITED  STATES  COMMISSIONER  OP         Jj 
EDUCATION  AND  EDITOR  OP  THE  AMERICAN  JOURNAL  OP  EDUCATION.  ^ 

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TESTIMONIALS.  ix 

)M  D.  C.  GUZMAN,  LL.D.,  PRESIDENT  OF  JOHNS  HOPKINS  UNIVERSITY,  BALTIMORE,  MD. 


X  TESTIMONIALS. 

TKOM  ALBERT  S.  COOK,  ASSOCIATE  PKOrESSOR  OF  ENGLISH,  JOHNS  HOPKINS  UNIVEBSITT,  BALTIMORE,  MD. 

JOHNS  HOPKINIS  UmVEKSITY, 
BALTIMORE,  MD. 


TESTIMONIALS.  XI 


y4/yi^   ^yC^^:p->^  yi^  '^r'lycocj  ^ 


Xll  TESTIMONIALS. 

FROM  THOS.  R.  PYNCHON,  D.  D.,  L  L,  D.,  PRESIDENT  OF  TRINITY  COLLEGE,  HARTFORD,  CONN. 

Trinity  College,  December  13,  1880. 
My  dear  Sir ; 

Your  compendium  of  English  Phrases  seems  to  me  to  be  very  complete 
and  to  be  deserving  of  the  highest  praise.  It  can  not  fail  to  be  a  very  useful 
work,  and  I  hope  it  will  meet  with  the  success  which  it  so  richly  merits. 

With  respect,  I  am  very  truly  yours, 

Thos.  R.  Pynchox. 
Mr.  Kwong  Ki  Chiu,  Sumner  Street. 


FROM  HON.  J.  HAMMOND   TRUMBULL,    L  L.  T>. 

Hartford,  Dec.  20,  1880. 
My  dear  Sir ; 

Having  known  something  of  the  plan  and  purpose  of  your  work,  I  have 
looked  with  interest  to  its  completion.  The  task  you  had  undertaken  was  no 
easy  one,  even  for  an  English  or  American  scholar.  I  am  not  less  surprised  than 
pleased  to  see  how  successfully  it  has  been  accomplished  by  one  of  foreign  birth 
and  language. 

Your  book  can  not  fail  to  be  very  useful  to  Europeans,  as  well  as  to  those  of 
your  own  nation,  who  are  studying  English :  and  hardly  less  useful  to  American 
students,  by  directing  attention  to  peculiarities  of  speech  which  our  grammars  and 
dictionaries  leave  unexplained. 

With  congratulations  on  your  success. 

Yours  truly, 

J.  Hammond  Trumbull. 
Mr.  Kwong  Ki  Chiu. 


FROM  CHARLES  DUDLEY  WARNER,  OF  THE    "HARTFORD  COURANT,"  AUTHOR  OF  "  MY  WINTER  ON 
THE  NILE,"    "my  SUMMER  IN  A  GARDEN,"  AND  OTHER  WORKS. 

Hartford,  Dec.  23,  1880. 
Dear  Mr.  Kwong ; 

The  plan  of  your  collection  and  explanation  of  English  Phrases  is  novel 
and  ingenious,  and  the  more  I  examine  the  book,  the  better  I  am  pleased  with  its 
execution.  You  have  not  only  hit  upon  one  of  the  chief  obstacles  to  a  foreigner 
in  learning  English,  and  smoothed  the  path  somewhat  for  your  successors;  but 
you  have  done  not  a  little  to  reveal  to  us  the  character  of  our  language.  For  un- 
til one's  attention  is  specially  drawn  to  it,  he  has  little  idea  how  far  our  common 
speech  has  become  figurative  and  metaphorical.  This  result  of  your  patient  schol- 
arship must  be  a  great  service  to  foreigners  learning  our  language,  and  you  may 
also  be  sure  that  while  serving  your  own  countrymen,  you  have  made  us  your 
debtors. 

Yours  sincerely, 

Chas.  Dudley  Warner. 

Mr.  Kwong  Ki  Chiu. 


TESTIMONIALS.  XIU 


FROM  THOS.  R.  LOUNSBURY,  PROFESSOR  OF  ENGLISH  IN  THE  SHEFFIELD  SCIENTIFIC  SCHOOL, 

YALE  COLLEGE. 

New  Haven,  Dec.  27,  1880. 
Dear  Sir; 

I  have  looked  over  with  great  interest  the  proof-sheets  of  the  collection 
you  have  made  of  the  idiomatic  and  colloquial  phrases  of  the  English  language ; 
and  have  been  particularly  impressed,  not  only  with  the  fullness  of  the  collection^ 
but  so  far  as  I  have  had  leisure  to  examine,  with  the  perfect  accuracy  of  the  defi- 
nitions. It  will  be  an  invaluable  acquisition  to  those  who  are  seeking  to  master 
our  speech ;  it  will  likewise  pretty  certainly  give  a  good  deal  of  needed  informa- 
tion to  those  of  us  who  fancy  that  they  have  already  mastered  it.  The  only  ad- 
verse criticism  I  could  make,  is  one  that  does  not  touch  at  all  the  essential  merits 
or  the  execution  of  the  work.  The  division  between  idiomatic  phrases,  on  the 
one  hand,  and  colloquiaUsms,  including  slang  and  cant  phrases,  on  the  other,  seems 
to  me  too  vague  and  uncertain  for  any  man  to  make  to  the  satisfaction  of  all,  or 
perhaps  to  the  thorough  satisfaction  of  any  one  besides  himself.  A  part,  for  in- 
stance, of  what  is  here  included  under  colloquialisms  or  slang,  I  should  class  under 
idiomatic  phrases,  to  be  used  without  hesitation  in  the  best  writing.  Still,  so  long 
as  the  phrases  are  there  and  are  correctly  explained,  it  matters  little  under  what 
heading  they  are  placed ;  and  the  work  is  creditable,  in  the  fullest  sense,  to  the 
industry,  the  accuracy,  and  the  learning  of  the  compiler. 

Very  truly  yours, 

T.  R.  Lounsbury. 
Mr.  Kwong  Ki  Chiu. 


FROM  HON.  B.  G.  NORTHROP,  L  L.  D.,  SECRETARY  OF  BOARD  OF  EDUCATION,  CONN. 

Hartford,  Jan.  5,  1881. 
The  plan  of  Mr.  Kwong's  work  on  English  idioms,  phrases,  and  proverbs  is 
I  unique.     The  work  is  the  more  practical  and  valuable  because  it  grew  out  of  his 
I  own  experience.     It  evinces  much  research  and  genuine  Chinese  perseverance. 
By  mastering  the  idioms  and  other  difficulties  of  our  language,  without  such  aid, 
he  has  learned  well  how  to  facilitate  the  kindred  work,  not  only  of  other  Chinese 
I  students,  but  of  all  foreigners  who  are  learning  this  tongue,  which  is  at  once  the 
richest,  most  copious,  most  widely  spoken  and  now  by  far  the  most  generally  stud- 
ied of  all  European  languages.     This  work  will  prove  useful  to  English-speaking 
students  in  mastering  the  difficulties  of  their  own  language.     It  is  a  remarkable 
fact  that  this  valuable  service  should  be  rendered  by  a  foreigner. 

B.  G.  Northrop. 


Xiv  TESTIMONIALS. 


FROM  W.  D.  WHITNEY,  PH.  D.,  L  L.  D.,  PROFESSOR  OF  SANSKRIT  AND  COMPARATIVE  PHILOLOGY, 
AND  INSTRUCTOR  IN  MODERN  LANGUAGES,  YALE  COLLEGE. 

New  Haven,  Jan.  10,  1881. 
Dear  Sir; 

As  requested  by  you,  I  have  made  a  brief  examination  of  your  "  Dic- 
tionary of  Phrases,"  and  find  it  an  interesting  collection  of  English  idioms,  with 
serviceable  explanations.  It  will  doubtless  be  found  valuable  by  many,  and  enter- 
taining by  all  who  shall  read  it. 

With  good  wishes  for  the  commercial  success  also  of  your  undertaking,  I  am 

Yours  respectfully, 

W.  D,  Whitney. 
Mr.  Kwong  Ki  Chiu. 


FROM  DR.  WM.  H.  BROWNE,  ASSOCIATE  AND  LIBRARIAN,  JOHNS  HOPKINS  UNIVERSITY, 

BALTIMORE,  MD. 

I  have  glanced  only  very  hastily  through  a  part  of  Mr.  Kwong  Ki  Chin's  book, 
but  even  that  slight  examination  showed  that  it  is  a  work  of  great  care  and  dili- 
gence, and  brings  together  a  surprising  collection  of  English  idioms  and  colloquial- 
isms, as  well  as  phrases  which  we  do  not  look  upon  as  idioms,  though  they  may 
very  well  seem  idiomatic  to  a  foreigner.  i 

I  have  no  doubt  that  it  will  be  a  useful  manual,  especially  for  foreign  students ; 
while  to  us  English  speakers  it  presents  an  outside  view  of  the  language  at  once 
interesting  and  instructive. 

Wm.  Hand  Browne. 
Jan.  12,  1881. 


FROM  HON.  J.  W.  DICKINSON,  SECRETARY  OF  BOARD  OF  EDUCATION,  MASS. 

State  House,  Boston,  Jan.  15,  1881. 
My  dear  Sir ; 

I  have  given  some  attention,  to  your  collection  of  English  idioms  and 
Slang  phrases,  and  to  your  explanation  of  them.  These  forms  are  allowed  to  en- 
ter so  largely  into  the  language  employed  in  expressing  our  ideas  of  common 
things  and  common  aflfairs  of  life,  that  your  explanation  of  their  meaning  will  be 
of  great  service  to  all  who  wish  to  use  good  English. 

I  am  truly  yours, 

J.  W.  Dickinson. 
Mr.  Kwong  Ki  Chiu. 


In  presenting  this  book  to  the  English-speaking  public,  it  seems  desirable  to 
explain  how  the  author  has  been  led  to  offer  to  people  of  another  race  and  lan- 
guage a  work  whose  aim  is  to  illustrate  the  use  of  the  phrases  of  their  language. 
In  1868  he  compiled  an  English  and  Chinese  Lexicon,  which  was  revised  in  1875, 
with  the  addition  of  a  few  hundred  English  phrases.  These  phrases  were  not  de- 
fined, nor  was  their  use  illustrated  to  any  considerable  extent.  The  author  found 
in  his  own  study  of  the  English  language  the  need  of  such  help  as  would  be  fur- 
nished by  a  work  which  should  give  the  English  phrases,  with  definitions  and  illus- 
trative sentences.  The  dictionaries,  Webster's  Unabridged,  Worcester's,  and  La- 
tham's edition  of  Johnson's,  furnish  some  aid  in  this  department,  but  they  make 
no  special  treatment  of  it,  and  their  illustrations  are  necessarily  brief,  and  compar- 
atively few  in  number.  Feeling  this  need  and  finding  no  work  that  met  it,  the 
author  decided  to  make  a  separate  work  on  English  phrases  for  the  use  of  the  Chi- 
nese student.  He  has  accordingly  prepared  a  book  containing  about  6,000  phrases, 
with  definitions  and  illustrations  in  appropriate  sentences.  In  the  preface  to  it  the 
character  of  the  work  is  explained. 

And  although  that  work  is  not  yet  published,  yet  as  it  preceded  this  in  the 
original  plan  and  in  the  composition,  it  will  not  be  altogether  inappropriate  to  re- 
peat here  some  statements  which  are  made  in  the  preface  to  that  book. 

"The  author  was  commissioned  in  1875  as  a  member  of  the  Chinese  Educa- 
tional Commission,  in  Hartford,  Connecticut.  During  his  residence  of  five  years 
in  the  United  States  he  spent  much  time  in  the  preparation  of  this  work.  In  the 
collection  and  illustration  of  the  phrases  by  appropriate  sentences,  he  had  the  as- 
sistance of  Moses  C.  Welcli,  A.  m.,  and  the  Rev.  C.  S.  Sylvester.  The  plan 
adopted,  because  it  seemed  most  likely  to  be  of  service  to  the  student,  has  been 
to  define  each  phrase,  and  also  to  show  how  the  phrase  is  used  by  giving  one  or 
more  sentences  containing  it.  In  these  sentences  the  aim  has  been  to  give  exam- 
ples of  the  way  in  which  the  phrase  is  commonly  used.  Another  sentence  follows 
substantially  equivalent  to  this,  in  which  the  definition  of  the  phrase  is  used.  The 
phrase  is  defined  as  in  Webster  or  other  standard  authority.  And  in  the  absence 
of  such  authority,  such  definition  is  given  as  seems  most  accurately  to  describe  its 
use. 

These  phrases  are  not  in  equally  familiar  use.  Their  comparative  frequency 
is  indicated  by  letters  in  marks  of  parenthesis.     Those  that  are  most  familiar  are 


XVI  PKEFACE. 


4 


marked  (  a- ) ;  those  less  commonly  used  ( l> ) ;  and  those  that  are  more  or  less 
rare  (  c  ).  This  classification  must  however  be  regarded  as  only  an  approxima- 
tion to  the  absolute  fact,  since  different  judges  might  differ  about  the  comparative 
frequency  of  the  use  of  some,  or  perhaps  many  of  the  phrases. 

It  should  also  be  said  with  regard  to  the  classification  into  idioms,  Colloqui- 
alisms, and  siangr,  that  good  judges  differ  as  to  the  class  to  which  some  of  the 
expressions  should  be  assigned.  Thus  for  example,  Tit  for  tat,  Bore,  (a  trouble- 
some friend  or  acquaintance).  Cut  capers,  Cut  a  dash  or  fig^ure.  Cut  under,  (un- 
dersell,) and  Cut  out,  (supersede,)  are  given  in  Webster  as  expressions  in  good 
standing,  without  any  mark  of  depreciation ;  but  they  are  all  to  be  found  in  the 
Dictionary  of  Modern  Slang.  Webster  also  marks  as  colloquial.  Half  seas  over. 
Up  to  snuff.  Carry  on.  Post  up,  and  the  words  Crack,  Cram,  Crony,  which  the 
same  authority  tells  us  are  slang  expressions.     This  list  might  be  greatly  extended. 

This  difterence  is  partly  owing  to  the  greater  indulgence  which  is  given  to 
questionable  expressions  in  some  quarters  than  in  others,  and  partly  to  the  tendency 
of  the  lower  class  of  expressions  to  crowd  themselves  up  into  the  next  higher  set 
of  phrases. 

This  book  contains  also  a  list  of  Proverbs  and  proverbial  expressions  in  use 
amono-  English-speaking  people.  A  few  Chinese  Proverbs  and  Maxims  are  added. 
They  are  inserted  in  this  volume  as  interesting  specimens  of  Chinese  literature  and 
wisdom.  The  Chinese  distinguish  between  proverbs  and  maxims  thus :  the  pro- 
verb is  colloquial,  and  the  maxim  is  literary.  The  ground  of  this  distinction  is 
that  the  "literary  [written]  language"  and  the  colloquial  language  are  different. 
The  maxim  is  found  in  the  "  literary  language"  and  is  quoted  by  the  Chinese  in 
their  writings.  The  proverb  is  in  the  colloquial  language  and  is  quoted  in  con- 
versation. 

In  addition  the  author  gives  a  chronological  list  of  Chinese  dynasties  from  the 
beginning,  harmonized  with  the  chronology  of  Christian  nations,  with  some  ac- 
count of  the  rise  and  fall  of  the  successive  dynasties  down  to  the  present  time. 

Many  of  the  phrases  with  their  definitions  have  been  taken  from  Webster's 
Unabridged  Dictionary,  (the  leading  American  dictionary)  published  by  Messrs. 
G.  &  C.  Merriam  of  Springfield,  Mass.,  by  arrangement  between  the  publishers 
and  author.  Use  has  also  been  made  of  Roget's  Thesaurus  of  English  Words 
and  Phrases  ;  The  Slang  Dictionary,  London,  1873  ;  Bartlett's  Americanisms;  Dr. 
Brewer's  Dictionary  of  Phrase  and  Fable ;  and  the  Handbook  of  Proverbs  in 
Bohn's  Antiquarian  Library.  Many  phrases  have  been  taken  from  English  and 
American  newspapers  and  other  publications. 

In  preparing  the  supplement,  phrases  and  a  few  definitions  have  been  taken 
from  Worcester's  Dictionary,  a  standard  work,  and  from  Latham's  edition  of  John- 
son's Dictionary,  also  noted,  and  many  other  sources.  Frequent  reference  has 
been  made  to  Bouvier's  Law  Dictionary  (standard),  and  some  definitions  and  illus- 
trations of  law  phrases  are  in  the  exact  words  of  this  author.  Medbery's  Men  and 
Mysteries  of  Wall  Street,  (1870),  has  been  used  in  the  preparation  of  the  list  of 
Stocik  Exchange  Phrases.  For  this  use  of  these  various  works,  the  author  is  in- 
debted to  the  ready  and  courteous  consent  of  their  authors  and  publishers. 

The  book  closes  with  sketches  of  the  lives  of  Confucius,  the  Chinese  moralist. 


PREFACE.  XVll 

and  Jesus5,  the  founder  of  Christianity.  The  paramount  influence  of  Confucius  on 
the  literary  and  moral  culture  of  China  is  a  sufficient  reason  for  introducing  into 
this  book  a  brief  sketch  of  this  philosopher.  And  it  is  well  for  the  Chinese  stu- 
dent of  the  English  language  to  learn  something  about  the  author  of  that  religion, 
whose  sacred  scriptures,  found  in  the  Bible,  are  a  chief  source  of  what  is  strong 
and  beautiful  and  good  in  the  English  language  and  literature." 

There  is  no  work  in  English  which  treats  phrases  in  the  way  they  are  treated 
in  this  book.  The  dictionaries  illustrate  the  use  of  some  phrases  by  adding  a  sen- 
tence or  part  of  a  sentence  concerning  the  phrase.  But  the  dictionaries  necessarily 
give  such  illustrations  as  briefly  as  possible.  In  this  book  the  illustrations  are  full, 
and  in  addition  the  illustration  itself  is  explained,  so  that  the  student  has  a  double 
interpretation  of  the  phrase. 

The  phrases  are  gathered  from  all  sources,  and  cover  a  wider  range  of  intel- 
lectual and  social  life  than  any  individual  experience  embraces.  But  students  and 
all  who  read  are  constantly  meeting  with  them,  and  all  hear  many  of  them  in  con- 
versation. And  there  is  no  so  easy  way  to  learn  the  peculiar  meaning  of  them  as 
the  use  of  such  a  book  as  this. 

This  English  work  has  been  printed  without  change  from  the  plates  prepared 
for  the  English  and  Chinese  Dictionary  of  Phrases.  This  will  account  for  some 
peculiarities  of  the  work,  which  were  esteemed  suitable  to  the  original  aim  of  the 
book,  and  which  will  not,  it  is  hoped,  be  regarded  as  blemishes  in  a  work  which  is 
put  forth  for  the  use  of  English-speaking  youth  in  the  study  of  their  own  language. 
For  the  very  young  student,  the  introduction  of  the  most  common  phrases,  the 
repetitiousness  of  much  that  is  written,  and  the  taking  of  so  many  illustrations 
from  the  most  familiar  spheres  of  life  and  thought,  may  be  as  appropriate,  as  these 
features  were  conceived  to  be  in  the  work  which  was  designed  for  the  Chinese  stu- 
dent. 

The  author  trusts  he  will  not  be  accused  of  presumption  in  presenting  this 
work  to  those  whose  language  he  still  professes  himself  to  be  a  student  of,  in  its 
very  threshold.  For  he  had  no  thought,  in  the  beginning,  of  any  thing  more  than 
helping  his  countrymen,  who  now  and  hereafter  may  wish  to  become  acquainted 
with  a  language  confessedly  difficult  to  acquire.  But  having  compiled  a  work 
which  may  be  serviceable  to  English  students,  he  will  take  pleasure  in  considering 
any  such  possible  service  as  a  small  but  grateful  tribute  to  a  people  who  offer  to 
the  Chinese  student  such  a  valuable  acquisition  as  their  language. 

Hartford,  Conn., 

December  24,  1880. 


INTRODUCTION   TO   IDIOMATIC   PHRASES. 


It  is  mainly  "with  one  particular  department  of  idiom,  that  this  list  of  phrases 
has  to  do.  It  is  not  .with  idiom,  in  the  sense  of  dialect  or  language,  or  with  idiom 
as  denoting  the  particular  cast  of  a  language,  its  general  rules  of  construction, 
that  we  are  now  concerned,  but  with  "that  class  of  linguistic  anomalies"  (to  use 
the  words  of  G.  P.  Marsh)  "  which  teachers  and  dictionaries  call  phrases,  those  verb- 
al combinations,  the  purport  of  which  is  wholly  conventional,  and  can  not  be 
gathered  from  the  meaning  of  the  several  members  that  compose  them." 

These  phrases  are  not  the  production  of  a  single  writer,  or  of  a  whole  school 
of  writers.  They  are  the  product  of  the  English-speaking  race,  and  have  been 
coined  by  the  genius  of  the  people.  They  have  been  formed  to  express  new 
relations  or  new  ideas;  and  this  has  been  done  with  the  existing  vocabulary  and 
sometimes  with  existing  phrases,  by  stamping  a  new  meaning  on  them,  to  make 
thera  meet  the  new  necessity.  As  new  relations  have  arisen,  and  new  thoughts 
have  come  into  being,  the  necessit)''  has  led  somebody,  sometimes  the  learned  man, 
sometimes  the  unlearned,  to  give  expression  to  these  new  requirements,  not  by 
originating  new  words,  but  by  taking  the  words  at  hand,  and  so  combining  them 
as  to  make  them  express  the  new  idea.  And  as  a  result  we  have  a  set  of  expres- 
sions which  show  the  imagination  and  the  native  power  of  the  mind,  reveal  the 
character  of  the  people,  and  give  the  language  its  peculiar  force  and  beauty. 
Neither  are  they  the  product  of  any  one  time  or  period.  Naturally  many  date 
back  to  the  early  periods  of  the  growth  of  the  language,  because  these  early  peri- 
ods are  the  creative  periods  in  the  history  of  a  people.  But  the  process  of  form- 
ing these  phrases  is  continually  going  on,  in  proportion  to  the  formation  of  new 
ideas,  or  the  occurrence  of  new  relations. 

Most  of  these  phrases  are  figurative.  They  express  a  thought  or  an  act  by  words 
which,  taken  in  their  literal  sense,  denote  some  physical  action.  Or  they  sometimes 
express  one  physical  action  by  a  word  or  phrase  which,  in  the  primary  meaning, 
signifies  another  physical  action.  In  both  of  these  cases,  the  language  of  the  idio- 
matic phrase  is  pictorial.     It  represents  one  thing  by  the  picture  or  image  of  another. 

This  may  be  illustrated  by  one  or  two  phrases.     The  meaning  of  the  idiomatic 

(xviii) 


INTRODUCTION  TO   IDIOMATIC  PHRASES.  XIX 

[  phrase,  to  kill  time,  can  not  be  learned  from  the  literal  meaning  of  the  words. 

'  We  can  not  speak  of  putting  to  death  the  impersonal  and  incorporeal  thing,  which 

'  we  call  time.  But  the  mind  of  the  English-speaking  race  has  taken  these  words, 
and  by  its  imagination  and  its  moral  power  combined,  has  expressed  its  sense  of 

!  the  faultiness  of  certain  ways  of  spending  time,  by  saying  that  they  serve  to  kill 

^time.  And  in  this  way  a  certain  mental  conception  is  represented  under  the  im- 
age or  picture  of  the  physical  act  of  killing.  In  like  manner,  to  give  ear,  in 
the  literal  sense,  would  mean  something  which  requires  no  expression,  since  no  such 
thing  ever  takes  place.     But  the  ear  has  been  made  to  stand  for  the  office  or  use 

r  which  the  ear  was  organized  to  serve,  and  the  phrase,  to  give  ear,  has  been  coined 
to  express  the  idea  of  listening  or  giving  one's  attention. 

Now  in  writing,  it  is  no  merit  to  multiply  and  heap  up  these  phrases.  One's 
style  may  be  injured  either  by  an  excessive,  or  by  an  unnatural  use  of  them.  There 
is  no  literary  merit  at  all  in  using  them,  except  as  they  come  in,  in  suitable  con- 

I  nection,  as  the  mind's  natural  and  easy  way  of  giving  expression  to  its  thoughts 
and  feehngs.  And  this  is  the  case,  only  where  the  mind,  acquainted  with  the  best 
literature  of  the  language,  and  fully  inforaied  about  a  particular  subject,  knows 

.  what  to  say,  and  how  to  say  it.  The  mind  must  be  full,  in  order  to  say  any  thing 
to  the  purpose.  And  it  must  be  familiar  with  the  best  authors,  to  be  able  to  say 
it  with  good  effect. 


ABBREVIATIONS  AND  SIGNS  USED  IN  THIS  WORK. 


A.  D. 

stands  for 

Am. 

u 

ii 

Amer. 

Hist. 

ii 

Anat. 

u 

a 

Arch. 

u 

a 

Ass. 

ii 

a 

Astron 

ii 

ii 

B.C. 

a 

ii 

Bro. 

a 

a 

Carp. 
Chem. 

a 
ii 

Colloq. 
Co. 

ii 
a 

a 
a 

Com. 

a 

a 

Conn. 

ii 

ii 

Dr. 

ii 

a 

Eng. 

ii 

a 

Fr. 

ii 

ii 

Gen. 

a 

a 

Gram. 

a 

ii 

It. 

ii 

a 

Lat. 

a 

a 

Leg.          « 
Lt.,  Lieut. 

a 
a 

Lon.  and  China 

Tel. 

a 

ii 

Man. 

a 

ii 

Matt,  stands  for 
Mech.       "       " 
Med.         "       " 
Metaph.  "       " 
Mil.  "       " 

Mos.         "      " 


Anno  Domini. 

American. 

American  History 

Anatomy. 

Architecture. 

Association. 

Astronomy. 

Before  Christ. 

Brother. 

Carpentry. 

Chemistry. 

Colloquial. 

Company. 

Commerce. 

Connecticut. 

Doctor. 

England. 

French. 

General. 

Grammar. 

Italian. 

Latin. 

Legislation. 

Lieutenant. 

London  and  China 
Telegraph. 

Manege  (Horse- 
manship). 

Matthew  (Bihle).^ 

Mechanics. 

Medicine. 

Metaphysics. 

Military. 

Months. 


Nat.  Hist.  st's.  for]S"atural  History. 

ISTaut.        "       "     Nautical. 

Pet.  "       "     VQiQY  {Bible). 

Ps.  "       "     V^2lm?>  {Bible). 

Print.       "       "     Printing. 

Rom.  Cath.     "     Roman  Catholic. 

Scrip.       "       "     Scripture. 

Stock  Ex."       "     Stock  Exchange. 

Surg.        "       "     Surgery. 

Tenn.       "       "     Tennessee. 

Theol.      "       "     Theology. 

Tim.         "       "     Timothy  {Bibk). 

U.  S.        "       "     United  States. 

Ys.  "       "     Versus. 

Western  coun-      European  and 
tries  American  coun 

tries. 

Western  nations   European  and 
American  na- 
tions. 

Yrs.  stands  for  years. 

The  sign  =  after  a  phrase,  indi 
cates  that  the  definition  follows 
and  after  an  illustrative  sentence 
indicates  that  the  following  sen 
tence  is  explanatory,  and  substan 
tially  equivalent. 

The  dash  —  after  a  phrase,  indi 
cates  its  explanation  or  applica 
tion,  rather  than  a  strict  defini 
tion  of  it. 


(XX) 


IDIOMATIC   PHRASES. 


A. 

• 
A  bone    of  contention  =  A  subject  of  contention 
or  dispute,  (b) 
The  boundary  line  between  those  two  neighbors 
has  been  a  bone  of  contention  for  some  time  =  The 
boundary  line  between  those  two  neighbors  has  been 
a  subject  of  dispute  for  some  time. 
About  to,  to  be=:To  be  on  the  point  of;  to  be  rea- 
dy to ;  to  be  in  act  of.  (a) 
As  the  merchant  was  about  to  go  to  New  York,  to. 
purchase  goods,  he  received  a  telegram  announcing 
the  deatli  of  his  mother = As  the  merchant  was  on 
the  point  of  going  to  New  York  to  purchase  goods, 
he  received  a  telegram  announcing  the  death  of  his 
mother. 

The  grocer's  son  is  about  to  be  married  =  The  mar- 
riage of  the  grocer's  son  is  near. 
Above-board  =  Fairly ;  honorably;  without  trick  or 
concealment,  {b) 
He  did  not  act  above-board— lie  did  not  act  fairly 
and   openly.     In    carrying    on    business    the    two< 
men  were  fair  and  above-board =ln  carrying  on  busi- 
ness,  the  two  men   acted  fairly   and  honorably. 
Above  par  =  Above  the  nominal  value,  (a) 

^tna  stock  is  above  par  to-day  =r^tna  stock  is 
above  the  nominal  value  to-day.     Exchange  on  Lon- 
don  was  above  par  in  New  York,  yesterday  =  Ex- 
change was  in  favor  of  New  York,  yesterday. 
Above  work,  to  be,   or  to  feel  =  To  be  uuAvilling 
to  work,  because  of  pride  or  false  delicacy,  (a) 
He  who  feels  above  work,  has  a  mistaken  idea  of 
true  nobility  =  He,  who  is  unwilling  to  work  because 
of  pride,  has  a  mistaken  idea  of  true  nobility. 
Ab§ent-minded=: Inattentive   to   what    is   passing; 
having  the  thoughts  away  from  the  present  subject 
or  scenes,  (a) 


2  IDIOMATIC    PHKASES. 

One  of  the  students  was  very  absent-minded^  dur- 
ing the  historical  lecture  =:  During  the  historical  lec- 
ture, one  of  the  students  had  his  thoughts  far  away 
from  the  subject,  and  from  what  was  passing. 
According^  to  =  In  accordance  with;   in   a   manner 
according  with,  (a) 
Make  it  according   to   the  pattern = Make  it  like 
the  pattern.     A  woman  should  dress  according  to  her 
position = A  woman  should  dress  in  a  way  fit  for  her 
position.     Live  according  to  your  income = Live  as 
your  income  enables  you  to. 
Accord  with,  to  =  To  agree  with ;  to  suit,  (a) 

The  miser's  style  of  living  does  not  accord  ivith  his 
means  =  The  miser's  style  of  living  does  not  agree 
with  his  means. 
Acquiesced  in  (in  a  passive  sense)  =  Complied  with ; 
submitted  to  without  opposition,  (a) 
The  proposition  of  the  surgeon  to  establish  a  spe- 
cial ward  for  the  small-pox  cases,  was  acquiesced  in^ 
by  the  trustees  of  the  hospital  =  The  proposition  of 
the  surgeon  to  establish  a  special  ward  for  the  small- 
pox cases,  was  complied  with  by  the  trustees  of  the 
hospital. 
Act  up  to,  to  =  To  equal  in  action;  to  fulfill,  (a) 
Is  Turkey  acting  up  to  the  engagements  which  she 
made  in  the  treaty  of  Berlin  ?  =  Is  Turkey  fulfilling 
the  engagements  which  she  made  in  the  treaty  of 
Berlin  ? 
Add  fuel  to  the  flame,  to=rTo  increase  the  exist- 
ing excitement  or  interest,  (b) 
The  shooting  of  the  working-men's  candidate  for 
mayor,  only  added  fuel  to  the  flame  =  Th.e  shooting  of 
the  working-men's  candidate  for  mayor,  only  served 
to  increase  the  political  excitement. 
Addicted  to  ==  Devoted,  habituated,  or  given,  to.  (a) 
Although  so  young,  he  is  already  addicted  to  evil 
courses = Although  he  is  so  young,  he  has  already 
become  habituated  to  vicious  practices. 
A  dead  lock  =  A  stoppage ;   a  hindering  of  further 
progress,  (a) 

The  House  of  Representatives  has  come  to  a  dead 
lock  on  the  army  bill = The  House  of  Representa- 
tives has  come  to  a  point,  where  further  progress 
with  the  army  bill  is  hindered. 
Admit  of  exception§,  to = Not  to  be  inflexibly  uni- 
form or  binding,  (a) 
The  rule  of  the  City  hotel  that  boarders  must  pay 
in   advance,  admits  of  exceptions  — The   rule   of  the 
City  hotel  that  boarders  must  pay  in  advance,  is  not 
inflexibly  binding. 


IDIOMATIC    PHRASES.  3 

A  draiirn  battle = A  battle  in  which  neither  party 
gains  the  victory,  (b) 
The  battle  of  Edgehill  between  the  royalists  and 
the  parliamentary  forces,  is  said  by  some  writers,  to 
have  been  a  draivn  haitk—ln  the  battle  at  Edgehill, 
neither  party,  according  to  some,  gained  the  victory. 
Afford  it,  to=:To   expend  with  profit,    or  without 
loss,  (a) 
I  can  not  afford  to  buy  a  carriage = I  am  too  poor 
to  buy  a  carriage.     I  will  buy  it  when  I  can  afford 
it=:l  will  buy  it  when  I  have  money  enough. 
Afore  the  mast  =  A  phrase  applied  to   a  common 
sailor,  who  holds  no  office  on  the  ship,  (h) 
The  widow's  only  son  has  gone  to  sea  afore  the 
mast— The.  widow's  only  son  has  gone  to  sea  as  a 
common  sailor. 
After  one'§  heart,  to  be  =  To  be  just  what  the  per- 
son desires  or  appreciates,  (a) 
"  The  Crown  Princess  is,  in  respect  to  economy,  a 
child   after  her   mother^ s   own    Aear^"  =  The    Crown 
Princess,  in  economy,  does  precisely  what  her  mother 
wishes  to  see  done. 
Age  of  man  =z  The  period  beginning  with  man's  ap- 
pearance on  the  earth ; .  the  era  of  the  human  race. 
{a) 
Geology  shows  that  fishes  and  reptiles  existed  be- 
fore the  age  of  man  =  Geology  shows  the  existence 
of  fishes  and  reptiles  on  the  earth,  before  the  era  of 
the  human  race. 
A  good  turner  An  occasional  or  incidental  act  of 
kindness ;  an  opportune  favor,  (c) 
My  friend  did  me  a  good  turn,  in  recommending 
my  son  for  the  position  of  clerk  in  the  wholesale 
store  :=  My  friend  conferred  an  opportune  favor  on 
me,  by  recommending  my  son  for  the  position  of 
clerk  in  the  wholesale  store. 
Agree  to,  to  =  To  yield  assent,  (a) 

I  offered  him  $1,000  a  year  to  do  the  work,  and  he 
agreed  to  the  ofier=I  offered  him  $1,000  a  year,  and- 
he  yielded  assent  to  the  offer. 
Agree  -with,  to=:l.To  suit,  or  be  adapted  in  its 
effects,  (a)     2.  To  come  to  terms ;  to  make  a  stipu- 
lation, by  way  of  settling  differences,  or  determin- 
ing a  price,  (a)     3.  To  resemble,  (b) 
1.  Cofiee  does  not  agree  with  some  persons = Cof- 
fee is  not  adapted  to  some  persons.     1.  The  same 
food  does   not   agree   luith  eveiy  constitution  =  The 
same  food  does  not  suit  every  constitution.     3.  Di 
you  not  agree  with  me,  to  work  for  $1.00  a  day?=. 
Did  you  not  make  a  stipulation  with  me,  to  work  :(,qJs  ^y  m  t^' 


4  IDIOMATIC    PHRASES. 

$1.00  a  day?     3.  The  picture  does  not  agree  wiili  tlie 
originals  The  picture  does  not  resemble  the  original. 
A  kind  of  =  Something  belonging  to  the  class   of; 
Something  like  to ;  (said  loosely  or  slightingly),  (a) 
He  is  ambitious  of  literary  distinction,  but  his 
writings  are  a  hind  of  school-girl  performance  =  He 
is  ambitious  of  literary  distinction,  but  his  writings 
belong  to  the  class  of  school-girl  compositions. 
Alive  to,  to  toe  =  To  have  susceptibility ;  or,  to  be 
easily  impressed,  (a) 
He  is  thoroughly  alive  to  your  wants  ==  He  is  much 
interested  in  attending  to  your  wants.     I  am  keenly 
alive  to  your  sufferings  =  I  am  much  impressed  and 
sympathize   witli    your    sufferings.     Every    citizen 
ought  to  be  alive  to  the  importance  of  having  good 
public  schools  =  Every  citizen  ought  to  feel  the  im- 
portance of  having  good  schools. 
All  agog  =  Highly  excited  by  eagerness  after  an  ob- 
ject, (c) 

The  j)eople  were  all  agog  to  hear  the  news  about 
the  riot = The  people  were  all  excited  to  hear  the 
news  about  the  riot.     The  school-children  were  all 
agog  to  have  a  sleigh-ride  =  The  school-children  were 
very  eager  and  anxious  to  have  a  sleigh-ride. 
All  along  =  The  whole  way,  distance,  or  length,  (a) 
As  we  rode  up  the  mountain  we  saw  beautiful 
flowers  all  along  — A.^  we  rode  up  the  mountain  we 
saw  beautiful  flowers  throughout  the  whole  way. 
All  at  once  =  Abruptly ;  suddenly,  (a) 

I  was  reading,  when  all  at  once  there  came  a  loud 
knock  =  I  was  reading,  when  suddenly  there  came  a 
loud  knock.     All  at  once  the  ship  gave  a  lurch  =  Sud- 
denly  the   ship   lurched.      All  at    once    he    threw 
up  his  arms  and  fell = Suddenly  he  threw  up  his 
arms  and  fell. 
All  in  all,  to  toe  =  To  be  everything ;  to  be  mutually 
devoted,  (c) 
That  husband  and  wife  are  all  in  all  to  each  other 
*  =:That  husband  and  wife   are   everything  to   one 
another;   they  are  devoted  to  each  other.     These 
two  school  girls  are*  all  in  all  to  each  others  These 
two  school  girls  are  everything  to  one  another ;  or 
are  devotedly  attached  to  one  another. 
All  in  tlie  world  =  All  that  exists ;  all  that  is  possi- 
ble, (a) 
He  is  so  penurious,  that  all  the  entreaty  in  the 
ivorld  will  not  get  any  money  out  of  him  =  He  is  so 
penurious  that  all  possible  entreaty,  will  not  obtain 
money  from  him.      All  the  skill  in  the  world  could 
not  devise  a  safe  and  expeditious  method  of  naviga- 


IDIOMATIC    PHRASES.  5 

ting  the  air = All  possible  skill  could  not  devise  a 
safe  and  expeditious  method  of  navigating  the  air. 
All  manner  of  ways  =1.  In    every   direction,   (c) 
2.  All  means,  (c) 
1.  The  tornado  blew  the  trees  in  the  forest  all 
manner  of  ways  =  ll\\Q  tornado  blew  the  trees  in  the 
forest  in  every  direction.     2.  The  lawyer  tried  all 
manner  ofhuays  to  clear  his  client  of  the  charge  of 
murder = The  lawyer  tried  all  means  to  acquit  his 
client  of  the  charge  of  murder. 
AU  tlie  rage,  to  be=:To  be  the  subject  of  eager  de- 
sire ;  to  be  sought  after  or  prosecuted  with  unrea- 
sonable or  excessive  passion,  (a) 
"Pinafore"  has  been  all  the  rage  for  months  =  The 
performance  of  "Pinafore"  on  the  stage  has  been 
attended  by  throngs  for  months,  with  unreasonable 
and  excessive  passion. 
All  tlie  same  ;  all  one  =  A  matter  of  indifference ; 
the  same  in  result ;  to  amount  to  the  same  thing,  (a) 
It  is  aU'one,,SiS  to  time,  whether  you  go  by  boat, 
or  by  wagon  =  It  amounts  to  -the  same  thing,  as  to 
the  time  it  takes  to  go,  whether  you  go  by  boat,  or 
by  wagon.     It  is  all  one  to  my  boy,  whether  he 
studies  grammar  or  aritlimetic  =  It  is  matter  of  in- 
difference to  my  boy  whether  he  studies  grammar 
or  arithmetic.     It  is  all  the  same  to  me,  whether  you 
buy  my  house  or  not=:I  am  indifferent  whether  or 
not  you  buy  my  house. 
All  told  =  All  counted;  in  all;  including  the  whole 
number  as  actually  counted,  (a) 
There  were  forty-nine  persons  in  tlie  audience,  all 
told=zThere   were    forty-nine   in   the   audience,    all 
counted. 
A  man  of  letters  =: An  educated  and  literary  man; 
one  who  makes  literature  his  pursuit,  (a) 
Being  a  man  of  letters,  he  was  introduced  into  ^ood 
society 3=  Being  an  educated  and  literary  man,  he 
was  introduced  into  good  society. 
A  matter  of  life  and  deaths  Involving  the  ques- 
tion of  living  or  dying,  (c) 
When  the  hunter  fired  at  the  lion,  which  was 
about  to  spring  on  him,  it  was  a  matter  of  Ife  and 
death  vdth  the  hunter = When  the  hunter  fired  at 
the  lion,  which  was  about  to  spring  on  him,  the 
question  of  the  hunter's   living  or  dying   was  in- 
volved. 
Amende  honorable  =  A  public  recantation  or  repa- 
ration to  an  injured  party,  for  improper  language, 
or  treatment,  (c) 
A  man  may,   through  misapprehension  of  the 


6  IDIOMATIC    PHRASES. 

facts,  be  led  to  accuse,  or  ill-treat,  another  person 
wrongfully ;  but  if  lie  is  a  gentleman,  lie  will  make 
the  amende  honorable  — A.  man  may,  through  misap- 
prehension of  the  facts,  be  led  to  accuse  or  ill-treat 
another  person  wrongfully ;  but  when  he  discovers 
the  mistake,  he  will  make  a  public  reparation  for 
his  improper  language,  or  treatment. 
And  so  forth,  (etc.,  &c.)= And  more  of«the  same  or 
similar  kind,  (a) 
I  own  horses,  cattle,  etc.=\  own  horses,  cattle,  and 
other  animals.     The  grocer  deals  in  tea,  coffee,  spices, 
'&C.  —  The  grocer  deals  in  tea,  coffee,  spices,  and  other 
articles  of  the  same  kind.     The  speaker  appealed  to 
our  honor,  sense  of  justice,  love  of  country,  and  so 
forth=The  speaker  applied  to  our  honor,  sense  of 
justice,  love  of  country,  and  other  similar  motives. 
Answer  the  hell,  or  door,  to  =:  To  go  and  open  the 
door,  when  a  knock  or  ring  has  been  given,  (a) 

One  of  the  new  maid's  duties  is,  to  answer  the  bell 
rr  One  of  the  new  maid's  duties  is,  to  go  and  open 
the  door  when  the  bell  has  been  rung. 
Answer  the  purpose,  or  demand,  to  — To  be  or 
act  in  compliance  with  the  purpose,  or  in  fulfill- 
ment of  the  demand,  (a) 
The  new  feeder  in  the  sewing  machine  will  an- 
swer the  purpose^The  new   feeder   in   the   sewing 
machine  will  act  in  fulfillment  of  the  purpose. 
Apiece = Piece  by  piece ;  one  by  one;  singly,  (a) 
I  paid  five  cents   apiece  for  these  oranges = I  paid 
five  cents  for  each  one  of  these  oranges. 
Apple  of  discords  A   subject   of  contention,  and 
envy,  (c) 
Afghanistan  seems  to  be  an  apple  of  discord  be- 
tween England  and  Russia = Afghanistan  seems  to 
be  a  subject  of  contention,  and  envy,  between  Eng- 
land  and   Russia.     An  apple  of  discord  has   been 
thrown  among  the  king's  ministers = A  subject  of 
contention,  and  envy,  has  been  presented  to  the 
king's  ministers. 
Armed  to  the  teethe  Fully  armed,  (c) 

The  highway  robbers  were  armed  to  the  teeth  =  The 
highway  robbers  were  completely  armed.  We  met 
a  soldier,  on  the  street,  armed  to  the  teeth =We  met  a 
soldier,  on  the  street,  wearing  all  the  arms  he  could. 
As  far  as^To  that  extent  or  degree  or  distance,  (a) 
I  will  walk  with  you  as  far  as  the  church  =  I  will 
accompany  you  the  distance  to  the  church.  As  far 
as  I  know,  there  are  no  peaches  in  market = To  the 
extent  of  my  knowledge,  there  are  no  peaches  in 
market. 


IDIOMATIC   PHRASES.  7 

A§  gfood  as  =  Iii  effect ;  virtually  ;  not  less  than,  (a) 
The  merchant  as  good  as  promised  the  oi'phan  boy, 
that  he  would  adopt  him  =  The  merchant  virtually 
promised  the  orphan  boy  that  he  would  adopt  him. 
He  is  as  good  as  a  thief  =  He  is  the  same  as  a  thief. 
A§  good  as  one's  -word  =  Fulfilling  one's  promise,  (a) 
The  butcher  was  as  good  as  his  word — he  sent  the 
meat  in  season  for  dinner=:The  butcher  fulfilled  his 
promise  to  send  the  meat  in  time  for  dinner.     You 
will  find  him  as  good  as  his  word=You  will  find  that 
he  will  do  as  he  says. 
A  sliort  cut=:A  cross  route  which  shortens  the  way, 
and  cuts  off  a  circuitous  passage,  (a) 
Instead  of  going  to  town  by  the  road,  the  boy 
took  a  short  cut  across  the  fields  =  Instead  of  going  to 
town  by  the  road,  the  boy  went  by  a  cross  route 
through  the  fields.     He  entered  the  profession  of 
law  by  a  short  cut^He  omitted  some  of  the  usual 
preparation  in  becoming  a  lawyer. 
As  if=Of  the  same  kind,  or  in  the  same  manner, 
that  it  would  be  if.  (a) 
Yonder  mountain  appears,  as  if  it  was  covered 
with  snow = Yonder  mountain  appears  the  same  as 
it  would,  if  it  was  covered  with  snow. 
As  it  were  =  A  qualifying  phrase  used  to  apologize 
for,  or  to  relieve,  some  expression  which  might  be 
regarded  as  inappropriate  or  incongruous;  so   to 
speak,  (a) 
This  book  gives,  as  it  were,  a  picture  of  the  coun- 
try =  This  book  gives  something,  almost  the  same  as 
a  picture  of  the  country.     He  rose,  at  one  leap,  as 
it  luere,  to  the  highest  officer  He  rose,  by  a  sudden 
leap,  so  to  speak,  to  the  highest  office. 
As  mucli  as  to  say  =  Equivalent  to  saying;  just  the 
same  as  saying,  (a) 
You  said,  "  all  right,"  which  was  as  much  as  to  say 
that  you  was  satisfied = You  said,  "all  right,"  which 
was  just  the  same  as  saying  that  you  was  satisfied. 
As  such  =  In  intrinsic  character;  strictly  defined,  (b) 
1  have  nothing  to  say  in  extenuation  of  murder, 
as  such;  but  there  is  such  a  thing,  you  know,  as 
justifiable  homicide = I  have  nothing  to  say  in  ex- 
tenuation of  murder,  strictly  defined ;  but  there  is 
such  a  thing,  you  know,  as  justifiable  homicide. 
As  the  crow  flies  =  In  a  straight  line,  (c) 

It  is  ten  miles  from  Hartford  to  Manchester,  as 
the  crow  flies =li  is  ten  miles  from  Hartford  to  Man- 
chester, by  a  straight  line  through  the  air.  As  the 
crow  flies,  it  is  not  more  than  50  miles  to  Pekin=In 


8  IDIOMATIC    PHRASES. 

a  straight  line  it  is  only  50  miles  to  Pekin,  (altliough 
further  by  the  road.) 
As  well  as = And  also;  not  less  than;  one  as  much 
as  the  other,  (a) 
The  fever  will  attack  you,  as  ivell  as  me  =  The 
fever  has  attacked  me,  and  it  will  attack  you  also. 
London  is  the  largest  city  in  England,  as  well  as  the 
.capital = London  is  the  largest  city  in  England,  and 
also  the  capital. 
At  a  blow  =  Suddenly ;    at  one  effort;   by  one  ac- 
tion, (a) 
The  Persian  army  was  once  annihilated,  at  a  hlow  = 
The  Persian  army  was  once  annihilated,  by  one  action. 
^^t  a  dead  set,  to  l>e  =  To  be  prevented  from  pro- 
ceeding in  any  enterprise,  (c) 
I  am  at  a  dead  set  in  building  my  house,  for  lack 
of  funds  which  I  expected  =  I  am  prevented  from 
proceeding  with  building    my  house,  for  lack   of 
funds  which  I  expected. 
At  a  disadvantage,  to  toe  =  To  be  in  an  unfavorable 
condition,  or  in  one  which  prevents  success,  (a) 
Lie  is  at  a  disadvantage  for  success  in  business,  be- 
cause he  has  so  little  capitals  He  is  in  an  unfavora- 
ble condition  for  success  in  business,  because  he  has 
so  little  capital. 
At  all-  events  =:  Certainly  ;  without  fail,  (a) 

At  all  events  I  will  visit  you  during  the  summer = I 
will  certainly  visit  you  during  the  summer. 
At  a  loss,  to  toe  —  To  be  puzzled ;  to  be  unable  to 
determine ;  to  be  in  a  state  of  uncertainty,  (a) 
I  am  at  a  loss  for  a  word  =  I  can  not  think  what 
word  to  use.     The  tardy  scholar  was  at  a  loss  for  an 
excuses  The  tardy  scholar  could  not  think  of  an 
excuse.     I  missed  my  train,  and  was  at  a  loss  to 
know  what  to  do  =  I  failed  to  meet  my  train,  and  was 
perplexed  to  know  what  to  do. 
At  a  low  etoto,  to  toe  =  To  be  in  a  state  of  decline  or 
decay,  (a) 
Manufacturing  business  is  at  a  low  e&5= Manufac- 
turing is  in  a  state  of  depression. 
At  anchor  =  Piding  by  her  anchor;  anchored,  (a) 
As  we  sailed  out  of  the  harbor  we  passed  a  ship 
at  anchor  =z  As  we  sailed  out  of  the  harbor  we  passed 
a  ship  riding  by  her  anchor  (anchored.) 
At  any  rate  =  If  what  has  been  said  is  not  correct, 
this  is,  at  all  events ;  certainly,  (a) 
The  man  seems  to  have  forgotten  his  wife,  at  any 
rate  he  has  not  written  to  her  since  leaving  home 
=:The  man  seems  to  have  forgotten  his  wife,  or  if 
he  has  not  forgotten  her,  he  has  not  written  to  her 


IDIOMATIC    PHRASES.  9 

since  he  left  home.     We  at  any  rate  are  safe,  for  we 
are  in  the  life-boat— We  at  all  events  are  safe,  for  we 
are  in  the  life-boat.     This,  at  any  rate,  is  true  =  This 
is  certainly  true. 
At  a  stand,  to  toe  =  To  stop  on  account  of  some 
doubt  or  difficulty  ;  hence  to  be  perplexed,  (c) 
When  the  bills   were   presented,  the  bank  was 
closed,  and  I  was  very  much  at  a  stand ~1  was  quite 
perplexed ;  I  did  not  know  what  to  do,  when  the 
bills  were  presented,  for  the  bank  was  closed. 
At  a  stretcli  —  At  one  effort ;   consecutively  ;   unin- 
terruptedly, {a) 

The  pedestrian  walked  twenty  miles  at  a  stretch 
=  The  pedestrian  walked  twenty  miles  at  one  effort. 
He  studied  ten  hours  at  a  stretch  =zlle  studied  ten 
hours  at  one  sitting,  or  consecutively. 
At  a  Teiiture=: At  hazard;  without  seeing  the  end 
or  mark  ;  without  foreseeing  the  issue,  (c) 
I  invested  a  thousand  dollars,  in  the  rail-i*oad,  at  a 
venture =1  invested  in  the  rail-road  a  thousand  dol- 
lars, without  foreseeing  the  issue.     I  will  write  a 
letter  to  my  nephew,  advising  him  to  attend  school 
longer,  at  a  venture  — \  will  write  a  letter  to  my 
nephew,  advising  him  to  attend  school  longer,  not 
knowing  whether  the  advice  will  be  favorably  re- 
ceived, or  not. 
At  toay=:A  state  of  being  kept  off*,  or  of  detention 
and  expectancy,  {h) 
The  inhabitants  of  Charleston  kept  the   yellow 
fever  at  hay^  by  quarantine  and  other  sanitary  meas- 
ures =  The  inhabitants  of  Charleston  defended  them- 
selves against  the  yellow  fever,  by  quarantine  and 
other  sanitary  measures. 
At  toe8t=:In  the  utmost  degree  or  extent  applicable 
to  the  case,  (a) 
Life  is  very  short,  at  hest^ln  its  utmost  extent, 
life  is  very  short. 
At  cro§8  purposes,  to  toe  =  To  act  counter  to  one 
another  without  intending  it ;  (said  of  persons),  (a) 
The  father  and  the  mother  were  grieved  to  find 
that  they  had  been  at  cross  purposes  in  the  training 
of  their  child  =  The  father  and  the  mother  found  to 
their  sorrow,  that  they  had  been  acting  counter  to 
one  another,  in  the  training  of  their  child,  without 
intending  it. 
At  death's  door=iYery  near  death,  (h) 

He  lies  at  death'' s  door— He  is  past  recovery  and 
very  near  death. 
At  discretion  =  Without  conditions  or  stipulations,  (a) 
The  defeated  general  surrendered  at  discretion  =  The 


JO  IDIOMATIC    PHRASES. 

defeated  general   surrendered   without    conditions. 
The  city  was  without  food  and  ammunition,  and 
surrendered  at  discretion =ThG  city  was  without  food 
and  ammunition,  and  surrendered  without  conditions. 
At  ease = In  a  condition  of  ease;   free  from   pain, 
trouble,  or  constraint,  (c) 
The  governor's  affability  puts  every  one  at  ease,  in 
his  presence  =  The  governor's  affability  causes  every 
one  to  be  free  from  constraint,  and  in  a  condition  of 
ease,  in  his  presence. 
At  every  turn = At   every  change  (of  direction  or 
effort;)  in  every  new  aspect  of  affairs;  in  every 
new  position,  (a) 
I  went  down  town,  and  met  my  friend  at  every 
turn=l  went  down  town,  and  met  my  friend  every 
time  I  changed  my  course.*    The  man  who  was  try- 
ing to  get  into  business  was  frustrated,  at  every  turn 
=  The  man  who  was  trying  to  find  business  was 
frustrated,  in  every  effort.     At  every  turn  he  met 
difficulties = He  found  difficulties  in  every  new  po- 
sition of  affairs.     He  was  disappointed  at  every  turn 
in  his  attempt  to  raise  moneys  He  was  disappointed 
in  every  direction,  in  his  attempt  to  raise  money. 
At  fault,  to  toe  =  To  be  in  trouble  or  embarrassment, 
and  unable  to  proceed ;  to  be  puzzled ;  thrown  off 
the  track,  (a) 
I  am  wholly  at  fault  here,  for  I  see  no  path  =  I  am 
wholly  unable  to  find  my  way  here,  for  I  see  no 
path.     You  are  entirely  at  fault  in  your  understand- 
ing of  the  matter = You  are  puzzled,  and  mistaken, 
in  your  understanding  of  the  matter. 
At  grade  =:  On  the  same  level,-said  of  the  crossing 
of  a  rail-road  with  another  rail-road  or  higliway, 
when  they  are  on  the  same  level  at  the  point  of 
crossing. 
Kailroad  crossings  at  grade  are  often  guarded  by 
gates  =  Rail-road   crossings   of   highways    or    other 
rail-roads  on  the  same  level,  are  often  guarded  by 
gates. 
At  hand,  near  at  hand^lSTear  in  time  or  place,  (a) 
The  close  of  the  month  is  at  hand=The  close  of 
the  month  is  near.     The  hour  of  my  departure  for 
"New  York  is  near  at  ha7id=:Th.Q  hour  of  my  de- 
parture for  E'ew  York  is  near. 
At   heart = In  the  true   character    or    disposition; 
really,  (a) 
His  manners  are  cold,  but  he  is  at  heart  a  kind 
man = His  manners  are  cold,  but  he  is  really  a  kind 
man. 


IDIOMATIC    phrases:  11 

At  his  best = In  his  best  style,  or  workmanship,  or 
the  like.  (6) 

In  the  style  of  the  book,  the  author  is  at  his  best 
=  The  author's  best  style  appears  in  the  book. 
At  liome  on  or  in  any  subject,  to  l>c  =  To  be  con- 
versant or  familiar  with  it ;  to  be  skilled  in  it.  (a) 
Whatever  subject  is  introduced  in  conversation, 
my  cousin  shows  himself  at  home  on  it=My  cousin 
shows  that  he  is  familiar  with  every  subject  that 
comes  up  in  conversation.     The  teacher  is  at  home 
in    history = The    teacher    thoroughly   understands 
history. 
At  issuer  In   controversy;    disputed;    at   variance; 
disagreeing ;  inconsistent,  (b) 
His  practice,  as  physician,  is  at  issue  with  correct 
therapeutic  principles  =  His  practice,  as  physician,  is 
inconsistent  with  correct  therapeutic  principles.     In 
the  revolutionary  war,  England  and  America  were 
at  issue  concerning  American  independence = In  the 
revolutionary  war,  England  and  America  disagreed 
in  regard  to  American  independence. 
At  larg^e  =  1.  Without  restraint  or   confinement,  (a) 
2.  Diffusely ;  fully  ;  in  the  full  extent,  (a) 
1.  At  the  west  in  many  places,  swine  are  suffered 
to  go  at  large=Jn  many  places  at  the  west,  swine 
are  suffered  to  run  without  restraint.     2.  In  his  re- 
cent work  he  has  treated  of  international  law  at 
large =ln  his  recent  work  he  has  treated  of  interna- 
tional law  in  its  full  extent. 
At  last  =  At  the  end;   in  the  conclusion ;   (referring 
not  to  lapse  of  time,  but  to  obstacles  overcome.)  (a) 
1  had  many  obstacles  in  obtaining  an  interview 
with  the  prime  minister,  but  at  last  1  succeeded  =  I 
had  many  obstacles  in  obtaining  an  interview  with 
the  prime  minister,  but  in  the  conclusion  I  succeeded. 
At  least,  at  the  least  =  At  the  lowest  estimate ;  at 
the  smallest  concession  or  claim ;  to  say,  ask,  or 
expect  no  more,  (a) 
If  you  can  not  spare  a  hundred,  at  the  least,  let  me 
have  twenty  dollars  =  If  you  can  not  spare  a  hundred, 
at  the  lowest  estimate  let  me  have  twenty  dollars. 
The  friend  whom  I  expected  to  visit  me,  will  spend 
three  weeks  with  me,  at  the  /eas^=  The  friend  wliom 
I  expected  to  visit  me,  will  spend  three  weeks  with 
me,  at  the  lowest  estimate. 
At  lengths  Finally  ;  after  so  long  time,  (a) 

A  t  length  the  plumber  has  discovered  what  is  the 
matter  with  the  water-pipe = The  plumber  has  finally 
discovered  the  trouble  with  the  water-pipe. 
At  leisure  =1. Free  from  occupation;  not  busy,  (a) 


12  IDIOMATIC    PHRASES. 

2.  In  a  leisurely  manner ;  at  a  convenient  time,  (a) 
1.  I  am  at  leisure  now  =  I  am  not  busy  now.     2. 
You  may  do -it  at  your  /e^s^^re  =  You  may  do  it  in  a 
leisurely  manner,  or  at  a  time  convenient  to  you. 
At  liberty  =  Free ;  without  restraint;  unconiined.  (a) 
You  ask  for  the  use  of  my  horse,  and  you  are  at 
liberty  to  use  him  =:  You  ask  for  my  horse,  and  you 
are  free  to  use  him.     He  has  been  engaged,  but  he 
is  at  liberty  now  to  go,  if  he  chooses  =  He  has  been 
engaged,  but  he  is  now  free  to  go,  if  he  chooses. 
At   most ;    at  the  most  =  At   the   utmost ;    at   the 
furthest  possible  amount  or  degree,  (a) 
At  most,  the  judge  could  only  sentence  the  crimi- 
nal to  five    years    imprisonments  At    the   furthest 
possible  amount,  the  judge  could  only  sentence  the 
criminal  to  five  years  imprisonment. 
At  odds  =  In  dispute,  (c) 

He  saw  two  men  at  odds  about  a  bill  of  goods = He 
saw  two  men  in  dispute  concerning  a  bill  of  goods. 
At  one's  best,  to  be=:To  be  in  the  best  possible  con- 
dition, (a) 

The  singer  at  the  opera  was  at  her  best,  last  night 
r=The  singer  at  the  opera  last  night,  w^as  in  the  best 
possible  condition  of  voice  and  spirits. 
At  one's  feet  =  In  the  relation  of  subjection,  or  sub- 
mission, (c) 
The  work-women  in  the  factory  struck  for  higher 
wages,  but  the  owners  refused  firmly  to  raise  the 
wages,  and  soon  they  had  the  work-women  at  their 
feet z^The  factory  owners  refused  to  raise  the  wages 
of  the  women  who  demanded  it,  and  before  long  the 
w^ants  of  the  women  obliged  them  to  return  to  work 
on  the  old  wages. 
At  one's  peril  ==  With  risk  or  danger  to  one ;  in  jeop- 
ardy, (a) 
If  a  soldier  showed  his  head  above  the  breast- 
works, he  did  it  at  his  peril,  or  at  the  peril  of  his  life 
=  If  a  soldier  put  his  head  above  the  breastworks, 
he  did  it  with  the  risk  of  losing  his  life. 
At  one's  post,  to  be  =  To  be  at  an  appointed  place 
of  service,  or  of  trust,  (a) 
The  clerk  is  always  at  his  post— The  clerk  is  al- 
ways where  his  duty  is.     The  druggists  are  at  their 
post,  day  and  night  =  The  druggists  are  at  their  place 
of  duty,  day  and  night.     The  sentinel  died  at  his 
2^05^;=  The  sentinel  died  in  his  place  of  duty. 
At  one's  service,  to  be  =  To  be  ready  to  assist  one ; 
willing  to  do  a  kind  or  courteous  deed  for  one.  (a) 
If  you  wish  to  ride  this  afternoon,  both  myself 
and  my  carriage  will  be  at  your  service  =:lf  you  wish 


IDIOMATIC    PHRASES.  13 

to  ride  this  afternoon,  I  shall  be  happy  to  afford  you 
the  use  of  my  carriage,  and  I  myself  shall  be  at 
liberty  to  accompany  you.  For  this  work  I  am  at 
your  service =1  am  ready  to  serve  you  in  this  work. 
At  peace  =  In  a  state  of  peace ;  not  engaged  in  war, 
controversy  or  the  like,  (a) 

The  United  States  is  at  peace  with  other  nations 
—  The  United  States  is  not  engaged  in  w^ar  with  any 
nation. 
At  random  =  Without  settled  aim  or  purpose ;  vague- 
ly ;  without  definiteness.  (a) 
A  shot,  iired  at    random^  struck  the  soldier  =  A 
ball  fired  without  aim  struck  the  soldier.     I  spoke  at 
random^  in    saying  that  not  one  half  the  children 
attend  school  =  I  spoke  vaguely  in  saying  that  not 
one  half  the  children  attend  school. 
At  §ca  =  On  the  ocean,  (a) 

Wliile  the  sailor  was  at  sea,  he  received  only  two 
letters  from  home  =  While  the   sailor   was   on   the 
ocean,  he  received  only  two  letters  from  home. 
At  §]iort  notice  =  In  a  brief  time;  promptly,  (a) 
This  work  was  done  at  short  notice =T\ih  work 
was  done  very  quickly,  after  being  ordered.     Please 
be  ready  to  come  at  short  notice ^Tlease  be  ready  to 
come  soon,  when  you  are  notified.     . 
At  §BgIit,  after  sight,  (bills   and   notes) = On  or  after 
presentment,  (a) 
The  bill  is -made  payable  at  sight =Th.e  bill  is  made 
payably  on  presentment. 
At  §take  =  In  danger;  hazarded;  pledged,  (a) 

He  has  put  all  his  property  at  stake  in  tliis  one 
investments  He  has  hazarded  all  his  property  in  this 
one  investment.     He  is  charged  with  fraud,  and  his 
reputation  is  at  stake =}Ig  is  charged  with  fraud,  and 
his  reputation  is  put  to  the  hazard,  or  is  in  danger. 
At  stated  periods  =  At  regularly  recurring  intervals 
of  time ;  at  fixed  times. 
New  moons  occur  at  stated  periods z^'New  moons 
occur  at  regularly  recurring  intervals  of  time. 
At  swords'  points,  to  be  =  To  be  on  the  point  of 
fighting ;  to  be  enemies,  (a) 

The  colonel  and  the  surgeon  are  at  swords'*  points 
=  The  colonel  and  the  surgeon  are  bitter  enemies. 
At  the  bottom  =  At  the  foundation,  base,  (a) 

I  must  get  at  the  bottom  of  the  case  =  I  must  learn 
the  whole  of  the  case,  even  its  first  beginnings. 
Who  is  at  the  bottom  of  this  disturbance  ?  =  Who  is 
causing  this  disturbance  ?  Rum  is  at  the  bottom  of 
half  the  misery  in  the  world  =:  Strong  drink  causes 
one-half  of  the  misery   in  the  world.     He  w^as,  at 


14  IDIOMATIC    PHRASES. 

the  bottom^  honest  and  sincere  =  He  was,  at  the  foun- 
dation, or  'at  heart,  honest  and  sincere.     The  mer- 
chant's energy  and  perseverance  are  at  the  bottom  of 
his  success  =  The  merchant's  energy  and  persever- 
ance are  at  the  foundation  of  his  success. 
At  the  elbo\v,  to  be  =  To  be  very  near ;  to  be  by  the 
side ;  to  be  at  hand,  (c) 
Didn't  you  see  him  ?     He  was  at  your  elbow  dur- 
ing the  entire  performance  =  Did  you  not  see  him? 
I  am  surprised,  for  he  was  very  near  you  during  the 
whole  performance.      The  boy  wishes  to  be  at  his 
father^ s  elbow  constantly = The  boy  wishes  to  be  very 
near  his  father  constantly. 
At  the  eleventh  hour  =  I^ear  the  close  of  any  period 
or  opportunity  ;  very  late,  (a) 
The  spinners  who  struck  for  higher  wages,  acceded 
to  the  proposition  of  the  mill  owners  at  the  eleventh 
hour  =  The  spinners  who  struck  for  higher  wages, 
acceded  to  the  proposal  of  the  mill  owners  just  at 
the  close  of  the  opportunity  given  them. 
At  the  first  blush  =  At   the   sudden  appearance ;  at 
the  first  glance  or  view,  {b) 
At  the  first  blush  it  seems  to  me  a  bold  project,  to 
risk  so  much  money  upon  an  uncertainty  =  At  the 
first  glance,  or  at  the  first  sudden  mention  of  the 
matter,  it  seems  a  bold  project,  to  risk  so  much  money 
upon  an  uncertainty. 
At  the  fk*ont,  to  be  =  To  occupy  a  prominent  place 
in  public  thought  and  speech,  (a) 
The  question,  "Who  will  be  the  next  president?" 
is  at  the  front  again  =  The  question,  "  Who  will  be 
the  next  president?"   again    occupies  a  prominent 
place  in  public  thought. 
At  the  heels  of,  to  be  =  To  pursue  closely,  (c) 

The  thief  ran  around  the  corner,  with  the  police- 
man at  his  heels  =  The  thief  ran  around  the  corner, 
closely  pursued  by  the  policeman. 
At  the  last  gasp  =  When  life  appears  to  be  nearly 
gone. 
He  can  not  survive,  he  is  at  the  last  gasp  now  =  He 
is  at  the  point  of  death  now. 

At  the  mercy  of,  to  be  =  To  be  wholly  in  the  power 
of;  to  have  no  defense  but  the  compassion  of.  (a) 
The  shipwrecked  sailors  were  at  the  mercy  of  the 
winds  and  waves  =  The  shipwrecked  sailors  were 
wholly  in  the  power  of  the  winds  and  waves.  The 
ship  was  at  the  mercy  of  the  waves  =  The  ship  was 
unable  to  resist  the  waves.  You  have  captured  me, 
and  I  am  at  your  mercy  =  Yoxi  have  captured  me,  and 
I  have  no  defense  but  your  mercy. 


IDIOMATIC    PHRASES.  15 

At  tlie  point  of  the  §'word  =  By  military  force ;  by 
compulsion,  (a) 
The  Spaniards  entered  Mexico,  at  the  point  of  the 
sword  =  T}ie  Spaniards  entered  Mexico,  by  military 
force. 
At  the  tail  of  =  Far  behind ;  in  the  lowest  position,  (c) 
The  scholar  from  the  country,  is  at  the  tail  of  his 
class  =  The  scliolar  from  the  country,  is  in  the  lowest 
position  in  his  class. 
At  tiine§=:At  distinct  intervals  of    duration;   now 
and  then,  (a) 
He  is  studious  at  times  =  He  is  studious  now  and 
then.     At  times  he  is  hot  and  feverish,  and  at  other 
times  he  is  chilly  =  He  is  feverish  and  he  is  chilly  at 
distinct  intervals  of    duration.     Through  the  day, 
the  sun  was  obscured  at  times  =  Through  the  day,  the 
sun  was  occasionally  obscured. 
At  unawares  =  Unexpectedly,  (h) 

He  was  walking  dowTi  Fifth  Avenue,  when  two 
fellows  set  upon  him,  at  unawares,  from  behind  =  He 
was  walking  down  Fifth  Avenue,  when  two   men 
attacked  him,  unexpectedly. 
At  variance  =  In  disagreement ;  in  a  state  of  dissen- 
sion or  controversy  ;  at  enmity,  (c) 
It  is  unnatural  for  brothers  to  be  at  variance  =  It  is 
unnatural  for  brothers  to  be  at  enmity. 
At  will    (Zat^)-l.  At   pleasure,  (a)      2.{3fiL)  =  At 
discretion  or  convenience,  (a) 
1.  He  holds  the  estate  in  Yorkshire  at  the  will  of 
his  grandfather  =  He  enjoys  the  estate  at  the  pleasure 
of  his  grandfather,  and  may  be  ousted  at  any  time. 
2.  After  we  had  gone  through  the  town,  the  colonel 
gave  orders  to  march  at  will  =  When  we  had  gone 
through  the  town,  the  colonel  gave  orders  to  march 
at  our  convenience,  without  special  regard  to  order 
and  uniformity,  in  step  and  in  carrying  our  guns. 
At  work  =  Engaged  in  work  ;  working,  (a) 

You  will  find  him  in  the  garden ;  he  is  at  work 
there  =  You  will  find  him  in  the  garden;  he  is  en- 
gaged in  work  there. 


B. 

Babies  in  the  eyes  =  The  minute  reflection  which 
one  sees  of  himself,  in  the  eyes  of  another,  (c) 
The  lovers  looked  babies  in  one  another's  eyes  —  The 
lovers  looked  at  the  minute  reflection,  which  they 
saw  of  themselves  in  the  eyes  of  each  other. 


16  IDIOMATIC    PHRASES. 

Backbone  =  Firmness  ;  moral  principle,  (a) 

The  use  of  backbone  in  this  sense  is   sanctioned 
by   Charles   Sumner,   (U.    S.    Senate,    1874),   him- 
self a  fine  example  of  backbone  =  The  use  of  back- 
bone in  this  sense  is  sanctioned  by  Charles  Sum- 
ner, himself  a  fine  example  of  firmness  and  moral 
principle. 
Back   to    back  =  With    the    backs    touching    one 
another,  (c) 
The  men  stood  in  long  rows  back  to  back  =  The 
men  stood  in  long  rows  with  their  backs  touching 
one  another. 
Bad  blood  =  A  vicious  temper  of  mind  ;  animosity ; 
active  enmity,  (c) 
There  is  bad  blood  between  them,  on  account  of 
the  lawsuit  =  There  is  active   enmity  on  account  of 
the  lawsuit.     Don't    stir  up  bad  blood  between  us, 
for  we  are  now  on  good  terms  =  Don't  bring  us  into 
a  state  of  animosity,  for  we  are  now  on  good  terms. 
Bad  odor,  to  be  in  =  To  be  out  of  favor,  (a) 

lie  is  171  bad  odor  on  account  of  his  dishonesty  =  He 
is  out  of  favor  in  the  community  on  account  of  his 
dishonesty.  The  friends  of  the  old  dynasty  are  in 
bad  odor  with  the  new  =  The  friends  of  the  old 
dynasty  are  out  of  favor  with  the  new. 
Balance  =  Excess  on  one  side,  (a) 

I  have  a  balance  at  the  bankers  =  There  is  some- 
thing on  my  side  of  the  account  at  the  bankers. 
Base  on,  to  =  To  make  the  foundation  ;  to  use  as  a 
support,  (a) 
The  speaker  based  his  remarks,  on  the  editorial  in 
the  morning  paper  =  The  speaker  made  the  editorial 
in  the  morning  paper,  the  foundation  of  his  re- 
marks. 
Bear  a  band,  to  {Naut.)  =  To  go  to  work;  to  give 
help  quickly,  {a) 

Bear  a  hand  here  at  the  capstan !  =  Be  quick  and 
help  at  the  capstan.     Bear  a  hand  at  the  pumps  = 
Go  to  work  at  the  pumps. 
Be  (all)  the  better  for,  to  =  To  be  improved ;  to  be 
benefited,  (a) 
The  doctor  was  asked  if  the  invalid  might  ride  to- 
day.    He  replied,  "Yes,  he  will  be  the  better  for  it" 
=  The  doctor  was  asked  if  the  invalid  might  ride 
to-day.     He  replied,  "Yes,  he  will  be  benefited   by 
it." 
Bear   a   resemblance   to,   to  =  To   be    somewhat 
like,  (a) 
The  cat  bears  a  resemblance  to  the  tiger  =  The  cat 
is  somewhat  like  the  tiger. 


IDIOMATIC     PHRASES.  17 

Bear  arms  ag^ainst,  to  =  To  figlit  against,  (a) 

The  king   lias  constrained  our  fellow-citizens  to 
hear  arms  against  their  country  =  The  king  has  con- 
strained our  fellow-citizens  to  fight   against   their 
country. 
Bear  away  tlie  bell,  to  =  To  excel ;  to  surpass  ;  to 
be  pre-eminent,  (c) 
In  mathematics,  Mr.  B's  son  hears  away  the  hell  =  In 
mathematics,  Mr.  B's  son  is  pre-eminent. 
Bear  date,  to  =  To  have  the  date  named  on  it.  («) 
The  deed  of  the  farm  hears  date  March  10,  1879 
=  The  deed  of  the  farm  has  the  date  March  10, 
1879  named  on  it. 
Bear  ft-uit,  to  =  To   produce  l*esults,  advantageous 
and  desirable,  or  the  opposite,  (c) 
His  father's  careful  training  and  judicious  counsel 
are  hearing  fruit,  in   the  son's  uprightness  and  re- 
spectability =  His  father's  training  and  counsel  are 
producing  advantageous  results,  in  the   son's   up- 
rightness and  respectability. 
Bear   in   mind,  to  =  To   remember;    to   retain   in 
memory,  (a) 
This  is  my  advice  to  you,  my  boy,  and  I  wish  you 
to  hear  it  in  mind=  I  wish  you  to  remember  my  ad- 
vice.    On  entering  the  horse-car,  the  stranger  re- 
quested the  driver  to  hear  in  mind,  that  he  wished 
to  get  out  at  Sumner  street  =  On  entering  the  horse- 
car,  the  stranger  requested  the  driver  not  to  forget 
that  he  wished  to  get  out  at  Sumner  street. 
Bear  the  brunt  of,  to  =  To  undergo,  suffer,  or  en- 
dure the  heat  or  violence  of  any  contention,  (a) 

The  tenth  regiment  hore  the  hrunt  of  the  battle 
=  The  tenth  regiment  endured  the  heat  or  violence 
of  the  battle. 
Bear  up,  to  =  To  endure  trial  with  patience,  (a) 
A  good  conscience  helped  him  to  hear  up  under 
his  trials  =  He  was  supported  by  his  good  conscience 
in  his  afflictions. 
Bear  upon,  to  =  To  act  upon ;  to  affect ;  to  relate 
to.  (a) 
The   prosperity   of    Europe   hears   upon   that   of 
America  =  The  prosperity  of  Europe  affects  that  of 
America. 
Bear  with,  to  =  To  endure ;  to  be  indulgent  to ;  to 
forbear  to  resent,  oppose,  or  punish,  (a) 
I  could  not  hear  with  him,  on  account  of  his  high 
temper.  =  I  could  not  endure  him,  on  account  of  his 
high  temper. 
Be    associated   -with,  to  =  To   be  joined   with   in 
thought,  or  in  company,  or  in  action,  (a) 
3 


18  IDIOMATIC    PHRASES. 

Yorktown  is  associated,  in  tlie  American   mind, 
with  the  surrender  of  Cornwallis  and  his   army=: 
Yorktown  is  connected  in  American  thought,  with 
the  surrender  of  Cornwallis  and  his  army. 
Beat  a  charge,  to  {Mil.)  =  To  sound  a  charge  on  the 
enemy  by  beat  of  drum. 
The  general  gave  command -to  beat  a  charge  =  The 
general  ordered  tliat  the  drums  sound  a  charge  (give 
the  signal  for  an  attack)  upon  the  enemy. 
Beat  an  alarm,  to  (Mil)  =  To  give  signal  of  danger 
by  beat  of  drum. 
The   soldiers  were   startled   from   sleep    by  the 
drums  beating  an  alarm  =  The  soldiers  were  roused 
by  the  drums  giving  tlie  signal  of  danger. 
Beat  a  parley,  to  (Mil.)  =  To  call  for  a  parley  by 
beat  of  drum. 
We  heard  the  drums  beat  a  parley  =  We  heard  the 
drums  give  the  signal  for  holding  a  conference  with 
the  enemy. 
Beat  a  retreat,  to  =  1.  To  retreat ;  to  withdraw,  (a) 
2.  To  retire  from  the  face  of  the  enemy,  or  from  an 
advanced  position,  (a) 
1.  He  beat  a  retreat,  when  he  saw  me=:He  went 
away,  when  he  saw  me.      2.  The  enemy  beat  a  retreat, 
when  they  found  the  place  occupied  =  The  enemy 
retired   from   the   face   of    our   army,   when    they 
found  the  position  occupied. 
Beat   black   and   blue,  to  =  To   badly  bruise  by 
blows,  (a) 
The  butcher  had  a  fight  with  his  neighbor,  and 
beat  him  black  and  blue^The  butcher  had  a  fight 
with  his  neighbor,  and  badly  bruised  him  by  blows. 
Beat  dourn,  to  =  1.  To  make  one  reduce  his  price,  (a) 
2.  To  overcome,  (b) 
1.  In  making  the  bargain  for  a  house,  I  did  not 
try  to  beat  him  down  =  In  making  a  bargain  for  a 
house,  I  did  not  try  to  make  him  lower  his  price. 
2.  All  opposition  to  the  advance  of  the  army,  was 
beaten  down  by  the  soldiers = All  opposition  to  the 
advance  of  the  army,  was  overcome  by  the  soldiers. 
Beat  into,  to  =  To  make  one  learn  ;  to  urge  an  idea 
persistently,  (a) 
I  can  not  beat  it  into  him  that  he  must  talk  less  = 
I  can  not  make  him  learn  that  he  must  talk  less. 
Beat  one  out  of  a  things,  to  =  To  cause  to  re- 
linquish it,  or  give  it  up.  (a) 

.  I  endeavored  to  beat  him  out  of  that  habit  =  I  en- 
deavored to  cause  him  to  give  up  that  habit. 
Beat  out,  to  be  =  To  be   very  tired ;  exceedingly 
weary ;  utterly  exhausted,  (c) 


IDIOMATIC     PHRASES.  19 

I  was  thoroughly  heat  out  by  the  walk  =  I  was  ex- 
tremely fatigued  by  the  walk. 
Beat  out  of  one's  head,  to  =  To  convince  or  per- 
suade one  to  the  contrary,  (c) 
The  man  who  is  troubled  with  indigestion,  thinks 
his  health  would  be  better  in  California,  and  the 
doctor  can  not  heat  it  out  of  his  head^Uhe,  man  who 
is  troubled  with  indigestion,  thinks  his  health  would 
be  better  in  California,  and  the  doctor  can  not  con- 
vince him  to  the  contrary. 
Beat  the  tat-too,  to  {Mil.)  =  To  sound  the  signal  for 
retiring  by  beating  the  drum,  (a) 
At  nine  o'clock  at  night  the  tat-too  is  heaien  =  The 
drums  give  the  signal  for  retiring  at  nine  o'clock  at 
night. 
Beat  time,  to  =  To  keep  the  musical  measure,  visibly 
or  audibly ;  to  regulate  the  time  in  music  by  motion 
of  hand  or  foot,  (a) 
At  the  opera,  the  musical  conductor  heat  the  time 
with  his  baton  =  At  the  opera,  the  conductor  regu- 
lated the  time  by  the  motions  of  liis  baton. 
Beat  to  arms,  to  (Mil.)  =  To  give  signal  by  drum 
for  soldiers  to  repair  to  their  arms,  (a) 
Early  in  the  morning  the  drums  heat  to  arms  =  Early 
in  the  morning  the  drums  give  the  signal  to  the 
soldiers  to  repair  to  their  arms. 
Be  buoyed  up,  to  =  1.  To  be  kept  afloat  (a)     2.  To 
be  kept  from  sinking  into  despondency,  (a) 
1.  The  leaky  ship  was  in  danger  of  sinking ;  but 
by  vigorous  and  constant  work  at  the  pumps,  she 
was  huoyed  up  =  The  leaky  ship  was  in  danger  of 
sinking ;  but  by  vigorous  and  continued  work  at  the 
pumps,  she  was  kept  afloat.     2.  The  hopes  of  the 
shipwrecked  sailors,  were  huoyed  up  by  the  faith  and 
courage   of  the   captain  =  The  hopes   of   the   ship- 
wrecked sailors,  were  kept  from  sinking  into  de- 
spondency by  the  faith  and  courage  of  the  captain. 
Beeau§e  of  =  On  account  of;  by  reason  of.  (a) 

I  could  not  go  on  the  excursion  to  Boston,  hecause 
of  a  severe  headache  =  I  could  not  go  on  the  excur- 
sion to  Boston,  on  account  of  a  severe  headache. 
Become  of,  to  =  To  be  the  fate  of;  to  be  the  end  of; 
to  be  the  final  or  subsequent  condition,  (a) 
What  will  hecome  of  this  disabled  ship  1  —  What 
will  be  the  fate  of,  or  what  will  be  the  end  of  this 
disabled  ship  %     As  for  that  man,  I  know  not  what 
has  hecome  of  him. ;  do  you?     Yes,  he  has  died = As 
for  that  man,  I  know  not  what  is  the  fate  of  him  ; 
do  you  ?     Yes,  he  has  died.     What  has  hecome  of  my 


20  IDIOMATIC     PHRASES. 

book?     It  is  worn  out.  =  What  has  happened  to  my 
hook  ?     It  is  worn  out. 
Be  eomposed  of,  to  =  To  have  for  component  parts. 
(a) 
The  rock  known  as  granite,  is  composed  of  quartz, 
feldspar,  and  mica  =  The  rock  known  as  granite,  has 
for  its  component  parts,  quartz,  feldspar,  and  mica. 
Before  the  wind,  {Nciut.)  =  lii  the  direction  of  the 
wind,  and  by  its  impulse,  (a) 
Our  ship  was  sailing  before  the  wind,  ten  knots  an 
hour  =  The  wind  was  driving  our  ship  ten  knots  an 
hour.     For  some  days  before  entering  port,  the  ship 
sailed  before  the  wind  —  Yov  some  days  before  entering 
port,  the  ship  sailed  in  the  direction  of  the  wind. 
Beg^gar  deseription,  to  =  To  exhaust  the  power  of 
description,  (c) 
The  scene  at  the  great  fire  in  Chicago  beggared  de- 
scription —  The  scene  at  the  great  fire  in  Chicago  can 
not  be  adequately  described.     His  joy  at  the  birth 
of  a  son,  beggared  description  =  H\s>  joy  at  the  birth 
of  a  son,  was  beyond  the  power  of  words  to  describe. 
Beg  the  question,  to  =  To  take  for  granted ;  to  as- 
sume in  an  argument  as  proved  what  the  disputant 
set  out  to  prove,  (a) 
He  begged  the  question  =  He  took  the  question  for 
granted.     JS^ow  you  are  not  attempting  to  prove  the 
point  which  is  in  dispute,  but  are  begging  the  question 
=:Now  you  are  not  trying  to  prove  the  real  ques- 
tion, but  you  are  assuming  it  as  proved. 
Behindhand  in  one'§  eireuni§tanee§,  to  he  =  To 
be  in  a  state  where  expenditures  are  inadequate  to 
tlie  supply  of  wants,  (c) 
Mr.  A's  business  faculty  is  small,  and  he  is  hehind- 
ha7id  in  his  circumstances  —  Mr.  A's  business  faculty  is 
small,  and  his  expenditures  are  inadequate  to  the 
supply  of  his  wants. 
Behind  one's  hack  =  In  the  absence  of  a  person ; 
stealthily,  (a) 
We  ought  not  to  speak  evil  of  others,  behind  their 
backs  —  We  ought  not  to  speak  evil  of  others,  in  their 
absence.      He   slandered   me   behind  my   back—l^Q 
spoke  evil  of  me  in  my  absence.     Better  say  it  to 
his  face,  not  behind  his   back  =  Better  say  it  to  him- 
self, not  to  others  when  he  is  away.     He  said  it  be- 
hind my  back,  but  durst  not  say  it  to  my  face = He 
said  it  when  I  was  not  present,  but  was  afraid  to 
say  it  to  my  face. 
Behind  the  scenes  ==  In  a  position  to  learn  what  is 
not  revealed  to  the  public,  (a) 
The  managers  of  a  political  caucus,  or  convention, 


IDIOMATIC     PHKASES.  21 

are  behind  the  scenes  =  The  managers  of  a  political 
caucus  or  convention,   are  in  a  position  to  know 
Avliat  is  not  revealed  to  the  public. 
Be  in  at  tlie  death,  to  =  To  be  present  at  the  death 
of  the  fox ;  (used  in  fox-hunting.)  (a) 
Only  a  part  of  the  hunters  were  in  at  the  death  =  Only 
a  part  of  the  hunters  were  present  at  the  death  of 
the  fox. 
Belong  to,  to  =  To  be  the  property  of.  {a) 

Cuba  belongs  to  Spain  =  Cuba  is  the  property  of 
Spain. 
Be  made  of,  or  formed  of,  to  =  To  have  for  the 
material  of  which  it  is  made,  (a) 
Statues  resembling  those  of  Parian  marble,  are 
made  o/*  gypsum  =  Statues  resembling  those  of  Parian 
marble,  have  for  their  mat-erial,  plaster  of  Paris. 
Be  made  up  of,  to  =  To  be  composed  of.  (a) 

This  cloth  IS  made  up  of  linen,  wool,  and   silk 
=  This  cloth  is  composed  of  linen,  wool,  and  silk 
=  This  cloth  has  for  its  materials  linen,  wool,  and 
silk. 
Bend  one's  steps,  to  =  To  direct  or  incline  one's 
steps,  or  coui*se.  (6) 
I  bent  my  steps  homeward = I  turned  towards  home. 
Bend  your  steps  this  way  =  Turn  tliis  way,  as  you  are 
walking.     The  widow  bent  her  steps  to  the  cemetery 
where  her  husband  was  buried  =  The  widow  walked 
toward  the  cemetery  where  her  husband  was  buried. 
Bend  or  apply  tlie  mind  to,  to  =  To  exercise  the 
mind  closely,  (a) 
Sir  Isaac  Newton  bent  his  mind  to  discovering  the 
laws  of  the  universe  =  Sir  Isaac  Newton  exercised 
his  mind  closely  to  discover  the  laws  of  the  universe. 
Bent  on  or  upon,  to  be  =  To  be  incHned  with  in- 
terest, or  closely  ;  to  purpose,  (a) 
He  is  bent  upon  doing  me  some  mischiefs  He  is 
intending  to  do  me  some  mischief.     I  am  bent  upon 
finishing  this  coat  to-day  =  I  am  purposing  to  finish 
this  coat  to-day.     This  little  boy  is  bent  on  mischief 
=  This  little  boy  is  very  much  inclined  to  be  mis- 
chievous. 
Be,  or  beeome,  in  order,  to  =  To  be  according  to 
an  established  arrangement ;  to  be  in  proper  state 
or  condition,  (a) 
The  books  in  the  library  are  in  order  =The  books 
in  the  library  are  rightly  arranged.     The  report  of 
the  committee  on  the  judiciary  is  now  in  order =lt  is 
now  a  proper  time  to  hear  the  report  of  the  com- 
mittee on  the  judiciary ;  (Parliamentary). 
Be  off  =  Go  away,  (a) 


22  IDIOMATIC    PHRASES. 

The  man  said  to  the  boys  whom  he  found  in  his 
orchard,  "  Be  offP^  =  The  man  said  to  the  boys  whom 
he  found  in  his  orchard,  "  Go  away!" 
Be  on  the  fence,  to  =  To  be  undecided  in  respect  to 
two  opposing  parties ;  to  occupy  a  position  of  non- 
committal, (a) 
He  was  on  the  fence,  so  long  as  it  was  doubtful 
whether  the  government  party  would  triumph  =  He 
was  uncommitted  in  respect  to  the  two  parties,  or, 
did  not  take  sides,  so  long  as  it  was  doubtful  whether 
the  government  party  would  triumph. 
Be  re§olved  into,  to  =  To  be  separated  into  the  ele- 
ments which  compose  it.  (a) 
The  blood   can   be  .resolved  into  albumen,  serum, 
fibrin,  and  iron  =  The  blood  can  be  separated  into  the 
elements   which   compose  it,  which   are    albumen, 
serum,  fibrin,  and  iron. 
Be§ide  one's  self,  to  be  =  To  be  out  of  the  wits  or 
^     senses ;  out  of  the  order  of  reason,  or  of  rational 
beings,  (a) 
He  is  beside  himself=I{.e  is  out  of  his  senses  (at 
least  for  the  moment.)     Are  you  beside  yourself  f  = 
Are  you  out  of  your  wits  ?     He  was  beside  himself 
with  grief,  at  the  loss  of  his  wife  =  He  was  almost 
crazy  with  grief,  at  the  loss  of  his  wife. 
Best  man  =  The  only  or  principal  groomsman  in  a 
wedding  ceremony. 
At  the  wedding  last  week  the  bridegroom's  brother 
was  his  best  man  =  At  the  wedding  the  only  grooms- 
man was  the  brother  of  the  bridegroom. 
Be  that  as  it  may  =  However  that  may  be.  (a) 

The  weather  bids  fair  to  be  pleasant  this  week, 
but  be  that  as  it  may,  the  agricultural  fair  will  be 
held  =  The  weather   bids   fair  to  be  pleasant  this 
week,  but  however  that  may  be,  the  agricultural  fair 
will  be  held.     I  think  my  friend  left  the  city  yester- 
day, but  be  that  as  it  may,  I  shall  call  at  his  house  to- 
night =  I  think  my  friend  left  the  city  yesterday,  but 
however  that  may  be  (whether  it  is  so  or  not),  I 
shall  call  at  his  house  to-night. 
Be  the  worse  for,  to  =  To  be  injured,  or  harmed,  or 
made  worse,  (a) 
The  consumptive  was  the  worse  for  his  visit  to  the 
sea-side  =  The  consumptive  person  was  injured  by  his 
visit  to  the  sea-side. 
Betray  the  cloven  foot,  to  =  To  reveal  a  treacher- 
ous, diabolical  spirit,  (c) 
Floyd,   United  States  secretary  of  war,  betrayed 
the  cloven  foot,  some  time  before  the  rebellion  broke 
out,  (1861)  =  Secretary  Floyd,  by  sending  the  govern- 


IDIOMATIC    PHRASES.  23 

ment  arms  and  ammunitioii  into  the  Southern  States, 
revealed  his  treacherous  disposition  some  time  before 
the  rebellion  broke  out. 
Better  off,  to  be  =  To  be  in  better  state,  circum- 
stances, or. condition,  (a) 

How  much  betUr  off  are  you  in  this  new  house  ? 
=  In  how  much  better  condition  are  you  in  this  new 
house  ? 
Between  our§eIve§,  or  us  =  Belonging  to  ourselves 
alone ;  confidential,  (a) 
Let  this  matter  which  we  have  been  conversing 
about  he  between  ourselves  =  ljet  this  subject  of  conver- 
sation not  be  mentioned  to  any  one. 
Bet\reen    Seylla   and    Cliarytodis  =  Between    two 
dangers  or  difficulties,  (c) 
The  man  whose  boat  was  on  fire,  and  who  could 
not  swim  was   between   Scylla  and    Charybdis=  The 
man  whose  boat  was  on  fire,  and  who  could  not 
swim  was  between  two  dangers. 
Between  two  fires,  to  be  =  To  be  threatened  from 
two  quarters,  (b) 
With  increasing  debts  and  diminishing  business, 
they  are  between  two  fires  =  They  are  tln-eatened  from 
both  sides,  because  of  increasing  debts  and  dimin- 
ishing business. 
Beyond  one's  depth  =  Deeper  than  one  can  walk  in ; 
beyond  one's  knowledge  or  ability,  (a) 
He  who  can  not  swim,  will  drown  in  water  beyond 
his  depth  =  lie  who  can  not  swim,  will  drown  if  the 
water  is  deeper  than  he  can  walk  in.     In  teaching 
geometry,  the  teacher  got  beyond  his  depth  =  In  teach- 
ing geometry,  the  teacher  got  beyond  his  knowledge 
of  the  subject.     Now  you  are  talking  about  what  I 
am  ignorant  of,  and  you  go  beyond  my  depth  =  l^ ow 
you  are  talking  of  that  which  I  am  ignorant  of,  and 
I  can  not  understand  you. 
Beyond,  or  without  dispute  =  Indisputably ;  incon- 
trovertibly.  (a) 
The  age  of  man  upon  the  earth  has  not  been  es- 
tablished beyond  dispute  =  The  age  of  man  upon  the 
earth  has  not  been  indisputably  established. 
Bid  adieu,  or  fare-well  to,  to  =  To  give  salutations 
at  parting  ;  to  leave,  (a) 
The  family  of  the  man  who  was  going  abroad, 
went  to  the  wharf  to  bid  him  adieu  =  The  family  of 
the  man  who  was  going  abroad,  went  to  the  wharf 
to  give  him  parting  salutations.     We  have  been  in 
Florence  a  month,  but  must  bid  farewell  to  the  city 
to-morrow  =  We  have  been  in  Florence  a  month,  but 
must  leave  the  city  to-morrow. 


24  IDIOMATIC    PHRASES. 

Bide  one's  time,  to  =  To  wait  for  the  fit  or  suitable 
time,  (b) 
Having  been  wronged,  he  said  he  would  hide  his 
time  to  right  himself  =  Having   been   w^ronged,   he 
said  he  would  wait  for  the  suitable  tii^ie  to  relieve 
himself  from  wrong.     The  painter  is  very  anxious 
to  visit  the  art  galleries  of  Europe,  but  sajs  that  he 
must  bide  his  time  —  The  painter  is   very  anxious  to 
visit  the  art  galleries  of  Europe,  but  says  that  he 
must  await  the  suitable  and  convenient  time. 
Bid  fair,  to  =  To  be  likely,  or  to  have  a  fair  pros- 
pect; to  promise,  (a) 
The  undertaking  of  a  new  line  of  steamers  bids 
fair  to  succeed  =  The  undertaking  of  a  new  line  of 
steamers  is  likely  to  succeed. 
Bid  welcome,  to  —  To  receive  a  guest  with  profes- 
sions of  kindness,  (a) 
When  I  visited  him  he  bid  me  welcome^HQ  re- 
ceived  me   with   professions,  of   kindness   when   I 
visited  him. 
Bird's-eye  view=:  1.  Seen  from  above,  as  by  a  flying 
bird,  (a)     2.  General ;  not  entering  into  details,  (c) 
1.  From  the  balloon  we  obtained  a  bird's-eye  view 
of  the  city.     From  the  balloon  we  obtained  a  view 
of  the  city  from  above,  which  took  in  all  at  a  glance. 
2.  The  writer  gave  a  birdh-eye  view  of  the  journey 
=  The   writer   gave  a  general  view,   not  entering 
into  the  details  of  the  journey. 
Bite  the  dust,  to=To  be  killed  in  combat;  to  be 
disgracefully  beaten,  (c) 
In  the  combat  between  him  and  his  enemy,  he 
made  his  enemy  bite  the  dust—^Q  killed  his  enemy 
in  combat. 
Blackball,  to  =  To    reject  or  exclude    by  putting 
black  balls  into  a  ballot-box.  (a) 

He  wished  to  join  the  club,  but  he  was  blackballed 
—  He  wished  to  join  the  club,  but  he  was  rejected 
by  the  usual  method  of  voting  with  black  balls. 
Black-mail  =  Extortion  of  money  from  a  person  by 
threats  of  exposure  or  of  prosecution,  {a) 
The  letter  which  Senator  A.  received  was  an  at- 
tempt at  blach-mail—  The  letter  sent  to  Senator  A. 
was  an  attempt  to  extort  money  from  him  by  threat- 
ening, if  it  was  not  paid,  to  publicly  accuse  him  of 
some  wrong  or  disgraceful  act. 
Blank  verse  =  Poetry  in  which  the  lines  do  not  end 
in  rhyme,  (a) 
"  I  could  a  tale  unfold  whose  lightest  word 
Would  harrow  up  thy  soul,  freeze  thy  young 
blood."     \Shak^^ 


IDIOMATIC    PHRASES.  25 

This  is  a  specimen  of  hlanh  verse  =  This  is  a  specimen 
of  a  kind  of  poetry,  in  which  the  lines  do  not  end 
in  rhyme. 
Block  tlie  ii^heels,  to  =  To  prevent  progress;    to 
hinder,  (a) 
The  enterprise  of  building  a  new  hospital  was 
proceeding  finely,  when  dissensions  among  the  trus- 
tees blocked  the  wheels  =  The  enterprise  of  building  a 
new  hospital  was  proceeding  finely,  when  dissensions 
among  the  trustees  prevented  progress. 
Blow  liot  and  c^old,  to  =  To  favor  a  thing  at  one 
time,  and  to  treat  it  coldly  at  another ;  to  appear  to 
both  favor  and  oppose,  {h) 
The  king  blew  hot  and  cold  on  the  project  to  create 
new  earls  and  dukes  =  The  king  at  one  time  favored, 
and  at  another  treated  coldly,  the  project  to  create 
new  earls  and  dukes.     This  newspaper  blows  hot  and 
cold,  on  the  question  of  building  a  horse-railroad  = 
Tliis  newspaper  sometimes  favors  the  building  of  a 
horse-railroad,  and  sometimes  opposes  it. 
Blow  over,  to  =  To  pass  away  without  effect ;    to 
cease  or  be  dissipated,  (a) 
The  storm  which  threatened  has  blown  over  =  The 
storm  which  threatened  has  passed  away  without 
effect. 
Blow  up,  to  =  To  raise  in  the  air,  or  to  scatter  by 
explosion  of  gunpowder  or  the  like,  (a) 
By  timely  discovery,  Guy  Fawkes  was  once  pre- 
vented from  blowing  up  the  British  Parliament-House 
=  Guy  Fawkes  was  once  prevented,  by  timely  dis- 
covery,   from    destroying    the   British  Parliament- 
House  by  explosion  of  powder  in  the  cellar. 
Blunt  the  edg^e  of,  to  =  To  impair  the  force  of ;  to 
weaken,  (c) 
Opiates  blunt  the  edge  of  pain  =  Opiates  impair  the 
force  of  pain. 
Bound  for ;  bound  to  =  Destined  for  ;  going  or  in- 
tending to  go.  (a) 
This  ship  is  bound  to  Canton  =  This  ship  is  going 
to  Canton.     I  am  bound  for  home  =  I  am  on  the  way 
home.     Where   are   you   bound  ?  =  y^\\QYQ   are  you 
going  ? 
Bound  up  in,  to  be  —  To  be  extremely  attached  to, 
or  absorbed  in.  (a) 
You  give  a  great  deal  of  time  to  the  study  of 
law ;  you  seem  to  be  bound  up  in  your  profession  — 
You  give  a  good  deal  of  time  to  the  study  of  law ; 
you  seem  to  be  absorbed  in  your  profession.     The 
man  is  bound  up  in  his  family  =  The  man  is  extremely 
attached  to  his  family. 


26  IDIOMATIC    PHRASES. 

Box  tlie  compas§,  to  =  1.  To  name  the  points  of  the 
compass  in  their  order.     2.  To  hold  all  the  differ- 
ent beliefs  or  theories,  in  succession,  (a) 
1.  He  can  not  box  the  compass =ILe  can  not  say 
the  names  of  the  points  of  the  compass  in  their 
order.     2.  He  has  boxed  the  professional  compass  —  He 
has  successively  tried  all  the  professions. 
Box  up,  to  =  To  box ;  to  inclose  in  a  box.  (a) 

On  leaving  America,  the  student  boxed  up   his 
books  =  On  leaving  America,  the  student  inclosed 
his  books  in  a  box. 
Brace  about,  to  (Naut.)  =  To  turn  the  yards  around. 
In  returning,  the  yards  were  braced  about  =  In  re- 
turning, the  yards  were  turned  around  for  the  con- 
trary tack. 
Brace  in,  to  (Naut.)  =  To  haul  in  the  weather  braces. 
The  yards  were  braced  in  =  The  yards  were  brought 
athwart  ships,  i.  e.,  so  as  to  stretch  from  side  to  side. 
Brace  sharp,  to  (Naut.)  =  To  make  the  yards  have 
the  smallest  possible  angle  with  the  keel. 
The  yards  were  braced  sharp— The  yards   were 
brought  as  nearly  as  possible  in  line  with  the  keel. 
Brace  up,  to  (Naut.)  =  To  haul  in  the  lee  braces. 
The    yards    were    braced    tip  =  ThG    yards    were 
brought  nearer  in  direction  with  the  keel. 
Branch  off,  to  =  To  form  a  separate  part ;    to  di- 
verge, (a) 
The  road  leading  to  the  depot  branches  off  from 
the  main  road,  a  mile  south  of  this    street  =  The 
road  leading  to  the  depot  diverges  from  the  main 
road,  a  mile  south  of  this  street. 
Break,  to=  l.To  communicate  cautiously,  so  as  to 
avoid  shocking  one.  (a)     2.  To  destroy  the  credit 
of.  (a) 
1.  Go,  and  break  the  intelligence  of  his  son's  death 
to  him  =  Go,  and  gently  inform  him  of  his  son's 
death.     2.  He  paid  me  in  bills  of  a  broken  bank  =  He 
gave  me  in  payment,  bills  of  a  bank  whose  financial 
credit  is  gone. 
Break  down,  to  =  1.  To  fail  in  anything,  (a)     2.  To 
come  down  by  breaking,  (a) 
1.  The  student  broke  down  in  his   recitation  in 
mathematics  to-day  =  The  student  failed  in  his  reci- 
tation in  mathematics  to-day.      1.  His   health   has 
broken  down  =  His  health  has  failed.      2.  Kear  the 
end  of  our  drive,  we  broke  down^l^ear  the  end  of 
the  drive,  we  came  down  to  the   ground  by  the 
breaking  of  the  axletree. 
Break  g^round,  to  =  1.  To  commence  digging,  (a)    2. 
To  open  a  subject ;  to  begin  to  execute  a  plan,  (a) 


IDIOMATIC    PHRASES.  27 

1.  Have  they  hrohen  ground  for  the  new  railroad  ? 
rr  Have  they  begun  to  dig  for  the  new  raiboad  ?  2. 
The  senate  hreaks  ground  to-day,  in  investigating  the 
charges  of  fraud  against  the  Indian  commissioner  =: 
The  senate  begins  to  investigate  the  charges  of  fraud 
against  the  Indian  commissioner,  to-day. 
Break  in,  to  =  To  train  ;  to  disciphne.  (a) 

A  horse  well  broken  in^  is  more  valuable  than  one 
partially   broken  =  A   horse   well   trained,  is   more 
valuable  than  one  imperfectly  subdued. 
Break  in  upon,  to  =  To  enter  violently,  or  unex- 
pectedly, (a) 
A   drunken  man  hrdke  in   upon  the   schools  A 
drunken  man  violently  entered  the  school  room. 
Break  loose,  to  =  To  escape,  suddenly,  from  con- 
finement, (a) 
The  prisoner  has  broken  loose  from  jail  =  The  pris- 
oner has  forcibly  escaped  from  jail. 
Break  of,  to  =  To  cause  to  reform  a  habit ;  to  rid 
of  (a) 
I  attempted  to  break  him  of  the  bad  habit   of 
smoking  opium  =  I  attempted  to  induce  him  to  aban- 
don the  bad  habit  of  smoking  opium. 
Break  of  day  =  The  dawn,  (a) 

The  clouds  which  filled  the  sky  at  break  of  day 
have  disappeared  =  The  clouds  which  filled  the  sky 
at  dawn  have  disappeared. 
Break  off,  to  =  To  separate    by  breaking,  (a)     To 
discontinue ;  to  desist,  (a) 

The  gardener  broke  off  a  branch  laden  with  cherries 

=  The  gardener  separated  from  the  tree,  by  breaking, 

a  branch  laden  with  cherries.     The  man  broke  off  the 

habit  of  using  tobacco  =  The  man  discontinued  the 

habit  of  using  tobacco.     His  friends  urge  him  to 

break  off  from  drinking  =  His  friends  urge  him  to 

desist  from  drinking. 

Break  out,  to=  l.To  appear  suddenly,  (a)     2.  To 

become  covered  with  cutaneous  eruption,  (a) 

1.  As  the  fire  has  broken  out  on  the  north  roof  of 

his  house,  he  has  run  home  =  As  the  fire  has  appeared 

through  the  north  roof  of  his  house,  he  has  run  home. 

2.  His  son  has  broken  out  with  small-pox  =  The  skin 

of  his  son  is  covered  with  the  eruption  peculiar  to 

small-pox. 

Break  over,  to  =  To  transgress  limits ;  to  disregard. 

(a) 

The  teacher  cautioned  the  scholars,  not  to  break 

over  the  rule  which  forbade  them  to  go  out  of  the 

yard  at  recess  =  The  teacher  cautioned  the  scholars, 


28  IDIOMATIC    PHRASES. 

not  to  transgress  the  rule  whicli  forbade  tliem  to 
leave  the  school  grounds  at  recess. 
Break  short  off,  to  =  To  break  off   abruptly;    to 
stop  at  once,  (b) 
An  alarm  of  fire  in  the  adjoining  building  caused 
the  play  at  the  theatre  to  be  broken  short  off^  An 
alarm  of  fire  in  the  adjoining  building  caused  the 
play  at  the  theatre  to  be  abruptly  and  suddenly  dis- 
continued. 
Break  silenee,  to  =  To  interrupt  or  put  an  end  to 
silence,  (a) 
The  pleasure  party  had  ridden  some  distance  with- 
out speaking,  when  the  driver  broke  the  silence,  by 
calling  attention  to  a  waterfall  of  great  beauty,  in 
the  rocky  dell = The  pleasure  party  had  ridden  some 
distance  without  speaking,  when  the  driver  put  an 
end  to  the  silence,  by  calling  attention  to  a  beauti- 
ful waterfall. 
Break  tlie  ice,  to  =  To  get  through  first  diflaculties  ; 
to  overcome  obstacles  and  make  a  beginning,  (a) 
We   all   want  to   talk   on   this   subject,   but  no 
one  is  willing  to  break  the  ice  —  We  all  want  to  talk 
on  this  subject,  but  no  one  is  willing  to  be  the  first 
to  speak.     The  ice  being   broken,  we  were  all  talka- 
tive =  When  the  talk  had  begun,  we  were  all  ready 
to  talk. 
Break  the  ranks,  to  =  To  disarrange  and  confuse 
the  ranks,  (a) 
The  fierce  onset  of  the  enemy  broke  the  ranks  of 
the  army  =  The  fierce  onset  of  the  enemy  disarranged 
and  confused  the  ranks  of  the  army. 
Break  the  thread,  to  =  To  sever  the  continuity ;  to 
interrupt,  (a) 
While  I  was  writing  my  composition,  the  little 
boy  came  in  and  broke  the  thread  of  my  thoughts  = 
While  I  was  writing  my  composition,  the  little  boy 
entered  the  room,  and  interrupted  my  thinking. 
Break  throug^h  the  clouds,  to  =  To  begin  to  shine 
through  broken  clouds,  (a) 
The  shower  is  over,  and  the  sun  is  breaking  through 
the  clouds  =  The  shower  is  over,  and  the  sun  is  begin- 
ning to  shine  through  the  broken  clouds. 
Break  up,  to  =  1.  To  become  separated  into  parts  or 
.    fragments,  (a)     2.  To  be  dissolved ;  to  disperse,  (a) 
1.  The  ice  of  the  river  Pecho  of  Tientsin  breaks 
up  in  the  first  part  of  the  Chinese  second  month, 
every  year  =  The  ice  of  the  river  Pecho  of  Tientsin 
becomes  separated  into  fragments,  in  the  first  part 
of  the  Chinese  second  month  of  every  year.     2.  The 
company  at  Mr.  A's  broke  up  at  10  o'clock  last  even- 


IDIOMATIC     PHRASES.  29 

mg  =  The  company  at  Mr.  A's  dispersed  at  10  o'clock 
last  evening. 
Break  up  house-keeping,  to  =  To  cease  to  manage 
one's  household  affairs,  (a) 
After  the  merchant's  wife  died,  he  broke  up  house- 
keeping,   and   boarded  =  After   the   merchant's  wife 
died,  lie  ceased  to  manage  his  household  affairs,  and 
boarded. 
Break  witli,  to  =  To  fall  out ;  to  part  friendship,  (a) 
It  caused  me  much  grief,  that  the  two  friends 
should  Ireak  with  one  another  =  It  grieved  me  much, 
that  the  two  friends  should  sunder  their  friendship. 
Breath  of  air  =  Air  in  gentle  motion,  (a) 

Before  this  thunder-shower,  the  heat  was  oppres- 
sive, the  atmosphere  was  sultry,  and  there  was  not  a 
breath  of  air  =  Before  this  thunder-shower,  the  heat 
was  oppressive,  the  atmosphere  sultry,  and  there  was 
no  motion  of  the  air. 
Breath  of  life  =  Sign  of  life  given  by  breathing,  (c) 
There  does  not  seem  to  be  a  breath  of  life  in  the 
man  taken  from  the  water  =  The  man  taken  from 
the  water  does  not  show  any  sign  of  life. 
Bred  in  the  bone  =  Innate,  (c) 

His  meanness  is  bred  in  the  bone^YLi^  meanness 
was  born  in  him.     My  love  of  study  is  bred  in  the 
bone  —  I  inherited  a  love  for  study  from  my  parents. 
Breed  in  and  in,  to  =  To  breed  from  animals  of  the 
same  stock,  that  are  closely  related.  (/>) 
Some  farmers  breed  their  stock  in  and  in,  but  I  do 
not  approve  of  it  =  Some  farmers  breed  their  stock 
by  the  use  of  animals  closely  related,  but  I  do  not 
tliink  it  is  a  good  plan. 
Bridg^e  over,  to  =  To  provide  for  an  emergency ;  to 
make  a  passage  when  the  way  is  obstructed,  {a) 
If  the  president  can  bridge  over  this  disagreement 
between  the  two  houses  of  Congress,  all  will  go  well 
=  If  the  president  can  remove  this  obstacle — the  disa- 
greement of  the  two  houses  of  Congress,  all  will  go 
well. 

Bridie  up,  to  -  To  express  scorn  or  resentment  by 

holding  up  the  head,  and  drawing  in  the  chin,  (c) 

He  bridled  up>  when  his  enemy  spoke  to  him  =  He 

drew  in  his  chin  and  held  up  his  head  in  scorn,  when 

his  enemy  spoke  to  him. 

Bring  about,  to  =  To  effect ;  to  accomplish,  (a) 

What  has  brought  about  this  change  of  his  be- 
havior ?  ^What  has  caused  this  change  of  his  conduct  ? 
I  will  bring  about  your  release  from  the  engagement, 
if  I  caii  =  I  will  get  you  released  from  the  engage- 
ment, if  I  can.     One  of  the  directors  in  the  horse- 


30  IDIOMATIC    PHRASES. 

railroad  company  lias  hrought  about  a  reduction  of 
the  fare  =  One  of  the  directors  of  the  horse-railroad 
has  effected  a  reduction  of  the  fare. 
Brings  do\rn  the  whole  hou§e,  to  =  To  draw  out 
general  and  noisy  applause  from  the  entire  audi- 
ence, (a) 
The  first  appearance  of  the  European  violinist, 
"Wilhelmj,  brought  down   the  whole    house— T\\q  first 
playing  of  the  European  violinist,  Wilhelmj,  drew 
forth  applause  from  the  entire  audience. 
Bring  forth,  to  =  To  produce,  (a) 

The  earth  brings  forth  large  crops,  every  year,  for 
the  sustenance  of  man  and  beast  =  The  earth  pro- 
duces large  crops  every  year,  for  the  sustenance  of 
man  and  beast. 
Brings  home,  to  =  To  apply ;  to  make  personal ;  to 
cause  to  feel  the  force  of.  (a) 
Tlie  death  of  my  friend  brings  home  to  me  the 
sorrow  of  losing  friends  =  The  death  of  my  friend 
makes  personal  to  me  the  sorrow  of  losing  friends, 
and  causes  me  to  feel  the  force  of  it. 
Bring  in,  to  —  To  produce  as  income,  (a) 

His  law  practice  brings  him  in  a  large  sum  every 
year  =  His  practice  as  a  lawyer  yields  him  a  large  in- 
come yearly. 
Bring  into  court,  to  =  To  seek  to  adjust  by  law.  (a) 
The  matter  in  dispute  between  the  landlord  and 
his  tenant  was  too  trifling  to  be  brought  into  court 
=  The  matter  in  dispute  between  the  landlord  and 
his  tenant  was  too  insignificant  to  be  adjusted  by  law. 
Bring  into   order,  to  —  To  make  orderly ;    to   ar- 
range, (a) 
The  book-keeper  brought  into  order  the  complicated 
accounts  of  the  merchant  =  The  book-keeper  made 
orderly  the  complicated  accounts  of  the  merchant. 
Bring  on,  to  =  To  originate,  or  cause  to  exist,  (a) 
His  exposure  to  the   storm  brought    on  sickness  = 
His   exposure  to  the  storm  caused  him  to  be  ill. 
Bring  one's  self  to,  to  =  To  get  the  courage,  energy, 
decision,  or  whatever  may  be  necessary  to  a  certain 
act.  (a) 
The  farmer  could  not  bring  himself  to  part  with  his 
farm,  which  had  been  the  home  of  his  ancestors  for 
many  generations,  though  he  was  ofiered  a  large 
sum  for  it  =  The  farmer  could  not  decide  to  part 
with  his  farm,  which  had  been  the  home  of  his 
ancestors   for    many  generations,   though    he    was 
offered  a  large  sum  for  it. 
Bring   over,   to  =  1.  To   convey   across,  (a)     2.  To 
cause  one  to  change  sides  or  opinions,  (a) 


■ 


IDIOMATIC    PHRAS 

1.  The  ambassador  hrought  over 
America  to  China  =  The  ambassador  conveyed  dis- 
patches from  America  to  China.      2,  Mr.  A.  hrought 
over  his  friend  to  favor  his  apphcation  for  office  =  Mr. 
A.  caused  his  friend  to  change  his  opinion,  so  that 
he  favored  his  apphcation  for  office. 
Bring  suit,  to  {Law)  —  To  institute  an  action,  (a) 
The  express  company  has  hrought  suit  against  the 
R.  R.  Co.  for  alleged  violation  of  contract  =  The  ex- 
press company  has  instituted  an  action  against  the 
R.R.  Co.  foran  asserted  violation  of  their  contract. 
Brings  to,  to=i  1.  To  restore  consciousness  ;  to  resus- 
citate, {a)     2.  To    check    the    course  by  arrange- 
ment  of   the   sails;    to    keep    nearly   stationary. 
{Naut.)  (a) 
1.  The  fainting  person  was  hrought  to  by  being 
carried  into  the  open  air  =  The  person  who  fainted 
was  restored  to  consciousness  by  being  carried  out 
of  doors.      2.  Pirate  ships  fire  a  shot  across  the  bow 
of  vessels  they  fall  in  with,  in  order  to  hring  them 
^0  =  Pirate  ships  fire  a  shot  across  the  bow  of  vessels 
which  they  meet,  to  cause  them  to  stop. 
Brings  to  an  end,  or  close,  to  =  To  cause  to  cease ; 
to  finish,  (a) 
The  professor  has  hrought  his  literary  labors  to  a 
close^  and  has  become  a  farmer  =  The  professor  has 
finished  his  literary  labors,  and  has  become  a  farmer. 
When  the  commissioner  saw  that  the  Indians  were 
determined  upon  war,  he  hrought  his  negotiations  to 
an   end  =  When   the    commissioner    saw    that    the 
Indians  were  determined  upon  war,  he  ceased  his 
negotiations. 
Bring  to  bear,  to  =  To  apply ;  to  use  with,  (a) 

The  men  hrought  all  their  strength  to  hear  in  get- 
ting the  log  upon  the  wagon  =  The  men  applied  all 
their  strength  to  putting   the  log  upon  the  wagon. 
I  hrought  all  my  influence  to  hear  on  the  governor,  to 
induce  him  to  give  you  the  appointments  I  used  all 
my  influence  with  the  governor,  to  induce  him  to 
give  you  the  appointment. 
Bring  together,  to  =  To  cause  to  come  together ;  to 
collect,  (a) 
The  agricultural  fair  hrought  together  the  farmers 
of  the  county,  with  specimens  of  their  animals  and 
crops  =  The  agricultural  fair  caused  the  farmers  of 
the  county  to  come  together,  with  specimens  of  their 
animals  and  crops. 
Bring  to  light,  to  =  To  discover ;  to  make  public ; 
to  expose  to  view,  (a) 
Mr.  Layard  hrought  to  light  many  monuments  and 


32  IDIOMATIC     PHRASES. 

sculptures  of  ancient  E'ineveli,  which  had  been 
buried  for  centuries  =  Mr.  Layard  exposed  to  view 
many  monuments  and  sculptures  of  ancient  Mneveh, 
which  had  been  buried  for  centuries. 

Brings  to  notice,  to  =  To  make  known,  (a) 

The  condition  of  the  reservoir  was  brought  to  the 
notice  of  the  common  council,  by  a  message  from  the 
mayor  =  The  condition  of  the  reservoir  was  made 
known  to  the  common  council,  by  a  message  from 
the  mayor. 

Bring  to  pa§§,  to  =  To  cause  to  happen ;  to  bring 
about ;  to  effect ;  to  accomplish,  (a) 
I  promised  to  go  to  the  city,  and  I  hope  to  bring 
it  to  pass  to-morrow  =  I  promised  to  go  to  the  city, 
and  I  hope  to  bring  it  about,  or  to  effect  it  to-mor- 
row. The  people  intend  to  have  a  new  bell  for  the 
church,  if  they  can  briiig  it  to  pass  =  The  people  in- 
tend to  have  a  new  bell  for  the  church,  if  they  can 
accomplish  it. 

Bring  to  terms,  to  ==  To  cause  to  surrender,  or  sub- 
mit, or  agree  to  something,  {a) 
A  siege  often  brings  an  army  to  terms  =  A.   siege 
often  causes  an  army  to  surrender. 

Bring  to  the  hammer,  to  =  To  sell  at  auction. 
These  goods  will  be  brought  to  the  hammer  — 
These  goods  will  be  sold  at  auction.  All  his 
furniture  was  brought  under  the  hammer^  in  conse- 
quence of  his  bankruptcy  =  All  his  furniture  was 
sold  at  auction,  in  consequence  of  his  bankruptcy. 

Bring  up,  to=:  l.To  bring  to  notice;  to  present,  (a) 
2.  To  train ;  to  rear,  (a) 
1,  The  lecturer  brought  up  many  arguments  against 
the  use  of  tobacco  =  The  lecturer  presented  many 
arguments  against  the  use  of  tobacco.  2.  If  the 
child  had  been  well  brought  up^  he  would  respect  his 
superiors  =  If  the  child  had  been  properly  trained, 
he  would  respect  his  superiors.  2.  Much  patience 
and  wisdom  are  requisite  to  bring  up  children  aright 
=  Much  patience  and  wisdom  are  needed,  to  rear 
children  rightly. 

Bring  word,  to  =  To  convey  a  message,  or  tidings. 

(«) 

The  boy  promised  to  bring  his  father  luord^  as  soon 
as  he  learned  on  what  street  Mr.  E.  lived  =  The  boy 
promised  to  convey  the  information  to  his  father,  as 
soon  as  he  learned  on  what  street  Mr.  E.  lived. 
Bristle  up,  to  =  To  show  anger  or  defiance,  (c) 

The  cat  bristled  up  when  the  dog  came  into  the 
yard  =  The  cat  showed  defiance  when  the  dog  en- 
tered the  yard. 


IDIOMATIC     PHRASES.  66 

Broad  i|iirth  =  Coarse  mirth,  (c) 

Tliej  met  at  the  tavern,  and  diverted  themselves 
with   broad  -niirth  — They   met   at   the   tavern,   and 
diverted  themselves  with  unrefined  jovial  conduct. 
Broad  non§en§e  =  Obviously  without  sense  ;  gross 
nonsense,  {b) 
This  talk  of  yours  is  broad  7i072se7ise=This>  talk  of 
yours  is  gross  nonsense. 
Broken  reed  =  An  untrustworthy  support,  (c) 

In  her  intemperate  husband,  Mrs.  A.  has  a  brohen 
re.e.d:=zln  having  an   intemperate  husband,  Mrs.  A. 
has  an  untrustworthy  support. 
Brought    do^vn    into   the    du§t,   to    be  =  To    be 
brought  into  a  low  condition.  (6) 
Because  of  his  pride,  Nebuchadnezzar,  King  of 
Babylon,  was  brought  down  into  the  o??<5^  =  Because  of 
his  pride,  Nebuchadnezzar,  King  of  Babylon,  w^as 
brought  into  a  low  condition. 
Brought  to  bed,  to  be  =  To  be  delivered  of  a  child. 

His  wife  was  brought  to  bed  yesterday  =  His  wife 
was  delivered  of  a  child  yesterday. 
Buckle  on  one'§  armor,  to  =  To   prepare  for  con- 
flict, (c) 
Tlie  senator  buckled  on  his  cwrmor,  and  went  to  the 
senate-chamber  to  advocate  the  land  bill  =  The  sen- 
ator went  to  the  senate-chamber,  prepared  to  con- 
tend in  argument  for  the  land  bill. 
Build  up,  to  =  To  increase  and  strengthen ;  to  settle, 
or  establish,  and  preserve,  (a) 
Regular  hours  of  retiring,  regular  exercise,  and  a 
nourishing  temperate   diet  help  much  in  building  up 
the  constitution  =  Regular  hours  of  retiring,  regular 
exercise,  and  a  nourishing  temperate  diet  help  much 
to  strengthen  the  constitution.     France  has  succeeded 
well  in  building  up  her  credit,  since  the  peace  with 
Germany  =  Since  the  peace  with  Gei-many,  France 
has  succeeded  well  in  increasing  and  strengthening 
her  credit. 
Burden  of  proof  {Law)  =  Th.Q  necessity  or  duty  of 
proving   something  bearing   on   the    question    at 
issue,  (a) 
The  burden  of  proof  that  the  man  w^as  of  unsound 
mind  rests  upon   those  who  contest  his  will  =  Itis^ 
necessary  for  those  who  contest  the  man's  will,  to 
prove  that  he  was  unsound  in  mind  when  he  made  it. 
Burn  daylight,  to  —  To  light  candles  before  dark ; 
to  waste  time,  {b) 
It  is  not  good  economy  to  burn  daylight  =  lt  is 
wasteful  to  light  candles  before  dark. 

4 


34  IDIOMATIC     PHRASES. 

Burn  one's  fing^ers,  to  =  To  get  one's  self  into  un- 
expected trouble ;  to  suffer  damage,  by  taking  part 
in  other  people's  affairs,  (b) 

He  burned  his  fingers,  by  interfering  in  their  quarrel 
=:He  got  himself  into  unexpected  trouble,  by  inter- 
fering in  their  quarrel. 
Bur§t  out,  to  =  To  break  forth  suddenly,  (a) 

When  the  news  of  her  sister's  death  was  received, 
the  young  lady  burst  out  crying  =  When  the  news  of 
her  sister's  death  was  received,  the  young  lady  sud- 
denly broke  forth  into  tears. 
Bury  the  hatcliet,  to  =  To  make  peace,  ih) 

It  is  to  be  hoped  that  the  IS'orth  and  the  South 
have  buried  the  hatchet  iovQ\QY— It  is  to  be  hoped  that 
the  Korth  and  the  South  have  made  a  peace  which 
will  never  be  broken. 
Bu§ines§-\iralk§  =  The  sphere  of  business,  (c) 

In  the  business  walks  of  life,  a  book  of  this  kind 

is  very  much  needed  =  In  the  sphere  of  business,  a 

book  of  this  kind  is  much  needed. 

Buy  a  pig  in  a  poke,  to  =  To  buy  a  thing  without 

seeing  it,  or  knowing  definitely  its  quality  or  value. 

(«)  .  . 

He  bought  a  pig  in  a  poke  when  he  purchased  his 
farm  at  the  West  =  He  purchased  his  farm  at  the 
West  without  seeing  it. 
By  and  toy  =  Pretty  soon  ;  before  long,  (a) 

By  and  by  the  streams  will  be  frozen  over  =  Before 
lono:  the  streams  will  be  frozen  over. 
By  dint  of  =  By  the  force  of ;  by  means  of  (a) 

By  dint  of  great  exertion,  the  mason  put  the  stone 
on  the  wall  =  By  means  of  great  exertion,  the  mason 
put  the  stone  on  the  wall.  If  you  get  the  scholar- 
ship, it  will  be  by  dint  of  hard  work  =  If  you  get  the 
scholarship,  it  will  be  by  working  hard. 
By  far  =  In  a  great  degree  ;  very  much,  (a) 

This  is,  by  far,  the  better  newspaper  of  the  two 
=  This  is,  very  much,  the  better  newspaper  of  the 
two. 
By  good  rigbts  =  Most  reasonably  ;  properly ;  cor- 
rectly, (a) 
By  good  rights,  the  daughters  should  have  had  more 
of  their  father's  property  =  Properly,  or  in  justice, 
the  daughters  should  have  received  more  of  their 
father's  estate. 
By  liand  =:  With  the  hand,  in  distinction  from  in- 
strumentality of  tools,  animals,  &c.  (a) 
This  knitting  was  done  by  hand-l^\m  knitting 
was  done  with  the  hands,  instead   of  by  machinery. 
By  heart  =  In  the  closest,  or  most  thorough  manner,  {a) 


IDIOMATIC    PHRASES.  85 

You  must  learn  this  lesson  hy  heart =Yon  must 
learn  it  in  the  most  thorough  manner. 
By  hook  or  by  crook  =  One  way  or  other ;  by  any 
means,  direct  or  indirect,  (c) 
He   is   bent    on    getting    rich    by    hook    or    hy 
crook  =  He  is  bent  on  getting  rich  by  any  means, 
direct  or  indirect.     The  farmer  said  he  meant  to  get 
the  farm   adjoining  his,  hy  hook  or  hy  crook  — The 
farmer  said  he  meant  to  get  possession  of  the  adjoin- 
ing farm,  by  any  means,  direct  or  indirect. 
By  inches  =  By  slow  degrees  ;  gradually,  (b) 

He  has  a  cancer,  and  is  dying  hy  inches  —  He  has  a 
cancer,  and  is  dying  gradually. 
By  main  force  =  By  great  strength ;  by  strong  ex- 
ertion, {a) 
The  lunatic  who  attacked  his  keeper  was  subdued 
hy  main  force  — The  lunatic  who  attacked  his  keeper 
was  subdued  by  strong  exertion. 
By  might  and  main  =  With  the  utmost  exertion  of 
strength,  (a) 
The  people  removed  the  rock  out  of  the  highway, 
hy  might  and  main  =  The  people  removed  the  rock 
out  of  the  highway,  with  great  exertion. 
By  no  means ;  by  no  manner  of  means  =  Not  in 
any  degree  ;  certain tly  not.  (a) 
The  wine  in  this  country  is  hy  no  means  as  good 
as  that  in  Frances  The  wine  in  this  country  is  in  no 
degree  as  good  as  that  in  France.     Shall  you  walk 
home  to-day?     By  no  means:   I  could  not  endure 
the  fatigue  =  Shall  you  walk  home  to-day  ?    Certainly 
not ;  I  could  not  endure  the  fatigue. 
By  one's  self,  to  be  =  To  be  with  only  one's  self 
near;  alone;   solitary,  (a) 
I  was  not  with  them  there,  but  hy  myself  =1  was 
not  with  them  there,  but  was  alone.     He  studies  hy 
himself  =Jle  studies  alone. 
By   profession  =  By   occupation;    (not     applied   to 
mechanical,  agricultural,  or  the  like  pursuits.)  (a) 

Gov.  Andrews  of  Conn,  is  a  lawyer  by  profession 
=  The  occupation  of   Gov.  Andrews  is  that  of  a 
lawyer. 
By  rule  =  According  to  rule  ;  by  direction,  or  au- 
thority of  rule,  (a) 
He  is  very  methodical  in  his  work,  doing  every- 
thing by  rule  =  He  is  very  methodical  in  his  work, 
doing  everything  according  to  rule  or  regulation. 
By  the  bye ;  by  the  way  =  In  passing ;  by  way  of 
digression  ;  apropos  to  the  matter  in  hand  ;  (phrases 
introducing  a  remark  related  to  the  subject.)  (a) 
By  the  bye,  let  me  say  this  =  By  way  of  digression 


36  IDIOMATIC     PHRASES. 

from  tlie  subject,  let  me  say  this ;  or  apropos  to  the 
subject  of  onr  conversation,  let  me  say  this.  By  the 
way^  there  is  a  curious  story  about  the  family  =  Let 
me  say,  in  passing,  that  there  is  a  curious  story 
about  the  family  we  are  speaking  of.  In  his  dis- 
course the  preacher  remarked,  hy  the  hye^  that  he  had 
visited  every  country  in  Europe  =  The  preacher  re- 
marked, as  he  proceeded  with  his  discourse,  that  he 
had  visited  every  country  in  Europe. 

By  the  ear§  =  In  close  personal  contest,  (c) 

A  disputed  boundary  has,  sometimes,  set  two 
neighbors  hy  the  ears  =  A  disputed  boundary  has, 
sometimes,  brought  two  neighbors  into  close  personal 
contest. 

By  tlii§  =  After  such  an  interval ;  by  this  time,  (c) 
Please  look  in  the  box  at  the  door ;  the  mail-car- 
rier must  have  been  round  by  this  =  ~P]esLse  look  in 
the  box,  for  the  mail-carrier  must  have  been  round 
by  this  time.  He  should  have  returned  by  this  =  He 
should  have  returned  by  this  time. 

By   trade  =  By  occupation,  or  employment;   (espe- 
cially mechanical  employment.)  (a) 
My  friend   is   a  carpenter  by  trade  =  My  .friend's 
trade  or  employment  is  that  of  carpenter. 

By  turns  =  1.  At  intervals.  2.  One  after  another  ; 
alternately,  (a) 
1.  In  his  sickness,  he  was  very  chilly  by  turns  =  In 
his  sickness,  he  was  at  intervals  very  chilly.  2.  You 
two  will  watch  with  the  sick  person  by  turns  =  Y on 
two  will  alternately  watch.  Day  and  night  come  by 
turns  =J)aj  and  night  come  alternately. 

By  virtue  of  =  Through  the  force  of;  by  authority 
of;  by  reason  of.  (a) 
I  have  a  right  to  the  property,  by  virtue  of  my 
position  in  the  family  =  I  have  a  right  to  the  proper- 
ty, on  account  of  my  position  in  the  family.  By 
virtue  of  my  office,  I  declare  you  man  and  wife  =  Ex- 
ercising the  authority  of  my  office,  as  a  magistrate, 
I  declare  you  married.  This  medicine  cures  fevers, 
by  virtue  of  its  cooling  qualities  =  This  medicine  cures 
fevers,  through  the  force  of  its  cooling  qualities. 
The  governor  is  a  meniber  of  the  Board  of  Educa- 
tion, by  virtue  of  his  office  =  The  governor  is  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Board  of  Education,  by  reason  of  being 
governor. 

By  way  of  =  For  the  purpose  of;  in  the  character  of. 
(a) 
By  way  of  warning,  the  father  pointed  his  son  to 
to  a  staggering  drunkard  =  For  the  purpose  of  warn- 
ing,  the   father    pointed   his   son   to   a   staggering 


IDIOMATIC     PHRASES.  87 

drunkard.  He  visited  the  museum  hy  way  of  curi- 
osity =  He  visited  the  museum  as  a  matter  of  curi- 
osity. 

By  wholesale  =  1.  In  the  mass,  (a)  2.  Without 
distinction  or  discrimination,  {h) 
1.  He  sells  wheat  hy  wholesale  and  by  retail  =  He 
sells  wheat  in  the  mass  and  by  the  bushel.  2. 
Some  critics  of  men  or  books,  who  are  wanting  in 
acuteness,  bestow  their  praise  or  their  censure  hy 
wholesale  — ^oxne  persons  who  criticise  men  or  books, 
praise  or  censure  them  without  discrimination. 

By  ivord  of  mouth  =  By  actual  speaking ;  orally,  (a) 
Tlie  message  of  the  general  to  the  colonel  was  de- 
livered hy  word  of  mouth  —  The  message  of  the  general 
to  the  colonel  was  delivered  by  actual  speaking. 


o. 

Call  for,  to  =  To  demand  ;  to  require,  {a) 

Pleurisy  is  such  a  violent  disease,  as  to  call  for 
prompt  medical  treatment  =  The  disease  named  pleu- 
risy is  so  violent,  that  it  requires  prompt  medical 
treatment. 
Call  in,  to  =  To  summon  outlying  papers  or  interests ; 
to  collect.     2.  To  invite  to  come  together,  {a) 
The  U.  S.  treasurer  has  called  in  the  five-twenty 
bonds  now  due  =  The  U.  S.  treasurer  has  advertised 
that  the  government  is  ready  to  redeem  the  bonds, 
.  which  were  to  run  twenty  years,  and  which  the  gov- 
ernment has  the  privilege  of  paying  after  five  years. 
2.  The  Jewish  Rabbi  called  in  some  of  his  friends  on 
the  occasion  of  the  circumcision  of  his  son  =  The 
Jewish  Rabbi  invited  some  of  his  friends  to  come 
together  at  the  circumcision  of  his  son. 
Call  in  question,  torrTo  express  doubt  or  dissent;  to 
treat  as  not  entitled  to  confidence,  (a) 
I  will  not  call  in  question  the  views  on  the  subject 
of  taxation  which  you  have  so  ably  expressed  =  I 
will  not  treat  the  views  which  you  have  expressed 
regarding  taxation   as  not   entitled   to   confidence. 
He  called  in  question  Mr.  E's  statement  that  the  city 
is  as  healthy  as  the  country = He  expressed  doubt 
of  Mr.  E's  statement  that  the  city  is  as  healthy  as 
the  country. 
Call  names,  to  =  To  apply  opprobrious  epithets  to ; 
to  call  by  reproachful  appellations,  (a) 
His  father  punished  him  for  calling  names  =  His 
father  punished  him  for  applying  opprobious  epithets. 


38  IDIOMATIC    PHRASES. 

Call  off,  to  =:  To  summon  away  ;  to  divert,  (a) 

Do  not  suffer  any  thing  to  call  off  your  attention 
from  your  teacher  =  Do  not  suffer  any  thing  to  divert 
your  attention  from  your  teacher.     The  servant  was 
called  off  from  her  ironing  this  morning,  four  times,  by 
a  ring  at  the  door  =  The  servant  was  four  times  sum- 
moned away  from  her  ironing,  this  morning,  by  the 
ringing  of  the  door-bell. 
Call  of  the  bouse  (Legislative  bodies)  =  A  calling 
over  of  the  names  of  the  members,  to  discover  who 
is  absent,  or  for  other  purpose,  (a) 
A   call  of  the  house   was    ordered,   to    ascertain 
whether  a  quorum  was  presents  It   was   ordered, 
that  the  names  of  the  members  should  be  called,  to 
ascertain  whether  a  quorum  was  present. 
Call  on,  or  upon,  to  —  To  make  a  short  visit  to.  (a) 
Social  courtesy  requires  us  to  call  on  the  family 
which    has    just    moved    into    this    street  =  Social 
courtesy  requires  us  to  make  a  short  visit  to  the 
family  which  has  just  moved  into  this  street. 
Call  out,  to=  l.To  summon  to  fight;  to  challenge. 
(6)     2.  To  summon  into  service,  (a) 
1.  Mr.  A.  has  called  out  Mr.  B.,  for  his  abusive 
words  =:  Mr.  A.  has  challenged  Mr.  B.,  for  his  abu- 
sive words.      2.  The  State  troops  have  been  called 
out^  to  quell  the  insurrection  =  The  State  troops  have 
been  summoned  into  service,  to   quell   the   insur- 
rection. 
Call  over,  to  =  To  read  or  repeat  in  order,  {a) 

The  sergeant  called  over  the  names  of  the  men  in 
his   company   every   mornings  The   sergeant   read 
aloud,  every  morning,  the  names  of  the  men  com- 
posing his  company,  in  their  order. 
Call  tlie  roll,  to  =  To  call  over  the  list  of  names  of 
persons  belonging  to  an  organization,  in  order  to 
ascertain  who  are  present  and  who  are  absent,  {a) 
In  the  army,  the  roll  is  called  at  reveille  =  At  the 
beat  of  drum,  at  day-break,  the  company  list  of 
soldiers'  names  is  called,  and  those  present  answer 
to  their  names. 
Call  to  account,  to  =  To  require  one  to  give  a  state- 
ment; to   call  for  explanation  or  vindication   of 
conduct,  (a) 
The  assistant  postmaster-general  has  been  called  to 
account  for  expending  more  money  than  Congress 
appropriated.  =  The  assistant  postmaster-general  has 
been  required  to  vindicate  his  conduct,  in  exceeding 
the  appropriation.     The  scholar   who   was   absent 
from  school  for  three  days  was  called  to  account  for 
his   absences  The   scholar   who   was   absent    from 


IDIOMATIC    PHRASES.  39 

school  for  three  days  was  required  to  explain  his 
absence. 
Call  to  order,  to  =  1.  (Legislative    and  other   as- 
semblies.)    To  call  attention  of  the  presiding  officer 
to  a  violation  of  parliamentary  rules.     2.  To  make 
a  formal  opening  of  a  public  meeting. 
1.  Mr.  A.  was  called  to  order  for  using  unparHa- 
mentary  language,  in  saying  that  Mr.  C.  was  a  dem- 
agogue =  Mr.  A.  was  stopped  by  Mr.  B's  calling  the 
attention  of  the  presiding  officer  to  Mr.  A's  use  of 
unparliamentary  language,  in  styling  Mr.  C.  a  dem- 
agogue.    2,  The  temperance  meeting  was  called  to 
order  by  Mr.    Jones  =  The   meeting   was    formally 
opened  by  Mr.  Jones'  calling  the  assembly  to  organ- 
ize for  business,  by  electing  a  presiding  officer,  &q. 
Call  up,  to  =  1.  To  bring  into  view  or  recollection,  (a) 
2.  To  bring  into  action  or  discussion,  (a) 
1.  Your  letter  calls  up  many  delightful  memories 
of  my  visit  at  your  house  =  The  receipt  of  a  letter 
from  you  brings  to  my  recollection  tlie  delightful 
visit  I  had  at  your  house.     1.  The  sound  of  that 
bell   calls   up   my  school   days  =  Hearing  that  bell 
brings  to  my  mind  the  scenes  of  my  school  days. 
1.  The  photograph  of  my  friend  calls  up  his  fea- 
tures =  The  photograph  of  my  friend  brings  his  fea- 
tures to  mind.     2.  The  bill  concerning  the  currency 
was  called  up  in  Congress  yesterday  =  The  bill  con- 
cerning the   currency  was  brought  into  discussion 
in  Congress  yesterday. 
Can  tout  =  Can  only  ;  can  barely ;  (denoting  that  this 
is  all,  or  the  worst,  that  can  happen),  {a) 
I  can  hut  lose  a  hundred  dollars,  if  I  buy  the  horse 
and  he  proves  to  be  worthless  =  I  can  only  lose  a 
hundred  dollars,  if  the  horse  I  buy  at  that  price 
proves  worthless. 
Can  not  tout  =  Can  not  avoid,  or  forbear ;  must  (de- 
noting a  constraint  or  necessity  of  some  kind.)  (a) 
From  the  evidence,  I  can  not  hut  think  the  man  is 
guilty  of  murder  =  From  the  evidence,  I  can  not 
avoid  thinking  (am   compelled  to  think)  that  the 
man  is  guilty  of  murder.     You  can  not  hut  be  glad 
that  your  son  is  so  successful  in  business  =  It  must 
be  a  source  of  pleasure  to  you  that  your  son  suc- 
ceeds so  well  in  business. 
Capital  crime  =  A  crime  punishable  with  death,  {a) 
Murder  in  the  first  degree  is  a  capital  mme  =  Mur- 
der in  the  first  degree  is  punishable  with  death. 
Care  nothing  atoout,  to  =  To  be  indifferent  to.  (a) 
The  lawyer's  youngest  son  cares  nothing  about  his 


40  IDIOMATIC     PHRASES. 

books  =  The  lawyer's  youngest  son  is  indifferent  to 
study. 
Carry  all  before  one,  to  =  To  be  eminently  suc- 
cessful, or  popular,  (c) 
Mr.  M.,  from  Boston,  has  opened  a  dry  goods  store 
in  the  city,  and  carries  all  before  him='Mr.  M.,  from 
Boston,  has  opened  a  dry  goods  store  in  the  city,  and 
is  remarkably  successful  (or  popular). 
Carry  eoals  to  Newcastle,  to  =  To  do  something 
superfluous  or  unnecessary  ;  to  lose  one's  labor.  (6) 
To  send  tea  to  China  would  be  carrying  coals  to 
Neivcastle=i  To  send  tea  to  China  would  be  a  super- 
fluous enterprise ;  (Newcastle  being  a  city  in  Eng- 
land from  which  much  coal  comes). 
Carry  into  execution,  to  =  To  perform  ;  to  execute. 

(«) 

The  merchant  had  long  planned  to  visit  Europe, 
but  was  not  able  to  carry  his  plan  into  execution,  till 
last  summer  =  The  merchant  had  long  planned  to 
visit  Europe,  but  w^as   never  able  to  execute   his 
plan,  till  last  summer. 
Carry  matters  with  a  liig^h  hand,  to  =  To  be  arro- 
gant, domineering,  tyrannical  and  the  like,  (c) 
Barbarian  conquerors  have  been  apt  to  cairy  mat- 
ters with  a  high  Aa/2^=i  Barbarian  conque^i'ors  have 
been  apt  to  be  tyrannical. 
Carry  over,  to  =  To  carry  across ;  to  transport  from 
one  place  to  another,  (a) 
Tea  is  carried  over  from   China   to   America  in 
vessels  =  Tea  is  transported  from  China  to  America 
in  vessels. 
Carry  sail,  to  =  To  have  more  or  less  sail  unfurled,  (a) 
It  is  not  safe  to  carry  too  much  sail  in  a  storm  =  It 
is  not  safe  to  have  too  much  sail  unfurled  in  a  storm. 
Carry  the  day,  to  =  To  succeed  in  a  struggle  or  con- 
test, (a) 
The  republicans  carried  the  day  in  the  presidential 
election  -  The  republicans   were   successful   in   the 
election  for  president. 
Carry  too  far,  to  =  To  exceed  the  proper  bounds ;  to 
persist  in  too  long,  {a) 
The  Englishman  carries  his  love  of  hunting  and 
racing  too  far  —  The  Englishman  exceeds  the  proper 
bounds,  in  his  love  of  hunting  and  racing.     The 
man  has  carried  the  practice  of  using  opium  too  far^ 
and  has  ruined  his  healths  The  man  has  been  ex- 
cessive in  the  use  of  opium,  and  has  ruined  his 
health. 
Cast  about  for,  to  —  To  seek  for.  (c) 

The  porter  who  was  dismissed  from  the  store  has 


IDIOMATIC    PHRASES.  41 

been  casting  about  for  a  situation  ever  since  =  The 
porter  who  was  dismissed  from  the  store  has  been 
seeking  employment  ever  since. 
Cast  a  sheep's  eye,  to  =:  To  give  a  modest,  diffident 
look,  or  a  loving  glance,  (c) 
As  they  rode  in  the  car,  the  young  man  cast  sheep's 
eyes  on  the  young  lady  by  his  side  =  As  they  rode  in 
the  car,  the  young  man  glanced  bashfully  and  lov- 
ingly at  the  young  lady  seated  beside  him. 
Cast  aside,  to  =  To  dismiss  or  reject  as  useless  or  in- 
convenient, (a) 
The  boy  who  corsts  aside  the  instructions  of  his 
teacher    will  never  become  learned  =  The  boy  who 
rejects  as  useless  the  instructions  of  his  teacher  will 
never  become  learned. 
Cast  forth,  to  =  To  throw  out  or  reject,  as  from  an 
inclosed  space ;  to  emit,  or  send  abroad,  (c) 
The  volcano  cast  forth  lava  and  ashes  =  The  volcano 
emitted  lava  and  ashes. 
Cast  in   a   different  mold,   to    be  =  To  be  made 
after  a  different  pattern  ;  to  be  quite  unlike.  (5) 
He  is  so  unlike  his  brother  in  form  and  features 
and  temperament,  that  he  seems  to  have  been  cast 
in  a  different  mold -He,  is  so  unlike  his  brother  in 
form  and  features  and  temperament,  that  he  seems 
to  have  been  made  after  a  different  pattern. 
Cast  in  one's   lot  with,  to  =  To  join;  to  share  in 
common  w4th.  ip) 
We  are  forming  a  mining  company ;  you  would 
better  cast  in  your  lot  with  us  =  We  are  forming  a 
mining  company  ;  you  would  better  join  us. 
Cast  into  the  shade,  to=:To   throw  into  compara- 
tive obscurity,  (a) 
General  Grant's  success  in  the  war  cast  the  other 
generals  somewhat  into  the  5/iac?e=  General  Grant's 
success  threw  the  other  generals  into  comparative 
obscurity. 
Cast  in  the  teeth,  to -To  retort  reproachfully;  to 
upbraid  ;  to  twit.  ilS) 

I  cast  his  falsehood  concerning  my  age  in  his  teeth 
=  I  upbraided  him  with  his  falsehood  respecting  my 
age. 
Castles  in  the  air  =  Yisionary  projects ;  schemes  that 
have  no  solid  foundation,  [a) 
Instead  of  plodding  hard,  he  spends  his  da^^s  in 
building  castles  in   the  azV  =  He  spends  his  time  in 
forming  visionary  projects,  instead  of  hard  work. 
It  is  the  habit  of  some  young  persons  to  build  castles 
in  the  air  =  Some  young  persons  are  much  given  to 
letting  their  minds  run  on  visionary  projects. 


42  IDIOMATIC    PHRASES. 

Ca§t  off  trammel§,  to  =  To  free  one's  self  from  re- 
traint.  (c) 
At  the  last  election  Mr.  B.  cast  off  party  trammels^ 
and   voted   tlie   independent    ticket  =  At    the-  last 
election  Mr.  B   freed  himself  from  party  restraints, 
and  voted  the  independent  ticket. 
Cast  up,  to  =  To  compute ;  to  reckon,  (a) 

When  the  man  cast  up  his  family  expenses  for  the 
year,  he  was  much  surprised  at  the  amount  =  When 
the  man  computed  his  family  expenses  for  the  year, 
he  was  surprised  at  the  amount. 
Catcb  a  glimpse  of,  to  =  To  get  a  hurried  view  of. 
(a) 
I  can  not  describe  the  bird,  for  I  only  caught  a 
glimpse  of  it  as  it  flew  among  the  trees  =  I  can  not 
describe  the  bird,  for  I  only  had  a  hurried  view  of 
it  as  it  flew  by  among  the  trees. 
Catcli  one  napping,  to  =  To   gain    an  advantage 
over  one,  through  his  inattention,  {b) 
The  tradesman  who  does  not  read  the  newspaper 
will  be  caught  napping  by  people  who  do  =  People 
who  read  the  papers  will  gain  an  advantage  over 
the  tradesman  who,  through  inattention,  does  not. 
The  broker  who  sold  fifty  shares  of  rail-road  stock 
for  less  than  its  market  value  was  caught  napping  ■= 
The  broker  who  sold  fifty  shares  of  rail-road  stock  for 
less  than  its  market  value  was  taken  advantage  of 
through  ignorance  or  inattention. 
Catch  sight  of,  to  =  To  gain  a  view  of.  (a) 

After  being  out  twenty  days,  we  caught  sight  of 
land  =  After  being  out  twenty  days,  we  first  gained 
a  view  of  land. 
Catch  the  ear,  to  =  To  engage  and  attach.  (6) 

His  homely,  unpretending  style,  and  his  pleasing 
address  catch  the  ear  of  the  people  =  His  homely  un- 
pretending phraseology,  and   pleasing  manner   of 
speaking  engage  and  attach  the  people. 
Catch  the  eye,  to  =  To  gain  the  notice ;  to  attract 
the  attention,  ih) 
As  I  was  passing  by  the  market,  this  fine  fowl 
caught  my  eye  —  A&  I  was  passing  by  the  market, 
this  fine  fowl  attracted  my  attention. 
Catch  the  point,  to  —  To  apprehend  the  meaning,  (c) 
I  did  not  catch  the  point  of  the  newspaper  article 
on  party  leaders  —  I  did  not  apprehend  the  meaning 
of  the  newspaper  article  on  party  leaders. 
Chalk  out,  to  =  To  lay  out ;  to  draft ;  to  describe,  (a) 
Mr.  H.  has   chalked  out  a  plan   for  bridging  the 
rail-road  crossing  =r  Mr.  H.  has  drafted  a  plan  for 
making  a  bridge  at  the  rail-road  crossing.     Before 


IDIOMATIC    PHRASES.  43 

he  went  to  Europe,  he  chalked  out  the  plan  of  his 
journeys  Before  visiting  Europe,  he  laid  out  a  plan 
for  his  journey  through  the  various  countries.  I 
have  cAaZZ:ec?  ow^  my  work  for  the  coming  week  =  I 
have  laid  out  my  work  for  the  next  week. 
Cbang^e  bands,  to  =  To  change  owners,  (a) 

The  house  on  the  corner  has  changed  hands  again 
=:The  house  on  the   corner  has   changed   owners 
again  (has  been  sold  again). 
Cbeek  by  joivl  =  In  familiar  proximity ;  close,  (c) 
I  saw  the  senator  and  the  postmaster  cheek  hy  jowl 
with  each  other  at  the  capitol=I  saw  the  senator 
and  the  postmaster  in  close  proximity  and  confabu- 
lation at  the  eapitol. 
Cbime  in  witb,  to  =  To  agree  with ;  to  harmonize 
with,  (c) 
At  the  marriage-feast,  the  gaiety  of  the  guests 
chimed  in  with  the  happiness  of  the  bride  -  At  the 
marriage-feast,  the  gaiety  of  the  guests  harmonized 
with  the  bride's  happiness. 
€boo§e  §lde§,  to  =  To  select  parties  for  competition 
in  any  exercise,  (a) 
The  lads  in  the  school  chose  sides  for  a  game  of 
ball  =  The  lads  in  the  school  selected  two  parties  of 
players,  for  competition  in  a  game  of  ball. 
€bri§tian  name  =  The  name  given  in  baptism,  as 
distinguished  from  the  family  name,  (a) 

In  the  name  George  Washington,  George  is  the 
Christian  name  =  In  George  Washington,  George  is 
tlie  name  conferred  in  baptism. 
Claim  relation§bip  witb,  to  =  To  assert  family  con- 
nection, (a) 
A  man  spoke  to  me  on  the  street,  and  claimed  re- 
lationship luith  me=:A  man  addressed  me,  and  as- 
serted family  connection  with  me. 
Clean  bands  =  Freedom  from  guilt,  {h) 

In  the  investigations  into  the  alleged  dishonesty 
of  some  of  the  merchant's  clerks,  Mr.  F.  will  come 
out  with  clean  hands  =  In  the  investigations  into  the 
alleged  dishonesty  of  some  of  the  merchant's  clerks, 
Mr.  F.  will  be  shown  to  be  free  from  any  guilt. 
Clear  as  crystal  =  Yery  clear ;  perspicuous ;  (said  of 
a  writer's  style),  (a) 
In  the  expression  of  his  thoughts,  Macaulay  is  as 
char  as  cr?/stoi  =  Macaulay  is  very  clear   and   per- 
spicuous in  the  expression  of  his  thoughts. 
Clear  a  sbip  at  tbe  custom-bouse,  to  =  To  exhibit 
the  required  papers,  give  bonds,  and  get  permission 
to  sail,  (a) 
He  has  cleared  his  ship  at  the  custom-house  —  He  has 


44  IDIOMATIC    PHRASES. 

exhibited  the  required  papers  and  obtained  permis- 
sion to  sail. 
Clear  a  ship  for  action,  to  =:  To  remove  all  incum- 
brances from  the  decks,  and  prepare  for  an  engage- 
ment, (a) 
The  ship  was  cleared  for  action  at  the  battle  of  the 
Nile  =  Preparation  was  made  for  fight  at  the  battle 
of  the  Nile,  by  removing  incumbrances  from  the 
decks. 
Clear  the  land,  to  {Naut.):^To  gain  such  a  distance 
from  shore  as  to  have  open  sea-room,  and  be  out 
of  danger  from  the  land,  (a) 
The  ship  has  cleaned  the  land  and  there  is  no  dan- 
ger now  =  The  ship  is  well  out  at  sea,  and  there  is 
now  no  danger. 
Clear  up,  to  =  To  become  fair,  {a) 

We  can  not  take  the  drive  till  the  weather .  clears 
up  —  We  can  not  take  our  drive  till  it  becomes  fair 
weather. 
Clip  the  \ringr§  of,  to  =  To  invalidate ;  to  cripple,  (c) 
The  merchant  made  large  plans  for  business,  but 
the  want  of  capital  clipped  the  wings  of  his  attempt 
=  The  merchant  made  large  plans  for  business,  but 
the  want  of  capital  crippled  his  efforts. 
Clo§e  in  upon,  to  =  To  inclose ;  to  confine  by  sur- 
rounding, (a) 
Darkness  closed  in  upon   the   party,  wliile   they 
were  on  the  lake = Darkness  surrounded  the  party, 
while  tliey  were  on  the  lake. 
Clo§e  quarters  =  Nearness  ;  near  together ;  a  crowd- 
ed condition,  (a) 
In  some  parts  of  the  city,  people  live  in  very  close 
quarters  —  In  some  parts  of  the  city,  the  people  live 
in  a  very  crowded  condition. 
Close  to  the  \irind  (Naut.)  =  Directed  as  nearly  as 
possible  to  the  point  from  which  the  wind  blows. 
The  ship  sailed  close  to  the  wind  =  The  ship  sailed 
as  nearly  as  possible  against  the  wind. 
Close   with,  to  =  1.  To   accede  to;   to   consent   or 
agree  to.  (a)     2.  To  grapple  with,  (a) 
1.  The    Spaniard  closed  with  the  terms  on  which 
the  new  house  was  offered  to  him  =  The  Spaniard 
accepted  the  terms  on  which  the  new  house  was 
offered  to  him.     2.  His  assailant  was  heavier  than  he, 
but  he  closed  with  him  courageously  =  His  assailant 
was  heavier  than  he,  but  he  grappled   with   him 
courageously. 
Cock  and  bull  story  =  An  unlikely  story ;  a  tedious, 
trifling  story,  (c) 
That  narrative  of   his  fight  with  two  lions  is  a 


IDIOMATIC     PHRASES.  45 

coch  and  hull  story  =  That  is  an  unlikely,  or  a  trifling 
story  about  liis  fighting  with  two  lions.  He  told  a 
cock  and  bull  story  about  being  attacked  by  robbers 
=  He  told  an  exciting  but  exaggerated  story,  about 
being  attacked  by  robbers. 
Collect  one's  thoughts,  to  =  To  reflect,  (a) 

Give  me  time  to  collect  my  thoughts,  and  I  will  tell 
you  in  what  play  of  Shakspeare  the  quotation   is 
found  =  Give  me  time  to  reflect,  and  I  will  tell  you 
in  what  play  of  Shakspeare  the  quotation  is  found. 
Come  about,  to  =  To  occur  in  the  order  of  things ; 
to  take  place,  (a) 
How  did  the  fighting  between  these  two  boys 
come  about?  =  How  did  the   fighting  between  these 
boys  happen,  or  take  place  ? 
Come  across,  to  =  To  meet  with  ;  to  fall  in  with,  {a) 
I  came  across  this  quotation  from  St.  Augustine, 
in  my  reading  yesterdays  I  met  with  this  quotation, 
in  my  reading  yesterday. 
Come  betireen,  to=  1.  To  occur    between,  (a)     2. 
To  separate  ;  to  estrange,  (a) 
1.  The  school   vacation    comes  between  June   and 
September  =  The   school   vacation    occurs    between 
June   and    September.     2.  Something,   I    do    not 
know  what,  came  between  the  two  friends  =  Some- 
thing, I  do  not  know  what,  estranged  the  two  friends. 
Come  by,  to  =  To  obtain  ;  to  gain  ;  to  acquire,  (a) 
How  did  you  come  by  this  book  ?  =  How  did  you 
acquire  this  book  ?     He  came  by  his  wealth  honestly 
=  He  acquired  his  wealth  by  honest  methods. 
Come  home,  to=:  1.  To  come  close;    to  touch  the 
feelings,   interest   or  reason ;  to   affect  deeply,  (a) 
2,  To  be  loosened  from  the  ground  ;  {Naut.)  (a) 
1.  The  horrors  of  war  came  home  to  Americans  in 
the  time  of  the  rebellion  =  The  horrors  of  w^ar  came 
close  to  the  experience  and  feeling  of  Americans  in 
the  time  of  the  rebellion.     2.  The  anchor  comes  home 
=  The  anchor  is  loosened  from  the  ground. 
Come  in  its  turn,  to  =  To  come  in  its  due  order  of 
succession,  (a) 
In  a  large  class  at  school,  each  pupil's  recitation 
comes  in  its  turn  =  ln  a  large  class   at  school,  each 
pupil's  recitation  comes  in  its  proper  order  of  suc- 
cession. 
Come  into  play,  or   operation,  to  =  To  come  into 
use ;  to  be  used  or  employed,  (a) 
In  time  of  war,  the  muskets   which  had  been 
stored  in  the  arsenals  come  into- play  =  In  time  of 
war,  the  muskets  which  have  been    stored  in  the 
arsenals  are  used. 


46  IDIOMATIC    PHRASES. 

Come  of,  to  =  1.  To  be  related  to,  or  descended  from. 
{b)     2.  To  result  from,  (a) 
1,  He  comes  of  gentle  bloods  He  is  well  born. 
2.  He  would  go  on  tliin  ice,  and  this  wetting  in  the 
cold  water  comes  of  his  folly  =  This  cold  bath  is  the 
result  of  his  folly,  in  going  on  the  thin  ice. 
Come  off,  to  =  To  be  performed,  (a) 

Did  the  play  which  was  advertised  come  off  at  the 
theatre  last  night  ?  =  Was  the  advertised  play  acted 
at  the  theatre  last  night  ? 
Come  on,  to  =  To  approach ;  to  advance ;  to  progress. 
(a) 
The  summer  comes  on  apace  =  The  summer  ap- 
proaches rapidly.     How  do  you  come  on  in  your  new 
business  ?  =  What  progress  do  you  make  in  your  new 
business  ? 
Come  round,  to  =  To  recur  regularly,  (a) 

In  the  paper  mill,  in  the  adjoining  town,  pay-day 
comes  round  monthly  =  In  the  paper  mill,  in  the  ad- 
joining town,  pay-day  recurs  regularly  once  a  month. 
Come  short,  to  =  To  be  deficient ;  to  fail,  (a) 

I  fear  I  shall  come  sliort  in  my  cash  receipts  this 
month  =  I   fear   that    my   receipts    of   money   this 
month  will  be  deficient  in  amount.     The  congress- 
man who  was  elected  last  week  came  sliort  of  the 
majority  he  expected  =  The  congressman  who  was 
elected  last  week  failed  of  obtaining  the  majority 
he  expected. 
Come  to,  to  =  l.  To  recover    consciousness,  (a)     2. 
To  amount  to.  (a) 
1.  Yesterday  she  fainted,  but  soon  came  to  =r  Yes- 
terday she  fainted,  but  soon  revived.     2.  The  yearly 
taxes  on  my  property  come  to  a  large  sum  =  The 
yearly  taxes  on  my  property  amount  to  a  large  sum. 
What  will  three  days'  work  come  to  ?  —  What  must  I 
pay  for  three  days'  work  ? 
Come  to  a  cri§is,  to  =  To  arrive  at  the  point  of  nec- 
essary termination  or  change,  the  decisive  or  turn- 
ing point,  (a) 
Political  affairs  in  America  came  to  a  crisis^  at  the 
breaking  out  of  the  civil  war  =  Political  affairs  in 
America  reached  a  decisive  point,  at  the  breaking 
out  of  the  rebellion. 
Come  to  a  head,  to  =  l.  To  suppurate,  as  a  boil,  {a) 
2.  To  develop  to  a  culminating  point ;  to  mature,  (c) 
-1.  The  boil  has  come  to  a  head— The  boil  is  ready 
to  discharge  matter.     2.  After  weeks  of  secret  prep- 
aration, the  plot  to  kill  the  Tsar  came  to  a  head—Ki- 
ter  weeks  of  hidden  preparation,  the  stratagem  to 
destroy  the  Tsar  broke  out. 


IDIOMATIC     PHRASES.  47 

Come  to  an  end,  to  =  To  cease ;  to  stop,  (a) 

Tlie  wicked  career  of  the  thief  came  to  an  end  at 
his   arrest  =  The   wicked   career   of  the   thief  was 
stopped  by  his  arrest. 
Come  to  an  untimely  end,  to  =  To  die  prematurely, 
(a) 
He  was  the  hope  of  the  family,  a  young  man  of 
fine  promise,  but  he  came  to  an  untimely  end  by  the 
accidental  discharge    of  a  fowling-piece  =  He  was 
the  hope  of  his  family,  &c.,  but  he  died  prematurely 
by  the  accidental  discharge  of  a  fowling-piece. 
Come  to  a  stand-still,  to  =  To  be  stopped  ;  to  cease. 

(«) 

Work  on  the  track  of  the  new  rail-road  has  come 
to  a  stand-still  for  lack  of  funds  =  Work  on  the  track 
of  the  new  rail-road  has  ceased,  for  want  of  funds. 
Come  to  blows,  to  =  To  quarrel  to  the  extent  of 
violence ;  to  engage  in  combat,  (a) 
The  two  boys  disputed  about  the  ownership  of  the 
book,  and  at  last  came  to  hlow^=T\\Q,  two  boys  dis- 
puted about  the  ownership  of  the  book,  and  finally 
engiaored  in  combat. 
Come  to  hand,  to  =  To  be  received;  to  be  taken 
into  possession,  (a) 
Your  letter  came  to  hand  yesterday  =  Your  letter 
was  received  yesterday. 
Come  to  life,  to  =  To  revive ;  to  come  to.  (a) 

After  being  in  the  water  a  long  time,  he  was  in  a 
state  of  suspended  animation,  but  finally  came  to  life 
=  After  being  in  the  water  a  long  time,  he  was  in  a 
state  of  suspended  animation,  but  finally  revived. 
Come  to  naught,  to  =  To  fail ;  not  to  succeed.  (/>) 
The  project  of  a  horse  rail-road  from  the  depot  to 
the  adjoining  town  carne  to  naught=  The  project  of  a 
horse  rail-road  from  the  depot  to  the  adjoining  town 
failed  of  success.     The  search  for  the  pirate's  buried 
treasure  came  to  naught  =  The  search  for  the  pirate's 
buried  treasure  utterly  failed. 
Come  to  pass,  to  =  To  occur ;  to  take  place,  (a) 
We  can  not  foretell  what  will  come  to  pass  in  the 
next  century  =  We  can  not  foretell  what  will  occur 
in  the  next  century. 
Come  to  terms,  to  =  To  make  terms ;  to  make  an 
agreement ;  to  agree,  (b) 
In  the  matter  of  house-rent  I  have  com.e  to  terms 
with  him=:I  have  made  an  agreement  with  him  in 
the  matter  of  house-rent. 
Come  to  the  front,   to  =  To  come  forward  promi- 
nently ;  to  become  the  subject  of  public  discussion. 


48  IDIOMATIC     PHRASES. 

The  question  of  the  currency  seems  likely  to  come 
again  to  the  front   in  the  U.  S.  Congress  =  The  ques- 
tion of  the  currency  seems  likely  to  become  again  the 
subject  of  discussion  in  Congress. 
Come  to  the  point,  to  =  To  speak  on   a   subject 
without  superfluous  words,  (a) 
I  will  come  to  the  point — can    you  loan  me  five 
hundred  dollars  ?  =  I  will  speak  as  briefly  and  di- 
rectly as  possible — can  you  loan  me  five  hundred 
dollars  ? 
Come  to  the  same  thing,  to  =  To  be  the  same  ;  to 
give  the  same  result,  {a) 
It  comes  to  the  same  thing ^  whether  a  column  of  fig- 
ures is  added  from  the  bottom  upward,  or  from  tlie 
top  downward  =  The  result  is  the  same,  whether  a 
column  of  figures  is  added  from  the  bottom  upward, 
or  from  the  top  downward. 
Come   under  the   head   of,  to==To   be   reckoned 
among ;  to  be  classed  with,  (a) 
Tea  and  sugar  come  under  the  head  of  groceries  = 
Tea  and  sugar  are  classed  with  groceries. 
Come  upon   the  parish,  town,  &c.,  to  =  To  be- 
come so  poor  as  to  be  supported  at  public  expense. 

Ko  one  wishes  to  come  upon  the  parish  =  'No  one 
wishes  to  be  supported  at  public  expense. 
Come   upon   the   stag^e,  to  =  To  appear  upon  the 
scene  of  action ;  to  figure  in  public  life,  {b) 
The  men  who  came  on  the  stage^  in  the  time  of 
Queen  Elizabeth,  (Eng.),  w^ere  bold,  original,  and 
many  of  them,  great  men  =  The  men  who  figured 
in  public  life,  in  the  time  of  Queen  Elizabeth,  were 
bold,  original,  and  many  of  them,  great  men. 
Come  up  to,  to  =  To  rise  to.  (c) 

Tlie  writer  of  the  poem  did  not  come  up  to  the 
dignity  of  the  subjects  The  writer  of  the  poem  did 
not  rise  to  the  dignity  of  the  subject,  in  his  treat- 
ment of  it.  This  package  of  silk  does  not  come  up 
to  our  standard  =  This  r»ackage  of  silk  does  not  rise 
to  our  standard. 
Come  up  with,  to=:To  overtake,  (a) 

I  came  up  with  him  at  his  own  door  =  I  overtook 
him  at  his  own  door. 
Commanding  view  -  A  view  that  has  much  within 
the  sphere  of  vision,  {b) 
The  tower  on  the  mountain,  eight  miles  west  of 
Hartford,  affords  a  commanding  view  of  the  valley  of 
Farmington    river  =  The  tower   on    the    mountain, 
eight  miles  west  of  Hartford,  affords  a  view  which 
takes  in  much  of  the  Farmington  valley 


IDIOMATIC     PHRASES.  49 

Commune  \rUli  one'§  own  heart,  to  =  To  reflect ; 
to  meditate  bj  one's  self;  to  busy  one's  self  with 
one's  thoughts,  (c) 
In  time  of  affliction,  it  is  well  to  commune  ivith 
one's  own  heart,  and  be  still  =  In  time  of  aliiiction,  it 
is  well  to  meditate  by  one's  self,  and  be  still. 
Compare  notes,  to  =  To  exchange  opinions,  &c.,  in 
order  to  learn  one  another's  views,  (a) 
After  visiting  Europe,  Mr.  A.  and  Mr.  B.  were 
accustomed  to  compare  notes  whenever  they  met=: 
After  visiting  Europe,  Mr.  A.  and  Mr.  B.  were  in 
the  habit  of  conversation  and  interchange  of  opin- 
ions concernino^  foreign  travel  and  countries. 
Connive  at,  to  =  To  fail  or  forbear,  by  intention,  to 
see  a  fault,  (a) 

It  is  feared  that  a  policeman  connived  at  the  fight 
=  It  is  feared  that  a  policeman  intentionally  failed 
to  see  the  fight. 
Conseiou§  of,  to  be  =  To  know  and  recognize  the 
acts  and  aftections  of  one's  own  mind,  (a) 
The  man  said  that  he  was  conscious  of  a  desire 
and  intention  to  treat  his  adopted  son  as  well  as  he 
treated  the  one  bom  to  liim  =  The  man  said  that  he 
knew  that  he  desired  and  purposed   to  treat  his 
adopted  son  as  kindly  as  he  treated  his  own  son. 
Con§i§t  in,  to  =  To  be  constituted  by ;  to  have  foun- 
dation, or  substance  in ;  to  lie  in.  (a) 
Lying  consists  in  uttering  what  is  false,  with  the 
intent  to  deceive  =  The  essence  of  lying  is  uttering 
what  is  false,  with  the  intent  to  deceive. 
Con§i§t  of,  to  =  To  be  composed,  or  made  up  of.  (a) 
This   book   consists  of  phrases,  which  have  their 
own  peculiar  meanings  This  book  is  made  up  of 
phrases,  which  have  their  own  peculiar  meaning. 
Bread  consists  of  several  ingredients  =  Bread  is  made 
of  several  ingredients. 
Cope  with,  to  =  To  strive  or  contend  on  equal  terms, 
or  with  success ;  to  match,  (c) 
The  Hindoo  coolie  is  not  able  to  cope  with  the  far 
superior  Chinaman  of  the  Straits  settlements  =  The 
Hindo  coolie  can  not  contend,  on  equal  terms,  with 
the  far  superior  Chinaman  of  the  Straits  settlements. 
The  rebels,  having  few  troops,  could,  not  cope  with 
the  government  =  The   rebels,  having   few   troops, 
could  not  successfully  contend  with  the  government. 
Count  for  anything,  to  =  To  increase  or  add  to  the 
strength  or  influence,  {b) 
Local  service  in  a  subordinate  position   seldom 
counts  for  anything,   in  securing  promotion  to  the 
highest  office;    (Lon.  and  China  Telegraph)  =  Local 

5 


50  IDIOMATIC    PHRASES. 

service  seldom  adds  anything  to  the  influence  or 
prospects  of  subordinates  in  the  civil  service. 
Count  in,  to  =  l.  To  declare  elected,  by  a  fraudulent 
counting  of  the  votes;  (U.  S.)  (a)     2.  To  reckon 
among  the  number,  (h) 
1.  It  is  believed  by  many,  that  the  sheriJBP  was 
counted  in,  at  the  late  election  =  It  is  believed  by 
many,  that  the  sheriff  did  not  receive  a  majority  of 
votes,  but  was  falsely  declared  by  the  counters  to 
have  received  the  largest  number,  and  accordingly 
was  declared  elected.     2.  If  you  are  making  up  a 
party  for  a  sleigh-ride,  you  may  count  me  in  —  If  you 
are  making  up  a  party  for  a  sleigh-ride,  you  may 
reckon  me  among  the  number. 
Count   out,  to  =  1.   To  declare  not   elected,  by   a 
fraudulent  counting  of  the  votes,  (U.   S.)  (a)     2. 
To  reject,  or  fail  to  reckon  in  an  enumeration.  Q)) 
1.  Mr.  T.  and  his  friends  think  that  he  was  un- 
justly cowTz^ec?  out  in  the  last  election  =  Mr.  T.  and 
his  friends  think  that  he  was  unjustly  declared  not 
chosen  to  office  at  the  last  election,  by  means  of  a 
fraudulent  counting  of  the  votes.     2.  Count  me  out 
from  the  fishing  party  for  to-morrow  =  Do  not  reckon 
me  as  one  of  the  party  who  intend  to  go  a-fishing 
to-morrow. 
Count  upon,    or  on^   to  =  To  rely  upon,  {a) 

The  friends  of  the  pension  bill  counted  on  Senator 
C.  to  advocate  the  bill  =  The  friends  of  the  pension 
bill  relied  on  Senator  C.  to  advocate  the  bill. 
Cover  into,  to  =  To  transfer  to.  (a) 

Secretary  Sherman  has  covered  into  the  treasury 
the  money  received  on  account  of  the  Alabama 
claims  =  Secretary  Sherman  has  transferred  to  the 
treasury  the  money  received  on  account  of  the  Ala- 
bama claims. 
Cream  of  the  joke,  the  -  The  best  part  of  the 
joke,  {h) 

You  lost  the  cream  of  the  johe  by  going  out  of  the 
room  =  You  missed  hearing  the  best  part  of  the  joke 
by  going  out  of  the  room. 
Crocodile  tear§  =  Pretended  grief;  false  or  affected 
tears,  (c) 
Those  were  crocodile  tears  which  the  man  shed  over 
the  result  of  the  election  =  The  man's  grief  at  the 
result  of  the  election  was  hypocritical  (not  sincere). 
Crop  out,  to=l.  To  appear  above  the  surface,  (a) 
2.  To  come  to  light ;  to  be  manifest.  (5) 
1.  Strata  of  limestone  crop  out,  on  some  Western 
prairies  =  Strata  of  limestone  incline  upward  and 
appear  above  the  surface,  on  some  Western  prairies. 


IDIOMATIC    PHRASES.  51 

2.  The  traveler's  love  of  children  cropped  out,  in  his 
taking  a  little  girl  who  was  in  the  car,  on  his  knee, 
and  talking  and  playing  with  her  =  The  traveler's 
love  of  children  showed  itself,  in  his  taking  on  his 
knee  a  little  girl  who  was  in  the  car,  and  talking 
and  playing  with  her. 
Cro§s  examination  (Zai^.)  =  The  examination  of  a 
witness  which  is  made  by  the  opposing  counsel,  or 
the  counsel  opposing  the  side  which  called  the  w^it- 
ness.  {a) 
A  cross  examination  is  usually  severe  and  trying  = 
The  examination  of  a  witness  which  is  made  by  the 
counsel  opposed  to  the  side  which  called  him,  is 
usually  severe  and  trying. 
Crowd  §ail,  to  =  To  carry  an  extraordinary  force  of 
sail,  in  order  to  hasten  the  progress  of  the  ship,  (a) 
The  captain  saw  a  pirate  ship  in  the  distance,  and 
crowded  sail  to  escape  her  if  possible  =  The  captain 
saw  a  pirate  ship  in  the  distance,  and  hastened  the 
progress  of  the  sliip  by  increasing  the  quantity  of 
sail,  in  order  to  escape  her  if  possible. 
€ru§h  out,  to  =  l.  To  force  or  separate  by  pressure. 
(a)     2.  To  completely  overcome  or  destroy,  (a) 
1.  We  crush  out  the  juice  of  the  grapes  in  a  wine- 
prpss=iWe  separate  tlie  juice  from  the  grape  by 
pressure  in  a  wine-press.     2.  Cromwell  crushed  out 
the  rebellion  in  Ireland  in  1649  =  Cromwell  com- 
pletely overcame  the  rebellion  in  Ireland  in  1649. 
Cry  at  the  top  of  the  voice,  to=:To  cry  in  the 
higliest  pitch  of  the  voice ;  to  cry  as  loud  as  possi- 
ble. 
When  the  fire  broke  out,  the  boy  cried  at  the  top 
of  his  voice— Hhe.  boy  cried  as  loud  as  possible,  when 
the  fire  broke  out. 
Crying    §hanie  ;     burning    §hame  =  A    notorious 
shame  ;  a  vehement  shame,  (a) 
The  dishonesty  of  some  Indian  traders  and  agents 
in  the  United  States  is  a  crying  shame  =  The  dishon- 
esty of  some  Indian  traders  and  agents  in  the  United 
States  is  notorious,  and  shameful. 
Curry  favor,  to  :=  To  seek  to  gain  favor  by  flattery, 
caresses,  kindness,  or  officious  civilities. 
He  is  trying  to  curry  favor  with  the  governor  =  He 
is  trying  to  get  the  favor  of  the  governor  by  officious 
civilities. 
Cursive  hand  =  A  running  hand,  (c) 

Manuscripts  of  the  Greek  Testament,  in  the  cursive 
hand,  are  less  than  a  thousand  years  old  =  The  manu- 
scripts of  the  Greek  Testament,  written  in  the  run- 
ning hand,  are  less  than  a  thousand  years  old. 


52  IDIOMATIC     PHRASES. 

Cut  a  figure,  or  a  dasli,  to  =  To  make  a  display ;  to 

be  conspicuous,  {b) 

Captain  E.  cut  a  figure  at  the  ball,  dressed  in  the 

costume  of  his  grandfather's  day  ==  Captain  E.  was 

conspicuous  at  the  ball,  for  wearing  tlie  style  of  dress 

which  was  in  fashion  in  the  time  of  his  grandfather. 

Cut  caper§,  to  =:  To  play  pranks  ;  to  frolic,  (b) 

The  children  are  cutting  capers  in   the  nursery  = 
The  children  are  frolicking  in  the  nursery. 
Cut  do^vn,  to  =  To  reduce ;  to  diminisli ;  to  lessen. 

(«) 

We  must  cut  down  our  expenses,  because  our  rail- 
road stock  pays  no  dividend  this  year  =  We  must 
lessen  our  expenses,  because  our  rail-road  stock  pays 
no  dividend  this  year.     The  salary  of  the  clerk  has 
been  cut  down  fifty  dollars  =  The  salary  of  the  clerk 
has  been  made  fifty  dollars  less. 
Cut  ofi',  to  =  To  deprive  of  life ;  to  destroy ;  to  sever ; 
to  separate,  (o) 
Many  people  have  been  cut  off  by  the  yellow  fever 
in  Memphis,  Tenn.;  (U.  S.),  this    year  and  last  = 
Many  people  have  been  deprived  of  life  by  the  yel- 
low fever  in  Memphis,  this  year  and  last ;  (1878  and 
1879).     That  crooked  branch  should  be  cut  off  from 
the  young  tree  =  That  crooked  branch  ought  to  be 
severed  from  the  3'oung  tree. 
Cut  one'§  acquaintance,  to  =  To  drop  intercourse 
with  one ;  to  intentionally  avoid  recognizing  one.  (a) 
Because  of  his  misconduct,  very  many  people  cut 
his  acquaintance  =  Yery  many  people  avoided  recog- 
nizing him,  because  of  his  misconduct. 
Cut  out,  to  =  1.  To  shape  or  form  by  cutting ;  to 
contrive  ;  to  adapt,  (a)     2.  To  remove  and  take  the 
place  of;  to  frustrate ;  to  supersede ;  to  out-do.  (a) 
3.  To  seize  and  carry  ofiT,  as  a  vessel  from  a  harbor. 

(«) 

1.  I  went  to  the  tailor  to  get  him  to  cut  out  a  coat 
for  me  =  I  w6nt  to  the  tailor  to  get  him  to  form  or 
shape  a  coat  for  me  by  cutting.     1,  Pie  is  cut  out  for 
mechanical  work  =  He  is  adapted  to  the  doing  of 
mechanical  work.     2.  He  has  cut  you  out  as  assistant 
secretary  of  legation  =  He  has  outdone  you  and  taken 
your   place  as    assistant   secretary   of  legation.     3. 
.  Smalls,  a  slave,  cut  out  a  steamboat  from  Charleston 
harbor  =  Smalls,  a  slave,    seized   and   carried  oif  a 
steamboat  from  Charleston  harbor. 
Cut   short,    to=:To   arrest   or   check   abruptly;  to 
bring  to  a  sudden  termination ;  to  abridge ;  to  di- 
minish, (c) 
The  burglar's  career  of  crime  was  cut  sJwrt,  by  his 


IDIOMATIC     PHRASES.  53 

arrest  and  imprisonment  =  The  burglar's  career  of 
crime  was  abruptly  checked,  by  his  arrest  and  im- 
prisonment. The  time  for  a  day's  work  in  the  facto- 
ry has  been  cut  short—  The  time  for  a  day's  work  in 
the  factory  has  been  abridged.  I  was  telling  what  I 
knew  about  the  affair,  when  my  companion  cut  me 
shorty  and  said;  "I  know  all  about  it"  =  I  was  telling 
what  I  knew  about  the  affair,  when  my  companion 
interrupted  me,  and  said ;  "  I  know  all  about  it." 

Cut  the  teeth,  to  =  To  have  the  teeth  pierce  the  gum 
and  appear,  (a) 
The  baby  is  cutting  his  first  teeth  =  The  baby  is  hav- 
ing his  first  teeth  come. 

Cut  under,  to  =  To  undersell,  (c) 

He  cut  under  all  his  competitors  in  the  shoe  trade 
=  He  undersold  all  his  competitors  in  the  shoe  trade. 
He  is  trying  to  cut  under  me  in  order  to  get  my 
custom  away  from  me  =  He  is  trying  to  sell  goods 
cheaper  than  I  do,  in  order  to  get  my  custom  away 
from  me. 

Cut  up,  to  =  l.  To  cut  in  pieces.  2.  To  injure;  to 
wound  ;  to  hurt,  (a) 
1.  The  butcher  cut  up  the  beef  before  selling  it= 
The  butcher  cut  the  beef  in  pieces  before  selling  it. 
2.  The  author  was  much  cut  up,  by  the  criticism  of 
his  book  =  The  author  was*  much  hurt  in  his  feel- 
ings, by  the  criticism  of  his  book.  The  doctrine  of 
Yang  Che  and  Mak  Tic,  so  opposite  to  the  teachings 
of  Confucius,  cuts  tip  all  government  by  the  roots  = 
The  doctrine  of  Yang  Che  and  Mak  Tic,  so  oppo- 
site to  the  teachings  of  Confucius,  destroys  the  foun- 
dations of  all  family  and  civil  government. 


D. 

Danee  attendance,  torrTo  stand  and  wait  obsequi- 
ously ;  to  be  in  waiting,  with  a  view  to  please  or 
gain  favor,  (b) 
The  court  were  obliged  to  dance   attendance   on 
Louis  XI Y.,  of  France = The  court  were  obliged  to 
stand,  and  wait  obsequiously  on  Louis  XI Y.,  of 
France.     She  kept  him  dancing  attendance  on  her  for 
one  year,  before  revealing  her  own  inclinations  =  She 
kept  him  in  waiting  upon  her  one  year  with  a  view 
to  gain  her  favor,  before  revealing  her  own  inclina- 
tions. 
Dash  forward,  to=:To  rush  on  rapidly,  (a) 

The  commander  dashed  forward,  and  by  a  sudden 
onset  threw  the  ranks  of  the  enemy  into  disorder  =i 


54  IDIOMATIC     PHRASES. 

The  commander  rushed  on  rapidly,  and  by  a  sudden 
movement  threw  the  ranks  of  the  enemy  in  disorder. 
I>ay§    of    grace    {Mercantile    Zat^)  =  Days,   usually 
three,  allowed  by  law  or  custom,  for  the  payment 
of  a  note  or  bill  of    exchange,  after  the  specified 
time  of  payment. 
Taking  advantage  of  the  days  of  grace,  I  paid,  on 
the  tenth,  my  note  which  was  due  on  the  seventh 
instants  Taking  advantage  of  the  days  allowed  for 
the  payment  of  a  note  after  the  specified  time,  I 
paid,  on  the  tenth,  my  note  which  was  due  on  the 
seventh  instant. 
Dead  language  =  A  language  which   is  no  longer 
spoken  or  in  common  use  by  a  people,  and  is  known 
only  in  writings. 
Tlie  dead  languages  are  taught   in  English   and 
American  schools,  in  order  to  discipline  the  mind 
and  give  facility  in  the  use  of  language = The  lan- 
guages no  longer  spoken,  and  known  only  in  writings 
— as  Hebrew,  Greek,  and  Latin, — are  taught  in  En- 
glish and  American  schools  in  order  to  discipline  the 
mind,  and  give  command  of  language  in  speaking 
and  writing. 
Bead  letter =1.  A  letter,  which  after  lying  for  a 
certain  time  uncalled  for  at  a  post-ofiice,  is  then 
sent  to  the  general  post-ofiice  to  be  opened.  2. 

That  which  has  fallen  into  disuse  or  become  obso- 
lete, (a) 
1.  The  number  of  dead  letters  in  the  United  States 
every  year  is  larger  The  number  is  large,  in  the 
United  States  every  year,  of  letters,  which  after  lying 
for  a  certain  time  uncalled  for  at  a  post-office,  are  then 
sent  to  the  general  post-office  at  Washington  to  be 
opened.     2.  The  prohibitory  law  in  Connecticut  was 
a  dead  letter,  some  time  before  its  repeal  =  Some  time 
before  its  repeal,  the  prohibitory  law  in  Connecticut 
had  fallen  into  disuse. 
'  I>eal  by,  to  =  To  treat,  either  well  or  ill.  (a) 

Mrs.  F.  always  deals  well  by  her  servants = Mrs.  F. 
always  treats  her  servants  well. 
Deal  in,  to  =  To  sell  or  traffic  in;   to  have  to  do 
with,  {a) 
Mr.  E.  deals  in  grains  Mr.  E.  buys  and  sells  grain. 
Judge  C.  does  not  deal  in  political  matters = Judge 
C.  has  nothing  to  do  with  politics. 
Deal  ont,  to  =  To  distribute;  to  dispense,  (a) 

Rice  was  dealt  out  to  the  needy  by  the  missiona- 
ries, during  the  late  famine  in  China = Rice  was  dis- 
tributed to  the  needy  by  the  missionaries,  during 
the  late  famine  in  China. 


IDIOMATIC     PHRASES.  65 

I>eal    "With  =  1.  To    treat    in    any  manner;  to  use, 
whether  well  or  ill.  (a)     2.  To  trade  with,  (a)     3. 
To  have  transactions  of  any  kind  with,  (a) 
1.  The  teacher  should  not  deal  severely  with  the  mis- 
takes of  his  pupils,  but  he  should  deal  severely  with 
their  disobedience  =  The  teacher  should  not  punish 
his  pupils  severely  for  their  mistakes,  but  he  should 
punish  their  disobedience.     2.  I  am  in  the  habit  of 
dealing  ivitli  Mr.  X.  in  buying  hardware  =r  I  am  in 
the  habit  of  buying  hardware  of  Mr.  X.     3.  He  is  a 
hard  man  to  deal  with  =  lt  is  very  difficult  to  have 
transactions  of  any  kind  with  him. 
Dear  iiie  =  An  exclamation  expressive  of  some  emo- 
tion, as  surprise,  fear,  grief,  pain  and  the  like,  (c) 
e.  g.  Is  Mr.  A's  house  burned  ?     Yes.     Dear  me  ! 
what  will  he  do  ? 
Death-blow = A  blow  causing   death;  total  extinc- 
tion, (a) 
His  only  son's  death  was  a  death-blow  to  all  his 
ambition  =  His  only  son's   death  proved  to  be  the 
total  extinction  of  all  his  ambition.     He  received 
his  death-blow^  at  the  hands  of  an  intoxicated  com- 
panion =r  He  received  the  blow  that  caused  his  death, 
at  the  hand  of  an  intoxicated  companion. 
Death   §taring  one  in  the  face  =  In  constant  ex- 
pectation of  dying,  (b) 
When  he  had  dysentery,  he  was  given  over  by  the 
physician,  and  lay  many  days  with  death  staring  him 
in  the  ^acerr  When  he  had  dysentery,  &c.,  he  lay  many 
days  in  constant  expectation  of  dying. 
Depend  upon,  to=:l.  To  rely  upon  for  support,  (a) 
2.  To  trust ;  to  believe,  (a) 
1.  The  child  depends  upon  his  parents  ==  The  child 
relies  upon  his   parents   for   support.     1.  She  has 
nothing  to  c?ej9enc?  on = She  has  nothing  to  rely  on, 
for  support.    -2.  You  can  always  depend  upon  Mr.  G. 
=:You  can  always  trust  (or  believe)  Mr.  G. 
Deprive  of,  to  =  To  bereave  of;  to  take  away,  (a) 
He  was  deprived  of  the  privilege  of  attending  the 
lecture,  by  illness  =  He  did  not  have  the  privilege 
of  attending  the  lecture,  on  account  of  illness. 
Die  a  natural  death,  to  =  To  die  a  death  not  ex- 
ceptional nor  violent,  but  in  the  ordinary  course  of 
nature,  (a) 
If  a  man  is  drowned,  we  do  not  say  he  died  a  nat- 
ural death  =  If  a  man  meets  death  by  drowning,  he 
dies  an  exceptional  and  violent  death,  not  in  the 
ordinary  course  of  nature. 
Die  out,  or  away,  to  =  To  recede  and  grow  fainter ; 


56  IDIOMATIC    PHRASES. 

to  become  imperceptible ;  to  vanisb ;  to  disappear. 

(«) 

The  glow  of  the  setting  sun  gradually  died  avjay— 
The  glow  of  the  setting  sun  gradually  became  im- 
perceptible.    The  custom  of  traveling  by  stage  was 
once  common,  but  it  has  died  out=ThG  custom  of 
traveling  by  stage  was  once  common,  but  it  has  dis- 
appeared. 
Dig  up  the  hatchet,  to  =  To  make  war,  or  engage 
in  strife,  (c) 
The  Indians  in  Colorado  have  dug  up  the  hatchet= 
The   Indians   in   Colorado  have   engaged   in  strife 
(with  the  United  Stares). 
Discharge  an  office,  to=iTo  perform  a  duty  or  a 
service,  (a) 
Mr.  C.  discharges  his  office  as  conductor  of  the  train 
very  satisfactorily  =  Mr.  C.  performs  his  duty  as  con- 
ductor of  the  train  very  satisfactorily. 
Dispose  of,  to  =  i.  To  determine  the  fate  of;  to  ex- 
ercise the  power  of  control  over,  (a)     2.  To  pass 
over  into  the  control  of  some  one  else ;  to  alienate ; 
to  part  with  ;  to  get  rid  of.  (a) 
1.  In  China,  it  has  been  considered  the  parents' 
prerogative,  to  dispose  of  a  daughter's  hand  in  mar- 
riage =  In  China,  it  has  been  considered  the  parents' 
peculiar  privilege,  to  exercise  the  power  of  control 
over .  a  daughter's  hand.     2.  I  have  disposed  of  my 
farm  in  the  country  =  I  have  parted  with,  or  sold, 
my  farm  in  the  country. 
Do,  sometimes  means  to  accomplish  a  purpose,  to 
answer  an  end.  (a) 
If  this  will  not  do^  try  something  else  =  If  this  will 
not  answer  the  end  in  view,  try  something  else.     If 
you  can  not  pay  the  bill  to-day,  to-morrow  will  do  = 
If  you  can  not  pay  the  bill  to-day,  to-morrow  will 
answer  the  purpose.     This  dress  will  do  to  wear  to 
the  party  =  This  dress  will  answer  the  purpose  for 
wearing  at  the  party.     Can  you  make  these  shoes 
do?  —  Csin  you  use  these  shoes?     This  paper  will  do 
for  the  presents  This  paper  will  suffice  for  now. 
Do  away  with,  to  =r  To  put  away ;  to  discontinue,  (a) 
The  custom  of  wearing  wigs  is  done  aivay  with  in 
America = The  custom   of  wearing  wigs  is  discon- 
tinued in  America.     We  must  do  away  with  this 
needless  expense = We  must  stop  this  needless  ex- 
pense.    The  new  college  president  did  away  with 
many  old  rules  =  The  new  college  president  abolished 
many  old  rules. 
Do  by,  to  =  To  treat,  (h) 

If  you  will  do  hy  me  as  well  as  you  do  hy  my 


IDIOMATIC     PHRASES.  67 

neighbor,  I  will  buy  my  groceries  of  you  =  If  you 

will  treat  me,  as  a  customer,  as  well  as  you  treat  my 

neighbor,  I  will  purchase  my  groceries  at  your  store. 

Dog  in  tlie  manger  =  One  who  can  not  use  or  enjoy 

something,  and  yet  will  not  allow  others  to  do  so. 

The  man  who  cut  down  all  the  grape-vines  in  his 
garden,  because  he  was  not  fond  of  grapes  was  like 
the  dog  in  the  manger  — T\\q  man  who  cut  down  all 
the  grape-vines  in  his  garden,  because  he  did  not 
like  grapes  was  not  willing  others  should  enjoy 
that  which  he  himself  could  not  use. 
Do  justice  to,  to=:To  give  credit  for  one's  deserts. 

You  do  not  do  him  justice,  in  what  you  say  about 
himr^In  what  you  say  about  him,  you  do  not  give 
him  credit  for  his  deserts  =z  The  historian  has   not 
done  justice  to  the  general  =  The  historian  has  not 
treated  the  general  as  he  deserves;  (justly). 
Do  no  good,  to  =  To  be  useless;  not  to  profit  or 
avail,  (a) 
It  will  do  no  good  to  send  for  the  doctor  to  visit 
the  sick  m?jn,  for  he  is  dying  now  =  It  will  be  useless 
to  send  for  the  doctor  to  visit  the  sick  man,  for  he  is 
now  dying. 
Do  one  a  good  turn,  to  =  To  perform  an  act  of 
kindness  to  a  person,  (a) 
Mr.  F.  is  always  ready  to  do  one  a  good  turn^Mw 
F.  is  always  ready  to  perform  an  act  of  kindness. 
Do  one,  or  one'§  §elf,  credit,  to  =  To  bring  honor  or 
repute  upon  one ;  to  raise  the  estimation  of  one.  (a) 
The  Indian  commissioner  has  done  himself  credit, 
in  arranging  matters  with  the  Indians  =  The  Indian 
commissioner  has  brought  honor  upon  himself,  by 
his  methods  of  arranging  matters  with  the  Indians. 
Do  tlie  honors,  to=:To  take  the  position  of  a  host 
in  showing  civility  to  guests ;  to  show  civility  or  at- 
tention, (rt) 
"While  I  am  absent  on  business,  my  son  is  doing 
the  honors  to  my  guests  =  While  I  am  absent  on  busi- 
ness, my  son  is  showing  proper  attention   to   my 
guests. 
Do  up,  to  =  l.  To  pack  together  and  envelope;  to 
pack  up.  (a)     2.  To  iron  and  starch,  {a) 
1.  I  wish  you  to  do  up  these  books  for  me,  or  I 
shall  be  too  late  for  the  train  =  I  wish  you  to  pack 
up  these  books  for  me,  or  I  shall  be  too  late  for  the 
train.     2.  They  do  up  linen  very  well  at  that  laundry 
=They  starch  and  iron  linen  very  well  at  that  laun- 
dry. 


68  IDIOMATIC    PHRASES. 

Bo  well,  to  =  To  prosper  ;  to  succeed,  (a) 

The  young  man  who  went  to  California  to  engage 
in  manufacturing  has  done  well —The,  young  man 
who  went  to  California  to  engage  in  manufacturing 
has  prospered.     How  is  the  sick  man  ?     He  is  doing 
well=YLow  is  the  sick  man  ?     He  is  improving. 
I>o  well,  to,  followed  by  an  infinitive = To  be  for 
one's  interest,  advantage,  and  the  like,  (a) 
There  are  indications  of  a  decline  in  the  stock 
market ;  you  would  do  well  to  sell  some  of  your 
stocks = There  are  indications  of  a  decline  in  the 
stock  market ;  it  w^ould  be  for  your  interest  to  sell 
some  of  your  stocks. 
Down  grades  A  descent,  as  on  a  graded  rail-way. 
The  speed  of  a  rail-way  train  is  often  much  faster 
on  a  down  grade=Tl\ie  speed  of  a  rail- way  train  is 
often  much  faster,  when  the  road  descends. 
Boivn  the  wind  =  In  the  direction  of,  and  moving 
with,  the  wind,  {a) 
Yesterday  we  were  running  down  the  wind  at  the 
speed  of  twelve  knots  an  hour  =:  Yesterday  we  were 
sailing  with  the  wind  at  a  speed  of  twelve  knots  an 
hour. 
Draw  a  bill  upon  one,  to  =  To  request  one  to  pay 
to  a  third  party  a  certain  sum  designated  in  the 
bill,  (a) 
The  merchant  in  Kew  York  drew  a  hill  upon  his 
hanker  in  London,  in   favor   of    Mr.  H.,  for   five 
hundred  dollars = The  merchant  in  New  York  re- 
quested his  banker  in  London,  to  pay  Mr.  H.  five 
hundred  dollars. 
Draiv,  or    shoot,   a   long-bo\ir,  to  =  To  tell  large 
stories;  to  exaggerate,  (c) 
He  was  notorious  for   shooting  a  long-how =Ile  was 
notorious  for  telling  large  stories. 
Draw^  an  inference,  or  a  conclusion,  to  =  To  in- 
fer ;  to  conclude,  (a) 
Because  the  temperature  increases  as  we  descend 
into  the  earth,  we  draw  the  conclicsion  (or  inference) 
that  the  center  of  the  earth  is  very  hot = Because 
the  temperature  of  the  earth  increases  as  we  descend 
into  it,  we  infer  that  the  center  is  very  hot. 
Braur  a  parallel,  to  =  To  compare ;  to  trace  a  re- 
semblance or  similarity,  (c) 
The  historian  drew  a  parallel  between  Washing- 
ton and  Lincoln  =  The  historian  compared  Washing- 
ton and  Lincoln. 
Draw  attention,  to=:To  invite,  or  lead  to,  the  act 
of  attending  or  heeding,  (a) 
Your  incidental  remark  has  drawn  my  attention  to 


IDIOMATIC     PHRASES.  59 

the  advantage  of  investing  in  the  new  fonr  and  a 
half  per  cents  =  Your  casual  remark  has  led  to  iny 
attending  to  the  advantage  of  investing  in  the  new 
four  and  a  half  per  cent,  bonds. 
Draw  back,  to  =  To*  retreat,  (a) 

When  the  naturalist  saw  a  rattlesnake,  he  drew 
hack^  and  proceeded  to  arm  himself  with  stones  = 
When  the  naturalist  saw  a  rattlesnake,  he  retreated, 
and  proceeded  to  arm  himself  with  stones. 
I>raw  cut§,  to  =  To  draw  lots,  as  of  paper,  &c.,  cut 
of  unequal  lengths,  (a) 
The  three  men  drew  cuts  to  decide  which  should 
have  the  best  lot  of  land  =  The  three  men  drew  lots 
^.  e.  drew  papers  cut  of  unequal  length,  to  decide 
who  should  take  the  best  field. 
Dran^  in  one'§  horn§,  to  =  To  repress  one's  ardor ; 
to  withdraw  from  pretensions ;  to  take  back  boast- 
ful words,  (c) 
The  man  who  boasted  that  he  could  accurately 
predict  the  weather  for  every  day  in  the  year  was 
obliged  to  draw  in  his  horns =The  man  who  boasted 
that  he  could  accurately  predict  the   weather   for 
every  day  in  the  year  was  forced  to  abandon  his  pre- 
tensions. 
Draiv  intere§t,  to  =  To  receive  money  in  payment 
for  the  use  of  money,  (a) 

My  money  in  the  Savings  Bank  draws  six  per 
cent,  interest  =T\ie  Savings  Bank  pays  me  six  per 
cent,  interest,  for  the  money  which  I  deposited  in  it. 
Draw  near,  to  =  To  approach  ;  to  be  near,  (a) 

The  time  of  harvest  draws  wear = The   harvest- 
time  approaches. 
Drawn   game    or    battles  One   in   which  neither 
party  wins. 
The  boys  played  a  drawn  game  of  chess  =  The 
boys  played  a  game  of  chess  in  which  neither  won 
the  game.     It  was  a  drawn  battle  between  the  French 
and  Indians  =  In  the  battle  between  the  French  and 
Indians,  neither  side  was  victorious. 
Draw  out,  to  =  To  induce  to  relate ;  to  render  com- 
municative, (a) 
The  editor  drew  out  the  representative  on  the  sub- 
ject of  the  currency  =  The  editor  induced  the  rep- 
resentative to  state  his  opinions  on  the  subject  of  the 
currency.     If  you  can  draw  out  the  old  traveler,  you 
will  find  him  very  interesting = If  you  can  induce 
a  person  who  has  traveled  much  to  relate  his   ad- 
ventures, you  will  be  greatly  interested. 
Draw  np,  to=l.  To   arrange   in   order,  (a)     2.  To 


60  IDIOMATIC     PHRASES. 

compose  in  due  form ;  to  draft ;  to  form  in  writing. 
(a) 
1.  The  troops  were  drawn  itp^  that  the  governor 
might  review  them  =  The  trgops  were  arranged  in 
proper  order,  that  the  governor  might  review  them. 
1.  The  army  was  drawn  up  in  order  of  battle  on  the 
hills  about  Gettysburg,  Penn.,  in  1863  =  The  army 
was  arranged  to  give  battle  on  the  hills  about  Gettys- 
burg, Penn.,  in  1863.     2.  The  architect  drew  vp  a 
plan  of    the  court-house = The   architect   drafted  a 
plan  of  the  court-house.     2.  The  Secretary  of  State 
drew  up  the  treaty  betwen  the  two  nations  =  The 
Secretary  of  State  composed  and  wrote  the  treaty 
between  the  two  nations. 
Dregs  of  tBie  population  =  The  vilest  and  lowest 
part  of  the  people. 
The  crowd  which  assembled  to  hear  the  dema- 
gogue speak  was  made  uj)  of  the  dregs  of  the  popula- 
iion  =  T\\Q  crowd  which  assembled  to  hear  tlie  dema- 
gogue speak  was  made  up  of  the  vilest  and  lowest 
order  in  society. 
Drink  in,  to=:To  receive  through  the  senses,  (c) 
The  assembly  drank  in  delicious  music  at  the  con- 
cert last  evening = The  assembly  heard  and  enjoyed 
delightful  music  at  the  concert  last  evening. 
Drink  (to)  tlie  Iiealth  of,  tozz:To  salute  by  drink- 
ing ;  to  drink  with  the  expression  of  a  wish  for  the 
health  and  happiness  of  another,  (a) 
He  said  to  his  host,  "  Allow  me  to  drink  to  your 
health ^^ zzzlle  said  to  his  host.  Allow  me  to  wish  you 
health  and  happiness,  in  this  act  of  drinking. 
Drink  up,  to  =  To  drink  completely ;  to  exhaust,  (a) 
At  dinner,  we  drank  vp  the  wine  which  was  in 
the  bottle = At  dinner,  we  drank  all  the  wine  which 
the  bottle  contained. 
Drive  at,  to  =  To  aim  or  tend  to  a  point ;  to  make 
an  effort,  (a) 
At  last  I  saw  what  he  was  driving  at  in  his  talk  = 
At  last  I  saw  what  point  he  was  aiming  at,  or  tend- 
ing to,  in  his  talk. 
Drive  out,  to=:l.  To   expel,  (a)     2,  To   ride  in   a 
carriage,  (a) 
1.  The  IS'orth  American  Indians  have  been  driven 
out  from  their  former  haunts,  by  advancing  civiliza- 
tion =  The  E'orth  American  Indians  have  been  ex- 
pelled from  their  former  haunts,  by  advancing  civil- 
ization.    2.  If  the  weather  is  fair,  we  propose  to 
drive  out  this  afternoon  =  If  the  weather  is  fair,  we 
purpose  to  ride  in  a  carriage  this  afternoon. 
Drive  to  the  wall,  to  =  To  drive  where  it  is  impos- 


•    IDIOMATIC     PHRASES.  61 

sible  to  escape;  to  push  to  extremes;  to  get  the 
advantage  or  mastery  over,  (a) 
In  the  civil  war  in  the  United  States,  the  southern 
army  was  driven  to  the  wall  =  In  the  civil  war  in  the 
United  States,  the  southern  army  was  reduced  to 
extremities.     He  is  driven  to  the  wall  in  consequence 
of  the  failure  of  the  bank  =:  He  is  brought  to  extrem- 
ities, financially,  by  the  failure  of  the  bank.     In  the 
discussion  of  the  school  question  in  the  legislature, 
Mr.  E.  was  driven  to  the  wall=ln  the  discussion  of 
the  school  question  in  the  legislature,  Mr.  E.  was 
defeated  in  the  argument. 
Drop  a  hint,  to  =  To  intimate ;  to  suggest ;  to  make 
an  allusion,  (a) 
My  friend  dropped  a  hint  which  led  me  to  think 
that  he  has  lost  some  of  his  property  =  My  friend 
.  intimated  that  he  had  lost  some  of  his  property. 
Brop  astern,  to  (Naut.)  =  To  fall  into  the  rear ;  to 
move  back,  (a) 
The  ship  dropped  astern  of  the  boat  =  The  ship 
slackened  speed  to  let  the  boat  pass  her. 
Drop   dovrn,    to    (N^aid.)  =  To   sail,    row,   or   move 
down  a  river,  or  towards  the  sea.  (a) 
The  vessel  dropped  down  the  harbor  just  at  noon  = 
The  vessel  sailed  down  the  harbor  precisely  at  noon. 
Drop  in  the  bucket,  a  =  A  small  quantity ;  only  a 
small  part,  (a) 
Much  money  was  contributed  last  year  in  England 
and  America  for  the  relief  of  the  starving  peo])le  of 
India,  but  it  was  only  a  drop  in  the  bucket  — Much 
money  was  contributed  last  year  in  England  and 
America  for  the  relief  of  the  starving  people  of 
India,  but  it  was  only  a  small  part  of  the  amount 
which  was  necessary,  or  desirable. 
Drop  the   curtain,  to  =  To  let  the   curtain  fall,  at 
the  close  of  a  theatrical  performance;   hence,  to 
close  the  performance  ;  to  close  the  tale,  (c) 
It  will  soon  be  time  to  drop  the  curtain  upon  this 
performance  =  It  will  soon  be  time  to  close  this  per- 
formance. 
Drug  in  the  market  =  An  article  of  slow  sale,  or  in 
no  demand,  (a) 
In  1873  woolen  goods  were  a  drug  in  the  market 
of  the  United  States  =  In  1873  woolen  goods  were  not 
wanted  by  purchasers  in  the  United  States. 
Dry  good§,  (Com.)  =: Cloths,  stuffs,  silks,  &c.,  in  dis- 
tinction from  groceries,  (a) 
They  keep  a  dry  goods  store  in  this  city  =  They 
keep  a  store  in  this  city  for  the  sale  of  cloths,  stuffs, 
silks,  and  similar  articles. 


62  IDIOMATIC    PHRASES.     * 

Dry  up,  to  =  To  become  dry.  (a) 

The  ground  has  dried  up  quick,  after  such  a  slight 
rain  =  The  ground   has   become   dry  very  quickly, 
after  such  a  slight  rain. 
Due  to  =  l.  Owing  to  ;  occasioned  by.  (a)     2.  Proper 
to*  be  paid  or  done  to  another,  (a) 
1.  The  sun's  appearing  to  rise  in  the  east,  is  d?2e  to 
the  revolution  of  the  earth  on  its  axis  from  west  to 
east  =  The   sun's  appearing  to  rise  in  the  east,  is 
occasioned  by  the  earth's  revolution  on  its  axis.     1. 
His  delay  in  going  to  his  office  to-day  is  due  to  his 
friend's  coming  =  His  delay  in  going  to  his  office  to- 
day is  caused  by  his  friend's  coming.     2.  It  is  due  to 
you  that  an  apology  should  be  made  by  him  =  It  is 
proper  that  an  apology  should  be  made  to  you  by 
him. 
During  g^ood   behavior  =  During  the  fidelity  and 
integrity  of  official  conduct,  or  so  long  as  the  official 
conduct  is  good,  (a) 
United  States  judges  hold  office  for  life,  or  during 
good  behavior =TJmted  States  judges  hold  office  for 
life  or  so  long  as  their  official  conduct  is  good.     Dur- 
ing good  behavior  is  the  established  phrase  of  the 
constitution  of  the  United  States,  in  affixing  a  limit 
to  the  tenure  of  office  of  the  judges,  both  of  the 
supreme  and  of  the  inferior  courts. 
During^  pleasure  =  So  long  as  pleases,  (c) 

Tlie  governor  chose  Mr.  A.  to  be  his  private  secre- 
tary during  pleasure  =  The  governor  chose  Mr.  A.  as 
his  private  secretary,  so  long  as  might  please  him. 
Dwell  upon,  to  =  l.  To  continue  on;  to  occupy  a 
long  time  with.     2.  To  be  absorbed  with. 
1.  The  writer  of  the  book  of  travels  dvoells  upon 
the  political  institutions  of  the  difierent  countries 
which  he  visited  =  The  writer  of  the  book  of  travels 
occupies  much  space  w^ith  describing  and  discussing 
the  political   institutions   of  the   various   countries 
visited  by  him.     2.  The  widow  dwells  on  the  sudden- 
ness of  her  husband's  death,  and  her  lonely  con- 
dition :=  The  widow  is  absorbed  in  thinking  about 
her  husband's  death,  and  her  own  lonely  condition. 


E. 

Easy  of  beliefs  IN'ot  difficult  to  believe ;  credible,  {a) 

It  is  easy  of  belief  that  there  will  some  time  be  a 

canal  across  the  isthmus  of  Panamas  It  is  not  diffi- 


IDIOMATIC     PHRASES.  63 

cult  to  believe,  that  some  time  a  canal  will  be  con- 
structed across  the  isthmus  of  Panama. 
Eat  humble  pie,  to  =  To  endure  mortification;  to 
submit  tamely  to  insult  or  injury,  (a) 
Those  who  live  meanly  dependent  on  others,  often 
have  to  eat  humble  pie— Those  who  live  meanly  de- 
pendent on  others,  are  often  obliged  to  endure  mor- 
tification, and  sometimes  to  submit  tamely  to  insult. 
Eat  one's  words,  to  =  To  take  back  what  one  has 
said  ;  to  retract  one's  assertions,  (c) 
I  made  him  eat  his  words,  concerning  my  receiv- 
ing a  bribe  while  I  was  in  ofiice  =  I  forced  him  to 
retract  his  assertion  that  I  took  a  bribe  while  I  held 
ofiice. 
Edg^e  along,  to  =  l.  To  move  by  little  and  little,  (a) 
2.  To  move  sideways  ;  to  move  gradually,  (a) 
1.  He  edged  his  chair  along,  towards  the  lecturer 
on  the  sixteen  instructions  or  precepts  of  Emperor 
K'ang  Hi  to  the  people  =  He  moved  his  chair  by 
little  and  little,  towards  the  lecturer  on  the  sixteen 
instructions  or  precepts  of  Emperor  K'ang  Hi  (1662 
-1723)  to  the  people.     2.  The  child  edged  along   on 
the  bench,  towards  the  door = The  child  moved  side- 
ways on  the  bench,  towards  the  door. 
Eke  out,  to  =  To  add  or  supply  what  is  deficient  or 
scanty  ;  to  prolong,  (a) 
He  eJces  out  his  salary  with  the  income  received 
from  literary  work  =  He  supplies  the  deficiency  of 
his  salary  with  the  wages   of  literary  work.      In 
making  the  wrapper,  she  eked  out  the  cloth  with  some 
pieces  which  were  in  the   house = In   making   the 
wrapper  she  addeii  some  pieces  which  were  in  the 
house  to  make  the  cloth  sufiicient. 
Elbow  out,  to  =  To  push  aside  in  passing,  (c) 

Mr.  A.  will  elboiv  out  his  rivals,  and  obtain  the 
public  office  =  Mr.  A.  will  push  aside  his  rivals,  and 
obtain  the  public  office. 
End  for  end  =  One  end  for  the  other ;  in  a  reversed 
order  or  position,  (a) 
In  laying  out  a  new  street,  the  building  has  been 
turned  end  for  end— In  opening  "a  new  street,  the 
building  has  been  turned,  so  as  to  stand  in  a  reversed 
position. 
Ends  of  the  earths  Remotest  regions  of  the  earth,  (b) 
Efforts  are  making  to  carry  the  gospel  of  Christ 
to  the  ends  of  the  earth  =  'Efforts  are  making  to  carry 
the  knowledge  of  Christ,  and  of  his  salvation,  to 
the  remotest  regions  of  the  earth. 
End  to  end  =  Having  the  ends  contiguous,  or  in  the 
same  line,  (a) 


64  IDIOMATIC    PHRASES. 

The  rails  on  the  rail-road  track  are  placed  end  to 
end—l^\\e  rails  on  the  rail-road  track  are  laid  with 
the  ends  in  the  same  line. 
Entangled  witli,  to  toe  =  To  be  so  involved  as  to 
render  extrication  difficult,  {a) 
The  private  business  of  the  cashier  is  sadly  en- 
tangled with  tho,  business  of  the  bank = The  private 
busine^  of  the  cashier  is  so  involved  with  the  busi- 
ness of  the  bank,  that  it  is  difficult  to  separate  them. 
Enter  a  profession,  to  =  To  engage  in  a  profession; 
to  become  a  member  of  it.  (a) 
The  young  man  who  has  just  been  graduated  from 
college,  intends  to  enter  the   legal  profession  =:ThQ 
young   man    who   has    just  been   graduated    from 
college,  intends  to  become  a  lawyer. 
Enter  into,  to=:l.  To  form  or  constitute  a  part  of; 
to  partake  of;  to  share,  (a)    2.  To  penetrate  deeply ; 
to  sympathize,  (ci) 
1.  Lime  enters  into  the  composition  of  mortar  = 
Lime  is  a  constituent  part  of  mortar.     1,  He  heartily 
entered  into  the  festivities  of  the  evenings  He  heartily 
shared  the  festivities  of  the  evening.     2.  I  enter  into 
your  feelings  at   the  loss  of  your  father,  for  my 
father  has  just  died  =  I  thoroughly  understand,  and 
sympathize  with,  your  feelings  at  the  loss  of  your 
father,  for  my  father  has  just  died. 
Enter  into  one's  views,  to  =  To  be  favorably  dis- 
posed to  one's  ideas  and  opinions;  to  adopt  ,them. 

The  lecturer  stated  what  he  thought  the  best 
method  of  suppressing  opium  smoking,  and  the 
people  heartily  entered  into  his  views  =11\iq  lecturer 
stated  what  he  thought  the  best  method  of  suppress- 
ing opium  smoking,  and  the  people  heartily  adopted 
his  opinions. 
Enter  on  or  upon  ,  to  =  To  begin ;  to  undertake, 
(a) 

The  governor  enters  upon  the  duties  of  his  office 
to-day  =  The  governor  begins  the  performance  of  his 
official  duties  to-day.  The  young  man  has  entered 
on  a  course  of  study  which  will  occupy  him  four 
years  =  The  young  man  has  undertaken,  and  has 
already  commenced,  a  course  of  study  which  will 
occupy  him  four  years. 
Enter  the  lists,  to  —  To  accept  a  challenge  or  engage 
in  contest,  (h) 

The  Yale  boat-club  entered  the  lists  at  IvTew  Lon- 
don, and  were  beaten  =:  The  Yale  boat-club  accepted 
the  challenge  to  row  at  IsTew  London,  and  were 
beaten. 


IDIOMATIC    PHRASES.  65 

ETer  and  anon  =  At  one  time   and  anotlier ;  now 
and  then,  (c) 
Ever  and  anon  we  heard  the  same  cry  from  the 
other  house  =  At  one  time  and  another  Ave  heard  the 
same   cry  from  the  other   house.     Ever   and  anon 
there  is  a  new  revolution  in  Mexico  =:Kevolutions 
occur  in  Mexico  now  and  then. 
Every  other  =  1.  Everyone  except  the  one  referred 
to.  (a)     2.  Every  second  one,  or  alternate  one.  (a) 
1.  Mr.  A.  was  sick,  but  every  other  man  in  the  regi- 
ment was  present,  and  answered  to  his  name  =  Mr. 
A.  was  sick,  but  every  man  in  the  regiment  except 
him,  was  present,  and  answered  to  his  name.     2.  In 
experimenting  with   the  new  fertilizer,  the  farmer 
applied  it  to  every  other  row  of  corn  =  In  experiment- 
ing with  the  new  fertilizer,  the  farmer  applied  it  to 
every  second  row  (every  alternate  row)  of  corn.     2. 
The  physician  comes  to  see  Imwevery  other  day  =  The 
doctor  comes  to  see  him  every  alternate  day.     liead 
every  other  page  of  this  book  =  Read  one  page  and 
skip  the  next,  of  this  book,  and  go  on  so. 
Excepting^ ;  ivitli  the  exception  of  =  Leaving  out ; 
besides,  (a) 
These  are  all  the  books  I  own,  excepting  a  diction- 
ary =  These  are  all  the  books  I  own,  besides  a  diction- 
ary.     With  the  exception  of  Napoleon,  France   has 
produced   no   great   conqueror  =  Leaving  Napoleon 
out,  France  has  produced  no  great  conqueror. 
Exclu§ive  of  =  Not  including;    not  taking  into  ac- 
count, (a) 
Tlie  excursion  train  numbered  twenty  cars,  exclu- 
sive of  the  baggage  and  mail  cars = The  excursion 
train  numbered  twenty  cars,  not  including  the  bag- 
gage and  mail  cars.     I  own  two  houses,  exclusive  of 
my  cottage  in  the  country  =  I  own  two  houses,  not 
taking  into  account  my  cottage  in  the  country. 
Exhibit  a  foundation    or  prize,  to  (Eng,  schools) 
=  To  hold  it  forth,  as  a  bounty  to  candidates,  (h) 
He  promoted  scholarship  in  his  college  by  exhibit- 
ing prizes  =^q  promoted  scholarship  in  his  college 
by  establishing,  and   holding  forth,  prizes  for  the 
maintenance  of  scliolars. 
Ex  parte  =  On   one  side  of  a  case;  from  one  side 
only,  (a) 

The  hearings  before  a  grand  jury  are  ex  parte 
hearings  =  The  complaints  against  public  offenders, 
before  a  grand  jury,  are  the  statements  of  one  side 
only  of  the  case,  and  not  of  the  parties  accused.  An 
ex  parte  council  w^as  called,  to  give  advice  about  a 
case  of  discipline,  in  that  church  =  A   council   of 

6 


66  IDIOMATIC    PHRASES. 

neighboring  cliurches  was  called,  by  the  man  who 
had  been  disciplined  for  misconduct,  which  was  a 
council  summoned  by  only  one  of  the  parties.  An 
affidavit  differs  from  a  deposition  in  this  that  an 
affidavit  is  always  taken  ex  partem  An  affidavit  dif- 
fers from  a  deposition  in  this,  that  it  is  always  taken 
without  the  presence  of  the  opposite  party. 

Expectation  of  life  =  The  mean  or  average  duration 
of  the  life  of  individuals  after  any  specified  age. 
Life  insurance  companies  base  their  premium  rates 
upon  tables  giving  the  expectation  of  life  =  Life  insur- 
ance companies  base  their  rates  of  insurance  upon 
tables  which  give  the  average  duration  of  life  after 
any  specified  age. 

i:xpo§ed  to  view  —  Laid  open  to  public  inspection ; 
plainly  visible,  (a) 
In  the  light  of  the  congressional  report,  the  hid- 
den peculations  were  exposed  k>  view  —  \w.  the  light 
of  the  congressional  report,  the  hidden  peculations 
were  laid  open  to  public  inspection.  By  the  wash- 
ing away  of  the  sand  on  the  beach,  a  large  rock  is 
exposed  to  view  =  By  the  removal  of  the  sand  on  the 
beach  by  the  action  of  the  waves,  a  large  rock  is 
made  plainly  visible. 


F. 

Fair  name,  =  Good  reputation,  (a) 

A  fair  name  is  better  than  wealth  =  A  good  repu- 
tation is  better  than  wealth.  Do  nothing  to  injure 
your  fair  name  — J)o  nothing  which  shall  lessen  your 
good  reputation.  I  inquired  of  the  merchant  con- 
cerning the  clerk  who  had  formerly  been  in  his  em- 
ploy, and  he  gave  him  a  fair  name  —  1  inquired  of 
the  merchant  concerning  the  clerk  who  had  formerly 
been  in  his  employ,  and  he  spoke  favorably  of  him. 
Fair  play  =  Equitable  treatment,  (a) 

He  does  not  give  his  work-women  fair  play  =  He 
does  not  give  his  work-women  equitable  treatment. 
Fall  a§tern,  to  (iVaw^.)  =  To  move  or  be  driven  back- 
ward ;  to  be  outsailed,  (a) 
The  Silver  Star  fell  astern  of  the  Granite  State, 
soon  after  they  had  left  the  dock = The  Silver  Star 
was  outsailed  by  the  Granite  State,  soon  after  they 
had  left  the  dock. 
Fall  away,  to  =  l.  To  renounce  the  faith;  to  apos- 
tatize, (b)     2.  To  renounce  allegiance  ;  to  revolt,  (b) 
1.  Julian,  the  Koman  Emperor,  fell  away  from  the 


IDIOMATIC    PHRASES.  67 

Christian  faith  to  paganism  =  Julian  apostatized  to 
paganism.  2.  The  Southern  U.  States  fell  away 
from  the  government  in  1861  =  The  Southern  U. 
States  revolted  from  the  government  in  1861. 
Fall  back  on,  to=:To  have  recourse  to  for  help,  (a) 
If  I  fail  in  collecting  money  I  will  fall  hack  on 
you  =  If  I  fail  in  collecting  money  I  will  come  to 
you  to  help  me.  Not  being  trained,  he  fell  hack  on 
his  natural  skill  in  mechanics  =  Not  being  trained, 
he  depended  on  his  natural  mechanical  skill.  I 
have  money  in  the  bank  to  fall  hack  on^  if  my  mon- 
ey from  the  store  comes  short  =  I  have  money  in  the 
bank  to  avail  myself  of,  if  my  money  from  the  store 
comes  short. 
Fall  back,  to  =  To  recede ;  to  give  way.  (c) 

When  the  soldiers  saw  that  the  enemy  was  too 
strong  for  them,  they  fell  hack^  and  retreated  in  good 
orders  When  the  soldiers  saw  that  the  enemy  was 
too  strong  for  them,  they  receded,  and  retreated  in 
an  orderly  manner. 
Fall  in,  to  =  l.  To  join ;  to  enter,  (a)     2.  To  concur ; 
to  agree,  (a) 
1.  At  the  battle   of    Gettysburgh,  in   1863,  the 
twelfth  cor}:>s  fell  in  on  the  right  =  At  the  battle  of 
Gettysburgh,  in  1863,  the  twelfth  corps  joined  the 
line  of  battle  on  the  right  side.     2.  The  citizens  fell 
in  Tvdth  the  plan  of  purchasing  land  for  a  park  =  The 
citizens  agreed  to  the  plan  of  purchasing  land  for  a 
park. 
Fall  in  love,  to  =  To  have  the  affections  deeply  en- 
listed for  one  of  the  opposite  sex.  (a) 
He  has  fallen  in  love  with  her  for  her  beauty  and 
goodness  =  His  affections  have  become  deeply  enlisted 
for  her,  because  of  her  beauty  and  goodness. 
Fall  into  the  ranks,  to  =  To  come  into ;  to  join  the 
line  or  row,  as  of  soldiers,  (a) 

At  the  beat  of  drum,  the  soldiers  fell  into  the  ranks 

=  At  the  beat  of  drum,  the  soldiers  came  into  line, 

and  formed  ranks. 

Fall  in  with,  to  =  l.  To  meet,  as  a  ship,  (a)     2.  To 

discover  or  come  near,  as  land,  (h)     3.  To  agree  to. 

(a) 

1.  On  our  way  to  Yokohama,  we  fell  in  with  a 

steamer  bound  for  San  Francisco  =  We  met  a  steamer 

bound  for  San  Francisco,  on  our  way  to  Yokohama. 

2.  After  much  stormy  weather  and  contrary  winds, 

we  fell  in  with  land,  which  proved  to  be  Cape  Cod 

=  After   much   bad   weather,  we   came   near  land, 

which  proved  to  be  Cape  Cod.     3.  They  all  fell  in 

with   the  proposal   of   sailing  round   the  island  = 


68  IDIOMATIC    PHRASES. 

Thej  all  agreed  to  tlie  proposal  to  sail  around  the 
island. 
Fall  off,  to  =  1.  To  diminisli ;  to  grow  less.  (a).     2. 

To  withdraw;  to  abandon,  (a) 
1.  When  the  measles  broke  out,  the  school  at- 
tendance fell  off—  When  the  measles  appeared  among 
the  children,  the  attendance  at  school  diminished. 
2.  Many  subscribers  fell  off^   when  the   newspaper 
changed  editors  =  Many  subscribers  withdrew,  when 
the  newspaper  took  another  editor. 
Fall  on,  to  =  1.  To  happen  on ;  to  come  to  pass,  (a) 
2,  To  pass  or  be  transported  by  chance,  lot,  distri- 
bution, or  otherwise,  (a) 
1.  If  the  date  assigned  for  examination  falls  on 
Sunday,  it  must  be  held  the  day  before  or  the  day 
after  =  If  the  date  assigned  for  examination  happens 
on  Sunday,  the  examination  must  be  on  Saturday  or 
Monday.     2.  The  others  contributed  nothing,   and 
all  the  expenses  of  the  trip  fell  on  me  =  The  others 
contributed  nothing,  and  all  the  expenses  passed,  by 
their  failure,  to  me. 
Fall  out,  to  =  To  quarrel;  to  begin  to  contend,  (a) 
They  have  fallen  out  with  one  another  about  the 
division  of  the  estate  of  their  father  =  They  have 
quarreled  about  the  division  of  the  estate  of  their 
father. 
Fall  short,  to  —  To  be  deficient,  (a) 

The  number  c/f  pages  of  tliat  book  falls  shorty  by 
fourteen,  of  what  was  advertised  =  The  number  of 
pages  of  that  book  is  fourteen  less  than  was  adver- 
tised.    This  package  of  sugar  falls  short  of  a  pound 
=  This  package  of  sugar  does  not  weigh  a  pound. 
I  am  sorry  to  say  that  he  falls  short  of  his  duty   to 
his  parents  =  It  grieves  me  to  say  that  he  does  not 
fully  perform  his  duty  to  his  parents. 
Fall  still-born,  to  =  To  fail  at  the  beginning,  (c) 
The  project  of  .2:iving  the  war  department  control 
of  the  Indians/'/^  still-born  in  Congress  =  The  pro- 
ject of  giving  the  war  department  control  of  the 
Indians  failed  at  the  outset  in  Congress. 
Fall  through,  to  =  To  fail  of  accomplishment ;  to 
be  given  up,  as  a  project  or  plan,  before  being 
brought  to  an  issue ;  to  be  abandoned.  («) 
The  sclieme,  formerly  entertained  by  a  few,  to  an- 
nex Cuba  to  the  United  States  fell  through  =zThe 
scheme,  formerly  entertained   by  a  few,  to   annex 
Cuba  to  the  United  States  failed  of  accomplishment. 
The  project  of  building  a  bridge  over-  this  canal  fell 
through,  for  the  want  of  means  =  The  project  of  build- 


IDIOMATIC    PHRASES.  69 

ing  a  bridge  over  this  canal  was  abandoned,  for  the 
want  of  means. 
Fall  to,  to  =  l.  To  apply  one's  self  to.  (a)     2.  To 
begin  eagerly  to  eat.  (c) 
1.  They  fell  to  raising  money,  in  order  to  pay  for 
the   temple  =  They   applied    themselves   to   raising 
money,  in   order   to   pay  for   the   temple.     2.  The 
hungry  boys  fell  to,  as  soon   as  food  was  set  before 
them  =  The  hungry  boys  began  eagerly  to  eat,  so 
soon  as  the.  food  was  set  before  them. 
Fall  to  one'§  lot,  to  =  To  happen  to  one  without  his 
planning;  to  be  one's  appointed  duty  or  lot.  (a) 
It  fell  to  the  lot  of  the  color-bearer^  to  carry  the  flag 
to  a  distant  part  of  the  field  during  the  battle = It 
chanced  to  be  the  duty  of  the  color-bearer,  to  carry 
the  flag  to  a  distant  part  of  the  field  during  the 
battle. 
Fall  to  the  ground,  to  =  To  fail ;  to  come  to  noth- 
ing, (a) 
The  scheme  to  have  a  railroad  in  Formosa  fell  to 
the  ground  =  The  scheme  to  have  a  railroad  in  For- 
mosa came  to  nothing. 
Fall  under,  to  =  To  be  ranged  or  reckoned  with;  to 
be  included  in ;  to  become  the  subject  of.  (a) 
The  sponge  falls  under  the  animal  kingdom,  in 
classification  =  In  classification,  the  sponge  is  reckoned 
witli  the  animals.     His  crime  does  not  fall  under  the 
juiisdiction  of  this  courts  His  crime  is  not  included 
in  the  limits  of  this  court's  authority.     The  man 
injured  by  tlie  cars  fell  under  Dr.   B's  care.     The 
man  who  was  injured  by  the  cars  became  the  sub- 
ject of  Dr.  B's  care. 

Fall  under  one'§  notiee,  to  =  To  be  observed  or 
noticed  by  one.  (c) 
An  account  of  the  cultivation  of  tea  in  China  fell 
under  the  notice  of  an  American  editor,  and  he  copied 
it  into  his  paper  =  An  account  of  the  cultivation  of 
tea  in  China  was  observed  by  an  American  editor, 
and  he  inserted  a  copy  of  it  in  his  paper. 
Fall  upon,  to  =  To  attack,  (h) 

In  the  early  days  of  Massachusetts,  a  party  of  In- 
dians fell  upon  some  young  men  who  were  gathering 
grapes  by  the  roadside,  and  slew  them  =:  In  the  early 
days  of  Massachusetts,  a  party  of  Indians  attacked 
some  young  men  as  they  were  gathering  grapes  by 
tlie  side  of  the  road,  and  slew  them. 
Fall  within,  to  =  To  happen  to  be  within,  (a) 

No  candidate  for  a  cadetship  in  the  United  States 
military  academy  will  be  examined,  whose  age 
does  not  fall  within  the  prescribed  limits = No  candi- 


70  IDIOMATIC    PHKASES. 

date  for  a  cadetsliip  in  the  United  States  military 
academy  will   be   examined,   whose   age   does   not 
happen  to  be  within  the  prescribed  limits. 
False  light  =  A  light,  or  point  of  view,  which  is  not 
true,  and  which  is  fitted  to  deceive,  (a) 
The  senator's  speech  at  the  republican  convention 
represented  the  democratic  party  in  a  fake  light  = 
The  senator's  speech  at  the  republican  convention 
misrepresented  the  democratic  party. 
False  preten§e§  =  False  representations  made  with  a 
view  to  obtain  money,  or  goods,  with  intent  to 
cheat,  (a) 
A  man  has  been  in  town  getting  goods  from  Mr. 
A's  store  under  false  pretenses  =  A  man  has  been  in 
town,  representing  himself  falsely  as  the  agent  of 
Mr.  B.,  and  getting  goods  from  Mr.  A's  store  with 
intent  to  cheat. 
Far  and  wide  =  Everywhere ;  in  all  directions,  (a) 
Tell  this  good  news  far  and  wide  when  you  return 
to  your  country  =  Tell  this  good  news  everywhere 
when  you  return  to  your  country.     This  medicine 
is  known  far  and  wide  =  This  medicine  is  known 
everywhere.     The  newspapers  are  sent,  far  and  wide, 
over  the  country  =  The  newspapers  are  sent  through 
the  country,  in  all  directions. 
Far-fetched  =  Studiously  sought ;  not  easily  or  nat- 
urally introduced ;  forced,  {a) 
He  paid  her   a  farfetched  compliment  when  he 
praised  her  singing  =  He  paid  her  a  forced  compli- 
ment when  he  praised  her  singing.     His  writings 
abound    in    far-fetched    illustrations = His    writings 
abound  in  illustrations  which  are  studiously  sought, 
and  are  not  naturally  introduced. 
Fasten  itself  on  the  mind,  to  =  To  be  remembered. 

(c) 
The  account  of  the  terrific  fight  between  the  fleets 
of  Peru  and  Chili  fastened  itself  on  the  mind  of  the 
lad  who  read  it  =  The  account  of  the  terrific  fight 
between  the  fleets  of  Peru  and  Chili  was  vividly 
remembered  by  the  lad  who  read  it. 
Fat  of  the  land  =  The  best  or  richest  products  of 
the  land,  (a) 
He  is  a  gentleman  of  leisure,  and  lives  on  the  fat 
of  the  land='Ke  is  a  gentleman  of  leisure,  and  lives 
on  the  best  food  and  plenty  of  it.     If  you  are  rich 
the  fat  of  the  land  is  at  your  service  =  If  you  are  rich 
you  may  have  the  best  the  land  can  furnish. 
Father  upon,  to  =  To  ascribe  to  as  one's  production  ; 
to  make  responsible  for.  (a) 
The  new  novel,  published  anonymously,  is  fathered 


IDIOMATIC    PHRASES.  71 

wpon  Mr.    C.  =  Tlie   new  novel,   published  anony- 
mously, is  ascribed  to  Mr.  C.  as  the  author. 
Feather  in  one's  cap  =  An  honor,  or  mark  of  dis- 
tinction. (6) 
He  did  not  enter  college  till  the  second  year,  and 
his  taking  the   first  prize   at  the  Junior  exhibition 
was  quite  a  feather  in  his  cap  =  His    taking    the    first 
prize  at  the  Junior  exhibition  was  quite  an  honor, 
for  he  did  not  enter  college  till  the  second  year. 
Featlier  one'§  ne§t,  to  =  To  provide  for  one's  self, 
especially    from    property    which  passes   through 
the  hands,  (a) 
The  public  officer  feathered  his  nest,  from  the  spoils 
of  his  office  =  The  public  officer  enriched   himself, 
from  the  spoils  of  his  office.     By  embezzlement  he 
has  feathered  his  7iest='Bj  embezzlement  he  has  pro- 
vided well  for  himself. 
Feel  or  grope,  one'§  way,  to  =  To  move  about  in 
darkness  or  obscurity,  in  order  to  find  one's  way,  or 
to  ascertain  something,  (c) 
The  outlawed  regicides  often  had  to  feel  their  way 
among  strangers,  to   find   out   whether  they  were 
among  friends  or  foes  =  The  outlawed  regicides  often 
had  to  move  cautiously  and  uncertainly,  in  order  to 
find  out  whether  they  were  among  friends  or  foes. 
Ferret  out,  to  =  To  discover  by  patient  and  saga- 
cious search,  (a) 
One  of  the  school  boys  cut  the  bell  rope,  and  the 
teacher  is  trying  to  ferret  out  the  perpetrator  of  the 
mischief  =  One  of  the  school  boys  cut  the  bell  rope, 
and  the  teacher  is  trying  by  patient  search  to  dis- 
cover the  perpetrator  of  the  mischief. 
Ferry  over,  to  =  To  transport  over  a  river  or  other 
water,  in  a  boat,  (a) 
The  suspension  bridge  between  'New  York  and 
Brooklyn  will  lessen  the  business  of  ferrying  people 
over,  as  at  present  =  The  suspension  bridge  between 
Kew  York  and  Brooklyn  will  lessen  the  business  of 
transporting  the  people  across  the  river  in  a  boat,  as 
at  present. 
Fetch  one's  breath,  to=:To  recover  breathing,  (b) 
I  strangled  in  drinking,  and  it  was  a  long  time  be- 
fore I  could  fetch  my  breath  =  In  drinking  I  strangled, 
and  it  was  a  long  time  before  I  was  able  to  recover 
breathing. 
Field  of  view — Field  of  vision  =  The  whole  space 
seen  or  looked  at ;  especially  the  whole  field  or  area 
seen  through  an  instrument,  as  a  microscope  or 
telescope,  (c) 
The  moon  and  Mars  are  in  the  same  field  of  view 


72  IDIOMATIC    PHRASES. 

at  the  present  time,  Nov.  25,  1879=:  At  the  pres- 
ent time,  'Nov.  25,  1879  the  moon  and  Mars  are  in 
the  area  visible  when  the  telescope  is  in  one  position. 
Figlit  it  out,  to  =  To  carry  on  a  controversy,  per- 
sistently, till  one  succeeds,  or  wins,  (a) 
I  met  with  opposition  in  the  council,  but  I  fought 
it  out,  and  won  the  majority  over  to  my  views  =  I 
met  with  opposition  in  the  council,  but  I  argued  the 
matter  strongly,  till  I  won  the  majority  over  to  my 
views. 
Fig^ht   one'§  battles   over  again,  to  =  To  recount 
one's  personal  liistory  or  deeds,  (c) 
The  pioneer  told  of  the  hardships  attending  the 
settlement  of  the  country,  and  so  fought  his  battles 
over-  again  =  Th.e  pioneer  told  of  the  hardships  at- 
tending the  settlement  of  the  country,  and  so  re- 
counted his  own  personal  history  and  deeds. 
Figrtit  one'§  way,  to  =  To   advance  by  struggles,  or 
conflicts  ;  to  overcome  difficulties,  (a) 
Abraham  Lincoln  was  a  poor  boy  with  few  ad- 
vantages for  education,  and  was  obliged  to  fight  his 
was  in  life  =  Abraham  Lincoln  was  a  poor  boy  with 
few  advantages  for  education,  and   was  obliged  to 
advance   in   life  by   strenuous   effort.      Judge   W. 
fought  his  way  to  eminence  in  his  profession  =  Judge 
W.  was  obliged  to  overcome  many  obstacles  in  be- 
coming eminent  in  his  profession. 
Fill  out,  to  =  To  write  in  the  blank  spaces  of  a  deed, 
check,  or  other  instrument,  {a) 
Fill  out^si  check  for  $25,  payable  to  Mr.  A.  or 
orders  Fill  the  blank  spaces  of  a  check  for  $25, 
payable  to  Mr.  A.,  or  order.     He  went  to  a  lawyer  to 
have  the  deed  of  a  house  filled  out  =  Lie  went  to  a 
lawyer  to  get  him  to  fill  the  blank  spaces  of  the 
deed  of  a  house  with  the  customary  words. 
Fill  up,  to  =  1.  To  render  full.     2.  To  become  full ; 
to  choke,  (a) 
1.  The  president  filled  up  the  ranks  of  the  army  by 
conscription  =  The  president  made  the  ranks  of  the 
army  full  by  conscription.     2.  The   mouth  of  the 
river  fills  up  with  sand  =:  The  sand  accumulates  at 
the  mouth  of  the  river  and  chokes  it. 
Fill  up  time,  to  =  To  employ  time,  (c) 

The  old  lady  filled  up  the  time  between  supper 
and  retiring,  with  knitting  =  The  old  lady  employed 
the  time  between  supper  and  retiring,  in  knitting. 
Find  fault  with,  to  =  To  find  reason  for  blaming  or 
complaining  ;  to  censure,  or  blame,  (a) 
Tlie  teacher  found  much  faidt  with  him  for  idle- 
ness =  The  teacher  found  much  reason  for  blaming 


IDIOMATIC     PHRASES.  73 

him  because  of  idleness.  The  mistress  found  fault 
with  the  servant  for  not  washing  thti  linen  thoroughly 
=  The  mistress  censured  the  servant  for  not  washing 
the  linen  thoroughly.  The  man  found  fault  with  the 
painting  of  his  new  house  =  The  man  complained  of 
(expressed  dissatisfaction  with)  the  manner  in  which 
his  new  Irouse  was  painted. 

Find  favor  in  the  eyes,  to  =  To  be  graciously  re- 
ceived or  treated  ;  to  please,  (c) 
The  new  teacher  finds  favor  in  the  eyes  of  the  pa- 
rents —  The  new  teacher  is  kindly  received  and  treated 
by  the  parents.  The  new  steamboat  line  finds  favor 
in  the  eyes  of  the  traveling  public  =  The  new  steamboat 
line  pleases  the  people  who  travel. 

Find  it  in  one'§  heart,  toi=To  w^ish  or  long;  to 

desire,  (c) 

The  Scotchman  who  had  been  in  America  twenty 

years  found  it  in  his  heart  to  visit  his  native  country 

=  The  Scotchman  who  had  been  in  America  twenty 

years  desired  to  visit  his  native  country. 

Find  one's  self,  to  =  l.  To  be  with  respect  to  one's 
state  of  health,  (a)  2.  To  perceive  one's  self  to  be.  (a) 
1.  How  do  you  firid  yourself  this  morning  ?  =  How 
is  your  health  this  morning?  2.  On  awaking  this 
morning,  I  found  myself  ill  of  quinsy  =  On  awaking 
this  morning,  I  discovered  that  I  was  ill  of  quinsy. 
In  the  smoking  car,  hQ  found  himself  m  the  company 
of  gamblers  =  On  entering  the  smoking  car,  he  per- 
ceived himself  to  be  among  some  gamblers. 

Find  one's  vray,  to  —  To  trace  one's  path ;  to  suc- 
ceed in  reaching,  (a) 

How  did  you  find  your  way  home  that  dark  night  ? 
=  How  did  you  trace  the  path  to  your  home  that 
dark  night  ?  Much  of  the  people's  money  in  that 
village  finds  its  way  into  the  pockets  of  tlie  saloon- 
keeper =  Much  of  the  money  belonging  to  the  people 
of  that  village  reaches  the  pockets  of  the  saloon- 
keeper. 

Fire  up,  to  =  To  light  the  fires  of,  as  of  an  engine,  (a) 
The  QYigmQQv  fired  up  at  6  o'clock  this  mornings 
The  engineer  lighted  the  fires  of  his  engine  at  6 
o'clock  this  morning.  The  steam  fire-engine  is  al- 
ways in  readiness  to  hQ  fired  up  -  The  materials  for  a 
fire  in  the  steam  fire-engine  are  kept  in  a  condition 
of  readiness  for  lighting. 

Firm   as  a  roeii^Not  easily  moved;  unchanging. 

(6) 
The  bar-tender  endeavored  to  persuade  the  lad  to 
drink  some  whisky,  but  he  was^rm  as  a  rock  against 
the  temptation  =  The  bar-tender  endeavored  to  per- 


74  IDIOMATIC    PHRASES. 

suade  the  lad  to  drink  some  whisky,  but  he  was  not 
to  be  moved  bj  the  temptation. 
Fir§t  or  last  =  At  one  time  or  another  ;  at  the  begin- 
ning or  end.  (a) 
You  may  as  well  do  this  now,  for  you  will  have  to 
do  it,  first  or  last  =  You  may  as  well  do  this  now,  for 
you  will  have  to  do  it,  at  one  time  or  another. 
Fit  out,  to  =  To  supply  with  necessaries  or  means ; 
to  furnish ;  to  equip,  (a) 
The  boy  was  fitted  out  for  college  by  his  uncle  = 
The  boy  was  supplied  with  the  necessary  clothing 
and  books  for  college,  by  his  uncle.     Several  vessels 
have  been  fitted  out,  at  different  times,  in  search  of 
Sir  John  Franklin,  an  Arctic  explorer  who  never  re- 
turned =  Several  vessels  have,  at  diiferent  times,  been 
equipped  with  men  and  supplies  to  search  for  Sir 
John  Franklin,  who  went  to  explore  the  Arctic  re- 
gion, and  did  not  return. 
Fit  up,  to  =  To  furnish  with  things  suitable ;  to  make 
proper  for  the  reception  or  use  of  any  person,  (a) 
A  sunny  room  was  fitted  up  for  his  invalid  daugh- 
ter =  A  sunny  room  was  furnished  with  things  suit- 
able for  his  invalid  daughter. 
Fla§li    on    tlie   mind,   to=:To   occur   as  a  sudden 
thought,  (a) 

Many  of  the  most  important  discoveries  in  science 
and  art  have  flashed  on  the  minds  of  the  discoverers 
=:Many  of  the  most  important  discoveries  in  science 
and  art  have  occurred  as  sudden  thoughts  to  the  dis- 
coverer. 
Flatter  one'§  self,  to  =  To  feel  assured  ;  to  presume 
to  thinki  (a) 
I  flatter  myself  1  can  do  it  =  I  think  I  am  able  to 
do  it.     Don't  flatter  yourself  that  you   can  do  it  so 
easily  =  Do  not  be  too  sure  of  your  ability  to  do  it. 
He  flatters  himself  ever  yhod  J  admires  him  =  He  thinks 
everybody  admires  him.     I  hardly  dare  flatter  iny- 
self  that  the  editor  will  insert  the  poem  I  have  writ- 
ten for  his  magazine  =  I  hardly  dare  presume  to  think, 
that  the  editor  will  publish  in  his  magazine  the  poem 
I  have  written  for  it. 
Flea  in  tlie  ear  =  An  unwelcome  hint  or  unexpected 
reply,  annoying  like  a  flea ;  an  irritating  repulse. 

(*) 

The  student  went  to  the  professor  to  get  excused 
for  his  absence,  but  came  away  with  a  flea  in  his  ear 
=  The  student  went  to  the  professor  to  get  excused 
for  absence,  but  the  professor  had  found  his  absence 
was  wholly  unnecessary,  and  gave  him  an  irritating 
repulse. 


IDIOMATIC    PHRASES.  75 

Fleece,  to  =  To  cheat ;  to  strip  of  money  or  prop- 
erty, (a) 
By  misrepresenting  the  farm  he  sold  me,  he  fleeced 
me  out  of  several  hundred  dollars  =  By  false  repre- 
sentations concerning  the  farm  he  sold  me,  he 
cheated  me  out  of  several  hundred  dollars.  He  ivas 
fleeced  out  of  a  large  sum  by  the  stock  gamblers  = 
He  was  stripped  of  much  money  by  the  dealers  in 
fancy  stocks.  In  the  exchange  of  houses  with  Mr. 
A.,  Mr.  B.  was  hadlj  fleeced  =^  In  exchanging  houses 
with  Mr.  A.,  Mr.  B.  was  badly  cheated. 

Flesh  and  1>lood  =  Man  in  his  physical  personality. 

The  labors  and  punishments  of  slaves  are  often 
more  thsm  fl£sh  and  blood  can  en  dure  =  The  labors 
and  punishments  of  slaves  are  often  so  severe,  that 
the  pliysical  system  sinks  under  them. 
Fliglit  of  fancy  =  The  exercise  of  the  fancy,  (c) 
The   poet  indulges   \i\  flights  of  fancy —  The  poet 
freely  exercises  his  fancy. 
Fling  In,  to  =  To  throw  in ;  not  to  charge  in  an  ac- 
count, ip) 
The  grocer  often  flings  in  a  small  sum  in  settling 
accounts  =  The  grocer  often  makes  a  small  deduction 
or  throws  in  something,  in  settling  accounts. 
Flings  up,  to  =  To  abandon  a  project ;  to  relinquish. 

He  talks  to  me  of  flinging  up  the  design  of  build- 
ing a  house  =  He  talks  to  me  of  abandoning  the  de- 
sign of  building  a  house.  It  is  to  be  hoped  that  the 
clerk  will  not  fling  wp  his  situation  =  It  is  to  be 
hoped  that  the  clerk  will  not  relinquish  his  situation. 
Flood  of  light  =  1.  A  great  body  or  stream  of  light. 
2.  A  great  deal  of  enhghtenment  or  information,  (a) 

1.  The  new  electric  light  promises  to  illuminate 
buildings  and  cities  with  a  flood  of  light  — The  new 
electrical  light  promises  to  illuminate  buildings  with 
a  great  body  of  light.  2.  The  speaker's  address 
poured  a  flood  of  light  on  the  subject  =  The  speaker's 
address  made  the  subject  very  clear  and  intelligible. 
Flourish  of  trumpets  =  Ostentatious  and  noisy  dis- 
play of  one's  importance,  (b) 

Barnum's  circus  makes  its  entry  into  a  city  with  a 
flourish  of  trumpets  —  Barnum's  circus  makes  its  entry 
into  a  city  with  an  ostentatious  and  noisy  display  of 
its  "  unequaled  attractions."  There  was  a  great 
flourish  of  trumpets  at  the  wedding  of  the  million- 
aire's daughter  =  The  wedding'  of  the  millionaire's 
daughter  was  celebrated  with  much  magnificence 
and  great  show. 


76  IDIOMATIC    PHRASES. 

Fly  in  tlic  face  of,  to  =  To  act  in  direct  opposition 
to  ;  to  set  at  defiance.  (6) 
If  yon  should  jump  from  a  house-top,  presuming 
you  would  not  be  hurt,  you  would  fly  in  the  fitce  of 
all  experience  =  If  you  should  jump  from  a  house- 
top, thinking  you  would  not  be  hurt,  you  would  act 
in  direct  opposition  to  all  experience.  There  is  little 
hope  of  a  son  who  flies  in  the  face  o/liis  father's  ad- 
vice =  There  is  little  hope  of  a  son  who  sets  his 
father's  advice  at  defiance. 

Fly  into  a  pa§sion,  to=:To  become  suddenly  an- 

The  laborer  flew  into  a  passion  when  he  was  told 
that  his  work  was  not  properly  done  =  The  laborer 
became  suddenly  angry  when  he  was  told  that  his 
work  was  not  properly  done. 
Fly  out,  to  =  To  rush  out.  (a) 

As  the  carriage  drove  up  to  the  door,  the  wife  fleiv 
out  to  meet  her  husband  on  his  return  =  As  the  car- 
riage drove  up  to  the  door,  the  wife  rushed  out  to 
meet  her  husband  on  his  return. 
Flying  color§,  to  come  off  with  =  To  conclude  an 
undertaking  in  triumph,  (a) 
The  Harvard  Boat   Club,  rowing  with  the  Yale 
Boat  Club  this  year,  has  come  off  ivilh  flying  colors  = 
The  Harvard  Boat  Club  has  triumphed  over   the 
Yale  Boat  Club  in  a  rowing  match. 
Foi§t  upon,  to  =  To  cause  something  of  poor  quality 
or  not  genuine,  to  be  received,  (c) 
Tlie  peddler  foisted  this  glass  pin  upon  the  servant 
girl,  as  a  valuable  diamond  =  The  peddler  induced 
the  servant  girl  to  buy  this  glass  pin,  as  a  genuine 
and  valuable  diamond. 
Follow  suit,  to  =  To  imitate  ;  to  do  as  some  one  else 
does,  {h) 
These  customs  have  been  observed  in  our  family 
for  many  generations,  and  when  I  am   of  age  and 
come  in  possession  I  shall  follow  suit  =:  These  cus- 
toms have  been  observed  in  our  family  for  many  gen- 
erations, and  when  I  come  in  possession  I  shall  do  as 
my  ancestors  have  done.     If  I  join  this  society  will 
you  follow  suzV  .^  =  "Will  you  do  as  I  do,  if  I  join  this 
society  ? 
Fool  away,  to  =  To  get  rid  of  foolishly  ;  to  spend  in 
trifles,  idleness,  or  folly,  (a) 
He  fooled  aivay  his  time  in  youth,  and  lived  with- 
out respect  in  his  manhood = He  spent  his  youth  in 
idleness,  and  lived  without  respect  in  manhood.     He 
fooled  aioay  his  property  =  He  got  rid  of  his  property 
by  foolish  expenditures. 


IDIOMATIC     PHRASES  77 

Follow   in   the   footsteps,  to=iTo   imitate,    copy 
after ;  to  take  as  an  example,  {a) 
He  is  following  in  the  footstej^s  of  liis  father  in  re- 
spect to  industry  and  lionesty  =  He  is  imitating  liis 
father  in  industry  and  honesty.     President  Y.,  on 
entering  office,  said  that  he  should  follow  in  the  foot- 
skps  of  his  illustrious  predecessor  =  On   entering  of- 
fice. President  Y.  said  that  he  should  copy  after  his 
distinguished  predecessor,  in  the  administration  of 
national  aifairs. 
For  all  that  —  I^^otwithstanding ;  in  spite  of.  {a) 
The  murderer  denied  the  commission  of  the  crime, 
but  for  all  that,  every  one  believed  him  guilty  =  The 
murderer  denied  the  commission  of  the  crime,  nev- 
ertheless, every  one  believed  him  guilty.     He  was 
sick,  but  he  went  out  for  all  ihat=^e  was  sick,  but 
he  went  out  notwithstanding  his  sickness.      It   is 
strange,  but  it  is  true,  for  all  that  — It  is  true,  notwith- 
standing it  is  strange. 
For  all  the  worlds  For  any  consideration,  or  any 
inducement,  or  reason,  (a) 
I  said  to  him,  when  he  offered  $100  for  my  vote,  I 
would  not  trade  my  vote  for  all  the  world =When  he 
ofiered  me  $100  for  my  vote,  I  said  I  would  not  sell 
my  vote  for  any  consideration.     I  would  not  do  this 
for  all  the  world  =1  would  not  do  this  for  any  consid- 
eration. 
For  a§  much  a§  =  Because,  (c) 

For  as  much  as  the  senator  is  seventy  years  old,  he 
oucrht  not  to  seek  a  re-election  =  Because  the  senator 
is  seventy  years  old,  he  ought  not  to  seek  a  re-elec- 
tion. 
For  aught  (or  any  thing)  one  knoix^s  =  In  spite  of 
any  thing  one  knows ;  one  does  not  know  to  the 
contrary,  (a) 
For  aught  we  know,  the  winter  may  be  very  long 
and  severe  =  We  do  not  know  but  that  the  winter 
will  be  very  long  and  severe. 
For  aye  =  Always  ;  eternally.  (Poet.)  (a) 

I  w411  be  your  friend  for  aye  =  I  will  always  be 
your  friend. 
For  good,  for  good  and   all  =  As  a  finality  ;  per- 
manently, (a) 
Mr.  B.  informs  me  that  he  has  come  to  the  city 
for  good— Islw  B.  informs  me  that  he  has  come  to  the 
city  to  reside  permanently.     I  am  coming  back  next 
week  for  good  —  I  am  coming  back  next  week  to  stay. 
He  gave  up  using  opium  for  good  and  a/Z=:He  gave 
up  using  opium,  and  did  not  begin  again. 
Form  an  estimate,  to  =  To  estimate,  (a) 


78  IDIOMATIC    PHRASES. 

In  the  last  issue  of  his  paper,  the  editor  attempted 
to  form  an  estimate  of  the  amount  of  corn  that  is 
raised  yearly  in   the  county  =  In  his  last  paper,  the 
editor  attempted  to  estimate  the  amount  of  corn  that 
is  raised  yearly  in  the  county. 
Form  an   opinion,  to  =  To  frame  a  belief  or  judg- 
ment concerning,  (a) 
He  was  rejected  as  juror,  because  he  had  formed 
an  opinion  of  the  case  from  newspaper  reports  -  He 
was  rejected  as  juror,  because  he  had  imbibed  a  be- 
lief respecting  the  case,  from  the  statements  of  the 
newspapers. 
For  my  part=l.  So  far  as  concerns  me  ;  (a)    2.  For 
my  share,  (a) 
1.  I  do  not  know  how  the  rest  of  you  feel,  but 
for  my  part  I  have  had  enough   of  this  unscientific 
musical  do  not  know  how  the  rest  of  you  feel,  but 
so  far  as  it  concerns  me,  I  have  had  enough  of  this 
poor  music.     2.  This  orange  is  enough  for  my  part = 
This  orange  is  enough  for  my  share. 
Fresli  breeze  =  A  cool,  brisk  wind,  tending  to  renew 
in  vigor,  (a) 
I  feel  better  for  the  drive  in  such  a  fresh  breeze  as 
there  is  to-day  =  I  feel  renewed  in  vigor,  after  driving 
out  in  the  cool,  brisk  wind.  ^ 

Fritter  away,  to  =  To  reduce  to  nothing  gradually ; 
to  waste,  (a) 
He  was  heir  to  much  property,  but  he  has  frittered 
it  away  =  He  inherited  much  property,  but  has  grad- 
ually  reduced   it  to   nothing.    '  You   have  frittered 
away  the  whole   day  =  You  have  wasted  the  whole 
day,  by  spending  it  in  trifling  employments. 
From  head  to  foot  =  All  over ;  completely,  (a) 
The  man  who  was  thrown  from  the  wagon  was 
bruised  from  head  to  foot—  The  man  who  was  thrown 
from  the  wagon  was  bruised  all  over  (in  every  part 
of  the  body). 
From  toed  and  board,  {Law)  A  phrase  applied  to 
a  partial  divorce,  by  judicial  decree,  of  man  and 
wife,  without  dissolving  the  bonds  of  matrimony. 
In  this  case  the  wife  has  a  suitable  maintenance  out 
of  her  husband's  estate,  called  alimony.     The  par- 
ties are  not  at  liberty  to  marry  any  other  person. 
The  divorce  from  her  husband,  which  the  court 
granted  on  account  of  his  ill-treatment  of  her,  was  a 
divorce /rom  bed  and  hoard ^The  divorce  from  her 
husband,  which  the  court  granted  on  account  of  his 
ill-treatment   of  her,   was   only  a  partial  divorce, 
which  did  not  dissolve  the  bond   of  matrimony  or 
allow  the  parties  to  marry  another  person. 


IDIOMATIC    PHRASES.  79 

Fugitive  compo§itions  =  Sncli  as  are  short  and  oc- 
casional, and  so  published  that  they  quickly  escape 
notice,  as  in  a  newspaper. 
Some   distinguished   writers    have    first  become 
known  and  popular,  through  their  fugitive  composi- 
tions =  Some   superior   writers    have   first    acquired 
popularity,  through  occasional  articles  in  newspa- 
pers and  other  periodicals. 
Full  many  a  time  =  Yery  often  ;   very  many  times. 

Full  many  a  tiTne  do  we  regret  having  neglected 
past  opportunities  =  Very  often  do  we  regret  having 
neglected  past  opportunities. 


G. 

« 
Gain  a  footing,  to  =  To  get  a  firm  position ;  to  be- 
come established,  (c) 
The  young  physician  has  gained  a  footing  in  the 
city  =  The  young  physician  has  become  established 
in  practice  in  the  city. 
Gain  ground,  to  =  To  advance ;  to  have  some  suc- 
cess ;  to  obtain  advantage,  (a) 
The  work  of  reconciliation  between  the  Northern 
and    Southern    States    (U.   S.)    gains  ground -The 
work  of  reconciliation  between  the  Northern  and 
Southern  States  is  gradually  becoming   successful. 
The  governor  gains  ground  in  the  affections  of  the 
people  =  The  goveraor  advances  in  the  affections  of 
the  people ;  or  he  is  getting  to  be  more  and  more 
beloved. 

Gain  the  day,  to  =  To  be  successful  in  a  contest ;  to 
win.  (a) 
Mr.  P.  gained  the  day,  in  his  suit  against  the  rail- 
road  for  injuries  received  at  the  crossings  Mr.  P. 
was  successful  in  his  suit  against  the  rail-road,  for 
injuries  received  at  the  crossing. 
Gain  upon,  to  =  To  encroach  upon ;  to  have  increas- 
ing advantage  over,  (a) 
The  weeds  gain  upon  the  corn  in  the  field  =  The 
weeds  encroach  upon  the  corn  in  the  field. 
Gain,   or   grow,  upon  one,  to  =  To  increase  as  a 
habit,  (a) 
The  habit  of  using  opium  grows  upon  Mr.  O.  = 
The  habitual  use  of  opium  by  Mr.  O.  increases. 
Gatliered  to  hi§  people,  to  be  =  To  join  the  com- 
pany of  deceased  ancestors,  (c) 
"Abraham  died  in  a  good  old  age  and  was 


80  IDIOMATIC     PHRASES. 

ered  unto  his  people  "  =  Abraham  died  at  a  great  age, 
and  joined  the  company  of  his  deceased  ancestors. 
General,  to   l>e  =  To  be  common  to  many;   to   be 
prevalent,  (a) 
The  feehng  is  general^  that  a  president  should  not 
be  elected  to  a  third  term  of  office  =  The  feeling  is 
prevalent,  that  it  is  not  well  to  elect  a  person  to  the 
presidency  three  times. 
Oet  ahead,  to  =:  To  advance ;  to  prosper,  (a) 

He  gets  ahead  fast  in  his  studies  =  He  advances  fast 
in  his  studies.     He  has  got  ahead  of  his  brother  in 
his  business  =  He  has  advanced  or  prospered  more 
than  his  brother  in  business. 
Oet  along^,  to  =  To  proceed ;  to  advance ;  to  make 
progress,  {a) 
How  far  along  in  Greek  have  you  ^o^.^=:How  far 
have  you  advanced  in  Greek?      How  do  you  get 
along,  in  your  work  on  the  dictionary  ?  =  What  pro- 
gress liave  you  made,  in  your  work  on  the  dictionary  ? 
Oet  among,  to  =  To  arrive  in  the  midst  of;  to  be- 
come one  of  a  number,  {b) 
The  dogs  got  among  the  sheep,  and  killed  many  = 
The  dogs  came  into  the  midst  of  the  sheep,  and 
killed  many. 
Oet  a  §ig^lit  of,  to  =  To  obtain  a  view  of.  (a) 

The  crowd  was  so  great,  that  I  could  not  get  a 
sight  of  the  governor  and  his  carriage  =  The  crowd 
was  so  dense,  that  I  could  not  obtain  a  view  of  the 
governor  and  his  carriage. 
Oet  asleep,  to  =  To  pass  into  a  state  of  sleep ;  to 
fall  asleep,  (a) 
The  musquitoes  bite,  and  I  can  not  get  asleep  =  1 
can  not  pass  from  wakefulness  into  sleep,  because  of 
the  musquitoes. 
Oet  at,  to  =  To  reach ;  to  arrive  at ;  to  make  way 
to.  (a) 
I  could  not  get  at  him,  on  account  of  the  crowd  = 
I  could  not  reach  him,  on  account  of  the  crowd.     I 
can   not  get   at   this  author's  meanings  I  can  not 
arrive  at  the  understanding  of  this  author. 
Oet  or  arrive  at  the  truth,  to  =  To  ascertain  what 
is  true  in  relation  to  a  particular  matter,  (a) 
The  reporter  was  sent  to  the  scene  of  the  murder 
to  get  at  the  truih  =  The  reporter  was  sent  to  the  scene 
of  the  murder  to  learn  w4iat  was  true  in  relation  to 
the  murder. 
Oethaek,  to  =  l.  To  return,  (a)     2,  To  receive  again. 
(a) 
1.  The  sportsman  has  got  bach  from  his  hunt,  tired 
and  hungry  =  The  sportsman  has  returned  from  his 


IDIOMATIC     PHRASES.  81 

hunt,  tired  and  hungry.     He  will  never  get  bach  the 
money  which  he  loaned  the  bankrupt  trader  =  He 
will  never  receive  again  the  money  which  he  loaned 
the  bankrupt  trader. 
Oet  behind,  to  =  To  fall  behind  or  in  the  rear ;  to 
lag.  {a) 
The  sick  soldier  got  behind  in  the  marcher  The  sick 
soldier  fell  in  the  rear,  in  the  march. 
Oet  better,  to  =  To  improve  in  health,  {a) 

How  is  the  man  who  is  ill  of  fever  ?     He  is  getting 
better  =:Jiow  is  the  man  who  is  ill  of  fever?     He  is 
improving  in  health. 
Oet  clear,  to  =  To  become  free  from  entanglements ; 
to  disengage  one's  self;  to  be  freed  from  danger,  or 
embarrassment,  (a) 
When  you  get  clear  of  your  pecuniary  embarrass- 
ments, you  will  rejoice  =  When   you  free  yourself 
from  your  pecuniary  embarrassments,  you  will  re- 
joice. 
Oet  dowTi,  to  =  To  descend,  (a) 

The  boy  who  climbed  the  tree  was  not  able  to  get 
down  =  The  boy  who  climbed  the  tree  was  not  able 
to  descend. 
Oet  for  one'§  pain§,  to  =  To  receive  in  return,  as 
reward  or  compensation,  (a) 
After  the  apples  had  been  picked,  the  boy  shook 
the  trees,  and  got  two  barrels  of  apples  for  his  pains 
=  After  the  apples  had  been  picked,  the  boy  shook 
the  trees,  and  received  in  return  two  barrels  of  apples. 
Oet  home,  to  =  To  arrive  at  one's  dwelling    after 
absence,  (a) 

I  got  home  last  night,  just  after  you  left  my  house 
=  1  arrived  at  home  last  night,  just  after  you  left 
my  house.      The  professor  got  home  from  Europe 
yesterday  =  The  professor  arrived  home  from  Europe 
yesterday.     Can  you  get  home  in  one  day  after  leav- 
ing here  ?  =  Can  you  reach  your  home  in  one  day 
after  leaving  this  place  ? 
Oet  in  the   harvest,  to  =  To  harvest  the  grain,  or 
put  it  in  the  bam.  (a) 
The  farmer  hired  several  laborers,  to  help  him  get 
in  the  harvest  =  The  farmer  hired  several  laborers,  to 
help  him  harvest  the  grain. 
Oet  loose,  to  =  To  escape  from  confinement ;  to  dis- 
engage one's  self,  (a) 
The  horse  was  tied,  but  he  has  now  got  loose  =  The 
horse  was  tied,  but  he  has  now  become  untied ;  he 
has  now  escaped  from  confinement. 
Oet  low,  to-Get  sometimes  means  to  fall  or  bring 
one's  self  into  a  state  or  condition ;  to  come  to  be,, 
7 


82  IDIOMATIC     PHRASES. 

with  a  following  adjective  belonging  to  the  subject 
of  the  verb,  (a) 

The  price  of  tea  is  getting  low;  do  not  buy  it  now 
=  The  price  of  tea  is  falling  ;  do  not  buy  it  now. 
Get  off,  to  =  l.  To  come  from  upon  any  thing;  to 
dismount,  (a)     2.  To  escape ;  to  come  off  clear,  (a) 
1.  Get  off  the  rail-road  track,  or  you  may  be  hurt 
=  Come  from  standing  on  the  rail-road  track,  or  you 
may  be  hurt.     1.  Get  off  the  horse  at  the  gate  =  Dis- 
mount at  the  gate.     2.  Did  not  the  master  punish 
you  for  your  playing  truant  ?     You  got  off  well  =  If 
the  master  did  not  punish  you  for  your  truancy,  you 
escaped  well.     2.  Two  prisoners  have  got  off  from 
the  prison  this  morning  =  Two  prisoners  have  es- 
caped from  the  prison  this  morning. 
Oet  on,  to  =  To  make  progress  ;  to  proceed  ;  to  ad- 
vance. 
The  sick  man  is  getting  on  well  =  The  sick  man  is 
recovering.     How  are   you  getting  on   in  study  ?  = 
"What  progress  are  you  making  in  study?     I  told 
my  friend  all  about   my  hard   studies ;    and   now, 
every  day,  he  asks  me,  "How  are  you  getting  onP^ 
=  I  told  my  friend  all  about  my  hard  studies,  and 
now  he  asks  me,  every  day,  "  What  progress  are  you 
making  in  your  studies  ? " 
Oet  over  tlie  ground,  to  =  To  pass  over  the  ground ; 
to  travel,  (a) 
A  horse  which  takes  long  steps  gets  over  the  ground 
rapidly  =  A  horse  which  takes  long  steps  passes  over 
the  ground  rapidly. 
Oet  quit  of,  to  =  To  get  rid  of ;  to  disengage  one's 
self  from,  (c) 
He  tried  to  get  quit  of  the  chores  at  the  barn,  but 
he  could  find  no  one  to  do  them  for  him  =  He  tried 
to  disengage  himself  from  doing  the  chores  at  the 
barn,  but  he  could  find  no  one  to  take  his  place. 
When  I  got  quit  of  the  care  of  those  boys,  who  are 
in  school  in  America,  I  was  very  much  relieved  = 
When  I  got  rid  of,  or  disengaged  myself  from  the 
care  of,  those  boys  Who  are  in  school  in  America, 
I  was  greatly  relieved. 
Oet  ready,  to  =  To  prepare,  (a) 

City  people  get  ready  for  winter,  by  purchasing 

thick  clothing,  and  putting  coal  in  the  cellar^City 

people    prepare   for   winter,   by  purchasing    thick 

clothing,  and  putting  coal  in  the  cellar. 

Oet  rid  of,  to=:To  free  one's  self  from  ;  to  shift  off; 

to  remove,  (a) 

When  you  get  rid  of  this  habit  of  using  opium,  I 

will  recommend  you  to  the  Collector  of  the  port= 


IDIOMATIC     PHKASES.  83 

When  you  free  yourself  from  the  habit  of  using 
opium,  I  will  recommend  you  to  the  Collector  of  the 
port.  I  have  an  old  horse  on  my  hands,  and  I 
would  like  to  get  rid  of  him  =  I  have  an  old  horse  on 
my  hands,  and  I  would  like  to  shift  him  off  or  sell 
him. 

Oct  tlie  better  of,  to  =  To  get   advantage,  supe- 
riority, or  victory,  (a) 

In  the  foot-race,  he  got  the  better  of  his  opponent 
=  He  gained  a  victory  over  his  opponent,  in  the 
walking-match. 
Get  the  §tart,  to  =  To  begin  before  another ;  to  gain 
or  have  the  advantage  in  a  similar  undertaking,  {a) 
He  got  the  start  of  us  in  trade  =  He  began  to  trade 
here  before  we  did.     Germany  got  the  start  of  France 
in   the   late  war  =  Germany  had  the  advantage  of 
France  in  a  better  preparation  for  the  late  war. 
Get  the  ivorst  of  it,  to  =  To  be  beaten ;  to  suffer 
defeat,  (a) 
He  provoked  his  companion  to  fight,  and  then 
got  the  worst  of  it  —  He  provoked  his  companion  to 
fight,  and  then  was  beaten. 
Get  through,  to  =  To  traverse  ;  also  to  finish,  to  be 
done,  (a) 
I  will  go  with  you  if  I  shall  have  got  through  my 
dinner  =  I  will  go  with  you  if  I  shall  have  finished 
my  dinner.     When  will   you  get  through  with  that 
work  ?  =  When  will  you  finish  that  work  1  when  will 
you  be  done  with  it  ? 
Get  to,  to  =  To  arrive  at ;  to  reach,  (a) 

Before  the  emigrants  got  to  their  new  home,  their 
funds  were  exhausted  =  Before  the  emigrants  arrived 
at  their  new  home,  their  money  was  spent. 
Get  together,  to  =  To  assemble ;  to  come  together, 
(a) 
The  working  men  got  together,  to  discuss  the  matter 
of  their  wages  =  The  working  men  assembled,  to 
discuss  the  matter  of  their  wages. 
Get  up,  to  =  l.  To  rise,  (a)     2.  To  make  ready;  to 
prepare  ;  to  write,  print  or  publish,  (a) 
1.  He  gets  up  at  5  o'clock,  every  morning,  in  sum- 
mer =  He  rises  at  5  o'clock,  every  morning,  in  the 
summer.     2.  He  is  trying  to  get  up  an  excitement 
about  foreign  immigration  —  He  is  trying  to  make  an 
excitement  about  the  arrival  of  foreigners.     2.  This 
is  the  best  coat  I  can  get  up  so  quickly  =  This  is  the 
best  coat  I  can  make  so  quickly.     2.  He  is  getting 
up  a  book  of  travels  =  He  is  writing  a  book  of  travels. 
2.  In  the  hundredth  anniversary,  1875,  they  got  up 
a  good  celebration  of  the  battle  of  Bunker  Hill  =  In 


84  IDIOMATIC     PHRASES. 

the  hundredth  anniversary,  1875,  they  prepared  a 
good  programme  of  speeches  and  entertainment,  to 
celebrate  the  battle  of  Bunker  Hill.     2.  He  has  got 
up  a  city-directory  for  the  year  1880  =  He  has  pub- 
lished a  city-directory  for  the  year  1880. 
Oet  u^ind,  to  =  To  become  public ;  to  be  divulged,  (h) 
When  the  story  of  the  barber's  ill-treatment  of 
his  wife  got  wind,  he  left  town = When  the  story  of 
the  barber's  ill-treatment  of  his  wife  became  public, 
he  left  town. 
Oet  you  gone!    Oet  ai^ay !  =  Depart ;  (with  em- 
phasis), (c) 
The  man  said  to  the  indolent  beggar  who  asked 
alms,  "  Get  you  ^one"  =  Theman  said  to  the  indolent 
beggar  who  asked  alms,  "Depart;"  (spoken   with 
emphasis). 
*Oive  or  make  a  call,  to  =  To  make  a  short  visit,  (a) 
I  shall  give  you  a  call  when   I  go  through  New 
York  =  I  shall  make  you  a  short  visit  when  I  go 
through  New  York. 
Olve  a  death-bloiv,  to  =  To  cause  to  die  or  be  de- 
stroyed, {h) 
The  failure  of  the  largest  stockholder  gave  the 
project  of  the  new  rail-road  its  death-blow  =  The  fail- 
ure of  the  largest  stockholder  killed  the  project  of 
the  new  rail-road. 
Olve   a  fal§e   colorings,  to  =  To   misrepresent;    to 
make  to  appear  different  from  what  it  is.  (a) 
The  emigration  agent  gave  a  false  coloring  to  the 
advantages  and  opportunities,  which  America  affords 
to  new  settlers  =  The  emigration  agent  made  the  ad- 
vantages and  opportunities,  which  America  affords 
to  new  settlers,  appear  different  from  what  they  are. 
Olve  a  bearing^,  to  =  To  afford   opportunity  to  be 
heard ;  to  listen  to.  (a) 
In  the  legislature,  the  committee  on  agriculture 
give  a  hearing  to-day,  to  those  who  ask  an  appropria- 
tion  of  money  for   the   agricultural   college  =:  The 
committee  of  the  legislature  on  agriculture  will,  to- 
day, listen  to  the  arguments  of  those  persons  who 
wish  money  to  be  appropriated  to  the  agricultural 
college. 
Olve  a  loo§e  to  the  fancy,  to  =  To  indulge  the 
fancy ;  to  be  fanciful,  (c) 
In  his  last  poem,  the  poet  has  give?!  a  loose  to  his 
fancy— In  his  last  poem,  the  poet  has  indulged  his 
fancy  freely. 
Oive   or   lend  an  ear,  to  =  To  show  willingness  to 
listen  ;  to  give  attention,  (p) 
Will  you  give  me  your  ear  for  a  charitable  appeal  ? 


V 


IDIOMATIC    PHRASES.  85 

=  Will  you  give  attention  to  me  while  I  appeal  to 
your  charity  ?     The  emperor  of  China  lent  an  ear  to 
the  complaints  of  his  subjects  who  were  suffering 
from  the  late  famine  =  The  emperor  of  China  show- 
ed a  wilhngness  to  listen  to  the  complaints  of  his 
subjects,  who  were  suffering  from  the  late  famine. 
Give  an  entertainment,    to  =  To   provide   for   the 
pleasure  of  people  in  some  way.  (a) 
The  Glee  Club  of  Trinity  College  gave  a  musical 
entertainment^  at  Seminary  Hall,  the  other  evening  = 
The  Glee  Club  of  Trinity  College  provided   for  the 
pleasure  of  their  friends,  by  musical   exercises    at 
Seminary  Hall,  the  other  evening. 
Oive  a  thought  to,  to  =  To  think  of  hastily  and  im- 
perfectly, (a) 
The  physician  is  so  pressed  with  business  that  he 
has  hardly  time  to  give  a  thought  to  his  family  affairs 
=  The  physician  has  so  many  patients,  that  he  has 
hardly  time  to  think  of  his  family  affairs,  even  has- 
tily and  imperfectly. 
Oive  a\vay,  to  =  To  present  to  another  person  ;  to 
transfer,  (a) 
I  have  given  away  all  the  photographs  of  myself, 
which  were  taken  last  =  I  have  presented  to  other 
persons  all  photographs  of  myself  which  were  taken 
last.     Mr.  A.  gave  away  one-tifth  of  his  property  to 
this  hospital,  by  his  will  =  Mr.  A.  bequeathed  one- 
fifth  of  his  property  to  this  hospital,  by  his  will. 
Oive  birth  to,  to  =  To  bear  ;  to  bring  forth,  (a) 
Mrs.  A.  has  given  birth  to  twins  =  Mrs.  A.  has  borne 
twins. 
Oive    chapter    and   verse,  to  =  To  point  out   the 
proof  of  a  statement  or  the  accuracy  of  a  quota- 
tion, (c) 
He  can  give  you  chapter  and  verse  for  his  statement 
concerning  the  date  of  the  battle  =  He  can  prove 
from  the  book  of  history  his  statement  concerning 
the  date  of  the  battle. 
Oive  cha§e,  to  =:  To  run  in  pursuit ;  to  pursue,  (b) 
The  policeman  gave  chase  to  the  thief  =  The  police- 
man pursued  the  thief. 
Oive    countenance    to,   to  rr  To  favor ;  to  aid  ;  to 
support,  (a) 
The  judge  said  that  he  would  give  no  countenance 
to  lotteries  =  The  judge  said  that  he  would  not  favor 
lotteries. 
Oive  credit,  to  =  1.  To  trust  for  future  payment  of  a 
debt;    (a)    2.  To  enter  on  the  credit  side  of  an 
account,  (a) 
1.  The  merchant  sometimes  gives  credit  in  selling. 


86  IDIOMATIC    PHRASES. 

his  goods  =  The  merchant  sometimes  trusts  his  cus- 
tomers for  the  future  payment  of  their  bills    for 
goods.     2.  The   merchant  gave  his  customer  credit 
for  ten  dollars  =  The  merchant  made  an  entry  of  ten 
dollars,  on  the  credit  side  of  his  customer's  account. 
Oive  credit  to,  to  =  To  put  trust  in  ;  to  believe,  {a) 
The  hunter  did  not  give  credit  to  the  report,  that  a 
wild  man  had  been  seen  in  the  woods  =  The  hunter 
did  not  believe  the  report,  that  a  wild  man  had  been 
seen  in  the  woods. 
Oive  ear,  to  =  To  listen  attentively,  {b) 

I  wish  you  to  prosper,  and  ask  you  to  give  ear  to 
my  advice  =  I  wish  you  to  prosper,  and  ask  you  to 
listen  to  my  advice. 
Oive  hard  measure  =  To  give  harsh  or  oppressive 
treatment,  (c) 
The    landowner  on  the  hill  is  said  to  give  hard 
measure  to  his  tenants  =  The  landowner  on  the  hill 
is  said  to  oppress  his  tenants. 
Oive  exit  to,  to  =  To  afford  passage ;  to  furnish  a 
way  of  escape,  (c) 
The  sewers  give  exit  to  the  waste  water  and  filth 
of  the  city  =  The  sewers  furnish  a  way  of  escape  for 
the  waste  water  and  filth  of  the  city. 
Oive  heed  to,  to  =  To  attend  to.  (a) 
,   Give  heed  to  what  I  say,  and  you  will  have  no  dif- 
ficulty in  finding  your  lodgings,  when  you  arrive  in 
London  =  Attend  to  what  I  say,  and  you  will  have 
no  difiiculty  in  finding  your  lodgings,  when  you  ar- 
rive in  London. 
Oive  in,  to  =  l.  To  announce  ;  to  tender,  (a)     2.  To 
allow  by  way  of  abatement,  {b) 
1.  He  gave  in  his   adhesion  to  the  new  political 
party  =  He  tendered  his  adhesion  to  the  new  politi- 
cal party.     2.  I  shall  give  in  what  is  asked  for  in 
the  settlement  of  his  bill  =  I  shall  yield  by  way  of 
abatement,  what  is  asked  for  in  the  settlement  of 
his  bill. 
Oive    judgment,  for,   or   ag^ain§t,   to  {Law)  =  To 
pronounce  a  judicial  decision  or  sentence,  {a) 
The  court  gave  judgment  for  the  defendants  The 
decision  of  the  judge  was  in  favor  of  the  defendant. 
The  court  has  not  yet  given  judgment  in  the  libel 
suit  between  Mr.  P.  and  the  editor  =  The  court  has 
not   yet  rendered  a  decision   in  the   suit  for  libel 
brought  by  Mr.  P.  against  the  editor.     In.  the  phy- 
sician's suit  for  professional  services  judgment  was 
given  against  the  defendant  in  the  sum  of  one  hun- 
dred dollars  —  The  judicial  decision  was  that  the  de- 
fendant should  pay  the  physician  a  hundred  dollars. 


IDIOMATIC    PHKASES.  87 

Oiven  to,  to  be  =  To  be  devoted  to ;  to   have   the 
habit  of.  (a) 
Mr.  B.  is  an  excellent  mechanic,  but  he  is  given  to 
intemperance  =  Mr.  B.  is  an  excellent  mechanic,  but 
he  has  the  habit  of  intemperance.     Prof.  H's  life 
has  been  given  to  the  study  of  astronomy  =  Prof.  H. 
has  devoted  himself  to  the  study  of  astronomy,  all 
his  life. 
Give  one  a  good,  or  bad,  character,  to  =  To  speak 
of  one  in  praise,  or  in  disparagement,  (a) 
Mrs.  A.  gave  the  servant  who  left  her  a  good  char- 
acter ='M.m.  A.  spoke  in  praise  of  the  servant  who 
left  her. 
Oive  one  tbe  lie,  to  =  To  charge  one  with  falsehood. 
(a) 
When  the  two  men  we^e  discussing  the  opium 
traffic,  one  gave  the  other  the  ?ie  =  When  the  two  men 
were   discussing   the   opium   traffic,   one    of   them 
charged  the  other  with  falsehood. 
Give  one's  §eif  no  concern,  to  =  !N^ot  to  be  inter- 
ested in  or  anxious  for.  (a) 
The   idle   son   gives   himself  no   concern  about  his 
father's  business  =  The  idle  son  takes  no  interest  in 
his  father's  business. 
Give  one's  self  up,  to  =  l.  To  despair  of  one's  re- 
covery ;  to  conclude  to  be  lost ;  (a)     2.  To  addict ; 
to  devote,  (a) 
1.  When  he  was  sick  he  gave  himself  w^  =  When 
he  was  sick  he  despaired  of  his  recovery.     2.  Since 
he  chose  such  company,  he  is  wholly  given  up  to  in- 
temperance =  Since  choosing  such  companions,  he  is 
wholly  addicted  to  intemperance. 
Give  one  the  slip,  to  =  To  escape  from  one ;  to  de- 
sert unexpectedly,  (a) 
When   the   5th   regiment   was  passing    through 
Washington  (1863),   the  surgeon's  colored  servant 
gave  him  the  slip  =  When  the  5th  regiment  was  pass- 
ing through  Washington,  the  surgeon's  colored  ser- 
vant unexpectedly  deserted.     As  they  were  going 
around  a  comer,  the  thief  gave  the  policeman  the  slip 
=  As  they  were  going  around  a  corner,  the  thief  slily 
escaped  the  policeman. 
Give  out,  to  =  l.  To  utter  publicly ;  to  announce,  (a) 
2.  To  send  out ;    to   emit,  (b)     3.  To   expend    all 
one's  strength  ;  to  cease  from  exertion,  {a) 
1,  It  is  given  out  at  headquarters,  that  we  shall 
march  at  ten  o'clock  =  It  is  announced  at  headquar- 
ters, that  we  shall  march  sSt  ten  o'clock.     2.  Boiling 
water  gives  out  steam  =  Boiling  water  emits  steam. 
2.  The  rose  gives  out  a  fragrance  =  The  rose  sends  forth 


88  IDIOMATIC     PHRASES. 

a  pleasing  odor.     3.  Before  the  end  of  the  journey, 
the  horse  gave  out—T\\Q  horse  had  expended  all  his 
strength,  and  stopped,  before  the  end  of  the  journey. 
Oive  over,  to  =  To  cease ;  to  desist ;  to  abandon,  {a) 
I  have  given  over  trying  to  persuade  Mr.  E.  to  re- 
move to  the  city  =  I  have  ceased  endeavoring  to  per- 
suade Mr.  E.  to  remove  to  the  city.     The  policeman 
followed  the  thief  to  the  river,  and  then  gave  over 
the  pursuits  The  policeman  followed  the  thief  to 
the  river,  and  then  desisted  from  tlie  pursuit.     He 
seems  to  be  given  over  to  gamblings  He  seems  to  be 
abandoned  (yielded  up  or  wholly  devoted)  to  gam- 
bling. 
Oive  plaee,  to  =  To  make  room  ;  to  yield  ;  to  give 
way. 
Let  all  the  rest  give  place  to  the  bride  and  bride- 
groom =  Let  all  the  otliers  make  room  for  the  bride 
and  bridegroom.     The  stage-coach  gives  place  to  the 
rail-car,  in  travels  In  travel,  the  stage-coach  yields 
to  the  rail-car. 
Oive  play,  to  =  To  allow  liberty  of  acting ;  to  not 
restrain. 
When  boys  are  let  out  of  school  they  give  play  to 
their  love  of  sport  and  of  exercise  —  When  boys  are 
released  from  school,  they  do  not  restrain  their  fond- 
ness for  exercise  and  sport  (allow  it  to  display  itself.) 
The  novel  writer  gives  play  to  his  imagination  =  The 
writer  of  novels  allows  his  imagination  free  and  full 
range. 
Oive  quarter,  to  {Mil.)  —  To  spare  the  life  of  a  con- 
quered foe ;  to  admit  to  surrender ;  to  treat  mer- 
cifully, (a) 
Finding  themselves  victorious  in  battle,  they  gave 
no  ^-z^ar^r^:  Finding    themselves    conquerors,   they 
spared  none  of  the  enemy.     In  modern  times  it  is 
more  customary  to  give  quarter  than  anciently  =  It  is 
much  more  customary  in  these  days  than  it  was 
formerly,  to  spare  the  lives  of  the  conquered. 
Oive  ri§e  to,  to  =  To  originate ;  to  cause,  (a) 

The  failure  of  the  ship  to  arrive  on  the  appointed 
day  gave  rise  to  the  rumor  that  she  was  lost  =  The 
failure  of  the  ship  to  arrive  on  the  appointed  day 
originated  the  report  that  she  was  lost. 
Oive  §trengfth,  to  =  To  make  strong,  (a) 

Exercise  gives   strength   to  the  muscles  =  Exercise 

makes  the  muscles  strong, 

Oive    or   turn  the   cold   §lioul<ler,  to  =  To   show 

marked  neglect  or  contempt,  (a) 

He  gave   the  cold  shoulder  to  all  applicants  for  a 

clerkship  =  He  met  all  applicants  for  a  clerkship  with 


IDIOMATIC    PHRASES.  89 

refusal.     Why  do  you  turn  the  cold  shoulder  on  ine  ? 
=  Why  do  you  treat  nie  with  marked  neglect  ?     He 
took  some  offense  at  his  friend's  words,  and  after- 
wards ^ave  him  the  coM  shoulder  =  Hq  took  some  of- 
fense at  his  friend's  words,  and  afterwards  treated 
him  with  marked  neglect. 
Oive  the  cut  direct,  to  =  To  avoid  recognizing ;  to 
show  personal  discourtesy,  (a) 
How  have  I  offfended  you  ?     You  gave  me  the  cut 
direct  — YLow  have  I  offended  you  ?     You  passed  me 
without  bowing,  or   recognizing   me,  though    you 
looked  at  me. 
Give  tlie  g[o-by  to,  to  =  To  pass  without  notice ;  to 
evade,  (c) 
Some  scholars  give  difficult  lessons  the  go-by  —  Some 
scholars  evade  difficult  lessons. 
Give  the  head  to,  to  —  To  let  go ;  to  cease  to  re- 
strain, (c) 
When   the   road  was  good,  the  driver  gave  the 
horses  their  heads  —  When  the  road  was  good  the  dri- 
ver did  not  restrain  liis  horses. 
Give  the  la§t  flni§h,  to  —  To  bestow  the   last  re- 
quired labor,  {a) 
The  senator  gave  the  last  finish  to  the  speech  he 
was  to  deliver,  by  carefully  correcting  all  inaccura- 
cies and   inelegancies=The  senator    bestowed    the 
last  required  labor  upon  the  speech  he  was  to  deliver, 
by  carefully  correcting  all  inaccuracies  and  inele- 
gancies. 
Give  the  lie  to,  to  =  To  charge  with  falsehood;  to 
return  direct  contradiction,  (a) 
When  a  man  says  one  thing,  and  does  the  con- 
trary, his  actions  give  the  lie  to  his  words  =  When  a 
man  says  one  thing,  and  does  the  contrary,  his  ac- 
tions contradict  his  words. 
Give  the  refki§al,  to  =  To  give  the  right  of  taking 
in  preference  to  others ;  to  give  the  right  of  tak- 
ing or  refusing,  (a)  * 
The  real  estate  agent  has  given  me  the  refusal  of 
the  rooms  till  next  week  =  The  real  estate  agent  has 
given  me  the  right  of  taking  the  rooms,  in  prefer- 
ence to  others,  till  next  week. 
Give  the  rein§  to  the  imagination,  to  —  To  indulge 
the  imagination,  (c) 
In  his  Paradise  Lost,  the  poet  Milton  gave  the  reins 
to  his    imagination  freely   and  beautifully  r:  In   his 
Paradise  Lost,  the  poet  Milton  indulged  his  imag- 
ination freely  and  beautifully. 
Give  up,  to  =  To  abandon  ;  to  relinquish,  (a) 

The  clerk  gave  up  his  situation,  because  it  was  too 


90  IDIOMATIC    PHRASES. 

confining  =  The  clerk  relinquished  his  situation,  be- 
cause it  confined  him  too  closely. 
Oive  up  the  grlio§t,  to  =  To  die  ;  to  expire.  {Script.)  (c) 
"  After  he  had  cried  three  times  with  a  loud  voice, 
he  gave  up  the  ghost "  —  After  he  had  cried  three  times 
with  a  loud  voice,  he  expired. 
Oive  vent  to,  to  =  To  suffer  to  escape  ;  to  let  out ; 
to  pour  forth  ;  to  express,  ih) 
When  he  heard  the   sad  news,  he  gave  vent  to  his 
feelings  in  a  loud  cry  =  When  he  heard  the  sad  news, 
he  expressed  his  feelings  in  a  loud  cry.     She  gave 
vent  to  her   grief,  and  wept  like  a  child  =  She  did 
not  restrain  her  grief,  but  wept  like  a  child.     The 
mother,  whose  son  was  drowned,  go.ve  vent  to  her  feel- 
ings in  sobs  and  tears  ==  The  mother,  whose  son  was 
drowned,  expressed  her  feelings  by  sobs  and  tears. 
Oive  vrarning,  to  =  To  warn  ;  to  notify  in  advance ; 
to  caution,  (a) 
The  telegraph  gives  warning  of  the  storm  wt^ich  is 
approaching  from  the  northwest  =  The  telegraph  no- 
tifies us,  in  advance,  of  the  storm  which  is  approach- 
ing from  the  northwest. 
Oive  ivay,  to=:l.  To   recede;    to   make  room,  (a) 
2,  To  yield  ;  to  concede  the  opinion  to  another,  {a) 
1.  The  crowd  gave  way  when  the  police  appeared 
=  The  crowd  drew  back,  or  made  room,  when  the 
police  appeared.     2.   In  all  housekeeping  matters, 
the  husband  gives  way  to  the  wife  =  In  all  house- 
keeping matters,  the  husband  concedes  the  right  of 
regulation  and  of  decision  to  his  wife. 
Olut  the  market,  to  —  To  furnish  an  over-supply  of 
any  article  of  trade;  so  that  there  is  n^  sale,  (a) 
Last  year,  over-production   of  cotton   cloth   had 
glutted  the  market— \j2,%\^  year,  an  excessive  manufac- 
ture of  cotton  cloth  had  furnished  too  great  a  sup- 
ply, and  there  was  no  sale. 
Oo,  to  =  To  apply  one's  self;  to  set  one's  self;  to  un- 
dertake.    Go,  in  this  sense,  is  often  used  in   the 
present  participle  with  the  auxiliary  verb  to  he,  be- 
fore an  infinitive,  to  express  a  future  of  intention, 
or  to  denote  design,  (a) 
I  am  going  to  sail  for  Europe  next  week  =  I  design 
to  sail  for  Europe  next  week.     The  faculty  are  going 
to  build  a  gymnasium  for  the  students  =  The  faculty 
intend  to  build  a  gymnasium  for  the  students.     The 
street  leading  to  the  depot  is  going  to  be  widened 
=:The  street,  leading  to  the  depot,  will  be  made 
wider. 
Oo  about,  to  =  To  set  one's  self  about  or  at ;  to  en- 
deavor, (c) 


IDIOMATIC     PHRASES.  91 

Spring  has  come,  and  I  must  go  ahoiit  my  garden- 
ing soon  =  I  must  soon  set  at  work  gardening,  for  it 
is  spring.     He  goes  about ^  in  many  words,  to  excuse 
his  long  delay  in  answering  my  letter = He  endeav- 
ors, in  many  words,  to  excuse  his  delay  in  answering 
my  letter. 
Oo  again§t,  to  =  To  hinder ;  to  oppose ;  to  thwart, 
(a) 
The  young  man  whose  father  died  last  year  is 
trying  to  get  an  education,  but  every  thing  seems  to 
^0  a^ams^  him  =  The  young  man  whose  father  died 
last  year  is  trying  to  get  an  education,  but  every 
thing  seems  to  hinder  him. 
Go  again§t  the  grain,  to  =  To  be  repugnant  to ;  to 
cause  vexation,  mortification,  or  trouble,  {h) 
It  goes  against  the  gram ^  io  confess  our  faults  =  It 
mortifies  us,  to  confess  our  faults.     It  goes  against  the 
grain^  to  see  rogues  get  their  living  out  of  honest 
peoples  It  vexes  one  to  see  rogues  get  their  living 
out  of  honest  people.     It  goes  against  a  mother's 
grain  to  see  her  daughter  married  too  young = It  is 
repugnant  to  a  mother  to  see  her  daughter  married 
too  young. 
Oo  along!   Oo  about  your  bu§ine§s!  =  Go  away 
from  my  presence  and  do  not  annoy  me.  (a) 
The  peddler  of  cigars  had  so  often  importuned 
the  lawyer  to  buy,  that  one  day  he  became  impatient 
and  said,  "  Go  about  your  business  "  =  The  peddler 
of  cigars  had  so  often  importuned  the  lawyer  to 
buy,  that  one  day  the  lawyer  became  impatient  and 
said.  Go  away  from  my  presence  and  do  not  annoy 
me. 

Oo  along  uritli,  to=:To  attend;  'to  accompany,  {a) 
The  wife  of  the  ambassador  will  go  along  with  him 
to  England  =  The  wife  of  the  ambassador  will  ac- 
company him  to  England. 
Oo  or  get,  away,  to  =  To  depart ;  to  leave,  (a) 

The  physician   could  not  get  away  to   visit   the 
mountains,  because  he  w^as  so  busy  —  The  physician 
could  not  leave  to  visit  the  mountains,  because  he 
was  so  busy. 
Oo  beyond,  to  =  To  exceed,  in  ingenuity,  research, 
or  any  thing  else,  (a) 
King  Solomon  went  heyond   all  the  kings  of  his 
time,  in  riches  and  wisdom  =  King  Solomon  exceeded 
all  the  kings  of  his  time,  in  riches  and  wisdom. 
Oo  by,  to  =  To  pass  away,  (a) 

While  I  was  busy,  the  hour  for  going  to  the  bank 
went  &?/=:  While  Iwas  busy,  the  hour  for  going  to  the 
bank  passed  away  unnoticed.     The  fashion  among 


92  IDIOMATIC    PHRASES. 

men  of  wearing  small-clothes  and  knee  buckles  has 
gone  hy-=^h.Q  fashion,  among  men,  of  wearing  small- 
clothes and  knee  buckles  has  passed  away. 
Oo  by  the  board,  to  =  To  be  lost  overboard  ;  hence, 
to  be  lost,  ruined,  destroyed ;  to  fail  of  success,  (h) 
The  mast  went  by  the  hoard  in  the  storm  =  During 
the  storm,  the  mast  went  over  the  side  of  the  ship 
into  the  sea.     The  dry-goods  concern  has  gone  hy  the 
hoard^  by  reason  of  bad  debts  =  The  dry-goods  house 
has  failed,  by  reason  of  bad  debts.     The  project  of 
introducing    water  into   the   city  has  gone  hy   the 
hoard=1:\\Q  project  for  introducing  water  into  the 
city  has  failed  of  success. 
Oo  by  the  name  of,  to  =  To  be  familiarly  known  or 
called  by  the  name  of.  (a) 
Gen.  Joseph  Hooker  went  hy  the  name  of  "Fight- 
ing Joe  Hooker  "  =  Gen.  Joseph  Hooker  was  famil- 
iarly called,  "  Fighting  Joe  Hooker." 
Oo  far,  to  =  To  be  very  effective;  to  almost  result 
in  ;  to  avail  much,  (a) 
His  bad  conduct  goes  far  towards  alienating  his 
friends  =  His  bad  conduct  almost  results  in  alienating 
his  friends.     The  money  given  the  poor  old  man 
will  go  far  toward  clothing  him  for  the  winter = The 
money  given  the  poor  old  man  will  be  very  effective 
in  clothing  him  for  the  winter. 
Oo  for  nothing,  to  =  To  have  no  meaning  or  efficacy. 

(*)    .        . 

All  his  compliments  and  flatteries  in  the  letter  go 
for  nothing  — The,  compliments  and  flatteries  which 
his  letter  contained  mean  nothing  (are  insincere  or 
conventional).     That  lawyer's  plea  goes  for  nothing 
with  the  judge,  but  does  not  go  far  nothing  with  tlie 
jury  =  That  lawyer's  plea  has  no  efficacy  with  the 
judge,  but  has  weight  with  the  jury. 
Oo  hard  ^irith,  to  =  To  occasion  danger  of  fatal  issue 
to  ;  to  cause  serious  trouble  or  danger  to.  (a) 
It  will  go  hard  with  him  in  this  sickness  =  This 
sickness  will  cause  serious  danger  to  him. 
Oo  into  operation,  to  =  To  begin  to  operate,   or 
take  effect.  (5) 
Before  the   law   against  liquor-selling   went  into 
operation:,  the  saloon-keeper  sold  out = Before  the  law 
against  his  traffic  began  to  operate,  or  produce  the 
designed  effect,  the  saloon-keeper  sold  out. 
Oo,  or  come,  near  to,  to  =  To  almost  accomplish ; 
to  approximate  to.  ih) 
The  failure  of  the  bank  will  go  near  to  ruin  him=: 
The  failure  of  the  bank  will  almost  ruin  him. 


IDIOMATIC     PHRASES.  93 

Oo  off,  to  =  l.  To  depart,  (a)     2.  To  be  discharged  ; 

(as  a  gun),  {a) 
1.  The   barber   who   was   indebted   to   so   many 
persons  has  gone  off—  The  barber  who  was  indebted 
to  so  many  persons  has  departed.     2.  The  -cannon 
wliich  the  men  were  firing  luent  off  prematurely,  and 
injured  one  man  =: The  cannon  which  the  men  were 
firing  was  discharged  too  soon,  and  injured  one  man. 
Oolden  mean,  the  =  The  intermediate  position  be- 
tween two  extremes,  (a) 
Give  me  neither  great  wealth  nor  utter  poverty, 
but  the  golden  mean  =  Give  me  neither  great  wealth 
nor  utter  poverty,  but  the  fortunate  middle  place. 
The  golden  mean  of  steady  industry  is  better  than 
the  extremes  of  laziness  and  too  great  exertion  = 
Steady  industry,  being  between  the  extremes  of  lazi- 
ness and  too  great  exertion,  is  to  be  chosen. 
Oood  cheer  =  Provisions ;  entertainment,  (a) 

At  the  wedding  feast,  the  table  was  loaded  with 
good  cheer  =  At  the   wedding   feast,  the   table  was 
amply  furnished  with  provisions. 
Oood  for  nothing  =  Worthless ;  not  fit  for  use.  (a) 
A   broken   thermometer   is  good  for  nothing  =  A 
broken  thermometer  is  worthless. 
Oood  graee§  =  Favor ;  friendship,  (a) 

I  am  not  in  her  good  graces  =  I   do  not  have  her 
friendship,     lie  got  into  the  good  graces  of  the  gov- 
ern or  =  lie  got  into  favor  with  the  governor. 
Oood  turn  =  Timely  help,  aid,  or  service,  (a) 

He  did  me  a  good  turn  in  loaning  me  money  =  He 
did  an  act  of  kindness  to  me  when  he  loaned  me 
money.      One  good  turn  deserves  another  =  An  act 
of  kindness  deserves  to  be  returned  by  another. 
Oood  ^iirord  =  Commendation  ;  favorable  account,  (a) 
When  you  see  the  governor,  please  speak  a  good 
word  for  me  =  When  you  see  the  governor,  please 
.^     speak  in  commendation  of  me. 
-^o  on  all  four§,  to  (Rhetoric)  =  To  be  exactly  simi- 
lar in  the  minutest  points,  (c) 
"No  simile  can  go  on  all  /owrs"r=  No  parable,  or 
poetical  comparison,  or  other  like  form  of  speech, 
can  be  exactly  similar  to  the  thing  compared,  in  the 
miimtest  points. 
Oo  or  get,  on  board,  to  =  To  eftter  a  ship,  (a) 

While  the   steamer    Great   Eastern    was   in   the 
harbor,  many  New  Yorkers  went  on  board=:Whi[e 
the  steamer  Great  Eastern  was  in  the  harbor,  many 
New  Yorkers  entered  her. 
Oo  one's  vray,  to  =  To  go ;  to  depart,  (a) 

The  postman  leaves  the  letters  at  the  house  and 


94  IDIOMATIC    PHRASES. 

goes  his  way=T\iQ  postman  leaves  the  letters  at  the 
house  and  departs. 

Cro  over,  to  =  1.  To  read;  to  peruse;  to  study;  to 
review,  (a)     2.  To  examine,  (a)      3.  To  change 
sides  ;  to  pass  from  one  party  to  another,  (a) 
1.  I  am  now  going  over  the  colonial  history  of  this 
country  —  I  am  now  reading  the  colonial  history  of 
this  country.     1.  Have  you  gone  over  these  letters  ? 
=  Have  you  read  these  letters  ?     2.  I  wish  you  to  go 
over  these  accounts  =  I  wish  you  to  examine  these 
accounts.     2.  Please  go  over  this  letter,  and  correct 
it,  if  necessary  =  Please  examine  this  letter,  and  cor- 
rect it,  if  necessary.     3.  He  deserted,  and  went  over 
to  the  enemy = He  deserted,  and  passed  from  our 
side  to  the  enemy.     3.  PoHticians  sometimes  go  over 
to  the  opposite  party  =  Politicians  sometimes  pass 
from  one  party  to  another. 
Oordian  knot  =  1.  A  knot  tied  by  King  Gordius, 
which  was  so  very  intricate,  that  there  was  no  find- 
ing where  it  began  or  ended.     2,  An  inextricable 
difficulty,  (c) 

1.  King  Alexander,  conqueror  of  Asia,  cut  the 
Gordian  knot^^mg  Alexander,  conqueror  of  Asia, 
cut  the  knot,  which  he  could  not  untie,  and  which 
(so  said  the  oracle),  whoever  should  untie,  would  be 
master  of  Asia.     2.  When  we  find  ourselves  in  dif- 
ficulties, w^hich  seem  inextricable,  we  may  escape  by 
cuttiny  the  ^no^=  When  we  find  ourselves  in  difficul- 
ties from  which  there  seems  no  way  of  escape,  we 
may  possibly  remove  the  difficulties  by  bold  or  un- 
usual measures.      (Cutting  the   knot   (or   Gordian 
knot)  means,  using  bold  or  unusual  measures.) 
Oo  §hares,  to  =  To  share  equally ;  to  partake ;  to 
be  equally  concerned,  {b) 
Will  you  go  shares  with  me  in  the  speculation  in 
this  rail-road  stock  ?  =  Will  you  become  equally  con- 
cerned with  me,  or  equally  responsible  with  me  in 
this  speculation  in  this  rail-road  stock  ? 
Oo  the  round,  to  =  To  complete  the   circuit;   to 
perform  a  series  of  acts  or  duties,  (a) 
The  postman  goes  the  round  of  the  houses,  twice  a 
day  =  The  postman  visits  the  houses,  in  performing 
his  duties,  twice  every  day. 

Oo  the  round§  =  To  be  in  circulation,  as  a  rumor, 
story,  petition ;  to  spread ;  to  get  abroad,  {a) 
The  man  in  prison  for  forgery,  is  sick  with  con- 
sumption, and  a  petition  for  his  pardon,  drawn  by 
his  lawyer,  is  going  the  rounds  —  The  man  in  prison 
for  forgery,  is  sick  with  consumption,  and  a  petition 
for  his  pardon  drawn  by  his  lawyer  is  in  circulation. 


IDIOMATIC     PHRASES.  95 

Go  the  way  of  all  flesh,  to  =  To  die.  (c) 

We  are  all  mortals ;  we  must  go  the  way  of  all  flesh 
=  We  are  all  mortals  ;  we  must  die  as  all  the  human, 
race  do. 
Go  the  n^ay  of  all  the  earth,  to  =  To  die.  (b) 

Since  the  mother  luent  the  way  of  all  tJie  earth,  the 
children  have  suffered  for  care  and  companionship  = 
Since  the  mother  died,  the  children  have  suffered 
for  care  and  companionship. 
Go  through,  to=:l.  To  execute;  to  accomplish,  (a) 
2.  To  suffer ;  to  bear ;  to  undergo ;  to  experience,  (a) 
1.  The  scholar  ivent  through  his  recitation  credita- 
bly =  The  scholar  accomplished  his  recitation  credit- 
ably.    2.  The  emigrant  went  Hirough  a  long  sickness, 
after  reaching  his  new  home  =  The  emigrant  suffered 
a  long  sickness,  after  arriving  at  his  new  home. 
Go  to  laiw,  to  =  To  refer  a  dispute  to  judicial  de- 
cision, (a) 
Xot  being  able  to  settle  the  dispute  between  them- 
selves, they  determined  to  go  to  law  about  it  =  Not 
being  able  to  settle  the  dispute  among  themselves, 
they  determined  to  refer  it  to  judicial  decision. 
Go  to  school,  to  =  To  attend  school ;  to  be  a  pupil, 
(a) 
Many  boys  can  not  go  to  school  in  the  summer,  be- 
cause they  are  needed  to  work  on  the  farm  =  Many 
boys  can  not  attend  school  in  the  summer,  because 
their  assistance  is  needed  on  the  farm. 
Go  to  the  dog^s,  to  =  To  go  to  ruin  ;  to  be  ruined,  (c) 
He  is  so  dissipated,  that  he  is  going  to  the  dogs  fast 
=  He  is  going  rapidly  to  ruin  because  he  is  so  dissi- 
pated.    Since  the  senior  partner  died,  the  druggist's 
business  has  gone  to  the  dogs  =  Since  the  senior  part- 
ner died,  the  druggist's  business  has  gone  to  ruin. 
Go  to  -wreck,  to  =  To  suffer  ruin  or  desolation  ;  to 
be  rendered  useless ;  to  be  destroyed,  (c) 
The  family  mansion  of  the  Cs  has  gone  to  wreck, 
since  it  was  sold = The  family  mansion  of  the  Cs 
has  become  a  ruin  since  it  was  sold.     Mr.  G.'s  for- 
tune went  to  wreck  in  the  East  India  trader  Mr.  G.'s 
fortune  was  lost  in  the  East  India  trade. 
Go  under,  to  =  1.  To  be  talked  of  or  known,  as  by  a 
title  or  name,  {a)     2.  To  be  submerged ;  to  sink ; 
to  be  ruined,  (a) 
1.  The  oldest  son  of  King  Edward  III.  of  Eng- 
land, went  under  the  name  of  the  Black  Prince  = 
Edward  the  Third's  oldest  son  was  known  by  the 
name   of  the  Black  Prince.     2.  The  ship   struck 
upon  a  rock,  and  soon  went  under  =  The  ship  struck 
upon  a  rock,  and  soon  sunk.     2,  His  speculations 


96  IDIOMATIC    PHRASES. 

in  stocks  were  too  heavy  for  him,  and  he  ivent  under 
=  He  became  bankrupt  because  his  speculations  in 
stocks  were  too  heavy  for  him. 
Oo  with  the  §tream,  to  =  To  do  just  as  every  body 
else  does,  (a) 

He  has  little  independence,  but  goes  with  the  stream 
=  He  has  little  independence,  but  does  just  as  every 
body  does.     Do  not  go  with  the  stream^  and  do  what 
is  of  doubtful  propriety  =  Do  not  be  drawn  away  by 
the  multitude  to  do  what  is  of  doubtful  propriety. 
Oo  without  saying^,  to  =  To  be  known  without  say- 
ing it ;  it  is  not  necessary  to  say.  (a) 
It  goes  without  saying^  that  the  better  the  protec- 
tion against  fires,  the  lower  will  be  the  rates  of  in- 
surance =  It  is  not  necessary  to  say,  that  the  better 
the  protection  against  fires,  the  lower  will  be  the 
rates  of  insurance.     It  goes  without  saying^  that  St. 
IS^icholas   (a   children's   monthly),   for   the    present 
month,  will  be  found  highly  entertaining  =  It  scarcely 
needs  to  be  said,  that  St.  [N^icholas  for  the  present 
month  will  be  found  highly  entertaining. 
Oo  \irrong,  to  =  To  be  improperly  managed  ;  not  to 
prosper,  (a) 
Since  the  merchant's  son  succeeded  him  in  business, 
afiTairs  go  wrong  =  Since  the  merchant's  son  succeeded 
him  in  business,  affairs  are  not  properly  (or  success- 
fully) managed. 
Orate  upon  the  ear,  to  =  To  offend  and  distress,  (a) 
Cross  and  angry  words  in  a  family  grate  upon  the 
ear  —  Cross  and  angry  words  in  a  family  offend,  and 
distress,  the  one  who  is  under  the  necessity  of  hear- 
ing them. 
Oreen-eyed  mongter  =  Jealousy,  (c) 

The  green-eyed  monster  has  taken  possession  of  him 
=  He  is  very  jealous.     She  is  a  prey  to  the  green-eyed 
monster  —  She  is  afiected  with  jealousy. 
Orow  up,  to  =  To  arrive  at  full  stature  or  maturity,  (a) 
They  have  four  children,  who  have  grown  up  and 
gone  away  from  home  =  They  have  four  children, 
who  have  come  to  maturity  and  have  gone  away 
from  home. 
Ouiding  star  =  The  person  or  thing  which  influences 
and  guides  one's  life,  (c) 
A  mother's  hallowed  influence  has  been  the  guid- 
ing star  of  his  life  =  A  mother's  hallowed  influence 
has  been  that  which  has  regulated  and  guided  his 
life.     The  ambition  to  be  renowned  and  to  hold  high 
office  has  been  his  guiding  star  —  TlQ  has  been  led  on 
and  stimulated  in  his  efforts,  by  an  ambition  to  ac- 
quire renown,  and  to  hold  high  office. 


IDIOMATIC     PHRASES.  97 


H. 

Had  as   lief  =  Would   as   willingly.    (Had,  in  this 
phrase,  is  probably  a  corruption  of  would.)  (a) 

The  farmer's  boy  had  as  lief  work   as  go  to  school 
=rT]ie  farmer's  boy  would  as  willingly  work  as  go 
to  school.     I  had  as  lief  sell  my  horse  as  not  =  I  am 
willing  to  sell  my  horse :  or,  I  aili  indifferent  wheth- 
er or  not  I  sell  my  horse. 
Hand   and  glove  =  Intimate ;  familiar;  on  friendly 
terms,  (c) 
He  was  living  inside  the  government  lines,  and 
under  the  protection  of  the  United  States  forces,  but 
he  was  hand  and  glove  with  the  rebels = He  was  liv- 
ing inside  the  lines  of  the  United  States  army,  but 
was  intimate  with  the  rebels. 
Hand  down,  toznTo  transmit  through  generations 
in  succession,  (a) 
Traditions  of  the  country  are  handed  down  from 
father  to  son  =  Traditions  of  the  country  are  trans- 
mitted successively  from  father  to  son. 
Hand  In  hand  =  In  union  ;  together.  («) 

Vice  and  misery  go  hand  in  hand=YicG  and  mis- 
ery are  connected  (go  together). 
Hand    in    hand    with,  to    be,  or    to  go  =  To   be 
closely  united  to ;  to  accompany,  (a) 
Prejudice  goes   hand  in  hand  icith   ignorance  = 
Prejudice  accompanies  ignorance. 
Hands  oflr=  Keep  oif ;  forbear  to  touch,  {a) 

Hands  off  from  that  boy  !     Let  him  alone !  =  Keep 
off  from  that  boy  !     Let  him  alone  ! 
Hand  to  hand  =  In  close  encounter.  («) 

In  boarding  the  enemy's  vessel,  the  marines  fought 
hand  to  hand  =  In  getting  on  board  the  enemy's  ves- 
sel, the  marines  fought  in  close  encounter.     At  the 
last,  the  battle  of  Bunker  Hill  was  a  hand-to-hand 
fight  =  At  the  last,  the  battle  of  Bunker  Hill  was  a. 
fight  in  which  the  combatants  were  closely  joined. 
Hang  Are,  to  =  1.  To  be  slow  in  communicating  fire 
through  the  vent  to  the  charge,  (a)     2,  To  be  slow 
in  starting,  {a) 
1.  The  gun  is  wet,  and  hangs  fire— The  gun  is  slow 
in   communicating   fire   through  the   vent    to   the 
charge,  on  account  of  its  dampness.     2.  The  expedi- 
tion to  San   Francisco  hangs  fire^  for  lack  of  men  = 
The  expedition  to  San  Francisco  is  slow  in  starting^ 
for  lack  of  men. 
Hang  on  =  l.  (Emphasis  on  the  word  on.)     To  hold 

8 


y8  IDIOMATIC     PHRASES. 

fast ;  to  stick,  (a)     2,  To  depend  upon  ;  to  be  de- 
termined by.  (c) 
1.  The  youth  hangs  on  to  his  purpose  of  getting 
an  education  =  The  youth  holds  fast  to  his  purpose 
of  being  educated.     2.  The  question  of  the  student's 
going  to  Europe  hangs  on  his  receiving  the  money 
due  him  from  the  author  =  The  question  of  the  stu- 
dent's going  to  Europe  depends  on  the  receipt  of  the 
money  which  the  author  owes  him. 
Hang^  together,  to  =  To  remain  united,  (a) 

"  If  we  do  not  hang  together,  we  shall  hang  sepa- 
rately," (B.  Franklin)  =  If  we  do  not  remain  united, 
we  shall  be  hanged  one  by  one.     If  the  temperance 
party  had  hung  together,  it  could  have  elected  its  can- 
didate for  mayors  If  the  temperance  party  had  re- 
mained united,  they  could  have  elected  their  candi- 
date for  mayor. 
Hangr  out  the  ^vhite  flag,  to  —  To  ask   quarter ;  to 
give  a  signal  of  submission,  (c) 
The   besieged   city  at  length  hung   out   the  white 
flog  =  The  besieged  city  at  length  asked  for  quar- 
ter. 
Hang  on  the  lips,  words,  etc.  =  To  be  charmed  by 
the  eloquence,  (c) 
He  was  a  remarkable  orator,  and  a  nation  hung  on 
his  lips  — He  was  a  great  orator,  and  a  nation  was 
charmed  with  his  eloquence. 
Happen  what  may  =  Whatever  may  happen,  .(c) 
The  young  lady  who  was  married  last  week  will 
always  be  good  tempered,  happen  what  may  =  The 
young  lady  who  was  married  last  week,  will  always 
be  good  tempered,  whatever  may  happen. 
Hard   moneys  Coin  or  specie,  in  distinction  from 
paper  money,  {a) 
It  is  necessary  to  commercial  prosperity  that  pa- 
per money  should  be  payable  on  demand,  in  hard 
money  =  It  is  necessary  to  commercial  prosperity  that 
paper  money  should  be  payable,  on  demand,  in  coin. 
Hardness  of  heart  =  1.  Cruelty  ;  want  of  sensibil- 
ity, {b)     2.  Stubbornness  ;  impiety,  (a) 
1.  i^ero,  one  of  the  Roman  emperors,  was  a  man 
of  great  hardness  of  heart— l^ero,  one  of  the  Roman 
emperors,  was  a  very  cruel  man.     2.  Through  hard- 
ness of  heart,  and  impenitence,  men  treasure  up  for 
themselves  wrath  in  the  day  of  judgment  =  Through 
stubbornness,  and  want  of  repentance,  men  treasure 
up  for  themselves  wrath  in  the  day  of  judgment. 
Hard  upon,  to  be  =  To  treat  unkindly,  unreason- 
ably, or  oppressively,  {a) 
Mr.  ]^.  is  hard  upon  his  clerks,  in  not  giving  them 


IDIOMATIC     PHRASES.  99 

any  vacation  =  Mr.  IS",  treats  his  clerks  oppressively, 
in  not  granting  them  a  period  of  release  from  work 
at  some  time  in  the  year. 
Hard  waters  Water  containing  some  mineral  sub- 
stance that  decomposes  soap,  (a) 
Bard  water  is  unfit  for  washings  Water  that  de- 
composes soap  is  unfit  for  washing. 
Harp  on  the  §aine  §tring[,  to  =  To  dwell  tediously 
or  monotonously  on  the  same  subject,  in  speaking  or 
writing,  (c) 
The  man  who  is  half  crazy  about  his  new  inven- 
tion is  here,  and  is  harping  on  the  same  string  to-night 
=  The  man  who  is  half  crazy  about  his  new  inven- 
tion, is  here,  and  is  speaking  tediously  on  the  same 
theme.     This  woman  who  'can  talk  of  nothing  but  her 
journey  to  Europe,  is  harping  on  the  same  string  to- 
night =  This  woman,  who  can  talk  of  nothing  but 
her  journey  to  Europe,  is  talking  tediously  on  this 
same  subject  to-night.     In  his  message,  the  mayor 
harps  on  the  same  old  string  oi  economy  =  In  his  mes- 
sage, the  mayor  dwells  on  the  same  subject  he  al- 
ways treats  of,  viz.,  economy. 
Have  a  bee  in  the  head   or  bonnet,  to  =  To  have 
fanciful  ideas  or  plans ';  to  be  a  little  crazy,  (c) 

She  is  crack-brained,  and  has  a  bee  in  her  head=^ 
She  is  impaired  in  her  intellect j^  and  is  a  little  crazy. 
Have  about  one,  to  =  To  have  near  by  or  within 
reach,  (c) 
After  Mr.  A.  had  entered  the  street  car  to  go 
down  town,  he  discovered  that  he  had  no  money 
about  him  =  After  Mr.  A.  had  entered  the  street  car 
to  go  down  town,  he  discovered  that  he  had  no  money 
in  his  pocket. 
Have  a  brush  with,  to  =  To  have  a  short  or  slight 
encounter  with  (c) 
The  5th  cavalry  had  a  brush  with  the  Indians,  as 
it  passed  their  camp  =  The  5th  cavalry  had  a  slight 
encounter  with  the  Indians,  as  it  passed  their  camp. 
Have  a  g^ood  §tart  in  life,  to  =  To  begin  life  under 
favorable  circumstances,  {a) 
My  son  ha^  a  good  start  in  life  —  'M.y  son  has  begun 
to  work  for  himself,  independently,  with  good  health, 
good  principles,  and  a  good  business. 
Have  a  hand  in,  to  =  To  be  concerned  in  ;  to  have 
an  agency  in ;  to  be  instrumental  in.  (a) 
I  hod  no  hand  in  the  undertaking  to  defraud  the 
government  =  I  was  not  concerned  in  this  affair  of 
defrauding  the  government.     Mr.  A.  had  a  hand  in 
the  dismissal  of  the  postmaster  —  Mr.  A.  was  instru- 
mental in  the  dismissal  of  the  postmaster.     I  had  a 


100  IDIOMATIC     PHRASES. 

hand  in  making  that  book  =  I  assisted  in  making  that 
book.     He  had  a  hand  in  the  mischiefs  He  did  a 
part  of  the  mischief. 
Have-  an  end  in  vie^r,  to  =  To  be  aiming  at  some 
object ;  to  have  a  purpose  or   design   which   one 
seeks  to  accomplish.  (6) 
It  does  not  appear  from  his  conversation  what  end 
he  has  in  view  =  lt  does  not  appear  from  his  conver- 
sation what  object  he  is  aiming  at.     Mr.  C.  has  some 
end  in  view,  in  sending  his  partner  to  England  =  Mr. 
C.  has  some  purpose  which  he  seeks  to  accomplish 
by  sending  his  partner  to  England. 
Have   an  eye  for,  to  =  To  have  an  unusual  judg- 
ment or  taste  in  the  use  of  the  eye.  (b) 
You  appear  to  have  an  -eye  for  the  beautiful  in  na- 
ture and  art  ==  You  appear  to  have  unusual  taste  in 
the  use  of  your  eye,  in  looking  at  the  works  of  na- 
ture and  art.     Mr.  O.  has  an  eye  for  line  paintings  = 
Mr.  O.  is  quick  to  discern  line  paintings,  and  has 
unusual  judgment  concerning  them. 
Have  an  eye  to,  to  =  To  pay  particular  attention  to ; 
to  watch.  (6) 
Have  an  eye  to  the  business  which  has  been  in- 
trusted to  you  =  Pay  particular  attention  to  the  busi- 
ness which  has  been  intrusted  to  you.     You  should 
have  an  eye  to  your  boy  =  You  should  keep  watch  of 
your  boy.     The  gentleman  requested  the  boy  to  have 
an  eye  to  his  horse,  while  he  stepped  into  the  bank  = 
The  gentleman  requested  the  boy  to  watch  his  horse, 
while  he  went  into  the  bank. 
Have  an  eye  upon,  to  =  To  give  attentive  applica- 
tion, (a) 
I  wish  you  would  have  an  eye  upon  my  interests 
while  you  are  in  Washington  =  I  wish  you  would 
give  some  attentive  application  to  my  interests  while 
you  are  in  Washington. 
Have  a  run,  to  ==  1.  To  run.  (a)     2.  To  have  cur- 
rency, prevalence,  or  popularity,  (a) 
1.  The  school  children  had  a  run  in  the  yard  dur- 
ing recess  =  The  school  children  ran  in  the  yard  dur- 
ing recess.     2.  Pinafore  has  had  a  great  rim  =  The 
play,  called  Pinafore,  has  been  very  popular.     That 
book  has  had  an  immense  run;  now  it  will  fall  dead 
=  That  book  has  been  exceedingly  popular  for  a  lit- 
tle while;  now  it  will  be  forgotten. 
Have  a  thing  done,  to  =  To  cause  or  procure  it  to 
be  done ,  to  require  to  be  done,  {a) 
I  gave  my  watch  to  the  jeweler  and  told  him  to 
have  it  cleaned—  I  gave  my  watch  to  the  jeweler  and 
told  him  to  cause  it  to  be  cleaned.     Tell  the  servant 


IDIOMATIC     PHRASES.  101 

to  have  my  horse  at  the  cbor  at  noon  =  Tell  the  servant 
to  cause  my  liorse  to  be  at  the  door  at  noon.  I  had 
a  plan  for  a  new  house  drawn  by  the  architect  =  I 
caused  the  architect  to  draw  a  plan  for  a  new  house. 
The  policeman  told  my  neighbor  that  he  must  have 
his  broken  side-ivalk  mended  =  The  policeman  told  my 
neighbor  that  he  must  cause  his  broken  side-walk  to 
be  mended.  , 

Have  at  the  finger§'  end§,  to  =  To  have  full  and 
ready  knowledge  of.  (a) 
He  has  the  Chinese  language  at  his  fingers^  ends  = 
He  is  perfectly  familiar  with  the  Chinese  language. 
I  have  the  names  of  all  the  streets  at  my  fingers'  ends 
=  1  can  give  you  the  names  of  all  the  streets  without 
hesitation. 
Have  at  vantage,  to=:To  have  the  advantage  of; 
to  be  in  a  more  favorable  condition  than,  (c) 
On   account  of  his  more   elevated  position,  the 
general  had  the  enemy  at  vantage=T\\Q  general  had 
the  advantage  of  the  enemy,  on 'account  of  his  more 
elevated  position. 
Have  eoncern,  to  =  To  be  interested  or  anxious. 

Tlie  present  teacher  of  the  school  is  so  competent, 
that  the  parents  have  no  concern  as  to  its  prosperity 
=  T\\Q  present  teacher  of  the  school  is  so  competent, 
that  the  parents  are  cot  anxious  as  to  its  prosperity. 
Have  dealiiig§  with,  to  =  To  have  intercourse  or 
transactions  with,  (a) 
The  merchant  said  that  he  once  had  some  dealings 
ivith  the   manufacturer  who  has  failed  =r  The  mer- 
chant said  that  he  once  had  some  business  transac- 
tions with  the  manufacturer  who  has  failed. 
Have  de§ign§  on,  to  =  To  have  evil  intentions  or 
purposes  toward,  (a) 
He  has  designs  upon  his  neighbor = He  purposes 
some  evil  to  his  neighbor.     Do  not  indulge  the  fool- 
ish notion,  that  foreigners  have  designs  on  this  coun- 
try =  Do  not  indulge  the  foolish  notion,  that  foreign- 
ers have  evil  intentions  against  this  country. 
Have  done 'With,  to  =  To  have  completed;  to  be 
through  with  ;  to  have  no  further  concern  with,  (a) 
He  is  dishonest ;  I  have  done  with  him = He  is  dis- 
honest ;  I  have  no  further  concern  with  him.     When 
you  shall  have  done  with  my  book,  return  it  to  me  = 
When  you  shall  have  finished  using  my  book,  return 
it  to  me. 
Have  full  §wing,  to=To  be  unrestrained,  (a) 

Since  his  father's  death,  the  boy  has  full  swing  =:. 
Since  his  father's  death,  the  boy  is  unrestrained. 


102  IDIOMATIC    PHRASES. 

Have  bard  mea§ure,  to  =  To  be  harshly  dealt  with ; 
to  have  harsh  treatment,  (c) 
The  slaves  had  hard  measure  from  their  masters  = 
The  slaves  were  dealt  harshly  with  by  their  masters. 
The  coolies  who  dug  the  canal  had  hard  measure  at 
the  hand  of  the  overseer = The  coolies  who  dug  the 
canal  were  harshly  treated  by  the  overseer. 
Have  taigb  word§,  to  =  To  speak  angrily  or  conten- 
tiously.  (c) 
The  people  across  the  way  seem  to  be  having  high 
words— 1^\\Q  people  on  the  other  side  of  the  street 
seem  to  be  talking  angrily  or  contentiously. 
Have  influence  with,  to^To  have  power  or  con- 
trol over  in  any  degree,  (a) 
Hon.  Mr.  D.  has  great  influence  with  the  working 
classes,  because  he  himself  was  once  a  mechanic = 
Hon.  Mr.  D.  has  much  power  to  persuade  the  work- 
ing classes,  because  he  himself  was  once  a  mechanic. 
Have  in  band,  to  =  To  be  employed  upon ;  to  under- 
take ;  to  carry  forward,  (a) 
I  have  some  copying  in  hand,  and  can  not  go  with 
you  =  I  am  employed  upon  some  copying,  and  can 
not  go  with  you. 
Have  in  pro§pect,  to  =  To  expect ;  to  anticipate,  (c) 
The  young  man  ha^  in  prospect  a  large  fortune,  on 
the  death  of  his  father  =:  The  young  man  expects  a 
large  fortune,  when  his  father  dies. 
Have  in  tbe  beart,  to  ==  To  have  a  design  or  inten- 
tion ;  to  purpose,  (c) 
I  have  it  in  my  heart  to  do  this  for  you  =  It  is  my 
earnest  purpose  to  do  this  for  you. 
Have  in  view,to  =  To  intend  ;  to  purpose,  (a) 

In  the  establishment  of  free  schools,  the  govern- 
ment has  in  view  the  education  of  the  common  peo- 
ple =  In  the  establishment  of  free  schools,  the  object 
of  the  government  is  to  educate  the  common  people. 
I  have  in  view  the  writing  of  a  book  =  I  am  intend- 
ing to  write  a  book.     That  is  not  what  I  have  in  view 
—  That  is  not  what  I  purpose  to  do. 
Have  no  ear  for  mu§ic,  to  —  To  be  unable  to  ap- 
preciate or  value  music,  (a) 
Her  husband  is  very  fond  of  music,  but  she  has  no 
ear  for  ^^=IIer  husband  is  very  fond  of  music,  but 
she  can  not  appreciate  it. 
Have  on,  to  =:  To  wear,  (a) 

The  captain  had  on  a  red  coat  at  the  parade  =  The 

captain  wore  a  red  coat  at  the  parade.     What  did  she 

have  on  ?  =  What  did  she  wear  ?     She  had  on  a  seal- 

.  skin  cloak  this  morning  =  She  wore  a  seal-skin  cloak 

this  morning. 


IDIOMATIC    PHRASES.  103 

Have  one's  o\irn  uray,  to=:To  act  as  one  wishes 
or  is  pleased  to ;  to  be  unrestrained,  (a) 
This  child  has  his  own  way  in  regard  to  attending 
schools  This  child  attends  school  or  not,  as  pleases 
him.     If  Mr.  A.  could  have  his  own  way,  the  rail-road 
would  not  cross  his  farm  =  If  the  wishes  of  Mr.  A. 
were  consulted,  the  rail-road  would  not  cross   his 
farm. 
Have  one's  will,  to  =  To  obtain  what  is  desired,  (a) 
It  is  not  good  for  a  child  to  have  his  will  in  every 
thing = It  is  not  good  for  a  child  to  obtain  everything 
that  he  desires. 
Have  seen  better  days,  to  =  To  have  formerly  been 
more  prosperous  or  wealthy,  (a) 
The  man  who  lives  in  the  small  house  and  peddles 
tin  ware  has  seen  better  days  =  The  man  who  lives  in 
the  small  house  and  peddles  tin  ware  was  formerly 
more  prosperous.     The  man  who  called  at  the  door 
for  aid  said  that  he  had  seen  better  days =The  man  who 
called  at  the  door  for  aid,  said  that  he  was  formerly 
wealthy. 
Have  the  advantage,  to  =  To  have  the  situation, 
or  means,  particularly  favorable  to  success,  pros- 
perity, &c.  (a) 
The  enemy  had  the  advantage  of  a  more  elevated 
position,  and  therefore  won  the  battle  =  The  enemy 
was  situated  more  favorably  for  success,  by  reason  of 
his  elevated  position,  and  therefore  won  the  battle. 
Have  tlie  floor,  to=:To  have  the  right  to  speak. 
(Legislative  Assembly.)  (a) 
The  gentleman  from  Massachusetts,  having  been 
recognized  first  by  the  speaker,  has  the  floor  on  the 
currency  bill  now  before  the  house  =  The  gentleman 
from  Massachussetts,  having  been  recognized  by  the 
presiding  officer,  has  the  right  to  speak  on  the  cur- 
rency bill  now  before  the  house.     The  member  who 
did  not  finish  his  speech  to-day  will  have  the  floor  to- 
morrow =  The  member  who  did  not  finish  his  speech 
to-day  will  have  the  right  to  speak  to-morrow. 
Have  the  hands  tied,  to  =  To  be  rendered  power- 
less ;  to  be  prevented  doing,  (a) 
Mr.  A.  wished  to  send  a  sum  of  money  to  the  suf- 
ferers by  yellow  fever,  but  his  partner  controlled 
the  funds,  and  so  his  hands  were  tied.  =  MY.  A.  wanted 
to  send  a  sum  of  money  to  the  suiFerers  by  yellow 
fever,  but  his  partner  controlled  the  funds,  and  he 
was  thus  prevented  doing  it.     Mrs.  B.  would  be  glad 
to  aid  in  making  garments  for  the  poor  family,  but 
she  has  her  hands  tied  by  a  large  family  of  her  own 
=  Mrs.  B.  would  be  glad  to  aid  in  making  garments 


104  IDIOMATIC     PHRASES. 

for  the  poor  family,  but  she  is  prevented  doing  so 
because  of  her  own  large  family. 
Have  or   get  the  §tart,  to=:To  be  ahead;   to  be- 
gin before  another ;  to  gain  or  have  the  advantage 
in  a  similar  undertaking,  (a) 
He  had  six  months  the  start  of  me  in  our  English 
studies  =  He  began  English  studies  six  months  before 
I  did.     The  fishermen  living  in  the  brown  house 
got  the  start  of  the  others,  by  early  rising  =  The  fish- 
ermen living  in  the  brown  house  began  fishing  be- 
fore the  others,  by  rising  early. 
Have  tlie  wor§t  of  it,  to  =  To  be  in  the  worst  con- 
dition ;  to  be  compelled  to  do  or  endure  the  worst,  {a) 
When  the  train  is  stuck  in  the  snow  bank,  it  is 
tedious  for  the  passengers,    but   the   train   hands, 
working  in  the  snow,  have  the  worst  of  it  =  When 
the  train  is  stopped  by  a  snow  bank,  it  is  tedious  for 
the  passengers,  but  the  employes  of  the  train,  work- 
ing in  the  snow,  are  compelled  to  suffer  the*  most. 
Have  had  or  seen  it§  day,  to  =  To  have  served  its 
purpose  ;  to  be  past,  w^orn  out,  or  disused,  {b) 
The  use  of  whale  oil    for  lighting  dwellings  has 
had  its  day  =ThG  use  of  whale  oil  for  lighting  dwell- 
ings has  served  its  purpose,   and   is   discontinued. 
Judge   E.   has  had  his  day  =  Judge  E.  has  had  his 
period  of  prominence,  or  popularity,  or  success,  and 
is  not  as  prominent  or  active  as  formerly. 
Have  one  foot  in  the  grave,  to  =  To  be  so  old  as 
to  be  feeble  and  decrepit,  (c) 
The  young  lady  has  married  that  old  bookseller, 
who  has  one  foot  in  the  grave  =  The  young  lady  has 
married  that  old  bookseller,  who  is  so  old  as  to  be 
feeble  and  decrepit. 
Head  and  §liouIder§=  1.  By  force;    violently,  (c) 
2,  By  tlie  height  of  the  head  and  shoulders  ;  hence, 
by  far ;  much,  (a) 
1.  He  brought  in  that  quotation  in  his  letter  head 
and  shoulder's =lle  introduced  that  quotation  in  his 
letter,  without  any  fitness — by  force,  as  it  were.  2. 
He  is  head  and  shoulders  taller  than  I  =  He  is  much 
taller  than  I.     2.  He  is  head  and  shoulders  above  the  rest 
of  the  class  =  He  is  by  far  the  best  scholar  in  the  class. 
Heal  the  hreach,  to==To  restore  harmony,  (a) 
Friendly  intercourse  between  the  two  sections  will 
do  much  to  heal  the  breach  between  the  North  and  the 
South  =  Friendly  intercourse  between  the  two  sec- 
tions will  do  much  to  restore  harmony  between  the 
North  and  the  South. 
Heap  up,  to  =  l.  To  throw  or  lay  in  a  heap,  (a)     2, 
To  collect  in  great  quantity,  (a) 


IDIOMATIC    PHRASES.  105 

1.  The  farmer  heaped  up  the  stones  in  the  corner 
of  the  fields  The  farmer  put  the  stones  into  a  heap 
in  the  corner  of  the  field.  2.  The  merchant  heaped 
up  riches  by  his  East  India  trade  =  The  merchant  ac- 
cumulated great  wealth  bj  his  East  India  trade. 
Heart  in  tlie  mouths  Much  frightened,  ih) 

At  the  first  sudden  fire  of  the  enemy,  my  heart  was 
in  my  mouih  =  l  was  much  frightened  at  the  first 
sudden  fire  of  the  enemy. 
Heart  in  the  right  place  =  Kindly  disposed  ;  warm- 
hearted ;  sympathizing,  {b) 
He  is  awkward  in  manner  and  homely  in  features, 
but  his  heart  is  in  the  right  j->lace=ll\s  manner  is  un- 
graceful, and  his  features  plain,  but  he  is  kindly  dis- 
posed.    Mr.  B.  gave  the  poor  fiimily,  whose  liouse 
was  burned,  fifty  dollars — his  heart  is  always  m  the 
right  place =Mr.  B.  gave  fifty  dollars  to  the  poor  fam- 
ily who  lost  their  house  by  fire — he  is  always  sympa- 
thizing and  generous. 
Heave  a  §hip  to,  {Naut.)  =  To  bring  the  ship's  head 
to  the  wind  and  stop  her  motion,  (a) 
On  meeting  another  vessel,  the  sailors  hove  the  ship 
io=On  meeting  another  vessel,  the  sailors  brought 
the  ship's  head  to  the  wind  and  stopped  her  motion. 
Heave  a  §hip  ahead,  to,  (Naut.)  =  To  force  it  ahead 
when  not  under  sail. 
The  sailors  tried  to  heave  the  ship  ahead=The  sail- 
ors tried  to  move  the  ship  forward  by  the  cables  alone. 
Heave  in  §ight,  to  —  To  come  in  sight ;  to  appear. 
We  were  speaking  of  him,  and  just  then  he  heaved 
in  sight  =  We  were  speaking  of  him,  and  just  then 
he  appeared,  (c)     The  ship  hove  in  sight=The  ship 
came  in  sight,  (a) 
Heavy  fire  =  A  violent  discharge  of  fire-arms,  (a) 
In  the  hottest  of  the  battle  the  troops  were  ex- 
posed to  a  heavy  fire  =  When  the  battle  was  the  most 
severe  the  troops  were  exposed  to  a  violent  discharge 
of  fire-arms. 
Here  and  there = In  one  place  and  another;  in  a 
dispersed  manner ;  thinly  ;  irregularly,  (a) 
In  that  city  there  are  cases  of  dysentery  here  and 
there ,  it  is  not  epidemic  at  the  present  time  =  In  that 
city  there  are  cases  of  dysentery  in  one  place  and 
another ;  it   is  not   epidemic   at   the   present   time. 
There  are  not  many  natives  of  ISTew  England  who 
are  unable  to  read  and  write,  but  here  and  there  you 
will  find  one  =  There  are  not  many  natives  of  Kew 
England  who  can  not  read  and  write,  but  you  will 
find  such  persons  in  one  place  and .  another.     The 
country  is  barren,  with  here  and  there  a  fertile  spot  = 


106  IDIOMATIC    PHRASES. 

The  country  is  barren,  with  a  few  scattered  fertile 
spots.     Here  and  there  in  the  desert,  are  green  and 
watered  spots,  called  oases  =  At  irregular  intervals  in 
the  desert,  are  green  and  watered  spots,  called  oases. 
High  and  dry  =  Out  of  water  ;  in  a  dry  place ;  out 
of  reach  of  the  current  or  waves,  (p) 
The  boat  lies  high  and  dry  on  the  beach  =  The  boat 
lies   on  the  beach,  out   of  reach  of  the  current  or 
waves. 
Higli  living  =  A  feeding  upon  rich  and  costly  food,  (a) 
Mr.  A.  has  hurt  himself  by  high  Uviny  =  Mr.  A. 
has  impaired  his  health  by  feeding  upon  rich  and 
costly  food. 
High    seas  =  The   waters   of  the  ocean  beyond  the 
boundary  of  any  country,  (a) 

The  man  was  hanged  for  robbery  on  the  high  seas 
=  Tlie  man  was  hanged  for  robbery  on  tlie  waters 
of  the  ocean,  beyond  the  boundaries  of  any  country. 
High  time  =  Quite  time  ;    full   time,  (a) 

It  is  high  time  this  work  should  be  done  =  It  is 
quite  time  that  this  work  should  be  done.     It  is  high 
time' for  you  to  go  to  school  now  =  It  is  full  time  for 
you  to  go  to  school  now.     It  is  high  time  the  garden 
was  planted,  if  we  are  to  have  any  early  vegetables 
=It  is  quite  time  the  garden  was  planted,  if  we  ex- 
pect to  have  any  early  vegetables. 
Hit  on  or  upon,  to  =  To  light  upon  ;  to  reach  what 
is  aimed  at ;  to  come  to  by  chance,  (b) 
jN'one  of  the  council  could  hit  upon  the  right  de- 
vice, to  accomplish  what  the  king  wished = None  of 
the  ministers  could  light  upon,  or  could  discover,  the 
right  device,  to  accomplish  what  the  king  wished. 
Hit  the  marlc,  to  =  To  attain  one's  object ;  to  suc- 
ceed,   (a) 
The  merchant  hit  the  mark,  when  he  purchased  a 
quantity  of  cotton  cloth,  just  before  the  rise  in  the 
markets  The  merchant  was  fortunate,  when  he  pur- 
chased a  quantity  of  cotton  cloth,  immediately  before 
the  price  rose  in  the  market. 
Hit  the  nail  on  the  head,  to  =  To  hit  or  touch  the 
exact  point,  {b) 
In  his   article  in  the  newspaper,  he  hit  the  nail  on 
the  head  =lTi  his  article  in  the  newspaper,  he  touched 
the  principal  points  of  the  subject.     Now  you  have 
hit  the  nail  on  the  Iiead  =  l^ow  you  have  done  just 
what  ought  to  be  done.     In  speaking,  Mr.  A.  always 
hits  the  nail  on  the  head=M.r.  A.  always  says  just  the 
right  thing. 
Hold  eheap,  to  =  To  regard  of  small  value ;  to  dis- 
regard, (c) 


IDIOMATIC    PHRASES.  107 

The  dissipated  man  holds  his  reputation  cheap  — 
The  dissipated  man  disregards  his  reputation. 
Hold  fortb,  to  =  To  harangue ;  to  address  an  audi- 
ence ;  to  speak  in  public,  {p) 
The  lecturer  will  hold  forth  on  the  life  of  Confu- 
cius   to-night  =  The  lecturer  will    speak   about  the 
life  of  Confucius,  in  public,  to-night.     He  held  forth 
for  an  hour  on  politics  =  He  spoke  for  an  hour  on  po- 
litical  matters.     The    auctioneer   held  forth  to  the 
crowd  on  the  value  of  the  goods  he  was  sellings:  The 
auctioneer  addressed  the  crowd  on  the  worth  of  the 
goods  he  was  selling. 
Hold  good,  to  =  To  remain  in  efiect ;  to  be  in  force ; 
to  continue  fixed,  (a)  ■ 
The  rules  of  society  in  China  do  not  hold  good  in 
America  =  The  rules  of  Chinese  society  are  not  in 
force  in  America.     Does  this  passage  ticket  hold  good 
another  year  ?  =  Is  this  passage  ticket  good  for  use 
another  year  ?     My  promise  to  go  with  you  does  not 
^oZc?  ^ooc/,  because  yon  did  not  come  =  As  you  did 
not  come,  my  promise  to  go  with  you  is  not  binding. 
The  argument  against  the  use  of  intoxicating  liquors 
holds  good  in  many  countries  =  The  argument  against 
the  use  of  intoxicating  liquors  is  .applicable  to  many 
countries. 
Hold  In,  to  =  To  restrain  ;  to  control,  (a) 

The  Chinaman  was  very   much   abused   by  the 
Irishman,  in  California,  but  he  held  in  his  temper = 
The  Chinaman  was  very  much  abused  by  the  Irish- 
man, in  California,  but  he  controlled  his  temper. 
Hold  in  pledge,  to  ■=  To  keep  as  security,  (c) 

He  held  the  United  States  government  bonds  in 
pledge,  for  the  payment  of  the  loan  =  He  kept  the 
United  States  government  bonds  as  security  for  the 
payment  of  the  loan. 
Hold   one'§   peaee,   to  =  To   be  silent;  to  repress 
one's  thoughts ;  not  to  speak,  (c) 
The  mother  told  the  child  who  was  incessantly 
talking,  to  AoZc?  her  peace  =  ThQ  mother  directed  the 
child  who  was  incessantly  talking,  to  be  silent.     I 
can  not  hold  my  peace  longer  =  I  can  no  longer  keep 
from  speaking. 
Hold  on,  to  —  To  keep  fast  hold  ;  to  continue  ;  to  go 
on.  {h) 
His  trade  in  silks  holds  on  —  His  trade  in  silks  con- 
tinues, or  goes  on.     He  held  on  his  journey  though 
it  was  raining  fast  =  He  continued  his  journey  though 
it  was  raining  fast.     The  young  man  holds  on  to  his 
purpose  of  getting  an  education  =  The  young  man 
remains  fixed  in  his  purpose  of  getting  an  education. 


108  IDIOMATIC    PHRASES. 

The  man  whose  buggy  was  overturned  held  on  to  the 
reins  till  the  horse  stopped  =  The  man  whose  buggy 
was  overturned  kept  fast  hold  of  the  reins  till  the 
horse  stopped. 
Hold  one's  self  in  readiness,  to  =  To  be  in  a  state 
of  preparation,  (a) 
The  doctor  must  hold  himself  in  readiness  to  go  and 
see  the  sick,  at  any  time  =  The  doctor  must  be  in  a 
state  of  preparation  to  visit  the  sick,  at  any  time. 
Hold  out,  to=:To  keep  one's  strength;  to  retain 
one's  courage ;  to  last ;  to  endure,  (a) 
He  can  not  hold  out  through  the  night,  according 
to   the  opinion  of  the  doctor  =  He  can  not  survive 
through  the  night,  according  to  the  doctor's  opinion. 
The  water  in  our  well  holds  out  in  this  drought.  = 
The  water  in  our  well  lasts  during  this  dry  season. 
Hold  over,  to  =  To  retain  office  ;  to  continue  in  of- 
fice another  session,  (c) 
One-half  of  the  senators  hold  over  to  the  next  ses- 
sion =  One-half   of  the  senators   continue  in  office 
another  session. 
Hold  the  tongue,  to  =  To  keep  silent ;  to  be  silent, 
(a) 
Hold  your  tongue^  or  I  will  chastise  you  =  Be  silent, 
or  I  will  chastise  you.     Hold  your  tongue!  — Do  not 
talk  any  more !     If  the  servant  had  held  his  tongue^ 
no  one  would  have  known  that  our  chickens  were 
stolen  =  If  the  servant  had  not  told  it,  no  one  would 
have  known  that  our  chickens  had  been  stolen. 
Hold  to,  to  =  To  remain  attached  to  an  opinion  ;  to 
adhere  to.  (a) 
I  hold  to  this   opinion  about  the  tariff=  I  remain 
attached  to  this  opinion  respecting  the  tariff. 
Hold   up,   to  =  To    cease    raining;  to   become  fair 
weather,  (a) 
Do  you  think  it  will  hold  up  soon  ?  =  Do  you  think 
the  rain  will  cease  soon  ? 
Honor  a  bill,  to  =  To  accept  and  pay  it  when  due.  (a) 
The  London  merchant  drew  a  bill  at  sixty  days  on 
a  New  York  banker,  and  the  banker  honored  it  — T\\q 
London   merchant  drew  a  bill  at  sixty  days  on  a 
New  York  banker,  and  the  banker  accepted  it,  and 
paid  it  when  due. 
Honors  of  war  (M7,)  =  Privileges  or  marks  of  dis- 
tinction granted  to  a  vanquished  enemy,  on  capitu- 
lation.   (These  privileges  vary.)  (a) 
When  Gen.  Anderson  surrendered  Fort  Sumter 
(U.  S.,  1861),  he  was  allowed  to  march  out  with  the 
honors  of  war=W\iQn  Gen.   Anderson  surrendered 
Fort  Sumter  (U.  S.,  1861),  he  and  his  garrison  were 


IDIOMATIC    PHRASES.  109 

allowed  to  inarch  out  with  colors  flying,  drums  beat- 
ing, and  the  flag,  as  it  was  lowered,  saluted  by  dis- 
charge of  artillery. 
Hull  down  =  Having  the  hull,  as  of  a  ship,  concealed 
from  sight,  on  account  of  distance,  {a) 
After  they  had  chmg   to  the  wreck  five  days,  a 
vessel  hove  in  sight,  hull  down  =  After  they  had  clung 
to  the  wreck   five  days,  a  vessel  hove  in   sight,  with 
its  hull  concealed  from  view,  on  account  of  the  dis- 
tance. 
IIii§band   one'§  re§oiirces,  to=:To  use  what  one 
has,  economically,  (a) 
The  widow  who  was  left  with  but  little  property 
is  obliged  to  husband  her  7'esources =The  widow  who 
was  left  with  but  little  property  is  obliged  to  use 
what  she  has,  economically. 


If  the  i¥orst  comes  to  the  i;ror§t  =  If  the  worst  or 
most* undesirable  condition  of  things  arises,  (a) 
J/  the  worst  comes  to  the  worst,  the  man  will  sell  his 
house,  and  go  with  his  family  to  his  father's = If  the 
most   unfortunate   condition  of  the    man's    affairs 
arises,  he  will  sell  his  house,  and  go  with  his  family 
to  his  father's. 
Ill  turnrrl.  An  'unkind  or  injurious  act.  (o)     2,  A- 
slight  attack  of  illness,  (a)  {Colloq,  U.  S.) 
1.  It  is  a  teaching  of  the  Christian  religion,  not  to 
do  an  ill  turn  to  our  fellow-creatures = It  is  a  teach- 
ing of  the  Christian  religion,  not  to  do  to  otliers  an 
unkind  or  injurious  act.     2.  His  son  is  just  now  re- 
covering from  an  ill  turn  =  Hi^&on  is  just  now  recov- 
ering from  a  slight  attack  of  illness. 
Impregnate  virith,  to  =  To  infuse  particles  of  another 
substance  into ;  to  communicate  the  virtues  of  an- 
other to.  (a) 
The  water  of  some  springs  is  strongly  im,pregna- 
ted  with  iron  =  The  medicinal  virtues  of  iron  are  com- 
municated, in  a  large  degree,  to  some  springs. 
In  a  blaze  =  1.  Illuminated  with  numerous  and  pow- 
erful lights,  (h)     2.  In  active  display  and  wide  dif- 
fusion of  some  quality,  {c) 
1.  The  city  of  Hartford  was  in  a  blaze  on  the  night 
of   battle-flag   day  (Sept.    17,   1879)==  The   city   of 
Hartford  was  made  excessively  light,  with  the  uni- 
versal illumination  of  gas  and  electric  light  after  bat- 
tle-flag day,  Sept.  17,  1879.     2.  The  city  was  in  a 


110  IDIOMATIC    PHRASES. 

hlaze  of  excitement  in  consequence  of  the  riot  and 
murder  of  seven  men = There  was  a  very  great  dis- 
play and  wide  diffusion  of  excitement  in  the  city, 
on  account  of  the  riot  and  murder  of  seven  men. 
In  advance  =  1.  In  a  more  forward  position  or  rank. 
(a)     2.  Beforehand,  (a) 
1,  The  gray  mare  was  in  advance  throughout  the 
race  =:  The  gray  mare  was  in  the  most  forward  posi- 
tion throughout  the  race.     2.  The  Chinese  surgeon 
required   partial   pay   in   advance^  for  treating  the 
scrofulous  patients  The  Chinese   surgeon   required 
partial  pay,  before  he  would  treat  the  patient  for 
scrofula. 
In  a  fair  way = In  a  way  inspiring  hope  and  confi- 
dence, (a) 
The  young   physician,   having   obtained   a  good 
practice,  is  in  a  fair  way  to  succeed  —  Having  obtained 
a  good  practice,  the  physician  gives  his  friends  good 
reason  to  hope  that  he  will  succeed.     He  is  in  a  fair 
way  to  recover^ There  is  good  reason  to  hope  he 
will  recover. 
In  all  probability  or  likelihood  =  It  is  verj  prob- 
able, (a) 
In  all  probability^  the  supply  of  whales  will,  ere 
long,  fail  =  It  is  very  probable,  that  the  supply  of 
whales  in  the  ocean  will  be  exhausted  before  long. 
In    a    marked    degree  =  Very   exceedingly;    very 
much,  (a) 
This  book  is,  in  a  marked  degree^  better  than  the 
others  This  book  is  decidedly  better  than  the  other. 
His  demeanor  was,  in  a  marked  degree^  harsh  =  His 
demeanor  was  very  harsh.     You  liave  improved  in 
penmanship  in  a  marked  degree— You  have  improved 
very  much  in  penmanship. 
In  a  small  compass  =:?Briefly  and  compactly,  {a) 
The  new  book  presents  the  subject  of  grammar  in 
a  small  compass  =  T]\q  new  book  presents  the  subject 
of  grammar  briefly  and  compactly. 
In  a  state  of  nature  =  Nude,  naked,  unclothed;  in 
the  original  condition,  (c) 
The  insane  man  came  out  of  his  house  in  a  state 
of  nature =Th.e  insane  man  came  out  of  his  house 
without  any  clothing  on  his  person.     When  the  set- 
tlers  from   England    landed    at    Plymouth,   Mass. 
(1620),  the  country  was  in  a  state  of  nature =^  hen 
the  English  settlers  landed  at  Plymouth,  Mass.  (1620), 
the  country  was  in  its  original  wild  and  uncultivated 
condition. 
In  a  word  =  Briefly  ;  to  sum  up.  (a) 

The  horse  is  beautiful,  kind,  fleet,  young, — in  a 


IDIOMATIC    PHRASES.  Ill 

woi{d^  he  has  every  desirable  quality  =  The  horse  is 
beautiful,  kind,  fleet,  young ;  to  speak  briefly,  he  pos- 
sesses every  desirable  quality. 
In   ba§s   relief,    or     low   relief  (/&w?p.)  =:  Figures 
which  do  not  stand  out  far  from  the  surface  on 
which  they  are  formed. 
In  medals  and  medallions  the  figures  are  in  low 
relief  =li\  medals  and  medallions,  the  figures  project 
but  little  from  the  surface  on  which  they  are  formed. 
In  battle  array  —  In  posture  for  fighting,  (a) 

As  the  enemy  approached,  the  general  drew  up 
his  troops  in  battle  array  =r  As  the  enemy  approached, 
the  general  drew  up  his  troops  in  a  posture  for  fight- 
ing. 

In,  or  on,  behalf  of=:In  the  interest  or  service  of; 
for  the  benefit  or  convenience  of.  (a) 
The  lawyer  made  a  very  strong  plea  in  behalf  of 
his  client  =  Tlie  lawyer  plead  very  earnestly  and  ably 
in  the  interests  of  his  client.     On  behalf  of  the  work- 
men living  out  of  the  city,  the  rail-road  company 
was  requested  to  reduce  the  fare  on  the  morning  and 
evening  trains  =  For  the  benefit  or  convenience  of 
the  workmen  who  lived  at  a  distance  from  the  city, 
the  rail-road  company  was  requested  to  lessen  the 
fare  on  the  morning  and  evening  trains. 
In  blaek  and  -whiter In  writing  or  print,  (a) 

I  must  have  that  statement  of  the  company's  finan- 
cial condition  in  black  and  white  — 1  must  have  that 
statement  of  the  financial  condition  of  the  company 
in  writing. 
In  bold  reliefs  The  degree  of  boldness  or  promi- 
nence which  a  figure  exhibits  to  the  eye  at  a  dis- 
tance, {a) 
In  Trumbull's  historical  pictures,  the  chief  figures 
stand  out  in  bold  relief  =The  chief  figures  in  Trum- 
bull's historical  pictures  stand  prominently  out  to 
view. 
In  ca§e=:If  it  should  so  fall  out  or  happen  ;  if.  (a) 
In  case  you  meet  Mr.  A.,  give  him,  if  you  please, 
my  regards  — If  it  should  so  happen  that  you  should 
meet  Mr.  A.,  please  give  him  my  regards. 
In  cliief=:  At  the  head,  (a) 

The  president  of  the  United  States  is,  by  the  con- 
stitution, made  commander-m-c/i/e/"  of  the  military 
and  naval  forces  during  his  office  =  The  president  of 
the  United  States  is,  by  the  constitution,  put  at  the 
head  of  the  military  and  naval  forces  during  his 
office. 
In  eold  blood = Deliberately ;  without  sudden  pas- 
sion ;  without  compunction,  (a) 


112  IDIOMATIC     PHRASES. 

He  killed  that  man  in  cold  blood=.He  killed  that 
man  deliberately  and   not  in  a  passion.     'No   one 
could  do  it  in  cold  blood— ls[o  one  could  do  it  delib- 
erately and  without  compunction. 
In  concert  =  In  agreement  or  harmony  ;  unitedly,  (a) 
In  building  the  new  town  hall,  the  people  of  all 
parts  of  the  town  acted  in  concert=ln  building  the 
new  town  hall,  the  people  in  all  parts  of  the  town 
were  united  in  feeling  and  action. 
In  (all)  eon§cience  :=  In  reason  or  right  or  truth  or 
justice  or  honesty,  (a) 

I  can  not,  in  conscience^  pay  you  the  full  amount 
of  your  bill  =  I  can  not,  in  justice,  or  feeling  that  it  is 
right,  pay  you  all  you  have  charged  in  the  bill.     Do 
stop  and  rest ;  you  have  worked  long  enough,  in  all 
conscience  —  Do  stop  and  rest ;  you  have  worked  as 
long  as  is  reasonable  or  right. 
In  consequence  of=:By  reason  of;  as  the  effect  of. 
(a) 
He  got  thoroughly  wet,  and  \n  consequence  of  it, 
took  a  violent  cold  =  He  got  very  wet,  and  as  the 
effect  of  it,  took  a  very  severe  cold. 
In    countenance  =  In    an    assured    condition;  free 
from  shame  or  dismay,  (a) 

The  captain  was  mortified  to  have  to  appear  at  the 
levee  in  undress,  but  he  was  kept  in  countenance  by 
his  colonel,  who  also  was  in  undress  =  The  captain 
was  mortified  to  appear  at  the  levee  in  undress,  but 
was  kept  free  from  shame  by  his  colonel,  who  also 
was  in  undress. 
In  demand  =  In  request ;  in  a  state  of  being  much 
sought  after,  (a) 
Corn  is  now^  in  great  demand^  in  England  =  Corn 
is  now  much  sought  after  in  England. 
In  or  on  deposit  =  In  trust,  or  safe  keeping,  as  a  de- 
posit, (a) 
"When  he  went  to  Europe  he  left  his  silver-plate  on 
deposit^  with  the  Security  Company  =  When  he  went 
to  Europe  he  left  his  silver-plate,  in  safe  keeping, 
with  the  Security  Company. 
Indian  file  =  Single  file ;  arrangement  of  persons  in 
a  row,  following  one  after  another,  (a) 
When  Indians  travel  across  the  prairies,  they  go 
in  Indian  file  =  When  Indians  travel  across  the  prai- 
ries, they  follow  one  another,  in  a  single  file.     The 
path  through  the  woods  was  so  narrow  that  the  party 
was    obliged   to   travel    in    Indian  file  =  The   path 
through  the  woods  was  so  narrow  that  the  party  was 
compelled  to  march  in  single  line. 


IDIOMATIC   PHRASES.  113 

In  earnest  =  Serious    and    sincere:    not    triflinir    or 
jesting ;  determined  and  resolute,  (a) 

I  am  in  earnest  in  my  purpose  to  go  to  college  =  I 
am  sincere  and  determined  in  my  purpose  to  go  to 
college.     He  is  farming  in  earnest =IIe  is  engaged  in 
agriculture  earnestly  and  resolutely. 
In  embryo  =  In  an  incipient  or  undeveloped  state ; 
planned,  but  not  yet  executed,  (c) 
That  man  always  liad  a  good  many  plans   in  em- 
bryo, but  never  executed  any  of  them  =  That  man 
always  had  a  good  many  undeveloped  plans,  but 
never  put  one  of  them  into  execution.     The  author 
has  a  ^vork  in  embryo  =  The  author  has  a  work  plan- 
ned, but  not  executed. 
In  every  quarter,  in  all  quarter§  =  Every  where  ; 
in  all  countries,  (c) 
Agriculture  is  practiced  in  all  quarters  =  Agricul- 
ture is  practiced  in  all  countries. 
In  existence,  to  be  =  To  exist ;   to  actually  be ;  to 
continue  in  being,  (a) 
Very  little  of  the  continental  money  which  was 
used  by  the  United  States  in  the  revolutionary  war, 
is  in  existence  =  Yer J  little  of  the  paper  money  which 
was  used  by  the  United  States  in  the  revolutionary 
war,  has  been  preserved,  and  can  now  be  found. 
Many  species  of  animals  which  once  lived  on  the 
earth  are  no  longer  in  existence = Many  species  of  an- 
imals which  once  lived  on  the  earth  are  extinct — no 
longer  exist. 
In  favor  of  =  Upon  the  side  of;  favorable  to.  (a) 
In  the  legislature  Mr.  B.  made  a  speech  in  favor 
of  removing  the  capital  =  In  the  legislature  Mr.  B. 
supported  the  project  of  removing  the  capital  in  a 
speech.     Most  of  the  parents  are  in  favor  of  having 
music  taught  in  the  school  =  Nearly  all  the  parents 
are  favorable  to  the  teaching  of  music  in  the  school. 
In  favor  with  =  Favored,  encouraged,  countenanced 
by.  (a) 
The  new  clerk  is,  already,  m  hi^h.  favor  with  the  su- 
perintendent of  the  company  =  The  new  clerk  is,  al- 
ready, much  favored  by  the  superintendent  of  the 
company. 
In  fine  =  In  conclusion ;  by  way  of  termination  or 
summing  up.  (a) 
The  trip  across  the  continent  to  San  Francisco  by 
rail  is  rapid,  novel,  well-managed,  full  of  variety, — in 
fine,  a  most  delightful  trip  =  The  trip  to  San  Fran- 
cisco by  rail  is  rapid,  novel,  well-managed,  full  of  v? 
riety,  and,  to  sum  up  in  a  word,  a  rnpst  dehghtful. 
trip.     The  house  you  propose  buying(^&<aTU'e,  oostlv,       ^^ 


114  IDIOMATIC  PHRASES. 

poorly  built ;  in  fine^  is  not  suitable  for  your  use  = 
The  house  you  propose  to  purchase  is  large,  costly, 
poorly  constructed ;  and  by  way  of  concluding  what 
I  have  to  say,  is  not  suitable  for  your  use. 
In  fine  feather  =:  In  fine  spirits  or  health,  {b) 

When  I  last  saw  Mr.  E.  he  was  in  fine  feathers 
When  I  last  saw  Mr.  E.  he  was  in  fine  spirits. 
In  full  feather  =  In  full  costume,  (c) 

The  Indian  chiefs  appeared  in  full  feather  at  the 
President's  levee  =  The  Indian  chiefs  appeared  in 
full  Indian  costume  at  the  President's  levee. 
In  general  =  For  the  most  part ;  not  always  or  uni- 
versally, (a) 
It  may  be  said  of  civilized  men  in  generq,!^  that 
they  are  domestic  in  their  tastes  =  It  may  be  said  of 
civilized  men,  for  the  most  part,  that  they  are  do- 
mestic in  their  tastes.     The  face  of  the  country  in 
New  England  is,  in  general^  very  uneven,  being  hilly 
or  mountainous  =  The  surface  of  the  country  in  JS'ew 
England  is,  for  the  most  part,  very  uneven,  being 
hilly  or  mountainous. 
In  good  case  —  In  good  condition,  health,  or  state  of 
body.  (6) 
That  horse  of  yours  appears  to  be  in  good  case  = 
That  horse  of  yours  appears  to  be  in  good  condition 
of  body.     Mr.  A.  saw  our  former  neighbor  in  Cali- 
fornia, and  reports  him  as  in  good  case  =  Mr.  A.  saw 
our  former  neighbor  in  California,  and  reports  him 
as  being  in  good  health. 
In  good  part  =  Favorably ;  acceptably  ;  in  a  friendly 
manner  ;  not  in  displeasure,  (a) 
That  young  man  took  my  suggestions  about  her 
havior,  in  good  ^ar^=That  young  man  took  my  sug- 
gestions about  behavior,   in   a   friendly  manner,  at 
least  not  with  displeasure. 
In  hand  =  Paid  at  the  time  of  purchase,  (b) 

He  obtained  for  his  farm  half  the  price  in  hand, 
and  the  balance  in  a  mortgage  on  the  farm  =  He-  ob- 
tained for  his  farm  half  the  price  paid  at  the  time 
of  purchase,  and  the  balance  in  a  mortgage. 
In  hiding  =  Keeping  one's  self  out  of  view,  (c) 

"  With  the  exception  of  a  few  Poman  Catholic 
missionaries  in  hiding,  we  are  not  aware  of  any  west-  • 
ern  man  ha^ang  resided  in  Korea  "  [Lon.  and  China 
Telegraph]  =  With  the  exception  of  a  few  Poman 
Catholic  missionaries,  who  have  kept  their  real  char- 
acter as  foreign  missionaries  out  of  view,  we  are  not 
aware  that  any  western  man  has  resided  in  Korea. 
In  high  feather  =  In  good  spirits ;  exultant,  {b) 
My  friend  is  in  high  feather  to-day,  for  he  has  just 


IDIOMATIC     PHRASES.  115 

obtained  a  government  office  =  My  friend  is  in  good 
spirits  to-day,  for  he  has  just  obtained  an  office  un- 
der government. 
In  higli  relief  {Sculp,  and  Arch.)  =  The  complete  pro- 
jecture,  or  prominence,  of  a  figure  above  or  beyond 
the  ground,  or  plane,  on  which  it  is  formed. 
The  statue  of  Gov.  Trumbull  on  the  east  end  of 
the  capitol  (Bushnell  Park,  Hartford),  is  in  high  re- 
lief =The  statue  of  Gov.  Trumbull   stands  out  in 
complete  prqjecture  from  the  east  front  of  the  capi- 
tol. 
In  i§8ue  =  In  dispute,  or  controversy,  (c) 

I  have  called  to  talk  with  you  about  the  matter 
that  is  in  issue  between  us  =  I  have  called  to  talk 
with  you  concerning  the  matter  about  which  we  are 
contending. 
In  je§t  =  For  mere  sport  or  diversion ;  not  in  truth 
,and  reality;  not  in  earnest,  (a) 

Words  spoken  in  jest  sometimes  give  offense  = 
Words  spoken  for  mere  diversion  sometimes  give  of- 
fense. 
In  keeping  with  =  In  just  proportion  ;  in  conform- 
ity with ;  in  consistency  wuth.  (a) 

His  manner  of  dress  is  in  keeping  with  his  income 
=  His  manner  of  dress  is  appropriate  to  his  income. 
In  sentiment,  that  book  is  in  keeping  with  the  author's 
former  works  =  In  sentiment,  that  book  is  in  consist- 
ency with  the  author's  former  works. 
In  ltind  =  In  produce,  or  some  kind  of  commodity, 
as  distinguished  from  money  ;  in  something  of  the 
same  sort ;  similarly,  {b) 
In  China,   the  small  farmers  usually  pay  their 
rent  in  kind=ln  China,  the  small  farmers  usually 
pay  their  rent  in  some  kind  of  produce.     The  author, 
in  his  book,  alluded  disparagingly^  to  the  editor,  and 
the  editor  repaid  him  in  kind =lii  his   book,  the 
author  alluded  disparagingly  to  the  editor,  and  the 
editor  retaliated  in  a  similar  way,  i.  e.  by  something 
written  in  disparagement. 
In  leading  §tring§,  to  be  =  To  be  in  a  state  of  in- 
fancy or  dependence,  or  under  the  guidance  of 
others,  (c) 

He  has  been  in  his  wife's  leading  strings  all  his  life 
=  All  his  life  he  has  been  in  a  state  of  dependence, 
and  under  the  guidance  of  his  wife. 
In  league,  to  be  =  To  be  associated  or  united  for  a 
common  purpose,  (a) 
In  the  Crimean  war,  (1854-5)  France  and  Eng- 
land were  in  league  against  Russia  =:  In  the  Crimean 


116  IDIOMATIC     PHRASES. 

war,  (1854:-5)  France  and  England  were  associated 
for  the  common  purpose  of  defeating  Kussia. 
In  lot§  =  In  allotted  portions  ;  in  distinct  parcels,  (a) 
The  stock  of  the  bankrupt  merchant  is  to  be  sold 
in  lots  to  suit  purchasers  =  The  stock  of  the  bankrupt 
merchant  is  to  be  sold  in  separate  portions  as  maj 
suit  purchasers. 
In  luck,  to  be  =  To  have  unexpected  good  fortune ; 
to  succeed  as  the  result  of  circumstances  beyond 
one's  control,  {b) 
I  was  in  luck,  falling  in  with  such  company  on  the 
steamer  =  I  was  unexpectedly  fortunate  to  find  such 
company  on  the  steamer. 
In  name  =  In  profession,   or  by  title  only;  not  in 
reality,  (b) 
He  is  a  physician  in  name  only ;    he  does   not 
practice  =  He  has  the  profession  or  title  of  a  physi- 
cian, but  does  not  really  practice.     He  is  a  serva^it 
in  name,  but  Mr.  E.  treats  him  like  a  son  =  He  is  not 
a  servant  in  reality,  for  Mr.  E.  treats  him  like  a  son. 
In  one's  books,  to  be  =  To  be  in  his  list  of  friends ; 
to  be  in  favor  with  one.  (c) 
He  is  not  in  my  books  =  I  do  not  have  him  on  my 
list  of  friends.     If  you  can  get  in  his  books  he  may 
leave  you  a  legacy  =  If  you  come  into  favor  with 
him  he  may  leave  you  a  legacy. 
In  one's  element  =  In  a  state  or  sphere  natural  to 
any  thing ;  in  a  condition  suited  to  one's  existence. 

Fishes  on  land  are  not  in  their  element— Y'l^hes  are 
not  in  a  state  suited  to  their  existence,  when  on  land. 
That  editor  is  in  his  element,  when  he  is  engaged  in  a 
political  controversy  =  When  that  editor  is  engaged 
in  a  political  controversy,  he  is  doing  what  he  is  well 
fitted  for,  and  what  he  thoroughly  enjoys. 
In  order  =  For  the  purpose ;  to  the  end ;  as  means 
to  an  end ;  (followed  by  to  or  that.)  (a) 

A  poor  boy  goes  through  some  hardships,  in  order 
to  get  an  education  =  A  poor  boy  goes  through  some 
hardship,  for  the  purpose  of  getting  an  education. 
I  studied  diligently,  in  order  that  I  might  win  the 
prizes  I  studied  with  diligence,  to  the  end  that  I 
might  gain  the  prize. 
In  ordinary  =  In  actual  and  constant  service ;  statedly 
attending  and  serving,  (a) 

He  was  chaplain  in  ordinary  to  the  Queens  He 
was  a  chaplain  in  actual  and  constant  service  with 
the  Queen.  He  was  embassador  in  ordinary  at  the 
court-  of  St.  James  =  He  was  an  embassador  con- 
stantly resident  at  the  court  of  St.  James. 


IDIOMATIC     PHRASES.  117 

> 

In  per8on  =  By  one's  self;  with  bodily  presence;  not 
bj  representative,  (a) 
You  would  do  well  to  present  your  petition  to  the 
governor  in  person  — Yow  would  do  well  to  present 
your  petition  to  the  governor,  yourself,  and  not  by 
representative.     I  can  not  go  in  person  to  the  re- 
union of  our'  regiment,  but  I  will  send  a  letter  =  I 
can  not  personally  attend  the  reunion  of  our  regi- 
ment, but  I  will  send  a  letter. 
In   po§§e§sion   of  tlie   house,  to  be ;  (Legislative 
Ass.  Eng.)  =  To  have  the  right  to  speak,  {a) 
The  right  honorable  gentleman,  Mr.  Bright,  is  in 
possession  of  the  house^  and  no  member   can   speak, 
until  he  has  taken  his  seat  =  The  right  honorable 
gentleman  has  the  right   to   speak,  and  no   other 
member  can  speak,  until  he  has  taken  his  seat. 
In  process  of  time  =  In  the  progress,  or  continued 
movement,  of  time,  (a) 
In  process  of  time^  Rome  became  a  great  empire, 
■  by  conquest  =  As  time  passed,  Rome  became  a  great 
empire,  by  conquering  other  nations.     If  he  is  stu- 
dious, he  will  learn  Chinese  in  process  of  time  =  If  he 
is  studious,  he  will  acquire  the  Chinese  language 
after  a  time.     In  process  of  time  lie  became  a  general, 
by  promotion  =  Some  time  having  passed,  he  became 
a  general,  by  promotion. 
In  proportion  —  According  as ;  to  the  degree  that,  (a) 
Men  are  happy  in  proportion  as  they  are  virtuous 
=  Men  are  happy  to  the  degree  that  they  are  virtu- 
ous.    In  proportion   as   the   country   is   settled,  the 
forests  are  removed  and  the  game  disappears  =  Ac- 
cording as  the  country  is  settled,  the  forests  are  re- 
moved and  the  game  disappears. 
In  prospect  =  Anticipated;  in  expectation,  (h) 

The  tourist  to  Europe  has  a  very  pleasant  journey 
in  prospect  — Th.Q  tourist  to  Europe  anticipates  a  very 
pleasant  journey. 
In   publico  In   open   view;    before   the   people    at 
large ;  not  in  private  or  secretly,  (a) 
He  is  too  diffident  to  speak  in  public  =Ile  is  too 
diffident  to  speak  before  the  people  at  large.     He  is 
so  old  and  hifirm  that  he  is  seldom  seen  in  public  = 
He  has  become  so  old  and  infirm  that  he  seldom  ap- 
pears in  open  view.     She  has  studied  for  the  stage, 
and  her  first  appearance  in  public  will  be  in  Boston 
=  She  has  studied  for  the  stage,  and  her  first  appear- 
ance before  a  public  audience  will  be  in  Boston. 
In  pursuance  of  =  In  accordance  with  ;  in  prosecu- 
tion or  fulfillment  of. 
In  pursuance  of  a  plan  which  he  has  long  cher- 


118  IDIOMATIC     PHRASES. 

ished,  Mr.  E.  will  visit  Europe  this  summer  =  In  ac- 
cordance with  a  plan  which  he  has  long  cherished, 
Mr.  E.  will  visit  Europe  this  summer. 
In  que§tioii  =  In  debate ;  in  the  course  of  examina- 
tion or  discussion,  (a) 
The  point  in  question  was,  whether  the  Loo  Choo 
islands  belong  to  China  or  to  Japan  =  The  point  in 
debate  was,  whether  the  Loo  Choo  islands  belong  to 
China  or  Japan. 
In  reque§t  =  Wanted  by  purchasers,  (a) 

The  four  and  a  half  per  cent,  bonds  (U.  S.)  are  in 
request— T]iQ  four  and  a  half  per  cent,  bonds  (U.  S.) 
are  sought  after  by  purchasers. 
In  round  nuniber§  =  In  a  sum  ending  with  a  cipher ; 
approximately  correct,  (a) 
There  were  present  at  the  fair,  in  round  numbers^ 
3,000  persons  =  There  were  present  at  the  fair,  stated 
in  general  and  approximate  terms,  3,000  persons. 
In  §ecret  =  In  a  private  place ;  in  a  state  or  place  not 
seen;  privately,  (a) 
The  good  which  is  done  in  secret^  will  be  rewarded 
openly  —  The  good  which  is  done  privately,  will  be 
rewarded  openly.     The  early  Christians  were  obliged 
to  hold  meetings  in  secret^  for  fear  of  their  persecutors 
=  The  early  Christians  were  obliged  to  hold  meet- 
ings secretly,  for  fear  of  their  persecutors. 
In  §e§§ion  =  l.  Passing  the  usual  time  allotted  to 
daily   meetings,   {a)      2.  Actually   sitting,    or   as- 
sembled for  the  transaction  of  business,  (a) 
1.  Congress  is  now  in  sesszori  =  Congress  is  now 
passing  the  usual  period  allotted  to  daily  meetings. 
2.  The  court  was  not  in  session  yesterday  =  The  court 
did  not  assemble  for  the  transaction  of  business  yes- 
terday. 
In  shorts  In  few  words ;  briefly ;  to  sum  up  or  close 
in  a  few  words,  (a) 
His  conduct  was  prudent,  energetic,  modest,  and 
unassuming — in  shorty  it  was  what  was  to  be  expected 
from  the  son  of  such  a  mother = His  conduct  was 
prudent,  energetic,  modest,  unassuming — briefly,  it 
was  what  was  to  be  expected  from  the  son  of  such  a 
mother.     The  weather  is  now  hot,  now  cool ;  now 
wet,  now  dry ;  in  shorty  changeable  =  The  weather  is 
one  while  hot,  another  while  cool ;  one  while  wet, 
another  while  dry ; — in  a  word,  changeable. 
In  sight  of=In  view  of;  near  enough  to  see.  (b) 
We  came  in  sight  of  land,  just  as  the  pilot-boat 
hailed  us=:  We  came  where  we  could  see  land,  just 
as  the  pilot-boat  hailed  us. 
In  special = Particularly,  (c) 


IDIOMATIC    PHRASES.  119 

I  wisli  you  would  remember  me  to  Mary,  John, 
and  in  special  to  grandpapa = I  wish  you  would  re- 
member  me   to   Mary,  John,   and   particularly  to 
grandpapa. 
In  §pite  of=iIn  opposition  to  all  efforts  of;  in  defi- 
ance of.  (a) 
I  shall  go  in  spite  of  the  storm  =r I  shall  go,  al- 
though it  is  stormy.     He  did  it,  m  spite  of  my  com- 
mands =  He  did  it,  in  disregard  of  my  command.     I 
do  not  beheve  you,  in  spite  of  your  oath = I  do  not 
believe  you,  although  you  make  oath  to  it. 
In  §port=:In  jest;  for  play  or  diversion. 

The  two  young  men  engaged  in  boxing  in  sport= 
The  two  young  men  went  to  boxing  for  play. 
In  §tore= In  accumulation,  (a)     In  readiness;  await- 
ing, (a) 

The  dealer  has  large  quantities  of  tobacco  in  store 
=  The  dealer  has  large  quantities  of  tobacco  in  ac- 
cumulation. Good  news  is  in  store  for  the.  sailor, 
when  he  returns  =  Good  news  awaits  the  sailor,  on 
his  return.  There  is  a  large  amount  of  wheat  in 
store,  waiting  for  transportation  =  There  is  a  large 
amount  of  wheat  in  a  state  of  accumulation,  wait- 
ing for  transportation. 
In  §under  =  Into  parts;  in  two.  (c) 

There  is  a  snake;  cut  him  in  sunder =T}iere  is  a 
snake ;  cut  him  in  two.  The  rope,  by  which  the 
boat  was  being  drawn,  broke  in  sunder =The  rope, 
by  which  the  boat  was  being  drawn,  broke  into  two 
parts. 

In  the  bo§oni  of  =  In  the  affectionate  inclosure  of.  (a) 
The  sea-captain,  having  been  many  years  on  the 
ocean,  has  now  returned  to  spend  his  old  age  in  the 
bosom  q/*  his  family = The  sea-captain,  having  been 
many  years  on  the  ocean,  has  now  returned  to  spend 
his  old  age  in  the  affectionate  inclosure  of  his  family. 
In  the  bud = In  the  forming  stage;  early;    at  the 
outset,  (c) 
The  rebellion  in  that  province  was   discovered, 
and  nipped  in  the  bud=  The  rebellion  in  that  prov- 
ince was  discovered,  and  frustrated  in  its  early  stage. 
In  the  dark  =  Uncertain ;  uninformed;  ignorant,  (a) 
The  young  man  is  in  the  dark  regarding  his  father's 
plans  for  educating  him  m  The  young  man  is  igno- 
rant of  his  father's  plans  for  educating  him.     With 
all  their  efforts,  they  have  discovered  nothing  to-day 
about  the  conspiracy  for  smuggling  goods,  and  are 
as  much  m  the  dark  as  ever = With  all  their  efforts  to 
find  out  the  conspirators  engaged  in  smuggling,  they 
are  in  as  great  ignorance  as  ever. 


120  IDIOMATIC     PHRASES. 

In  the  event  of  =  If  the  specified  event  should  occur. 
(a) 
In  the  event  of  his  partner's  death,  the  grocer  would 
retire  from  business  =  If  his  partner  should  die,  the 
grocer  would  retire  from  business. 
In  tlie  extremes  As  much  as  possible,  (a) 

The  scenery  of  the  Yosemite  valley,  in  California, 
is  wild  and  romantic  in  the 'extr erne  — T\\q  scenery  of 
the  Yosemite  valley  in  California,  is  exceedingly 
w^ild  and  romantic.  The  weatlier  of  some  winters 
in  Canada  is  cold  in  the  extreme^The  weatlier  of 
some  winters  in  Canada  is  as  cold  as  possible. 
In  the  eyes  of=In  the  opinion  of;  in  one's  estimate. 

"  If  the  British  interfere  in  Moar,  we  shall  lose  all 
the  respect  which  remains  for  us  in  the  eyes  of  the 
Malays"  [Lon.  and  China  Tel.]  =  If  the  British  in- 
terfere in  Moar,  we  shall  lose  all  the  respect  which 
remains  for  us  in  the  opinion  or  estimation  of  the 
Malays.     In  the  eyes  of  community,  gambling  is  a 
disreputable   way   of   obtaining   moneys  It   is   the 
opinion  or  sentiment  of  community,  tliat  gambling 
is  a  disreputable  method  of  obtaining  money. 
In  the  face  of  day  =  Openly  ;    publicly ;    without 
concealment,  (b) 
He  did  it  in  the  face  of  day  =  He  did  it  with  no 
concealment.     All  my  official  work  has  been  done 
in  the  face  of  day  =  All  my  official  work  has  been 
done  openly. 
In  the  face  of  the  world  =  In  public ;  before  the 
people  at  large,  (a) 
The  southern  rebellion  (U.  S.)  was  an  attempt  to 
uphold  the  institution  of  slavery,  m  the  face  of  the 
world  =  The  southern  rebellion  (U.  S.)  was  an  at- 
tempt to  uphold  the  institution  of  slavery,  before 
the  world  at  large. 
In  the  grain  =  Deep-seated;  in  the  very  nature,  (c) 
The  young  lady  has  a  love  for  music,  in  the  grain 
=  The  young  lady  has  a  natural  and  strong  love  for 
music. 
In  the  gro§s  =  In  the  bulk,  or  the  whole  undivided  ; 
all  parts  taken  together,  (c) 
The  contents  of  the  store,  in  the  gross,  were  valued 
at  $2,000  =  The  whole  undivided   contents   of  the 
store  were  valued  at  $2,000.     The  contributions  of 
the  different  towns  for  the  sufferers  by  the  famine, 
were  reported  in  the  gross  =  The  contributions  of  the 
different  towns  for  the  sufferers  by  the  famine,  were 
reported  in  one  sum  and  not  separately. 


IDIOMATIC    PHRASES.  121 

In  the  humor ;  in  the  mood  =  In  the  state  of  mind ; 
in  the  temper  of  mind ;  in  the  disposition,  (a) 
Yesterday  old  Mr.  H.  was  i7i  Hie  humor  for  con- 
versation, and  talked  long  about  his  early  dajs= 
Yesterday  old  Mr.  H.  was  disposed  to  converse,  and 
talked  long  about  the  scenes  and  events  of  his  early 
days.  Are  you  in  the  mood  for  hearing  music  this 
evening  ?  if  so,  we  will  go  to  the  concert  =  Are  you 
in  a  state  of  mind  for  (do  you  feel  like)  heariiTg 
music  this  evening?  if  you  are,  we  will  go  to  the 
concert. 

In  the  long  run  =  In  the  whole  course  of  things 
taken  together ;   in  the  final  result ;   at  the  con- 
clusion or  end.  (a) 
Trickery  and   dishonesty  may  profit   once;    but 
they  are  unprofitable,  in  Hie  long  run  —  Trickery  and 
dishonesty  may  profit  once ;  but  they  are  unprofita- 
ble, in  the  final  result.     High-priced  articles  are  the 
cheapest  in  the  hng  run  -  High-priced  articles  are  the 
cheapest  in  the  end,  or  all  things  considered.     Hon- 
esty is  profitable  in  the  long  run  =  Honesty  is  profita- 
ble, taking  into  account  the  whole  course  of  things. 
In  the  long  run,  the  best  work  pays  best  =  Taking  it 
all  together,  the  best  work  brings  the  greatest  re- 
ward. 

In  the  lump  =  The  whole  taken  together ;  in  gross. 

(«) 

The  merchant  bought  the  peddler's  goods  in  the 
lump  =  The  merchant  bought  all  the  peddler's  goods. 
The  value  of  his  assets,  in  the  lump,  is  estimated  at 
ten  thousand  dollars  =  The  whole  of  his  assets   to- 
gether are  worth,  probably,  ten  thousand  dollars. 
In  (the)  plaee  of  =  Instead  of;  in  the  room  of;  as  a 
substitute  for.  (a) 
The  waiter  brought  me  tea  in  the  place  of  coffee  = 
The  waiter  brought  me  tea  instead  of  coffee.     Some 
physicians   prescribe   other   stimulants   in  place    of 
brandy  =  Some  physicians  are  accustomed   to   pre- 
scribe other  stimulants  as  a  substitute  for  brandy. 
In  the  teeth  of  =  Directly  against ;  in  direct  oppo- 
sition to  ;  in  front  of.  (a) 
We  have  driven  ten  miles  in  the  teeth  of  this  dread- 
ful snow-storm  — We  have  driven  ten  miles  directly 
against  this  dreadful  snow-stortn.     The  lad  became 
a  sailor  in  the  teeth  of  his  father's  prohibition  —  The 
lad  became  a  sailor  in  direct  opposition  to  his  father's 
prohibition. 
In  the  thiek  of=:In  the  thickest  part;  in  the  time 
when  any  thing  is  thickest,  (a) 
In  the  thick  of  the  fight,  the  general  was  seen  en- 


122  IDIOMATIC    PHRASES. 

couraging  his  men = In  tlie  thickest  part  of  the  fight 
the  general  was  seen  encouraging  his  men. 
In  the  vein  =  Inclined  ;  disposed,  (c) 

The  boy  is  not  m  the  vein  for  study  to-day = The 
boy  is  not  inclined  to  study  to-day. 
In  the  way  =  So  situated  as  to  obstruct,  hinder,  or 
the  like,  (a) 
Will  you  move?  you  are  very  much  in  the  ivay  = 
"Will  you  move?   you  obstruct  my  passage,  and  I 
can  not  pass.     The  mother  told  the  child  to  remove 
his  playthings,  because  they  were  in  the  way  of  her 
work  z=  The  mother  told  the   child  to  remove  his 
playthings,  because  they  were  so  placed  as  to  ob- 
struct her  work.     I  will  visit  you  next  Monday,  if 
there  is  nothing  in  the  way=l  will  visit  you  next 
Monday,  if  nothing  prevents. 
In  the  ivrong,  to  be  —  To  be  greatly  mistaken ;  to 
be  on  the  wrong  side ;  to  be  in  error ;  not  in  the 
right,  (a)  .    .'.     . 

In  forming  this  injurious  habit,  you  are  wholly  in 
the  wrong  — In  forming  this  bad  habit,  you  are  piir- 
suing  a  wrong  course. 
In  time  1=1.  Sufficiently  early,  (a)     2.  After  consid- 
erable time,  finally,  (a) 
1.  The  traveler  did  not  arrive  in  time  to  take  the 
first  train  =  The  traveler  did  not  arrive  sufficiently 
early  to  take  the  first  train  of  cars.     1.  I  was  just  in 
time   for   the   steamer = I   arrived   there  just   early 
enough  to  take  the  steamer.     2.  Our  business  is  in  a 
tangle  now,  but  it  will  all  come  right  in  time= Our 
business  is  in  a  tangle,  but  it  will  all  be  right,  after 
a  long  enough  time.     2.  The  physician  said  that  my 
friend  would,  in  time,  fully  regain  his  healths  The 
physician  said  that  my  friend  would,  after  a  consid- 
erable time,  regain  his  health. 
Into  the  bargains  Over  and  above;  also;  besides, 
(a) 
He  is  a  thief,  and  a  liar  into  the  bargmn=lle  is  a 
thief,  and  also  a  liar.     I  am  tired,  and  very  sleepy  into 
the  hargain  =  \  am  tired,  and  also  very  sleepy.     If 
one  goes  out  without  umbrella,  or  other  protection 
against  a  violent  storm,  he  will  get  wet,  and  will 
very  likely  take  cold  into  the  bargain ~li  one  goes 
out  without  umbrella,  &c.,  he  will  get  wet,  and  will 
besides  very  likely  take  cold.     I  have  traded  my  lot 
for  another,  and  got  a  house  into  the  bargain  =zl  have 
exchanged  my  lot  for  another,  and  got  a  house  over 
and  above  (in  addition). 
In  truth = In  reality;  in  fact,  (a) 


IDIOMATIC    PHRASES.  123 

In  truth^  I  do  not  know  any  thing  about  this = In 
reality,  I  do  not  know  any  thing  about  this. 
In  turn  =  In  due  order  of  succession,  (a) 

If  you  mil  be  patient,  boys,  you  will  each  be 
waited  on  in  turn  — Yom  will  each  be  served,  in  due 
order  of  succession,  if  you  will  be  patient. 
In  «§e=:l.  In  employment  or  service,  {a)     2.  In  cus- 
tomary practice  or  observance,  (a) 
1.  My  piano  has  been  in  use  ten  years = My  piano 
has  been  in  service  ten  years.     2.  Wedding  festivi- 
ties appear  to  be  in  use  among  all  nations = Wedding 
festivities   appear   to   be   in   customary   observance 
among  all  peoples. 
In  vain  =  To  no  purpose ;  without  effect ;  ineffectual. 

(a) 
I  besought  my  younger  brother  to  abandon  his 
purpose  of  risking  so  much  money  in  one  specula- 
tion ;  but  it  was  all  in  vain=l  besought  my  younger 
brother  to  give  up  his   purpose  to  risk   so   much 
money  in  one  speculation;  but  it  was  all  without 
effect.     In  vain  we  endeavored  to  waken  the  man 
who  had  taken  an  over-dose  of  opium = We  strove, 
ineffectually,  to  waken  the  man  who  had  taken,  an 
over-dose  of  opium. 
In  view  =  In  purpose;  as  an  object  to  be  aimed  at.  (a) 
The  lawyer's  son  has  his  father's  profession  in 
view =The  lawyer's  son  purposes  to  follow  his  father's 
profession. 
In  virtue  of  =  Through  the  force  of;  by  authority 
of.  (a) 
The  loadstone,  in  virtue  of  its  properties,  attracts 
iron,  and  when  freely  suspended,  points  to  the  poles 
=  The  loadstone,  through  the  force  of  its  properties, 
attracts  iron,  and  when  freely  suspended,  points  to 
the  poles.     In  virtue  of  his  office,  the  vice-president 
of  the  United  States  is  the  presiding  officer  of  the 
senate = By  authority  of  his  office,  the  vice-president 
of  the  United  States  presides  over  the  senate. 
In  vog^ue  =:  In  use  at  present ;  popularly  adopted.  (5) 
Silk  dresses  are  much  in  vogues  Silk  dresses  are 
much  in  use  at  present. 
Iron§  in  the  fire  =  Occupations  or  enterprises  re- 
quiring attention,  (a) 
I  have  many  irons  in  the  Jire  =  l  have  many  enter- 
prises requiring  attention.     He  has  too  many  irons 
in  the  fire  at  once  =  He  has  too  many  matters  requir- 
ing his  care  at  once. 
Is  to  be — This  phrase  expresses  a  purpose  or  an  ob- 
ligation or  an  event  to  be  realized  in  the  future. 


124  IDIOMATIC    PHRASES. 

It  is  nearly  equivalent  to  the  phrases,  will  be,  must 

be.  (a) 
The  capitol  I's  to  he  adorned  with  the  statues  of 
several  distinguished  men  =  It  is  the  intention  to 
adorn  the  capitol  with  the  statues  of  several  dis- 
tinguished men.  This  is  to  be  a  large  city  =  This 
will  be  a  large  city.  This  letter  is  to  be  copied  = 
This  letter  must  be  copied ;  this  is  what  must  be 
done  with  this  letter. 
I  tell  you  what  =  I  tell  you  what  it  is,  or  how  it  is. 

I  tell  you  what,  I'll  have  nothing  to  do  w^ith  such  a 
mean  trick  =  This  is  what  I  tell  you,  I  will  have 
nothing  to  do  with  such  a  mean  trick. 

It  i§  not  to  l>e  (imagined,  thoug^ht,  believed,  &c,) 

=  No  one  can  (imagine,  think,  believe,  &c).  (c) 

It  is  not  to  be  imagined,  that  the  mode  of  settling 

national  disputes  by  war  will  always  prevails  No 

one  can  imagine,  that  the  method  of  settling  national 

disputes  by  war  will  always  be  customary. 

It  may  toe  §een  —  It  is  evident ;  one  can  understand. 
From  this  description  of  the  people,  it  may  be  seen 
that  they  are  hospitable,  cultivated,  and  generous  = 
From  this  description,  it  is  evident  that  the  people 
are  hospitable  cultivated  and  generous.  From  his 
business  habits  it  may  be  seen  that  he  will  succeed  = 
One  can  understand,  after  knowing  his  business  hab- 
its, that  he  will  be  likely  to  succeed,  and  can  dis- 
cern the  reason  of  his  success. 

It  seems  =  It  has  the  appearance  of  truth  or  fact ;  it 

•     is  understood  as  true ;  it  is  said,  (a) 

It  seems  that  you  are  about  to  be  married  =  It  is 
said  that  you  are  about  to  be  married.  He  had,  it 
seems,  executed  his  high  office  honorably  =  He  had, 
so  it  appears,  or  is  understood,  executed  his  high 
office  honorably.  It  seems  to  me  that  business  is 
reviving  throughout  the  country  =  It  appears  to  me 
to  be  true  (I  think)  that  business  is  reviving  from  its 
depressed  condition  through  the  country.  It  seems 
as  if  rail-roads  had  been  constructed  in  greater 
numbers  than  was  necessary  or  advisable  =  Matters 
appear  as  if  we  had  constructed  rail-roads  faster 
than  it  was  necessary  or  desirable  to  do.  Is  he  to 
marry  the  music  teacher?  So  it  seems  =  Is,  he  to 
marry  the  music  teacher  ?  Matters  look  like  that — 
it  is  so  understood  or  said. 


IDIOMATIC    PHRASES.  125 


J. 

Join  force§,  to  =  To  unite  resources  and  efforts,  (a) 
The  Ute  Indians  and  the  Arrapahoes  joined  forces 
against  the  whites  =  Tlie  Ute  Indians  and  the  Ai'ra- 
pahoes  united  their  resources  and  efforts  against  the 
whites. 
Ju§t  the   thingr  =  The  precise  article  or  implement 
needed;  very  suitable,  {a) 
A  hoe  has  been  invented,  which  is  jiisi  the  thing  to 
use  in  cultivating  tobacco  =  A  hoe  has  been  invented, 
which  is  extremely  well  suited  to  the  cultivation  of 
tobacco.     A  rubber-coat  is  just  the  thing  for  the  fish- 
erman =  A  rubber-coat  is  the  very  garment  the  fish- 
erman needs,  in  order  to  keep  him  diy. 


K 

Keep  a  Jealou§  eye  on,  to  =  To  watch  suspiciously  ; 
to  be  solicitously  observant  in  a  matter  affecting 
one's  interests,  and  tlie  like,  (c) 
"  It  is  quite  certain  that  China  will  keep  a  jealous 
eye  on  the  movements  of  the  Japanese  in  Korea ; " 
[Lon.    and    Cliina    Tel.]  =  It   is  quite   certain  that 
China  will  suspiciously  w^atch  the  movements  of  the 
Japanese  in  Korea. 
Keep  aloof,  to  =  To  remain  at  a  distance  ;  to  refrain 
from,  (a) 
The  drunkard  who  was  trying  to  reform  was  told 
that  he  must  keep  aloof  from  his  former  companions 
=  The   drunkard   who   was   trying   to   reform    was 
told  that  he  must  refrain  from  associating  with  his 
former  companions. 
Keep  an  eye  upon,  to=:To  watch,  (p) 

It  is  well  to  keep  an  eye  upon  the  opportunities  for 
business  =  It  is  well  to  watch  the  opportunities  for 
business. 
Keep  away,  to  =  To  remain  absent  or  at  a  distance, 
(a) 
If  you  do  not  keep  away  from  the  ferocious  dog, 
you  may  be  bitten  =f  If  you  do  not  remain  at  a  dis- 
tance from  the  ferocious  dog,  you  may  be  bitten. 
Keep  t>ook§,  to  =  To  record  mercantile  transactions 
in   a  right  and  systematic  manner ;    to  keep   ac- 
counts, {a) 
In  the  business  colleges  of  the  United  States,  young 


126  IDIOMATIC    PHRASES. 

men  are  taught  to  keep  hooks  =  In  the  business  colleges 
of  the  United  States,  young  men  are  taught  to  re- 
cord mercantile  transactions  in  a  correct  and  sys- 
tematic manner. 
Keep  clear  of,  to  =  l.  To  keep  free  from,  (a)  2. 
To  avoid,  (a) 

*1.  The  highway  surveyor  agreed  to  keep  the  road 
dear  of  stones  =  The   highway  surveyor  agreed  to 
keep  the  road  free  from  stones.     2.  The  merchant 
would  have  gained,  by  keeping  clear  of  speculation  in 
stocks  =  The  merchant  would  have  gained  by  avoid- 
ing speculation  in  stocks. 
Keep  company  Trith,  to  =  To  associate  with ;    to 
frequent  the  society  of.  (c) 
Let  youth  keep  company  with  the  wise  and  good  = 
Let  youth  frequent  the  societ^'^  of  the  wise  and  good. 
Keep  going,  to  =  l.  To  continue  going,  (a)     2.  To 
maintain  in  operation   (a) 
1.  I  did  not  know  where  to  look  for  the  banker 
on  the  street,  but  I  kept  going  till  I  found  him  =  I  did 
not  know  on  what  part  of  the  street  to  search  for 
the  banker,  but  I  continued  going  till  I  found  him. 
2.  The  principal  of  the  school  died,  but  his  sons  keep 
the  school  going  as  before  =  The  principal   of  the 
school  died,  but  his  sons   maintain   the   school   in 
operation  as  formerly 
Keep  good  or  bad  liour§,  to  =  To  be  in  the  habit 
of  returning  home  early  or  late ;  to  retire  early  or 
late,  (a) 
These  students  keep  good  hours  this  term  =  These 
students  are  always  in  their  rooms  in  good  season 
this  term. 
Keep  in  check,  to  =  To  exercise  continued  restraint ; 
to  control,  {h) 

Under  proper  administration,  the  prisoners  in  the 
State— prison  can  be  Icept  in  check  =  If  there  is  proper 
administration,  the  prisoners  in  the  State— prison 
can  be  controlled. 
Keep  in   countenance,  to  =  To  keep  assured;  to 
make  one  feel  at  ease,  (a) 
That  young  man  is  bashful :  go  with  him  in  order 
to  keep  him  in  coimtenance  =  That  young  man  is  shy : 
you  must  go  with  him  in  order  to  keep  him  from 
being  ashamed.     I  am  eating  only  to  keep  you  mx 
countenance  =zlL  am  eating  only  to  make  you  feel  at/ 
ease. 
Keep  in  view,  to  =  ]N"ot  to  lose  sight  of;  to  have 
reference  to.  (a) 
The  politician  keeps  the  senatorship  in  view  —  The 
politician  does  not  lose  sight  of  the  senatorship,  that 


IDIOMATIC  PHRASES.  127 

is,  he  is  constantly  influenced  by  liis  purpose  to  become 
a  senator.     In  educating  his  son,  the  physician  kept  in 
view  the  purpose  to  make  him  his  successor  =  In  ed- 
ucating his  son,  the  physician  had  reference  to  the 
purpose  of  making  him  his  successor. 
Keep  off,  to  =  1.  JS'ot  to  go  upon  ;  (a)     2.  To  pre- 
vent the  approach  of  '(a) 
1.  In  the  park  we  are  cautioned  to  keep  off  the 
grass  =  In  the  park  we  are  cautioned  not  to  go  upon 
the  grass.     2.  Smoke  will  keep  o^mosquitoes=  Smoke 
will  prevent  the  approach  of  mosquitoes. 
Keep  on,  to  =  To  go  forward  ;  to  proceed  ;  to  con- 
tinue to  advance,  (a) 

We    two  began   our  studies  together.     He  left 
college  at  the  end  of  freshman  year,  I  kept  on  to  the 
end  of  the  course  =  We  two  began  our  studies  to- 
gether.    He  left  college  at  the  end  of  the  first  year, 
but  I  went  forward  or  proceeded  to  the  end  of  the 
course.     If  he  keeps  on  as  he  has  begun,  he  will  make 
one  of  the  finest  of  scholars  =  If  he  proceeds  in  his 
studies  as  he  has  commenced,  he  will  become  a  su- 
perior scholar. 
Keep  one'§  toed,  to  =  To  remain  in  bed  through  ill- 
ness, (a) 
Does  Mr.  K.  keep  his  hed?  =  la  Mr.  K.  so  ill  as  to 
remain  in  bed  ? 
Keep  one'§  footings,  to=:To  maintain  one's  posi- 
tion, (h) 
The  ice  was  so  smooth  that  I  could  not  keep  my 
footing  =The  ice  was   so  smooth  that  I  could  not 
maintain  an  upright  position.     He  can  not  keep  his 
footing  at  court,  because  he  is  not  trusty  =  He  can  not 
maintain  his  position  at  court,  because  he  can  not  be 
trusted. 
Keep  one's  own  eoun§el,  to  =  To  hold  one's  pur- 
pose, &G.  as  a  secret,  (a) 
He  keeps  his  own  counsel =He  does  not  talk  with 
any  one  about  his  plans.     Keep  your  own  counsel = 
Do  not  let  your  purposes  become  known. 
Keep  one's  powrder  dry,  to  =  To  take  precautions  ; 
to  be  in  readiness,  (c) 
Oliver  Cromwell,  the  Puritan  commander,  told  his 
soldiers  to  trust  in  God,  and  keep  their  poivder  dry  — 
Oliver  Cromwell,  the  Puritan  commander,  told  his 
soldiers   to  trust  in  God,  and  be  in  readiness  for 
fighting. 
Keep  one  straight,  to  =  To  cause  one  to  be  correct 
in  conduct,  (a) 
Mr.  C.  is  inclined  to  intemperance,  but  his  wife 
manages  to  keep  him  straight  =M.r.  C.  is  inclined  to 


128  IDIOMATIC    PHRASES. 

intemperance,  but  his  wife  aids  him  to  be  correct  in 
conduct. 
Keep  open  aceount,  to  ( Com.)  =  Among  merchants, 
to  honor  each  other's  bills  of  exchange,  (a) 
I  keep  open  account  with  Bright,  Smith,  &  Co.  = 
We  have  agreed  to  honor  each  other's  bills  of  ex- 
change. 
Keep  open   house,  to  =  To  have   much  company 
coming  and  going,  (c) 
My  next-door   neighbor  is   very  hospitable ;  he 
keeps  open  house  =  My    nearest    neighbor  is  very  hos- 
pitable ;  he  has  a  great  deal  of   company  coming 
and  going,  all  the  time. 
Keep  out  of  the  ^ray,  to  =  Not  to  be  in  the  way ; 
to  remain  away,  (a) 
The  little  child  could  not  keep  out  of  the  ivay  of 
the  horse  =  The  little  child  could  not  avoid  the  horse, 
as  he  was  running. 
Keep  paee  Avith,  to  =  To  keep  up  with ;  to  pro- 
gress equally,  (a) 
That  boy's  mental  improvement  keeps  pace  with  the 
growth  of  his  body  =  That  boy  improves  mentally  as 
fast  as  his  bodily  growth  progresses. 
Keep  quiet,  to=:To  be  or  remain  quiet,  (a) 

The  physician  ordered  the  man  who  had  sprained 
his  ankle,  to  keep  quiet  a  few  days  =  The  physician 
ordered  the  man  who  had  sprained  his  ankle,  to  re- 
main quiet  a  few  days. 
Keep  the  field,  to  =  To  continue  the  campaign,  {a) 

In  his  advance  on  Richmond,  Gen.  Grant  kept  the 
field  more  persistently  than  his  predecessors  did=: 
In  his  advance  on  Richmond,  Gen.  Grant  continued 
the  campaign  more  persistently  than  his  predeces- 
sors did. 
Keep  the  peace,  to  —  To  be  peaceable ;  to  refrain 
from  disturbing  the  order  of  society. 
The  man  who  threatened  to  shoot  his  neighbor 
was  put  under  bonds  to  keep  the  peace  — ^\iQ  man  who 
threatened  to  shoot  his  neighbor  was  made  to  give 
bonds  that  he  would  be  peaceable. 
Keep  the  wolf  from  the  door,  to  =  To  ward  off 
starvation,  (a) 
We  succeeded  in  keeping  the  wolf  from  the  door  by 
dint  of  hard  labor  =  We  succeeded  in  saving  our- 
selves from  starving,  by  dint  of  hard  labor.     Some 
persons  are  so  poor  that  they  can  hardly  keep  the 
luolf  from  the  c?oor=:  Some  persons  are  so  poor  that 
they  can  hardly  keep  from  starving. 
Keep  time,  to  =  To  correctly  mark  the  progress  of 
time,  (a) 


IDIOMATIC     THRASES.  129 

My  watcli  has  not  kept  time  since  I  dropped  it  = 
My  watcli  has  not  correctly  marked  the  progress  of 
time  since  I  let  it  fall. 
Keep  to,  to  =  To  adhere  strictly  to  ;  not  to  neglect 
or  deviate  from, — as,  to  keep  to  old  customs,  or  to  a 
rule,  or  to  one's  promise,  (a) 
Old  people  are  apt  to  heep  to  old  customs  =  Old 
people  are  apt  to  adhere  closely  to  old  customs.     I 
must  keep  strictly  to  my  promise,  to  give  my  son  a 
ride  —  I  must  not  deviate  from  my  promise  to  give 
my  son  a  ride. 
Keep  to  one'§  §elf,  to  =  To  refrain  from  telling  oth- 
ers ;  to  keep  secret,  (a) 
Keep  it  to  yourself^  please  =  Keep  it  secret,  please. 
He  knew  when  Mr.  E.  was  to  be  married,  but  he 
kept  it  to  hiniself-  He  knew  when  Mr.  E.  was  to  be 
married,  but  he  refrained  from  telling  others.     He 
is  a  very  learned  man,  but  he  keeps  his  knowledge  to 
himself  =  He  is  a  very  learned  man,  but  he  does  not 
communicate  his  knowledge  to  others. 
Keep  up,  to  =  l.  To  maintain  ;  to  prevent  from  fall- 
ing or  diminution,  (a)     2.  Not  to  be  confined  to 
one's  bed.  (a) 
1.  An  irredeemable  paper-currency  keeps  the  prices 
of  all  things  up  in  any  country  =  In  any  country  an 
irredeemable  paper-currency  prevents  the  prices  of 
all  things  from  decHning.     1.  In  some  towns  the  old 
custom  of  ringing  the  church  bells  at  9  o'clock  at 
night  is  ke2)t  up=l\\  some  towns  the  old  custom  of 
ringing  the  church  bells  at  9  o'clock  in  the  evening 
is  maintained.     2.  He  is  not  at  all  well,  but  he  keeps 
np  =  He  is  not  at  all  well,  but  he  is  not  confined  to 
his  bed. 

Keep  up  one'§  spirit§,  to  =  To  maintain  one's  cour- 
age and  cheerfulness,  (a)   ■  • 
In  trouble,  good  company  helps  to  keep  up  one^s 
spirits  —  In  trouble,  good  company  helps  to  maintain 
one's  courage  and  cheerfulness. 
Keep  up  with,  to  =  To  maintain  a  similar  position 
to ;  to  equal,  (a) 
The  brown  horse  could  not  keep  up  nntli  the  black 
one  in  the  race  =  The  brown  horse  could  not  equal 
the  black  one  in  speed. 
Keep  watcli,  to  =  To  be  attentive  or  vigilant,  {a) 
The  man  at  the  rail-road  crossing  keeps  watch^  and 
closes  the  gates  when  a  train  is  about  to  cross  the 
road  — The  man  at  the  rail-road  crossing  exercises 
vigilance,  and  closes  the  gates  whenever  a  train  is 
about  to  cross  the  road.     If  you  keep  watch  on  the 
night  of  Kov.  12,  you  may  often  see  meteors  in  the 
10 


180  IDIOMATIC     PHRASES. 

sky  =  If  you  are  watchful  on  the  night  of  'Nov.  12, 
you  may  often  see  meteors  in  the  sky. 
Kick,  or  §trike,  the  beam,  to  —  To  rise  as  the  lighter 
scale  of  a  balance  does — hence,  to  be  found  want- 
ing in  weight ;  to  have  less  comparative  importance 
or  value,  (c) 
If  riches  and  virtue  are  put  in  opposite  scales, 
riches  will  kick  the  beam  =  li'  riches  and  virtue  are 
weighed  against  each  other  (compared),  riches  will 
be  found  the  least  important  or  valuable.     In  the 
case  in  court,  the  scale    of  the   plaintiff's    lawyer 
struck  the  beam  =  In  the  legal  trial,  the  arguments  of 
the  plaintiff's  lawyer  were  weaker  than  those  of  the 
opposing  counsel.     He  is  a  light  man  ;  he  kicks  the 
beam  at  115  pounds  =  He  is  a  man  of  little  weight; 
he  does  not  weigh  or  he  barely  weighs  115  pounds. 
Kill  time,   to  =  To  busy  one's  self  with  something 
which  occupies  the  attention,  so  as  to  make  the  time 
pass  pleasantly  or  without  tediousness.  («) 
While  he  was  confined  to  the  house  by  a  sprained 
ankle,  he  read  novels  in  order  to  kill  time  =  While  he 
was  confined  to  the  house  by  a  sprained  ankle,  he 
read  novels  to  pass  away  the  time.     The  passengers 
on  ship-board  kill  time  in  various  ways,  by  reading, 
sleeping,  music  and  games  =  The   passengers  on  a 
ship  resort  to  various  methods  of  causing  the  time 
to  pass  w^ithout  tediousness — such  as,  reading,  sleep- 
ing, practicing  music,  and  playing  games. 
Kill  tiro  l>ircl§  with  one  stone,  to  =  To  accomplish 
two  objects  at  the  same  time  or  by  one  effort,  (a) 
When  I  went  to  E^ew  York  I  killed  two  birds  luith 
one  stone  ;  I  transacted  my  business,  and  visited  my 
friends  =  When  I  went  to  E'ew  York  I  accomplished 
two  objects  by  one  journey  ;  I  transacted  my  busi- 
ness, and  visited  my  frfends.     Going  into  the  coun- 
try to  collect  some  bills,  I  killed  two  birds  with  one 
stone  ;  I  had  a  delightful  ride,  and  I  obtained  some 
moneys:  Going  into  the  country  to  collect  some  bills, 
I  accomplished  two  objects  at  the  same  time ;  I  had 
a  delightful  ride,  and  obtained  some  money. 
Kltli  and  kin  =  Acquaintance  and  kinsman ;  friends 
and  relatives,  {b) 
The  Welshman  who  has  just  landed  says  that  he 
has  neither  kith  nor  kin  in  the  country  ==  The  Welsh- 
man who  has  just  landed  says  that  he  has  neither  an 
acquaintance  nor  a  relation  in  the  country.     All  the 
man's  kith  and  kin  came  to  his  wedding  =  All  the 
man's  friends  and  relatives  came  to  his  wedding. 
Knock  doirn,  to  {Auctions)  =  ^o  assign  to  a  bidder 
by  a  blow  on  the  counter,  (a) 


IDIOMATIC     PHRASES.  131 

That  book  was  knocked  down  to  me  at  $5  =  That 
book  was  sold  to  me  (at  auction)  for  $5. 
Knock  off,  to  =  To  stop ;  to  leave  off;  to  desist.  (6) 
We  knock  off,  wjien  the  six  o'clock  whistle  blows  = 
We   stop   working,    when   the   six  o'clock   whistle 
blows.     The  clock  strikes  six,  let's  knock  off  now  = 
The  clock  strikes  six,  let  us  stop  working  now. 
Knock  off,  to  {Auctions)  =  To  assign  to  a  bidder  by 
a  blow  on  the  counter,  (a) 
I   bid    one  hundred  dollars,  and  the  horse  was 
knocked  off  to  me  =  I  bid  one  hundred  dollars,  and  the 
auctioneer  assigned  the  horse  to  me,  by  closing  the 
bids  with  a  blow  on  the  counter. 
Knock   under,   to  =  To   yield ;  to   submit ;   to  ac- 
knowledge to  be  conquered,  (a) 
A  passenger  claimed  two  seats  in  a  crowded  car, 
until  the  conductor  came  along,  and  then  he  knocked 
under  =  A  passenger  claimed  the  right  to  occupy  two 
seats  in  a  crowded  car,  but  when  the  conductor  came 
along,  he  yielded  the  claim. 
Knock  up,  to  =  To  awaken  by  knocking,  (a) 

Go  and  knock  up  your  grandpa  =  Go  and  arouse 
your  grandpa  by  knocking  on  the  door. 
Know  what  to  make  of,  not  to  =  Not  to  under- 
stand ;  to  be  unable  to  explain,  (a) 
An  anonymous  letter  containing  money  came  to 
me  this  morning,  and  I  do  not  know  what  to  make  of 
it  =  An  anonymous  letter  containing  money  came  to 
me   this  morning,  and  I  am  unable  to  explain  the 
matter. 
Knuckle  to,  to  =  l.  To  yield  in  a  contest;  to  sub- 
mit, (a)     2.  To  apply  one's  self  vigorously,  (b) 
1.  He  is  wrong  in  his  claim  to  the  land,  and  I  will 
not  knuckle  to  him  =  He   is  wrong  in  claiming  the 
land,  and  I  will  not  yield  to  him.     2.  The  farmer 
and  his  sons  knuckled  to  the  harvesting,  in  order  to 
finish  it  during  the  pleasant  weather = The  farmer 
and  his  sons  applied  themselves  vigorously  to  the 
harvest,  in  order  to  finish  it  during  the  pleasant 
weather. 


Labor  of  love  =  Service  performed  from  affection  or 

fondness,  and  not  for  pay  or  profit,  (a) 

I  take  the  children,  whose  mother  is  sick,  into  my 

family,  as  a  labor  of  love=l  take  into  my  family,  the 

children  whose  mother  is  sick,  because  I  love  to  do 

so,  and  not  for  pecuniary  reward. 


132  IDIOMATIC    PHRASES. 

Laboring^   oar  =  The  oar  (part)  which  requires  the 
most  strength  or  exertion,  or  on  which  most  de- 
pends, (a) 
The  father  and  son  worked  together ;    but   the 
father  always  took  the  laboring  oar  =  The  father  took 
the  part  which  required  the  most  strength  when  the 
father  and  son  worked  together. 
Liabor  under,  to  =  To  be  oppressed  with  ;  to  suffer 
from,  (a) 
He  labors  under  great  difficulties  in  conversation, 
because  he  stutters  =  He  is  oppressed  with  great  dif- 
ficulties in  conversation,  because  he  stutters.     The 
physician  could  not  cure  the  disease  under  wliicli  the 
man  labored  =  The  physician  could  not  cure  the  dis- 
ease from  which  the  man  suffered.     The  new  pupil 
in  school  labored  under  the  disadvantage  of  an  imped- 
iment in  his  speech  =  The  new  pupil  in  school  is  hin- 
dered, by  an  impediment  in  his  speech. 
Laid  on  the  shelf  =  Put  aside ;    incapacitated  and 
laid  aside,  (a) 
The  judge  has  become  so  old  as  to  be  laid  on  the 
shelf— The  judge  has  become  so  old  as  to  be  inca- 
pacitated and  laid  aside.     Mr.  A.  has  been  a  very 
active  politician,  but  is  now  laid  on  the  shelf—  Mr.  A. 
has  been  a  very  active  politician,  but  is  now  put  aside 
by  his  party. 
Laid   up,  to  be  =  l.  To  be  confined  to  the  bed  or. 
the  cli amber,  (a)     2,  To  be   dismantled  and    laid 
away  in  dock,  (a) 
1.  He  is  laid  up  with  rheumatism  =  He  is  confined 
to  his  bed  with  rheumatism.     He  was  laid  up  for  a 
month  =  He  was  confined  by  sickness  for  a  month. 
2.  The  ship  is  laid  up  in  dock  =  The  ship  is  disman- 
tled and  put  in  dock. 
Lash  into  fury,  to  —  To  madden  ;  to  cause  to  rage,  (c) 
The  wind  lashed  the  waves  iiito  fury  =  The  wind 
caused  the  waves  to  rage  violently. 
Last  resort  =  That  which  is  resorted  to  or  depended 
on,  when  all  else  fails  ;  ultimate  means  of  relief ;  (a) 
also,  final  tribunal,  (a) 
His  small  funds  in  the  bank  are  the  last  resort^  in 
case  of  sickness  =  His  small  funds  in  the  bank  are 
the  ultimate  means  of  relief,   in  case  of  sickness. 
The  Supreme  Court  of  the  United  States  is  the  last 
resort  in  determining  questions  of  constitutional  law 
and  rights  =  The  Supreme  Court  of  the  United  States 
is  the  final  tribunal,  in  determining  questions  of  con- 
stitutional law.     "  War  is  the  last  resort  of  kings  "  — 
Kings  undertake  war,  only  when  every  other  method 
of  obtaining  justice  and  right  has  failed. 


IDIOMATIC     PHRASES.  133 

Latin  Union  =  A  monetary  union  between  the  gov- 
ernments of  France,  Belgium,  Italy,  Switzerland, 
and  Greece ;  which  provides  for  an  identity  in  the 
weight  and  fineness  of  the  silver  and  gold  coins  of 
those  countries,  and  by  an  annual  conference  regu- 
lates the  amounts  and  proportions  of  the  coinage  of 
those  two  metals  for  the  succeeding  year. 
The  Latin  Union  was  formed  in  1865  =  The  mone- 
tary union   between   France,   Belgium,  Italy,  and 
Switzerland,  which  provides,  &c.,  was  formed   in 
1865. 
L.augh  at,  to  =  To  ridicule ;  to  treat  with  contempt,  {a) 
Mr.  A.  was  laughed  at  for  buying  stock  in  the 
bankrupt  rail-road  =  Mr.  A.  was  ridiculed  for  buy- 
ing stock  in  the  bankrupt  rail-road. 
Laugh  in  one's  sleeve,  to  =  To  laugh  secretly,  or 
so  as  not  to  be  observed,  especially  while  appa- 
rently  preserving   a   grave    or   serious   demeanor 
towards  the  one  laughed  at.  (a) 
He  is  laughing  in  his  sleeve  at  the  awkward  ser- 
vant =  He  is  laughing  at  the  awkward  servant,  but 
concealing  his  laughter  under  a  grave  demeanor. 
Laugh  out  of  the  other  corner  of  the  mouth, 
to  =  To  weep ;  to  be  made  to  feel  vexation  or  dis- 
appointment, especially  after  boasting,  ih) 
When  the  luck  of  the  game  turned,  and  he  began 
to  lose  instead  of  winning,  the  gambler  laughed  out 
of  the  other  corner  of  his  mouth  =  ^\\Qn  the  luck  of 
the  game  turned,  and  he  began  to  lose  instead  of 
winning,  the  gambler  was  vexed  and  disappointed. 
Laugh  to  scorn,  to  =  To  treat  with  contempt ;  to 
deride ;  to  make  a  mock  of.  (c) 
They  laughed  the  traveler  to  scorn,  because  they 
did  not  believe  what  he  said  about  the  height  of  the 
Yosemite    Falls,    (California)  =  They    derided    the 
traveler  for  his  statements  concerning  the  height  of 
the  Yosemite  Falls  in  California ;  because  they  did 
not  believe  him. 
Launched  into  eternity,  to  he  =  To  be  killed  sud- 
denly, (c) 
By  the  sinking  of  the  vessel  a  hundred  souls  were 
hunched  into  eternity  =  'By  the  sinking  of  the  vessel  a 
hundred  persons  were  killed  suddenly. 
Launch  out,  to  =  To  expatiate,  in  language ;  to  be 
diffuse,  in  speaking  and  writing,  {b) 
When  the  ex-president  first  addressed  the  senate, 
he  launched  out  into  an  extended  defense  of  his  ad- 
ministration =  When  the  ex-president  first  addressed 
the  senate,  he  was  diffuse  in  defending  his  adminis- 
tration. 


184  IDIOMATIC    PHRASES. 

Laur  of  the  lledes  and  Persian§  =  A  law  wliicli 
can  not  be  changed ;  irrevocable,  (c) 
The  rules  of  that  school  are  like  the  laws  of  the 
Medes  and  Persians— The  rules  of  that   school   are 
irrevocable. 
I^ay  aside,  to  =  To  put  off  or  away ;  not  to  retain ; 
to  discontinue,  as  a  use  or  habit,  (a) 
Lay  aside    your  book;  it  is  bedtime  =  Put  away 
your  book ;  it  is  time  to  go  to  rest.     Will  you  lay 
aside  your  overcoat  while  you  stay  ?  =  Will  you  put 
off  your  overcoat    during   your  stay  ?     Mr.  L.  has 
laid  aside  spectacles,  since  his  eyes  became  stronger 
=  Mr.  L.  has  discontinued  the  use  of  spectacles,  since 
his  eyes  became  stronger.     If  he  would  lay  aside  the 
habit  of  smoking  opium,  his  health  would  improve  = 
If  he  would  discontinue  the  habit  of  smoking  opi- 
um, his  health  would  improve. 
I^ay  at  the  door  of,  to  =  To  impute  to ;  to  charge 
with,  (a) 
The  article  in  the  morning  paper,  criticising  the 
mayor,  is  laid  at  the  door  of  the  chief  of  police  =  The 
article  in  the  morning  paper,  criticising  the  mayor, 
is  imputed  to  the  chief  of  police. 
I^ay  away,  to  =  To  deposit  in  store ;  to  put  aside  for 
preservation,  {a) 

Squirrels  lay  away  nuts  for  use  in  winter  =  Squirrels 
deposit  nuts  in  their  holes,  for  use  in  winter.     Winter 
furs  are  laid  away  in  camphor-trunks,  during  sum- 
mer =  Furs  are  put  away  with  camphor-gum,  during 
summer,  to  preserve  them. 
L.ay  bare,  to  =  To  expose  to  view ;  to  disclose,  (a) 
His  skull  was  laid  hare  by  a  stroke  of  the  sword  = 
His  skull  was  exposed  to  view  by  a  stroke  of  the 
sword.     The  investigations  and  discussions  in  par- 
liament laid  hare  a  scheme  to  defraud  the  national 
treasury = The  investigations  and  discussions  in  par- 
liament  disclosed    a    scheme    for    defrauding   the 
national  treasury. 
Lay  toy  ;  lay  up,  to  =  To  store ;  to  deposit  for  future 
use ;  to  treasure  up.  {a) 
I  have  some  nice  corn  laid  hy  for  planting  =  I  have 
some  fine  corn  stored  to  use  in  planting.     He  has 
laid  up  money  every  year  since  he  began  business  = 
He  has  treasured  up  money  every  year  since  he  be- 
gan business. 
liay  claim  to,  to  =  To  claim,  (a) 

The  switchman  laid  claim  to  the  purse  which  was 
found  near  the  depot  =  The  switchman  claimed  the 
purse  which  was  found  near  the  depot. 


IDIOMATIC    PHRASES.  135 

I,ay  damages,  to  {Law)  =  To  state  the  amount  of 

damages  ;  to  claim  as  indemnity,  (a) 
Mr.  A.  has  brought  suit  against  the  rail-road  com- 
pany for  injuries  received  in  a  collision,  and  lays  his 
da7nages  at  $2,000  =  Mr.  A.  has  brought  suit  against 
the  rail-road  company  for  injuries  which  he  received 
in  a  collision ;  and  claims  $2,000  as  compensation 
or  indemnity. 

Liay  down,  to  =  l.  To  give  up;  to  resign;  to  re- 
linquish, (a)  2.  To  quit;  to  cease  using,  (a)  3. 
To  offer  or  advance,  {b) 
1.  Gen.  Washington  laid  down  his  office  of  com- 
mander-in-chief, (1783),  and  six  years  after,  was  in- 
augurated president  of  the  United  States  =  Gen. 
"Washington  resigned  his  office  of  commander-in- 
chief,  and  six  years  after,  was  inaugurated  president 
of  the  United  States.  2.  At  the  alarm  of  fire,  the 
mechanic  laid  down  his  tools,  and  rushed  into  the 
streets  At  the  alarm  of  fire,  the  mechanic  ceased 
using  his  tools,  and  rushed  into  the  street.  3.  Lo- 
gicians lay  down  these  propositions  about  the  mode 
of  arguing  =  Persons  skilled  in  arguing  advance 
these  propositions  about  the  mode  of  arguing.  3. 
The  author  of  the  Declaration  of  Independence  laid 
down  the  proposition,  that  all  men  are  created  free 
and  equals  The  author  of  the  Declaration  of  Inde- 
pendence advanced  the  statement,  that  all  men  are 
created  free  and  equal. 

l,ay  or  put  head§  together,  to  =  To  consult  to- 
gether ;  to  compare  opinions ;  to  deliberate,  {h) 
The  burglars  laid  their  heads  together,  and  devised 
a  plan  for  robbing  the  bank  =  The  burglars  con- 
sulted together,  and  devised  a  plan  for  robbing  the 
bank.  Tlie  politicians  put  their  heads  together,  and 
decided  to  nominate  Mr.  C.  for  governor  =  The  poli- 
ticians deliberated,  and  decided  to  nominate  Mr.  C. 
for  governor. 

L.ay  hold  of,  to  =  To  seize ;  to  grasp  ;  to  catch,  (a) 
Lay  hold  of  him  !  he  is  a  thief.  =  Seize  him  !  he  is 
a  thief.  The  man  who  fell  overboard  was  saved  by 
laying  hold  of  a  rope  which  was  thrown  to  him  =  The 
man  who  fell  overboard  was  saved  by  grasping  a 
rope  which  was  thrown  to  him. 

Lay  in,  to  =  To  store ;  to  procure  beforehand,  (a) 
He  laid  in  a  year's  supply  of  sugar  at  one  pur- 
chase =  He  procured  beforehand,  at  one  time,  enough 
sugar  to  last  a  year.  "We  have  laid,  in  potatoes  and 
apples  and  coal  for  the  winters  "We  have  stored 
potatoes  and  apples  and  coal  for  the  winter. 

I^ay  one'§  hand  upon,  to  =  To  find,  (c) 


186  IDIOMATIC     PHRASES. 

The  teacher  said  that   he   owned  a  History  of 
Home,  but  he  was  not  certain  that  he  could  lay  his 
hand  upon  it  =  The  teacher  said  that  he  owned  a 
History  of  Rome,  but  he  was  not  certain  that  he 
could  find  it. 
L.ay  oiie'§  self  open  to,  to  =r  To  expose  one's  self 
to.  {a) 
By  associating  with  men  of  bad  habits,  he  lays 
himself  open  to  suspicion  =  By  associating  with  men 
of  bad  habits,  he  exposes  himself  to  suspicion. 
L<ay  one'§  self  out,  to  =  To  make  special  exertions ; 
to  exert  one's  self,  (h) 
In  the  important  legal  case,  the  lawyer  laid  him- 
self out  in  argument  =  In  the  important  legal  ■  case, 
the  lawyer  made  special  exertions  to  present  a  strong 
argument. 
Lay  on  the  table,  to  (Parliamentary  usage)  =  To 
postpone,  by  vote,  the  consideration  of.  (a) 
He  moved  to  lay  the  bill  for  increasing  the  duty 
on  tea  on  the  table  =  He  made  a  motion  that  the  con- 
sideration of  the  bill  for  increasing  the  duty  on  tea 
should  be  postponed. 
Lay  open,  to  =  To  open ;    to  show ;  to  expose ;  to 
reveal,  (a) 
I  wall  lay  open  the  whole  aifair  of  the  official's 
misconducts  I  will  expose  the  whole  affair  of  the 
official's  misconduct.     He  laid  open  his  plans  to  me 
=  He  revealed  his  plans  to  me. 
Lay  out,  to  =  l.  To  expend,  (a)     2.  To  plan,  (a)     3. 
To  dress  in  grave-clothes,  (a) 

1.  I  have  laid  out  ten  dollars  in  books  this  month 
=  1  have  expended  ten  dollars  for  books  this  month. 
2.  Warm  weather  is  approaching,  and  I  shall  lay  out 
the  garden  to-day  =  Warm  weather  is  approaching, 
and  I  shall  plan  the  garden,  and  arrange  the  beds 
and  walks  to-day.     3,  The  corpse  was  laid  out  by  the 
undertaker,  soon  after  death  =  The  corpse  was  dressed 
in  grave-clothes  by  the  undertaker,  soon  after  death. 
Lay  sieg^e  to,  to=:l.  To  besiege;  to  encompass  with 
an  army,  (a)     2.  To  court  pertinaciously;    to  ad- 
dress one's  self  to  with  importunities,  (a) 
1.  The  German  army  laid  siege  to  Paris  in  1870  = 
In  1870  the  German  army  besieged  Paris.     2.  He 
was  smitten  with  the  young  lady's  attractions,  and 
laid  siege  to  her  heart  =  He  w^as  deeply  impressed 
with  the  young  lady's  attractions,  and  courted  her 
pertinaciously. 
Lay  stress  upon,  to  =  To  think  important  or  neces- 
sary ;  to  urge,  (a) 
In  his  charge  to  the  jury,  the  judge  laid  stress  on 


IDIOMATIC     PHRASES.  137 

the  fact,  that  the  evidence  against  the  accused  was 
not  very  strong  or  directs  In  his  charge  to  the  jury, 
the  judge  urged  the  fact,  that  the  evidence  against 
the  accused  was  not  very  strong  or  direct. 
Liay  the  ax  to  the  root  of,  to  =  To  thoroughly  de- 
stroy ;  to  attack  vigorous!}',  {b) 
The  teacher  laid  the  ax  to  the  root  of  the  tobacco- 
chewing  prevalent  in  his  school  =  The  teacher  vigor- 
ously attacked  the  habit  of  tobacco-chewing,  which 
prevailed  in  his  school. 
JLsLj  the  foundation  of,  to  =  To  begin  the  prepara- 
tions ;  to  take  the  first  steps. 
Henry  Clay  laid  the  foundation  of  his  greatness  as 
an  orator,  in  the  school-house  debates  of  his  boyhood 
=  Henry  Clay  took  the  first   steps  in   oratory,  by 
participating  in  the  debates  held  in  the  school-house 
in  his  boyhood. 
Eiay  to ;    lay  at  the  door  of,  to  =  To  charge  upon  ; 
to  impute  to  ;  to  attribute  to.  (a) 
Don't  lay  it  to  me  ;  I  am  not  to  blame  =  Do  not 
charge  me  with  doing  it,  for  it  is  not  my  fault.     The 
idle  and  untruthful  boy  laid  his  faults  at  the  door  of 
his  parents,  saying  that  they  did  not  teach  him  bet- 
ter =  The  idle  and  untruthful  boy  charged  the  blame 
of  his  faults  to  his  parents,  because    they  did  not 
teach  him  better.     He  lays  his  sickness  to  the  cold 
wind  =  He  attributes  his  sickness  to  the  cold  wind. 
Liay  to  heart,  to  =  To  permit  to  affect  greatly ;  to 
feel  deeply,  (a) 
I  wish  you  to  lay  these  admonitions  to  heart  =  1 
desire  that  you  should  be  deeply  affected  by  these 
cautions  and  instructions.     Every  one  should  lay  to 
heart   the   truth    of    human   mortality  =  Every   one 
should  feel  deeply  the  trfitli  that  all  men  are  mortal. 
Lay  under  restraint,  to  =  To  restrain  ;  to  hinder,  (c) 
The  farmer  would  gladly  sell  his  farm  and  remove 
west,  but  he  is  laid  under  restraint  by  a  promise  he 
made  his  dying  father,  never  to  sell  the  homestead 
=  The  farmer  would  gladly  sell  his  farm   and   re- 
move west,  but  is  restrained  by  a  promise  made  to 
his  dying  father,  never  to  sell  the  homestead. 
L<ead  by  the  no§e,  to  =  To  lead  blindly ;  to  cause  to 
follow  obsequiously,  (c) 
That  politician  leads  his  party  hy  the  nose  =  That 
politician  causes  his  adherents  to  follow  him  obsequi- 
ously. 
Lead  captive,  to  =  To  carry  into  captivity,  (c) 

Nebuchadnezzar,  King  of  Babylon,  led  captive 
many  of  the  Jews  =  JSTebuchadnezzar,  King  of  Bab- 
ylon, carried  into  captivity  many  of  the  Jews. 


138  IDIOMATIC    PHRASES. 

l<ead  off,  to  =  To  begin ;   to  be  the  first  to  do  a 
thing,  (a) 
The  senator  from  New  York  led  off^  in  the  debate 
on  the  pension  bill  =  The  senator  from  l^ew  York 
was  the  first  one  to  speak,  in  the  debate  on  the  pen- 
sion bill. 
I^ead  the  way,  to  =  To  show  the  way ;  to  act  as 
guide,  (a) 
No  traveler  could  ascend  Mount  Blanc,  without 
some  one  to  had  the  way  —  No  traveler  could  ascend 
Mount  Blanc,  without  some  one  to  act  as  guide. 
LiCave  in  the  dark,  to  =  Not  to  inform  or  disclose,  (a) 
I  received  a  letter  from  my  friend  yesterday,  but 
it  leaves  me  in  the  dark  as  to  what  he  is  doing  =  I  re- 
ceived a  letter  from  my  friend  yesterday,  but  it  does 
not  inform  me  what  he  is  doing. 
Lieave  in  the  lurch,  to  =  To  leave  in  a  difficult  situ- 
ation, or  in  embarrassment;  to  leave  in  a  forlorn 
state,  or  without  help.  (6) 
While  I  had  many  visitors  in  my  house,  my  cook 
went  away  and  left  me  in  the  Zi^rcA  =  While  many 
friends  were  visiting  me,  my  cook  went  away  and 
left  me  in  an  embarrassing  situation,  or  without 
help. 
I^eave  no  §tone  unturned,  to  =  To  use  all  practi- 
cable means  to  effect  an  object,  {a) 
I  have  not  succeeded  in  getting  you  that  situation, 
though  I  have  left  no  stone  unturned— 1  have  not  suc- 
ceeded in  securing  that  situation  for  you,  though  I 
have  used  all  practicable  means  to  effect  it.      His 
horse  has  been  stolen,  and  he  will  leave  no  stone  un- 
turned to  find  the  thief  =  His  horse  has  been  stolen, 
and  he  will  do  all  that  is  possible  to  find  the  thief. 
L.eave  out,  to=:To  omit ;  jiot  to  put  in.  {a) 

If  the  printer  should  leave  out  a  word,  it  might 
wholly  change  the  meaning  of  the  sentence  =  If  the 
printer  should  omit  a  word,  the  meaning  of  the  sen- 
tence might  be  wholly  changed. . 
Left-handed  marriage  =  In  Germany,  a  marriage 
with  a  woman  of  inferior  rank,  in  which  it  is  stip- 
ulated that  neither  she  nor  her  children  shall  enjoy 
the  rank  of  the  husband,  or  inherit  his  property. 
Louis,  king  of   Bavaria,  contracted  a  left-handed 
marriage  =  Louis,  king  of  Bavaria,  married  a  woman 
of   inferior  rank,  with  the  stipulation  that  neither 
she  nor  her  children  should  take  the  rank,  or  inherit 
the  property,  of  her  husband. 
L.ett  to  one'§  self,  to  be=:l.  To  be  deserted  or  for- 
saken, {a)    2.  To  be  permitted  to  follow  one's  own 
opinions  or  desires,  (a) 


IDIOMATIC     PHRASES.  *  139 

1.  In  the  great  plague  in  London,  in  1665,  many 
of  the  sick  were  left  to  themselves  —  In  the  great  plague 
in  London,  in  1665,  many  of  the  sick  were  deserted. 
2.  A  headstrong  son  is  sometimes  left  to  himself—  A 
headstrong  son  is  sometimes  permitted  to  follow  his 
own  desires. 
L<end  a  hand,  to  =  To  render  assistance ;  to  aid.  ih) 
Lend  a  hand  in  drawing  this  wagon  into  the  wag- 
on-house =  Aid  in  drawing  this  wagon  into  the  wag- 
on-house,    I  should  not  have  finished  my  haying  to- 
day unless  my  neighbor  had  lent  a  ha'nd  =  l  should 
not  have  finished  my  haying  to-day,  if  my  neighbor 
had  not  assisted  me. 
L<end  an  ear,  to  =  To  listen  ;  to  hear  attentively,  (c) 
The  rich  should   lend  an  ear  to  the  complaints  of 
the  poor  =  The  rich  should  listen  to  the  complaints 
of  the  poor.     Lend  me  both  your  ears,  while  I  des- 
cribe what  I  saw  in  London  =  Listen  very  attentively 
to  me,  while  I  describe  what  I  saw  in  London. 
Liend  one'§  self  to,  to  =  To  give  one's  aid  or  coun- 
tenance to  some  questionable  proceeding,  (a) 
He  le7it  himself  to  the  lottery  scheme  —  He  allowed 
himself  to  be  used  to  help  the  lottery  scheme.     I 
will  not  lend  myself  to  such  a  plan  =  I  will  not  conde- 
scend to  help  such  a  plan. 
LiCt  alone,  to  =  To  suffer  to  rest ;  to  forbear  molest- 
ing or  meddling  with,  {a) 
If  the  intemperate  man  would  reform,  he  must  let 
liquor  alone— li  the  intemperate  man  w^ould  reform, 
he  must  not  meddle  with  liquor. 
L-et  be  =  To  omit ;  to  leave  untouched,  (a) 

The  farmer  told  his  hired  man,  on  going  away,  to 
let  the  haying  5e,  till  next  week  =  On  going  away,  the 
farmer  told  his  hired  man  to  leave  the  haying  un- 
touched, till  the  next  week. 
Liet  fall,  to  =  To  speak  or  mention,  as  if  incidentally 
and  without  special  purpose,  {b) 
He  let  fall  a  remark  about  your  conduct,  which  set' 
me  to   thinkings  He   said    something  incidentally 
about  your  conduct,  which  roused  my  thoughts. 
Liet  in,  to  =  1.  To  admit,  (a)     2.  To  insert,  in  a  space 
formed  for  the  purpose,  (a) 

1.  The  broken  pane  of  my  window  lets  in  the  wind 
=  My  broken  window  pane  admits  the  wdnd.  2.  The 
hinge  is  let  into  the  door,  in  order  to  prevent  a  crev- 
ice when  the  door  is  closed  —  The  hinge  of  the  door 
is  inserted  in  a  space  purposely  made,  in  order  to 
prevent  a  crevice  when  the  door  is  closed. 
L.et  into  the  secret,  to  =  To  impart  knowledge 
which  is  possessed  only  by  a  few.  (a) 


140  IDIOMATIC     PHRASES. 

The  blacksmith  has  discovered  a  method  of  mak- 
ing steel  very  cheaply,  and  he  has  let  Mr.  G.  into  the 
secret=T\\Q  blacksmith  has  discovered  a  method  of 
making  steel  very  cheaply,  and  he  has  imparted  the 
knowledge  of  it  to  Mr.  G. 
Let  me  §ee,  let  us  see,  are  used  to  express  consid- 
eration, or  to  introduce  the  particular  consideration 
of  a  subject,  {a) 
Let  us  see,  now,  whether  these  arguments  in  favor 
of  a  new  treaty  are  conclusive  =  Let  us  consider,  par- 
ticularly, whether  these  arguments  in  favor  of  a  new 
treaty  are  conclusive.     Let  me  see — what  did  he  say 
about  his  son,  who  lives  in  California  ?  =  Let  me  con- 
sider, in  order  that  I  may  recall  what  he  said  about 
his  son,  who  lives  in  California. 
L.et  one  know,  to  =  To  inform  ;  to  tell,  (a) 

I  will  let  you  know  to-night  =  I  will  inform  you  to- 
night.   Let  me  know  how  you  are,  when  you  get  home 
—  Send  me  word  how  you  are,  when  you  get  home. 
L<et  out,  torrl.  To  sutfcr  to   escape,  (a)     2.  To  ex- 
tend ;  to  enlarge,  (a)     3.  To  lease,  (a) 
1.  The  farmer  lets  out  the  cow^s  after  milking  =  The 
farmer  sets  free   the  coavs    after   milking.     2.  The 
mother  let  out  the  child's  dress  =  The  mother  enlaro-ed 
the  child's  dress,  which  she  had  outgrown.     3.  The 
lawyer  lets  out  the  farm,  which  he  owns,  to  liis  neigh- 
bor =r  The  lawyer  leases  his  farm  to  his  neighbor. 
L.et  pass,  to  =  To  neglect ;  to  suffer  to  go  unheeded. 

(«) 

The  teacher  said  tliat  he  could  not  let  the  child's 
disobedience  pass  —  The  teacher  said  that  he  could 
not  sufier  tlie  cliild's  disobedience  to  go  unheeded. 
You  have  not  quite  paid  me  all  that  is  due ;  but  let 
that  ^as5=You  have  not  paid  me  quite  all  that  is 
due ;  but  never  mind  that. 
Let  slip,  to  =  l.  To  loose  from  the  slip  or  noose  or 
leash,  as  a  hound,  (a)     2.  To  suffer  to  pass  insensi- 
bly or  negligently,  (b) 

1.  When  the  game  was  started,  the  hunters  Ze^the 
dogs  slip  =  WhQY\  the  game  was  started,  the  hunters 
let  the  dogs  loose  from  the  leash.     2.  To  my  damage, 
I'let  the  opportunity  of  engaging  in  the  tea  trade 
slip^Ho  my  damage,  I  let  the  opportunity  of  en- 
gaging in  the  tea  trade  go  by — I  did  not  improve  it. 
Let  well  enough  alone,  to  =  To  leave  as  it  is,  what 
is  suitable  or  sufficient ;  to  be  content  with  what 
requires  no  alteration,  (a) 
He  desires  a  new  situation  ;  he  can  not  let  well 
enough  alone^l^Q  desires  a  new  situation;  he  is  not 
satisfied  with  what  requires  no  change.     I  can  give 


IDIOMATIC     PHRASES.  141 

^    joii  a  larger  room,  if  you  like.     IN'o,  sir  ;  we  will  let 
^  well  enough  alone  and  stay  here  =  I  can  give  you  a 
larger  room  if  you  like.     No,  sir ;  we  will  be  satis- 
fied with  our  present  location,  which  is  suitable,  and 
will  leave  it  unchanged  (will  not  change  it). 
I^ick  the  du§t,  to  —  To  be  slain  ;  to  perish  in  battle. 

In  the  battle,  many  of  the  enemy  licked  the  dust  — 
In  the  battle,  many  of  the  enemy  were  slain. 
L.ie,  or  be,  at  the  root  of,  to  =  To  be  the  founda- 
tion or  source  of;  to  cause,  {a) 
Laziness  lies  at  the  root  o/"that  boy's  complaint,  that 
his  lessons  are  too  long  =  Laziness  causes  that  boy 
to  complain  that  the  lessons  are  too  long. 
L.ie  between,  to  n  1.  To  be  situated  between,  (a)     2. 
To  be  limited  to  two  persons  or  things,  {a) 
1.  The  Sandwich  Islands  lie  between  America  and 
Japan  =  The  Sandwich  Islands  are  situated  between 
America  and  Japan.     2.  His  choice  of  a  profession 
lies  between  law  and  medicine  =  His  choice  of  a  pro- 
fession is  limited  to  the  two,  law  and  medicine. 
Liie  by,  to  =  To  rest ;  to  intermit  labor.  («) 

The  haymakers  are  lying  by,  during  the  heat  of  the 
day  =  The  haymakers  are  resting,  during    the  heat 
of  the  day. 
Liie  in  one,  to  =  To  be  in  the  power  of ;  to  belong 
to.  (c) 
As  much  as  lay  in  me,  I  made  mn  equitable  settle- 
ment of  the  estate  =  As  much  as  was  in  my  power,  I 
made  an  equitable  settlement  of  the  estate. 
Liie  in  one'§  gift,  to  =  To  have  it  in  one's  power  to 
give,  (c) 
The  appointment  of  magistrates  lies  in  the  gift  of 
the  governors  of  Chinese  jjrovinces  =  Governors  of 
Chinese  provinces  have  it  in  their  power  to  appoint 
magistrates. 
L.ie  in  wait,  to=:To  lie  in  ambush  ;  to  be  secreted, 
in  order  to  fall  by  surprise  on  an  enemy,  (a) 
The  Indians  lay  in  v:ait  for  the  soldiers  =  The  In- 
dians were  secreted,  in  order  to  fire  by  surprise  when 
the  soldiers  reached  their  vicinity. 
Liie,  or  re§t,  on  one's  oars,  to  =  To  cease  pulling  the 
oars,  raising  them  out  of  the  water — hence,  to  cease 
from  work  of  any  kind ;  to  rest ;  to  be  idle,  (a) 

It  is  vacation,  and  the  student  is  lying  on  Ms  oars 
—  It  is  vacation,  and  the  student  is  resting  awhile 
from  his  studies.  I  have  won  four  prizes,  and  I  will 
rest  on  my  oars  awhile  =  I  have  won  four  prizes,  and 
I  w^ill  be  idle  awhile. 
L.ie  over,  to  =  l.To  remain  unpaid,  after  the  time 


142  IDIOMATIC    PHKASES. 

when  payment  is  due.  (a)     2,  To  be    deferred  to 
some  future  occasion,  (a) 
1.  He  suiFered  his  note  to  lie  over,  through  forget- 
fulness  =  He  suffered  his  note  to  remain  unpaid,  after 
it  became  due,  through  forgetfulness.     2.  The  Leg- 
islature of  this  State  voted  to  let  the  bill  lie  over= 
The  Legislature  of  this  State  voted  to  defer  the  con- 
sideration of  the  bill  to  some  future  occasion.     2. 
The  resolution  introduced  by  the  committee  on  for- 
*  eign  affairs  lies  over  till  next  week  =  The  resolution 
introduced  by  the  committee  on  foreign  affairs  will 
not  be  acted  upon  till  next  week. 
Light  a§  a  feather  =  Having  very  little  weight,  (a) 
A  gentle  breeze  raised  the  kite,  for  it  was  light  as 
a  feather  =  A  gentle  breeze  raised  the  kite,  for  it  had 
very  little  weight. 
Light  purse,  or  empty   pur§e  =  Poverty  or  want 
of  resources,  (c) 
Habits  of  extravagance  often  make  a  light  purse  = 
Poverty  often  results  from  habits  of  extravagance. 
Liight  upon,  to  =  To  come  to  by  chance ;  to  happen 
to  lind.  (c) 
If  I  could  light  upon  a  person  having  a  good  house 
to  sell  for  about  half-price,  I  could  afford  to  buy  it 
=  If  by  good  chance  I  could  find  some  person  hav- 
ing a  good  house  to  sell,  at  about  half  its  value,  I 
could  afford  to  buy  it.     I  lighted  upon  a  fine  passage 
in  Mencius  =  I  happened  to  find  a  fine  passage  in 
-  Mencius.     We  lighted  on  friends  at  the  tower,  and 
passed  a  pleasant  day=:We  happened  to  find  friends 
at  the  tower,  and  passed  a  pleasant  day. 
Line  of  battle  =  The  position  of  troops  drawn  up  in 
their  usual  order,  without  any  determined  maneu- 
ver, {a) 
The  troops  were  drawn  up  in  line  of  battle  =  The 
troops  were  drawn  up  in  the  orderly  position  suit- 
able to  a  battle. 
Lion's  share,  the  =  The  greatest  part ;  the  most  de- 
sirable part,  (a) 
In  the  distribution  of  his  father's  property,  John 
managed  to  get  the  lion^s  share  =  In  the  distribution 
of  his  father's  property,  John  managed  to  get  the 
largest  portion,  or  best  portion.     He  took  the  lion's 
share  of  it  =  He  took  nearly  all  of  it.     If  you  go  to 
law  about  the   property,  the  lawyers  will  have  the 
lion's  share  of  it  =  If  you  go  to  law  about  the  property, 
the  lawyers  will  get  the  larger  part  of  it.     You  are 
taking  the  lion's  share  of  the  apples = You  are  taking 
more  than  your  part  of  the  apples. 
Listen  to  reason,  to  =  To  be  influenced  by  what  is 


IDIOMATIC     PHRASES.  143 

true,  or  right,  or  reasonable,  or  proper,  or  best,  &c. 
(a) 
The  jonng  lady  would  not   h'sten  to  reason,  but 
went  to  the  ball,  although  she  had  a  severe  cough  = 
The  young  lady  would  not  be  influenced  by  what 
was  proper  or  prudent,  but  went  to  the  ball,  al- 
though she  had  a  severe  cough. 
Liittle    by    little  =  Gradually ;     slowly;    by    shght 
changes,  (a) 
The  man  who  habitually  uses  opium,  loses,  little 
hy  little,  his  power  of  resisting  the  habits  The  man 
who   habitually   uses   opium,   loses,   gradually,  his 
power  of  resisting  the  habit.     Little  hy  little,  I  have 
learned  to  read   French  =  I   have   learned  to  read 
French  by  learning  a  little  at  a  time.     He  is  recov- 
ering little  hy  little  —  He  is  recovering  slowly. 
litve  from   hand  to  mouth,  to  =  To  live  precari- 
ously from  day  to  day,  without  provision  for  the 
future,  (a) 
The  workman  has  no  property  accumulated,  and 
is  living  from  hand  to  mouth  —  The  workman  has  no 
property  accumulated,  and  is  living  by  supplying  his 
daily  wants  by  his  daily  labor,  making  no  provision 
for  the  future. 
Lilve  or  dwell  in  the  memory,  to  =  To  be  clearly 
remembered,  (c) 

My  travel  in  foreign  countries  lives  in  the  memory 
=  My  travel  in  foreign  countries  is  clearly  remem- 
bered. 
Liive  on,  to  =  To  subsist  on.  (a) 

He  earns  enough  to  live  on  =  He  earns  enough  to 
supply  his  wants.  He  lived  on  $500  a  year = He 
supported  himself  on  $500  a  year.  Some  people  in 
the  Arctic  regions  live  almost  wholly  on  blubber  = 
Some  people  in  the  Arctic  regions  eat  blubber,  and 
almost  nothing  else.' 
Liive  up  to,  to  =  To  conform  the  life  and  conduct  to  ; 
to  make  the  life  consistent  with,  {a) 
Take  heed  and  live  up  to  your  profession  =  Take 
heed  and  make  your  life  to  be  consistent  with  your 
profession.  He  does  not  live  up  to  his  temperance 
principles  =  He  does  not  comform  to  the  principles 
of  temperance  by  which  he  professes  to  be  guided. 
We  are  in  duty  bound  to  live  up  to  our  pledges 
to  God  and  our  fellow-creatures = We  are  in  duty 
bound  to  conform  our  life  and  conduct  to  our 
pledges  to  God  and  our  fellow-creatures.  Every  one 
ought  to  live  up  to  what  he  knows  to*  be  rights  Every 
one  ought  to  make  his  life  correspond  to  what  he 
knows  to  be  right. 


144  IDIOMATIC     PHRASES. 

LiOck  in,  lock  up,  to  —  To  confine  in  a  place  secured 
by  a  lock,  (a) 
The  capitalist  keeps  his  securities  locked  up  =  The 
capitalist  keeps  his  securities  in  a  place  secured  by 
a  lock. 
LiOdg^e  an  information,  to  {Law)  =  To  make  a  com- 
plaint ;  to  make  accusation  in  writing  to  the  proper 
court,  charging  some  one  with  specific  violation  of 
some  public  law.  (a) 
I  lodged  an  information  with  the  prosecuting  at- 
torney about  gamblings  I  made  a  complaint  to  the 
prosecuting  attorney  about  gambling. 
1j.o\\%  and  short,  the  —  The  summary  ;  a  brief  state- 
ment, (a)  • 
This  is  the  long  and  short  of  the   story  =  This  is  the 
whole  of  the  story  in  a  few  words.     Much  is  said 
about  the  difficulty  in  the  school,  but  the  long  and  the 
short  of  it  is,- that  the  teacher  has  no  governments 
Many  explanations  are  given  of  the  difficulty  in  the 
school,  but  the  substance  of  the  matter  is,  that  the 
teacher  has  no  capacity  for  governing. 
Liong  pur§e,  or  heavy  pur§e  —  Wealth ;  riches,  (c) 
He  must  have  a  heavy  purse,  to  make  such  exten- 
sive improvements  on  his  farm  =  The  extensive  im- 
provements on  his  farm  show  that  he  is  possessed  of 
wealth. 
LiOok  after,  to  =  To  take  care  of;  to  attend  to.  (a) 
The  nurse  looks  after  his  baby  =  The  nurse  takes 
care  of  his  baby.     Some  people  look  after  their  own 
interests,  and  pay  no  regard  to  the  interests  of  others 
=  Some  people  attend  to  their  own  interests,  and 
pay  no  regard  to  the  interest  of  others. 
Liook  ag^hast,  to  —  To  seem  struck  with  amazement ; 
.   stupefied  with  horror  or  fright,  (c) 

The  traveler  looked  aghast,  on  coming  to  the  body 
of  a  murdered  man  in  the  road  =  The  traveler  wore 
a  look  of  amazement  or  horror,  on  coming  to  the 
body  of  a  murdered  man  in  the  road. 
Look  at,  to  =  To  consider ;  to  investigate,  (a) 

The  judge  said  that  he  would  look  at  the  matter 
of  the  widow's  right  to  the  property  =  The  judge 
said  that    he  would  investigate  the  matter  of  the 
widow's  right  to  the  property. 
Liook  hlank,  to  =  To  appear  astonished,  confused,  or 
perplexed,  (c) 
The  general  looked  hlank  when  he  learned  tliat  the 
enemy  had  escaped  by  night  =  The  general  appeared 
astonished  and  perplexed  w^hen  he  learned  that  the 
enemy  had  escaped  by  night. 
L.ook  blue,  to  =  To  appear  despondent  or  gloomy,  (c) 


I 


IDIOMATIC     PHRASES.  145 

The  banker  loohed  blue,  wlien  he  read  of  the  de- 
cline in  stocks  in  which  lie  had  invested  largely  = 
The  banker  appeared  despondent,  when  he  read  of 
the  decline  in  stocks  in  which  he  had  invested  large- 
Look  dag[grer§,  to  =  To  look  fiercely,  reproachfnlly , 
or  angrily,  (c) 
Since  I  sued  him  for  the  debt  which  he  would  not 
pay,  he  looks  daggers  at  me  when  w^e  meet  =  Since  I 
sued  him  for  the  debt  which  he  would  not  pay,  he 
looks  angrily  at  me  when  we  meet. 
Liook  for,  to  =  l.  To  be  in  a  state  of  expectation,  {a) 
2.  To  search  after,  (a) 
1.  I  look  for  tidings  from  Mr.  A.  in  China  by  the 
next  mail  steamers  I  expect  to  receive  tidings  from 
Mr.  A.  in  China  by  tlie  next  steamer.     2.  The  sliep- 
herd  looked  for  his  lost  sheep  all  the  afternoon  —  The 
sheplierd  souglit  his  lost  sheep  all  the  afternoon. 
Look  on,  to  =  To  consider ;  to  conceive  of ;  to  think  ; 
to  view,  (c) 
Tlie  physician  holes  on  this  case  as  likely  to  termin- 
ate fotally  =  The  physician  considers  this  sickness  as 
one  that  is  likely  to  end  fatally. 
Liook  on  the  sunny  or  bright  §lde,  to  =  To  have  a 
cheerful  and  hopeful  spirit,  (a) 
The  habit  of  looking  on  tlie  bright  side  is  very  con- 
ducive to  health  =  The  habit  of  cherishing  a  cheer- 
ful  and    hopeful    spirit   very   greatly    conduces   to 
health.     We  make  life  much  more  pleasant  to  our- 
selves and  to  those  around  us,  by  always  looking  on 
the  bright  side  =  y^Q  render  life  much  more  pleasant 
*to  ourselves  and  to  all  about  us,  by  cherishing  a 
cheerful,  hopeful  temper. 
Look  on  the   dark  §ide,  to  =  To  be  discouraged,, 
melancholy,  or  despondent,  (a) 

Mr.  O's  health  is  poor,  and  he  looks  on  the  dark  side 
=  Mr.  O's  health  is  poor,  and  he  is  despondent.     Do 
not  look  on  the  dark  side,  even  if  business  is  dull  =  Do 
not  be  discouraged,  although  business  is  dull. 
Look  over,  to  =  To  examine  one  by  one;  to  scruti- 
nize. («) 
An  expert  was  employed  to  look  over  the  cashier's 
accounts,  which  were  in  a  snarl  =  An  expert  was 
employed  to  examine  critically  the  accounts  of  the 
cashier,  which  were  in  a  snarl.     I  have  looked  over 
two  barrels  of  apples,  and  find  nearly  all  of  them 
sound  =  I  have  examined  the  apples  in  two  barrels, 
one  by  one,  and  find  nearly  all  sound. 
Look  to,  to  =  To  resort  to  with  confidence  or  expec- 
tation of  receiving  something.  («) 
11 


146  IDIOMATIC    PHRASES. 

At  the  end  of  this  month,  I  shall  looh  to  you  for 
the  payment  of  Mr.  A.'s  boards  At  the  end  of  this 
month,  I  shall  expect  from  you  the  payment  of  Mr. 
A.'s  board.     This  is  my  first  visit  to  this  city,  and  I 
look  to  you  to  show  me  the  places  of  interest  here  = 
This  is  my  first  visit  to  this  city,  and  I  expect  you 
to  show  me  the  places  of  interest  here. 
LiOose  one'§  purse  string^s,  to  =  To  give ;  to  exer- 
cise generosity,  (h) 
The  famine  in  India  caused  England  and  America 
to    loose   their  purse  strings  =  The   famine   in   India 
caused  England  and  America  to  give  for  the  relief 
of  the  sufferers. 
liose  caste,  to  =  To  be  cast  out  from  one's  hereditary 
social  position^  (India) ;  hence,  to  lose  social  stand- 
ing, (a) 
If  a  native  of  India  becomes  a  Christian,  he  loses 
casie  =  A  native  of  India  falls  out  or  is  thrust  out  of 
his  caste,  or  hereditary  position  in  society,  on  be- 
coming a  Christian.      In  the  early  days  of  Anti- 
Slavery,  many  lost  caste  by  espousing  the  cause  of 
the  slave  =  In  the  early  days  of  opposition  to  slavery, 
many  lost  social  standing  by  espousing  the  cause  of 
the  slave. 
Liose  ground,  to  =  To  fall  behind;  to  sufifer  grad- 
ual loss,  or  disadvantage,  (a) 
He  has   lost  much  ground  by  his  absence   from 
school  =  He  has  got  behindhand,  because  of  his  ab- 
sence from  school.     You  will  lose  ground  at  court, 
if  you  vote  with  the  opposition  =  You  will  lose  favor 
at  court,  if  you  vote  with  the  opposition.     He  is 
losing  ground  all  the  time  in  his  studies,  on  account 
of  laziness  =  He  is  falling  behind  the  class  all  the 
time  in  his  studies,  on  account  of  laziness. 
Liose  no  time,  to=  To  be  expeditious ;  to  do  what  is 
to  be   done,   immediately  or   as   soon  as  circum- 
stances permit.  («) 
The  general  of  the  army  lost  no  time  in  putting  the 
plan  into  execution,  by  a  reconnoissance  in  force  = 
The  general  of  the  army  put  the  plan  into  execu- 
tion, immediately,  by  a  reconnoissance  in  force. 
L.o§e  one's  self,  to  =  To  drop  asleep,  (c) 

I  lost  myself  a  short  time,  while  he  was  speaking 
=  I  slumbered  a  short  time,  while  he  was  speaking. 
LiOse  one's  -wits,  to  =  To  lose  one's  mental  faculties; 
to   sufi*er  momentary  lapse    of   intellectual    fore- 
thought and  composure,  (c) 
In  the  confusion  and  alarm,  some  lost  their  wits, 
and  acted  very  irrationally  =  In  the  confusion  and 


I 


IDIOMATIC     PHRASES.  147 

alarm,  some  were  deprived  of  mental   composure 
and  forethought,  and  behaved  irrationally. 

Liose  sig^ht  of,  to  =  l.  To  be  deprived  of  a  view  of; 
(a)  2.  To  be  deprived  of  knowledge  of.  (b) 
1.  The  policeman  lost  sight  of  the  runaway  pris- 
oner, at  a  turning  in  the  road  =  The  policeman  was 
deprived  of  a  view  of  the  runaway  prisoner,  at  a 
turning  in  the  road.  2.  In  answer  to  my  letters, 
my  classmate  wrote  me  occasionally,  from  South 
America,  and  Europe,  and  Asia;  but  I  have  not 
heard  from  him  for  five  years,  and  now  I  have  lost 
sight  of  him  =  In  answer  to  my  letters,  my  classmate 
wrote  me  occasionally  from  South  America,  and 
Europe,  and  Asia ;  but  I  have  not  heard  from  him 
for  five  years,  and  now  I  have  no  knowledge  of  him. 

LiO§e  time,  to  =  l.  To  delay  unnecessarily;     2.  To 

go  too  slow,  (a) 

1.  Don't  lose  any  time  in  posting  this  letter = Do 

not  delay  in  posting  this  letter.     2.  My  watch  loses 

time,  please  regulate  it  =  My  watch  goes  too  slow, 

please  regulate  it. 

LiOw  life  =  Life  among  the  poorer  or  uneducated 
classes  of  a  country,  (a) 
Iler  sympathies  have  been  deeply  affected,  by 
frequent  observation  of  low  life  in  the  city  =  Her 
sympathies  have  been  deeply  affected,  by  frequent 
observation  of  life  among  the  poorer  and  uneducated 
classes  of  the  city. 

LiUmp  together,  to  =  To  take  in  the  gross ;  to  speak 
of  collectively,  (a) 
In  purchasing  the  country  store,  Mr.  A.  lumped 
together  the  dry  goods,  groceries,, and  crockery  ;  and 
paid  $5,000  for  them  =  In  purchasing  the  country 
store,  Mr.  A.  took  in  the  gross  (in  an  undivided  whole) 
the  dry  goods,  groceries,  and  crockery;  and  paid 
$5,000*  for  them.  The  policeman  lumped  together  the 
residents  of  M.  street,  and  called  them  a  set  of 
thieves  — The  policeman  spoke  of  the  residents  on 
M.  street  collectively,  and  called  them  a  set  of 
thieves. 


M. 

Made  to  order  =  Made  to  one's  own  measure ;  not 
ready-made,  (a) 
If  you  wish  your  clothes  to  fit  you  nicely,  you 
must  have  them  made  to  order  =zlf  you  wish   your 


148  IDIOMATIC    PHRASES. 

clothes  to  fit  you  nicely,  you  must  have  them  made 
to  your  own  measure. 
maiden  speech  =  The  first  speech  of  a  new  member 
in  a  public  body,  (a) 
Congressman  Prentiss,  (U.  S.)  the  new  member 
from  Mississippi,  is  on  his  feet,  and  delivering  his 
maiden  speec/i=:  Congressman  Prentiss,  the  new  mem- 
ber from  Mississippi,  is  making  his  first  speech. 
Make  a  beg^inning^,  to=rTo  take  first  steps  in  an 
enterprise  or  work ;  to  begin,  (a) 
Has    the    mason    built  the  house  ?     No,  but  he 
has   made  a  beginning^   by   digging   the  cellar   and 
drawing   the   stones  Has     the     mason    built     the 
house  ?     No,  but  he  has  taken  the  first  steps,  by 
digging  the  cellar  and  drawing  the  stones. 
Hake  a  call,  to  =  To  accomplish  a  short  visit  of  cer- 
emony or  social  propriety,  (a) 
I  made  twenty  calls  New  Year's  day  =  I  accom- 
plished twenty  short  visits  of  ceremony  New  Year's 
day.     I  should  be  much  pleased  if  you  would  make 
me  a  call—\t  would  much  gratify  me  to  receive  a 
short  social  visit  from  you. 
Make  a  clean  breast  of,  to  — To  disclose  the  se- 
crets which  weigh  upon  one ;  to  confess  fully,  (h) 
Make   a  clean   breast   of  your   faults  Confess  the 
whole  of  your  fault.     I  urged  him  for  half  an  hour, 
before  he  made  a  clean  breast  o/"  the  matter  =  I  en- 
treated him  for  half  an  hour  before  he  disclosed  the 
secrets  which  weighed  upon  him. 
Make   acquainted   n^itli,   to  =  To  render   familiar 
with ;  to  inform  concerning,  (a) 
The  lecturer  made  us  acquainted  with  life  and  soci- 
ety in  Pussia  =  The  lecturer  informed  us  concerning 
life  and  society  in  Pussia. 
Make  a  deduction,  to  =  To  infer,  (a) 

From  the  knowledge  of  the  moon  obtained  by 
means  of  the  telescope,  astronomers  make  the  deduc- 
tion that  it  is  not  inhabited  =  From  the  knowledge 
of  the  moon  obtained  by  means  of  the   telescope, 
astronomers  infer  that  it  is  not  inhabited. 
Make  advances,  to  =  To  furnish   something  before 
an  equivalent   is    received  (as   money  or  goods), 
towards  a  capital  or  stock,  or  on  loan,  {a) 
The  real  estate  broker  made  IsiVge  advances  to  Mr. 
C.  on  his  farm  =  The  real  estate    broker    advanced 
C.  much  money  on  his  farm. 
Make  a  fool  of,  to  =  To  cause  to  appear  ridiculous ; 
to  give  a  mortifying  check  to ;  to  defeat  or  deceive, 
in  a  shameful  or  ridiculous  manner,  (a) 
He  made  a  fool  of  you,  when  he  got  you  to  lend 


IDIOMATIC    PHRASES.  149 

liim  money  on  such  security  =■  He  deceived  you  in  a 
shameful  manner,  wlien  he  persuaded  you  to  lend 
money  on  such  security.     The  wag  made  a  fool  of 
the  foreigner,  in  sending  him  to  a  drug-store  to  buy 
a  coat  =  The  wag   caused  the  foreigner  to  appear 
ridiculous,  by  sending  him  to  a  drug-store  to  pur- 
chase a  coat. 
make  allowance  for,  to  =  To  have  regard  to;  to 
concede ;  to  abate  or  deduct,  (a) 
The  tailor  made  allowance  for  the  growth  of  the 
boy,  and  did  not  cut  his  coat  small  =  The  tailor,  in 
cutting  the  boy's  coat,  had  regard  to  the  fact  that  he 
was  growing ;    and  did  not  make  the  coat  small. 
You  must  7nake  allowance  for  his  ill  manners ;  he 
had  no  good  training  or  example  in  childhood  =  You 
must  abate  something  from  the  ordinary  expectation 
or  standard  of  manners,  in  his  case,  for  he  had  no 
good  training  or  example  in  his  childhood. 
Make  aincnd§,  to  =  To  make  compensation  for  loss 
or  injury  ;  to  give  satisfaction  or  equivalent,  {a) 
He  made  amends  for  his  faulty  conduct,  by  confess- 
ing it,  and  by  doing  better  =  He  gave  satisfaction  for 
his  faulty  conduct,  by  confessing  it,  and  by  behaving 
better.     He  made  amends  for  the  loss  of  my  horse, 
by  presenting  me  with  another  as  good  =  He  made 
compensation  for  the  loss  of  my  horse,  b}^  presenting 
me  with  another  as  good. 
Make  a  motion,  to=:To  make  a  proposition  in  a 
deliberative  assembly,  (a) 
He  made  a  motion  in  Congress  to  appoint  a  com- 
mittee on  the  elections  =  He  proposed  that  the  mem- 
bers of  Congress  should  vote  to  appoint  a  committee 
on  elections,  that  is,  election  of  members  of  Con- 
gress. 
Make  an  ado,  to  =  To  make  a  bustle ;  to  create  dif- 
ficulty, (c) 

It  is  not  becoming  to  make  a  great  ado  about  trifles 
=  It  is  not  becoming  to  make  a  great  difficulty  or 
bustle  about  trifles. 
Make  an  appearance,  to  =  To  appear,  (h) 

The  military  company  from  the  neighboring  State 
made  a  fine  appearance^  on  their  recent  visit  to  the 
city  =  The  military  company  from  the  neighboring 
State  appeared  finely,  on  their  recent  visit  to  the 
city. 
Make  an  appointment,  to  =  To  make  an  arrange- 
ment ;  to  fix  by  a  mutual  agreement,  (a) 
The  president  of  the  rail-road  jnade  an  appoint- 
ment to  meet  the  city  council  next  Wednesday  =  The 


160  IDIOMATIC    PHRASES. 

president  of  the  rail-road,  and  the  city  council  mutu- 
ally agreed  to  meet  next  Wednesday. 
Make  a  point  of,  to  =  To  regard  as  highly  import- 
ant ;  to  insist  upon ;  to  require ;  to  exact,  (a) 
He  makes  a  point  of  exercising  an  hour  daily  =  He 
regards  it  as  highly  important,  that  he  should  take 
exercise  for  one  hour  daily.      The  lawyer  made  a 
point  of  having  all  his  students  copy  legal  papers, 
and  discuss  legal  questions,  for  training  =  The  lawyer 
required  all  his  students  to  copy  legal  papers,  and 
discuss  legal  questions,  as  a  matter  of  training. 
Make  application,  to  =  To  apply ;   to  request ;  to 
solicit,  (a) 
John  A.  has  made  application  to  the  common  coun- 
cil, for  a  situation  on  the  police  force  =  John  A.  has 
applied  to  the  common  council,  to  be  appointed  a 
policeman. 
Make  as  if,  to  =  To  pretend  that ;  to  conduct  as  if; 
to  make  show  that,  (a) 
In  all  his  proceedings  he  made  as  if  he  was  rich  = 
In  aU  he  did  he  made  show  of  being  rich. 
Make  a  stand,  to  =  To  halt  for  the  purpose  of  offer- 
ing resistance  to  a  pursuing  enemy,  (a) 
The  retreating  army  was  met  by  reinforcements, 
and  made  a  stand  =zTh.G  army  flying  from  battle  was 
met  by  reinforcements,  and  halted  to  offer  resistance 
to  their  pursuers. 
Make  a  virtue  of  necessity,  to  =  To  do,  as  gracious- 
ly as  possible,  something  one  is  compelled  to  do.  (a) 
The  mother  commanded  her  boy  to  ask  pardon 
of  the  man  for  having  stolen  his  apples ;  so  he  made 
a  virtue  of  necessity,  and  humbly  acknowledged  his 
faults  =  The  mother  commanded  her  boy  to  ask  par- 
don of  the  man  for  having  stolen  his  apples ;  so  he 
acknowledged  his  faults  as  graciously  as  possible. 
The  man  preferred  to  live  in  the  city;  but  as  he 
could  not  rent  his  house  in  the  country,  he  made  a 
virtue  of  necessity,  and  moved  into  his  country  house 
=  The  man  preferred  living  in  the  city ;  but  as  he 
could  not  rent  his  house  in  the  country,  he  moved 
into  it,  and  lived  there  as  contentedly  and  good- 
humoredly  as  possible. 
Make  away  with,  to  =:  To  kill ;  to  destroy.  («) 

The  Sultans  of  Turkey  have  sometimes  made  away 
with  their  brothers,  in  order  to  keep  the  throne = The 
Sultans  of  Turkey  have  sometimes  destroyed  their 
brothers,  in  order  to  keep  the  throne.  He  was  de- 
ranged by  his  losses,  and  made  away  with  himself= 
He  was  made  crazy  by  his  losses,  and  killed  himself. 
Make  a  ivill,  to  —  To  make  a  written  declaration,  in 


IDIOMATIC     PHRASES.  151 

due  legal  form,  respecting  the  disposition  of  prop- 
perty  after  death,  (a) 
He  made  his  will  during  his  last  sickness = During 
his  last  sickness,  he  had  his  wishes  written  out  and 
the  writing  legally  executed,  respecting  the '  disposi- 
tion of  his  property  after  death. 
make  believe,  to  =  To  assume  what  is  not  true ;  to 
pretend ;  to  act  as  if.  (a) 
He  7nade  believe  that  he  was  frightened = He  pre- 
tended that  he  was  frightened. 
Hake  bold,  to  =  To  take  liberties;  to  use  freedom. 

I  made  hold  to  go  in  to  my  friend's  house  without 
knocking = I  took  the  liberty  to  go  in  to  my  friend's 
house  without  knocking. 
Make  both  end§  meet,  to  =  To  cause  one's  receipts 
to  equal  his  expenses;    to  make   expenses   come 
within  one's  income,  (b) 
Since  prices  have  advanced,  we  can  not  make  both 
ends  meet=Smce  the  cost  of  living  has  increased,  we* 
can  not  make  our  receipts  equal  our  expenses.     How 
did  you  come  out  (end)  this  year,  financially?     I 
barely  (merely)  made  both  ends  meei=YLow  did  you 
come  out  this  year  financially  ?     I  did  not  save  any- 
thiiig  above  my  expenses. 
make  fa§t,  to  =  To  fasten  ;  to  secure,  {a) 

Before  leaving  the  shore,  the  boatmen  made  fast 
the  boat  to  the  stump  of  a  tree,  which  stood  by  the 
water's  edge  =  Before  leaving  the  shore,  the  boatmen 
fastened  the  boat  to  the  stump  of  a  tree,  which  stood 
by  the  water's  edge. 
make  for,  to  =  l.  To  direct  the  course  toward.  («) 
2.  To  promote  ;  to  favor,  {a) 
1.  The  swimmer  saw  a  storm  arising,  and  made  for 
the  shore  =  The  swimmer  saw  a  storm  arising,  and 
swam  towards  the  shore.     2.  His  habits  of  punctu- 
ality and  truthfulness  make  for  his  interests  =  His 
habits  of  punctuality  and  truthfulness  favor  his  in- 
terests (tend  to  his  advantage). 
make  free  witb,  to  -  To  treat  with  improper  famil- 
iarity ;  to  treat  without  ceremony,  (c) 
Do  not  make  free  with  your  superiors  =  Do  not 
treat  your  superiors  with  improper  familiarity.     He 
m^ade  free  with  me  by  taking  my  horse  and  carriage 
without  my  permission  =  He  used  me  with  improper 
freedom  by  taking  my  horse  and  carriage  without 
my  permission. 
make  ft*lend§,  to  =  To  gain  friends ;  to  form  friend- 
ship, (a) 
He  is  a  pleasant  gentleman   and  makes  friends 


152  IDIOMATIC    PHRASES. 

wherever  he  goes  =  He  is  a  pleasant  gentleman,  and 
forms  friendship  wherever  he  goes.     I  have  made 

friends  with  the  boy,  by  giving  him  candy  =  I  have 
caused  the  boy  to  become  my  friend,  by  giving  him 
candy. 

Make  grood,  to  =  1.  To  sustain  ;  to  prove,  {a)  2.  To 
fulfill,  (a)  3.  To  make  compensation  for.  (a) 
1.  The  beggar  made  good  his  statement  that  he 
had  a  sick  family.  =  The  beggar  proved  his  state- 
ment that  his  family  was  sick.  2.  The  shoemaker 
made  good  his  promise  to  finish  my  shoes  in  time  for 
the  weddings  The  shoemaker  fulfilled  his  promise 
to  finish  my  shoes  in  time  for  the  wedding.  3.  The 
rail-road  company  made  good  to  the  traveler  the  loss 
of  his  trunks  The  rail-road  company  compensated 
the  traveler  for  the  loss  of  his  trunk.  3,  If  the 
book  is  injured,  you  must  make  it  good  —  li  you  in- 
jure the  book,  you  must  pay  for  repairing  it,  or  buy 
a  new  one.  3.  If  any  of  the  tea  is  lost  on  the  voy- 
age, I  will  make  it  good—li  any  of  the  tea  is  lost  on 
the  voyage,  I  will  furnish  some  in  its  place. 

Make  liaste,  to  =  To  hasten,  {a) 

If  one  person  has  done  another  an  injury,  he 
should  make  haste  to  acknowledge  and  repair  it  =  If 
a  person  has  injured  another,  he  should  hasten  to 
acknowledge  and  repair  the  injury. 

Make  head  again§t,  to  =  To  overcome ;  to  advance 
against,  (a) 
While  the  storm  raged,  the  ship  could  not  make 
head  against  the  wind  and  waves  =  While  the  storm 
raged,  the  ship  could  not  advance  against  the  wind 
and  waves.  The  teacher  can  not  make  any  hexid 
against  the  opposition  of  his  pupils  =  The  teacher 
can  not  overcome  the  opposition  of  his  pupils. 

Make  headway,  to=r  To  progress  ;  to  succeed,  (a) 
Does  my  son  make  any  headway  in  his  studies  ?  = 
Does  my  son  progress  any  in  his  studies?     The  new 
physician  makes  headway  in  securing  practice  —  The 
new  physician  succeeds  in  obtaining  practice. 

Make  it  one's  study,  to  =  To  earnestly  consider  and 
strive,  (a) 
Mr.  P.,  the  merchant,  makes  it  his  study  to  please 
his  customers  =  Mr.  P.,  the  merchant,  carefully  con- 
siders how  he  can  please  his  customers,  and  earnestly 
strives  to  do  so. 

Make  its  -appearance,  to  =  To  become  visible,  {b) 
In  scarlet  fever,  a  scarlet  rash  makes  its  appearance^ 
usually  on  the  second  day  =  In  scarlet  fever,  a  rash 
becomes  visible,  usually  on  the  second  day. 


IDIOMATIC    PHRASES.  153 

To  consider  as  of  no  account ; 
to  treat  with  indifference  or  contempt,  (a) 
The  father  gave  his  son  good  advice,  but  the  son 
made  light  of  it  =  T\\Q  father  gave  his  son  good  ad- 
vice, but  the  son  treated  it  with  indifference  or  con- 
tempt.    He  had  a  cough,  but  he  he  made  light  of  it 
until  it  was  too  late  for  him  to  be  cured  =  He  had  a 
cough,  but  he  regarded  it  as  of  no  account  until  it 
was  past  remedy. 
make  little,  or  nothings,  of,  to=:To  regard  as  tri- 
fling ;  to  esteem  lightly,  (a) 
Mr.  B.  makes  nothing  of  walking  twenty  miles  in 
a  day  =  Mr.  B.  walks  twenty  miles  in  a  day,  and 
does  not  regard  the  feat  as  specially  noticeable  or 
difficult. 
make  love  to,  to  =  To  attempt  to  gain  the  affections 
of;  to  woo.  (a) 

It  is  the  peculiar  privilege  of  man,  in  the  western 
countries,  to  make  love  to  woman  =  It  is  the  special 
prerogative  of  man,  in  the  western  countries,  to  woo. 
make  mueh  of,  to  =  To  treat  with  fondness  or  es- 
teem ;  to  consider  as  of  great  value,  (a) 
Foreign  nations  made  much  of  Gen.  Grant,  in  his 
tour  around    the   world  =  In   his   tour   around   the 
world,  foreign  nations  treated  Gen!  Grant  with  great 
attention  and  esteem. 
make  no  doubt,  to  =  Not  to  doubt,  (a) 

The  citizens  of  Texas  make  no  doiubt,  that   the 
Texas  Pacific  rail-road  will  some  time  be  built  =  The 
citizens  of  Texas  do  not  doubt,  that  the  Texas  Pa- 
cific rail-road  will  some  time  be  built. 
make  no  secret  of,  to  =  Not  to  attempt  to  conceal; 
to  declare  openly,  (ci) 
The  boy  makes  no  secret  of  his  dislike  of  the  new 
teacher = The  boy  does  not  attempt  to  conceal  his 
dislike  of  the  new  teacher.      The  editor  makes  no 
secret  of  his  purpose  to  defeat  the  candidate  for  mayor 
=  The  editor  openly  declares  his  purpose  to  defeat 
the  candidate  for  mayor. 
make   neither   head   nor  tail    of,  to  =  To   make 
nothing  distinct  nor  definite  of;    to  be  unable  to 
understand,  (b) 
I  have  received  a  long  letter  from  my  friend,  and 
can  make  neither  head  nor  tail  of  it  — 1  have  received 
a  long  letter  from  my  friend,  and  can  get  no  distinct 
or  definite  idea  from  it.     The  children  could  make 
neither  head  nor  tail  of  the  arrangements  for  the  pic- 
nic =  The  arrangements  for  the  picnic  were  so  indef- 
inite  and    confused,   that   the   children   could    not 
understand  them.     I  can  make  neither  head  nor  tail 


154  IDIOMATIC     PHRASES. 

of  his  communication  =  I  can  gather  nothing  distinct 
or  definite  from  his  communication. 
Make  one  believe,  to  =  To  cause,  induce,  or  per- 
suade one  to  believe,  (a) 
By  placing  logs  of  wood  painted  black,  on  the 
fortifications,  the  army  raade  the  enemy  believe  that 
they  had  many  cannons  =  By  placing  logs  of  wood 
painted  black,  on  the  fortifications,  the  army  caused 
the  enemy  to  believe  that  they  had  many  cannons. 
Make,    or   take,   one's   exit,  to  —  To   go   out ;    to 
leave,  (h) 
After  concluding  his  business  with  the  prime  min- 
ister, the  ambassador  made  his  exit  from  the  room 
w4th  a  low  bow  =  After  concluding  his  business  with 
the  prime  minister,  the  ambassador  went  out  of  the 
room  with  a  low  bow\ 
Make  one'§  manners,  to  =  To  make  a  bow  or  cour- 
tesy ;  to  make  polite  salutations,  (c) 
My  boy,  remember  to  make  your  manners  on  all 
proper  occasions  =  My  boy,  remember  to  make  a  bow, 
or  to  offer  salutations,  on  all  proper  occasions.     As  I 
was  driving  past  the  school  children  who  were  at 
play,  they  all  made  their  manners  =  As  I  was  driving 
past  tlie  school  children  who  were  at  play,  they  all 
made  polite  saliTtations. 
Make  one's  mark,  to  —  To  make  a  permanent  im- 
pression of  one's  activity  or  character,  (a) 
Some  men  in  public  life  fnake  their  mark  upon 
the  social  and  political  life  of  the  nation ;  most  of 
them  retire  to  private  life,  and  are  forgotten  —  Some 
politicians  make  a  permanent  impression  of  their 
activity  and  character  upon  the  nation  ;  others  retire 
into  private  life,  and  are  forgotten.     Gen.  Washing- 
ton made  his  mark  upon  the  American  nation  =  Gen. 
Washington,  by  his  character  and  deeds,  left  a  per- 
manent name  and  influence  in  America. 
Make  one's  way,  to  =  To  advance  in  life  by  efforts ; 
to  advance  successfully,  (a) 
That  young  man  will  make  his  way,  for  he  is  in- 
dustrious and  economical  r::  That   young  man   will 
advance  in  life  successfully,  for  he  is  industrious  and 
economical.     He  made  his  way  through  school  by 
selling  newspapers  =  He  obtained  money  for  his  edu- 
cation, by  his  own  efforts  in  selling  newspapers. 
Make  out,  to  =  l.  To  comprehend,  (a)     2,  To  prove, 
(a)     3.  To  furnish,  (a)     4.  To   accomplish  or  suc- 
ceed, (a)     5.  To  make  a  statement  of  items,  as  of  a 
till,  (a) 
1.  I  can  not  quite  make  out  the  meaning  of  this 
sentence  =  I  can  not  obtain  a  clear  understanding  of 


IDIOMATIC    PHRASES.  155 

this  sentence.     2.  The  plaintiff  made  out  his  case  by 
his  last  witness  =  The  plaintiff  proved  his  case  by 
his  last  witness.     3,  I  can  not  make  out  the  required 
sum  to  settle  this  accounts  I  can  not  furnish  tlie 
required   sum  to  settle   this  account.     4.  He  made 
out  to  stop  the  quarrel  between  those  two  boys  =  He 
succeeded  in  stopping  the  quarrel  between  those  two 
boys.     5.  Will  you  please  to  make  out  my  bill  ?  = 
Will  you  please  prepare  a  statement  of  items  of 
your  account  against  me  ? 
Make  over,  to=:  To  transfer  the  title  of;  to  alienate, 
(a) 
He  viade  over  this  property  to  his  elder  brother = 
He  conveyed  this  property  to  his  elder  brother. 
Make  progre§§,  to  =  To  advance ;    to  progress ;  to 
improve,  (a) 
The  child  makes  progress  in  learning  to  read  =  The 
child  improves  in  learning  to  read.     The  carpenter 
makes  rapid  progress  with  the  house  =  The  carpenter 
progresses  rapidly  with  the  house  building. 
Make  seruple,  to  =  To  hesitate  from  conscientious 
motives ;  to  scruple,    (c) 
The  milkman  made  scruple  about  selling  milk  on 
Sundays  The  milkman  hesitated  to   sell   milk   on 
Sunday,  from  conscientious  motives.  That  grocer 

makes  no  scruple  of   cheating  his   customers  =  That 
grocer's  conscience  does  not  restrain  him  from  cheat- 
ing his  customers.  He  makes  scruple  against  pro- 
miscuous dancing  =  He  hesitates  to  take  part  in  pro- 
miscuous dancing,  from  conscientious  motives. 
Make  short  work  of,  or  witli,  to  =  To  do  rapidly 
or  in  a  short  time,  (a) 
The  surgeon  made  short  work  of  amputating  the 
soldier's  leg,  which  was  shattered  by  a  ball  =  T]ie 
surgeon  quickly  amputated  the  soldier's  leg,  which 
w^as  shattered  by  a  ball.     I  shall  make  short  work  of 
learning   this   grammar  =  I   shall  go   through    this 
grammar  rapidly. 
Make  sure,  to  =  To  make  certain ;  to  avoid  the  pos- 
sibility of  failure,  (a) 
To  make  sure  of  the  business,  I  shall  go  my  self  =  I 
shall  go  myself,  in  order  that  there  may  be  no  fail- 
ure in  the  business. 
Make  the  best  of,  to  =  To  do  as  well  as  possible,  in 
given  circumstances,  (a) 

The  boy  makes  the  best  of  his  opportunities  to  learn 
=  The  boy  improves  his  opportunities  to  learn,  to 
the  utmost.  I  must  make  the  best  of  this  bad  bargain 
—  I  must  do  as  well  as  I  can,  in  spite  of  this  bad 
bargain.     The  loss  of  the  corn  crop  by  drought  is  a 


r 


156  IDIOMATIC    PHRASES. 

great  misfortune ;  but  we  will  make  the  best  of  it  =  The 
loss  of  the  corn  crop  by  drought  is  a  great  misfor- 
tune ;  but  we  will  get  along  with  it  as  well  as  we  can. 
Make  too  much  of,  to  =  l.   To  over-estimate,  {a) 
2,  To  be  too  fond  of.  (a) 
1.  Mr.  A.  makes  too  much  of  the  advantages  which 
will  accrue  to  the  town  from  the  new  bridge  =  Mr. 
A.  over-estimates  the  advantages  which  the  building 
of  a  new  bridge  will  bring  to  the  town.     2,  Mrs.  A. 
makes  too  much  of  her  servants  =  Mrs.  A.  is  too  fond 
of  her  servants,  and  treats  them  too  nearly  as  equals. 
Make  trial   of,  to  =  To  try ;  to  test ;  to  determine 
by  experiment,  (a) 
The  farmer  made  trial  of  the  new  plough,  to  see 
how  well  it  would  do  the  work  =  The  farmer  tested 
the  new  plough,  in  order  to  see  how  well  it  would 
do  the  work. 
Make  up,  to=:l.  To  collect  into  a  sum  or  mass,  (a) 
2,  To  compose;  to  consist  of.  {a)     3,  To  compen- 
sate ;  to  make  good,  (a)     4.  To  adjust,   or  to  ar- 
range  for   settlement,  (a)      5.  To   determine;    to 
bring  to  a  conclusion,    (a)     6.  To  become  recon- 
ciled or  friendly,  (a) 
1.  I  have  mack  ujd  a  bundle  of  second-hand  clothes 
for  the  city  missionary  =  I  have  collected  and  put 
together  a  bundle  of  second-hand  clothes  for  the 
city  missionary.     2.  The  company  was  mcide  up  of 
ladies  and  gentlemen  =  The  company  consisted  of 
ladies  and  gentlemen.     3.  He  lost  some  money,  but 
his  father  made  it  up  to  him  —  He  lost  some  money, 
but  his  father  gave  him  as  much  as  he  lost.     4.  We 
have  made  up  the  accounts  =  AVe  have  arranged  the 
accounts   for   settlement.      5.  Csesar    made    up   his 
mind  to  cross  the  river  Rubicon,  and  advance  to 
Home,  contrary  to  the  order  of   the  senate  =  Caesar 
determined,  after  deliberation,  to  cross  the  Rubicon 
and  advance  to  Rome,  contrary  to  the  order  of  the 
senate.     6.  Soon  after  quarreling,  they  made  up  — 
Soon  after  the  quarrel,  they  became  reconciled. 
Make  up  for,  to  =  To  counterbalance ;  to  compen- 
sate for.  (a) 
The  freedom  and  healthfulness  of  an  agricultural 
life  make  up  for  its  toil  =  The  freedom  and  healthful- 
ness of  an  agricultural  life  compensate  for  the  toil 
of  it. 
Make  up  to,  to  =  To  approach,  (a) 

When  a  highwayman  sees  a  well-dressed  man  on 
the  road,  he  makes  up  to  him  with  the  demand, 
"Your  money — or  your  life "= When  a  highway- 
man sees  a  well-dressed  man   on  the  road,  he  ap- 


IDIOMATIC    PHRASES.  157 

proaches  him  with  the   demand,  "  Yom'  money — 
or  your  life." 
make  ^vater,  to  — 1.  To  let  in  water;  to  leak,  (a) 
2.  To  urinate,  (a) 
1.  The  ship  makes  water ^Tlie,  ship  leaks.     2.  He 
went  to  make  water  —  He  went  to  urinate. 
Man  of  straw  =  An  imaginary  person,  (o) 

In  his  aro-ument  in  favor  of  teachino"  children  to 
read,  he  contended  with  a  man  of  straw  =  ln  arguing 
in  favor  of  teaching  children  to  read,  he  contended 
with  an  imaginary   opponent,   ^.  e.,  no  one  had  op- 
posed teaching  children  to  read. 
iriaii  of  the  world  =  A  fashionable  man  ;  one  versed 
in  the  practices  of  society  or  devoted  to  pleasure. 
(a) 
He  is  a  perfect  man  of  the  ivorId=  He  is  a  consum- 
mately fashionable  man.     He  did  not  wish  his  son 
to  live  with  2"r.  A.,  because  Mr.  A.  is  so  much  a 
man  of  the  world=IIe  did  not  wish  his  son  to  live 
with  Mr.  A.,  because  Mr.  A.  is  so  devoted  to  the 
pleasures  and  gaieties  of  life. 
Many  a  =  A  large  number  taken  distributively  ;  each 
one  of  many,  (a) 
Many  a  man  has  tried  to  get  rich,  without  succeed- 
ing =  There  have  been  many  men,  of  whom  it  may 
be  said  that  each  one  of  them  tried  to  be  rich,  with- 
out succeeding. 
Mark  owt,  to  —  To  designate ;  to  point  out.  {b) 

The  ringleaders  in  the  bank  robbery  were  marked 
out  by  detectives,  for  arrests  The  ringleaders  in  the 
bank  robbery,  were  designated  by  detectives,  for  ar- 
rest. 
Mark  time,  to  {Mil.)  =  To  designate,  by  the  foot,  the 
rate  of  step  at  which  a  body  of  soldiers  advance. 

The  company  was  ordered  to  mark  time,  and  after 
marking  time  a  few  moments,  they  received  the  or- 
der, "  Forward  march  !"  =  The  company  was  ordered 
to  make  the  motion  of  marching,  by  stepping  in  the 
ordinary  time  of  marching,  but  not  advancing  at  all, 
and  in  a  few  moments  they  received  the  order,  "  For- 
ward march  !" 
Master  of,  to  be  =  To  be  highly  skilled  in  ;  to  have 
eminence  or  authority  in.  (a) 
Ole  Bull,  the  Norwegian,  is  master  of  violin  play- 
ing =  Ole  Bull,  the  Norwegian,  is  liighly  skilled  in 
violin  playing. 
Master  of  one's  self,  to  be=:To  retain  self-control, 
at  all  times ;  not  to  be  governed  by  passion,  (a) 
Learn  in  youth  to  be  master  of  yourself—  Learn  in 


158  IDIOMATIC    PHEASES. 

youth  not  to  be  governed  by  your  passions,  but  to 
govern  them. 
Matter  in  hand  =  The  subject  or  work  which  occu- 
pies us.  (a) 

I  have  no  books  bearing  upon  the  matter  in  hand 
—  I  have  no  books  which  treat  upon  the  subject  that 
occupies  us.     The  matter  in  hand  is  the  securing  of 
of  a  charter  for  the   new   rail-road  =  The   business 
which   engages  our  attention   is  the  securing  of  a 
charter  for  the  new  rail-road. 
Hatter  of  course  =  Something  in  the  common  man- 
ner of  proceeding ;  something  naturally  following, 
(o) 
I  thought  your  coming  was  a  matter  of  course  =  I 
expected  your  coming,  because  it  was  your  common 
custom.     He  treated  the  interruptions  by  his  little 
child  as  a  matter  of  courses  Ke  treated  the  interrup- 
tions by  his  little  child,  as  something  usual,  and  to 
be  expected.     Mr.  A.,  when  a  boy,  would  not  at- 
tend school,  and  as  a  matter  of  course,  he   grew  up 
ignorant  of  books  =  Mr.  A.,  when  a  boy,  would  not 
attend   school,  and  as  would   naturally  follow,   he 
grew  up  ignorant  of  books. 
Matter  of  surprise  =  Subject  of  surprise;  thing  to 
be  surprised  at.  (a) 
It  is  a  matter  of  surprise  among  his  friends  that  he 
has  abandoned  his  profession,  which  was  so  lucra- 
tive =  His  friends  are  surprised  that  he  should  aban- 
don his  lucrative  profession. 
Matter  of  taste  =  Point  of  nice  perception  of  excel- 
lence of  any  kind,  (a) 
The  choice  of  a  word  or  phrase  is  sometimes  a 
mere  matter  of  taste  =  It  is  sometimes  merely  a  point 
of  nice  perception  of  beauty  or  congruity,  or  other 
excellence,  which  determines  the  choice  of  a  word 
or  phrase  in  wi'iting. 
Matter  of  choice  =  That  which  one  may  choose  or 
refuse,  as  he  pleases,  (a) 
Both  houses  were  offered  to  me  at  the  same  price, 
and  it  was  matter  of  choice  which   I  should  take=: 
Both  houses  were  offered  to  me  at  the  same  price, 
and  I  was  at  liberty  to  choose  either. 
Matter    of  courtesy  =  That    which    is    courteous ; 
what  pertains  to  good  breeding,  (a) 
It  is  a  matter  of  courtesy  at  table,  to  serve  the  la- 
dies before  the  gentlemen  are  helped  =  It  belongs  to 
good  breeding  to  serve  the  ladies  at  table  before  the 
gentlemen  are  served.     As  a  matter  of  courtesy,  he 
handed  his  guest  the  morning  paper  before  reading 
it  himself  =  In  order  to  be  courteous,  he  handed  his 


I 

I 


IDIOMATIC    PHRASES.  159 

guest  tlie  morning  paper  before  reading  it  himself. 
My  son,  you  should  rise  when  your  visitor  departs ; 
I  mention  it  as  being  a  matter  of  courtesy ^Isij  son, 
you  should  rise  on  the  departure  of  your  visitor ;  I 
mention  it  as  being  required  by  good  manners. 
May  be  ;  (a)  May  hap  (c)  =  It  is  possible  ;  perhaps ; 
perchance. 

May  he  the  day  will  come  when  men  will  travel  in 
balloons  —  It  is  possible,  that  at  some  future  day  men 
w^ill  travel  in  balloons.  May  he  the  mountain  air 
will  benefit  your  health,  as  your  nervous  system  is 
diseased  =  Perhaps  the  mountain  air  will  benefit 
your  health,  as  your  disease  is  one  of  the  nervous 
system.  May  hap  you  will  have  a  fortune  left  you, 
some  day  =  Perhaps  you  will,  some  day,  receive  the 
legacy  of  a  fortune.  I  think  I  saw  Judge  C,  who 
has  been  ill,  on  the  street  this  morning  ;  but  may  he 
I  was  mistaken  =  I  think  I  saw  Judge  C,  who  has 
been  ill,  on  the  street  this  morning ;  but  it  is  possi- 
ble that  I  was  mistaken.  Shall  you  attend  the  op- 
era this  evening  ?  May  he  so  =  Shall  you  attend  the 
opera  this  evening  ?  Perhaps  so. 
Mea§urc  §i«rord§,  to  =  To  contend,  (c) 

The  literary  society  of  the  college  meets  to-night, 

when   the   Senior  and   Junior  classes  will  measure 

swords  in  debate  =  The  literary  society  of  the  college 

meets  to-night,  when  the  Senior  and  Junior  classes 

will  contend  in  debate. 

Meet  with,  to  =  1.  To  light  upon  ;  to  find  ;  to  come 

to ; — often  with  the  sense  of  an  unexpected  event. 

(a)     2.  To  suffer  unexpectedly,  (a) 

1.  On  the  overland  journey  to  California,  the  bot- 
anist met  with  many  new  flowers  =  On  the  overland 
journey  to  California,  the  botanist  found  many  new 
flowers.  2.  The  teamster  met  with  a  great  loss,  in 
the  death  of  one  of  his  horses  =  The  teamster  suf- 
fered a  great  loss  in  the  death  of  one  of  his  horses. 
Mend  one'§  pace,  to  =  To  quicken  one's  gait;  to 
move  faster  ;  to  hasten,  (c) 

You  must  mend  your  pace^  if  you  would  reach 
home  by  dinner-time  =  You  must  quicken  your  gait, 
if  you  wish  to  reach  home  by  dinner-time.  The 
man  was  about  to  drive  past  me,  but  my  horse 
mended  his  pace  and  kept  ahead  =  The  man  was 
about  to  drive  past  me,  but  my  horse  moved  faster 
and  kept  in  advance. 
Merge  in,  to  =  To  cause  to  be  swallowed  up  ;  to  sink 
in  ;  to  blend  with,  (b) 

The  newspaper  has  suspended  publication,    and 
has  been  merged  in  the  magazine  =  The  newspaper 


160  IDIOMATIC    PHRASES. 

has  suspended  publication,  and  lias  been  blended 
witli  the  magazine. 
Mete  out,  to  =  To  give  according  to  some  rule,  or 
proportionally,  (c) 
The   severest   punishment  was   meted  out  to  the 
leaders  in  the  rebellion  :=  The  severest  punishment 
was  given  to  those  who  were  foremost  in  the  rebel- 
lion.    The  charities  of  the  rich  man  were  meted  out, 
according  to  the  necessities  of  the  poor  people  =  The 
rich  man  bestowed  his  charities,  according  to  the  ne- 
cessities of  those  suiFering  from  poverty. 
Mince  inatter§,  to  =  To  utter  half  and  keep  back 
half;  to  extenuate,  (a) 
Do  not  mince  ^natters,  but  speak  plainly  =: Do  not 
speak  with  so  much  hesitation,  and  indirectness,  but 
plainly  say  what  you  mean.     The  school   superin- 
tendent did  not  mince  matters,  in  informing  the  teach- 
er that  he  must  be  more  patient  with  the  pupils, 
and  more  interested  in  them==The  school  superin- 
tendent plainly  and  fully  told  the  teacher  that  he 
must  be  more  patient  with  the  scholars,  and  take 
more  interest  in  them. 
Miss  stays,  to  {Naut.)  =  llo  fail  in  the  attempt  to  go 
about,  (h) 
In  tacking,  the  sailors  missed  stays  — In  trying  to 
change  the  course  of  the  boat,  the  sailors  failed  to 
go  about. 
Mistake  one  tiling^  for  another,  to  =  To  substitute 
erroneously,  as  a  thought  or  a  thing ;  to  misappre- 
hend, (a) 
The  switchman  mistook  the  accommodation  train  for 
the  express  train,  and  did  not  rightly  set  the  switch  = 
The  switchman  erred,  in  thinking  the  accommoda- 
tion train  to  be  the  express  train,  and  did  not  have 
the  switch  rightly  placed. 
Mistaken,  to  l>e  =  l.  To  be  misapprehended  or  mis- 
understood, (a)     2,  To    be   taken   or   led   astray ; 
hence  to  err,  to  misapprehend,  {a) 
1.  In   wdiat  I  said  yesterday,  I  was  mistaken  by 
you  all  =  In  what  I  said  yesterday,  I  was  misunder- 
stood by  you  all.     2.  I  was  mistaken  in  what  I  said 
to  you  yesterday  =  I    erred,  I   made  a  mistake,  in 
what  I  said  to  you  yesterday. 
Model  after,  to  =  To   use  as  a  plan  or  pattern  in 
making  something,  (a) 

The  new  church  is  modeled  after  St.  Peter's  in  Rome 
=  St  Peter's  was  used  as  the  pattern  in  building  tlie 
new  church.  In  general  the  Liberian  government 
is  modeled  after  the  American  =  The  Liberian  govern- 
ment is  on  the  same  general  plan  as  the  American. 


IDIOMATIC     PHRASES.  161 

more  tliati  a  match  for,  to  be  —  To  be  more  than 
equal  to  ;  to  surpass,  (a) 
In  contending  for  the  prizes  in  school,  the  girls 
were  7nore  than  a  match  for  the  boys  =  In  contending 
for  the  prizes  in  scliool,  the  girls  surpassed  the  boys. 
Move  tlie  previous  question,  to — In  deliberative 
or  legislative  assemblies  the  previous  question  is — 
Shall  the   main  question  now  be  put  ?     That  is, 
shall  debate  on  the  subject  cease,  and  the  vote  now 
be  taken  ?  hence,  to  move  the  previous  question 
means,  to  make  a  motion  that  the  vote  be  now  ta- 
ken.    (This  motion  is  not  debatable.)  (a) 
At  6  p.  m.,  Senator  D.  moved  the  previous  question, 
on  the  army  bill  which  was  before  the  senate  =  At  6 
p.  m.  Senator  D.  moved  that  debate  cease  on  the 
army  bill  which  was  under  discussion,  and  that  a 
vote  be  taken  on  the  bill. 
Mow  down,  to  =  To  destroy  in  great  numbers,  (c)- 
The  troops  were  mown  down  in  the  battle  =  The 
troops  were  destroyed  in  great  numbers  in  the  bat- 
tle. 


K 

Nail  a  lie,  to  =  To  show  it  to  be  a  lie,  so  plainly  as  to- 

stop  its  circulation,  (c) 
By  a  card  published  in  the  morning  papers.  Dr. 
A.  7iails  the  lie,  that  he  refused  to  attend  a  sick  wo- 
man because  she  was  too  poor  to  pay  him = By  a 
card  published  in  the  morning  papers.  Dr.  A.  plain- 
ly shows  the  falsity  of  the  story  current,  that  he  re- 
fused to  attend  a  sick  woman  who  was  unable  to  pay 
him. 
Nail  one's  colors  to  the  mast,  to  =  To  take  decided 
stand  in  any  matter;  to  express  a  determined  pur- 
pose, (c) 
The  lawyer  has  nailed  his  colors  to  the  mast,  and  will 
do  battle  for  the  temperance  cause  =  The  lawyer  has 
taken  a  decided  stand  on  the  temperance  question, 
and  will  contend  for  the  cause. 
Near  one's  end  =  Near  death,  (a) 

The  doctor  says  that  the  patient  is  near  his  end  = 
The  doctor  says  that  the  patient  can  live  but  a  little 
longer. 
Neither  here  nor  there  =  Unimportant ;  irrelevant, 
(a) 
That  remark  is  neither  here  nor  there  =  That  remark 
is  not  appropriate  to  the  subject.     The  reason  why 
12 


162  IDIOMATIC    PHRASES. 

you  went  is  neither  here  nor  there  — H\\q  reason  of  your 
going    is    unimportant.     What    he  said   about  the 
matter  is  neither  here  nor  there ;  my  opinion  is   not 
changed  =  It  makes  no  ditlcrence  with  my  opinion 
what  lie  said  about  the  matter.     The  man's  speech 
on   the   currency   was   neither   here   nor    ^/?ere  — The 
man's  speech  on  the  currency  was  irrelevant  and 
without  point.     Where  the  man  came  from  is  neither 
here  nor  there  ;  I  want  to  know  if  it  is  safe  to  trust 
him  with  goods = Where  the  man  came  from  is  un- 
important ;  I  wish  to  know  if  his  credit  is  good. 
Bfeitlier  rhyme   nor    reason  ==  N^either    sound  nor 
sense  ;  fit  neither  for  amusement  nor  instruction,  (c) 
That  book  is  neither  rhyme  nor  reason  — ^\i2X  book 
is  fit  neither  for  amusement  nor  instruction.     There 
was  no  rhyme  nor  reason  in  his   poem  =  There  was 
neither  sound  nor  sense  in  his   poem. 
New  birth  =  Regeneration,  or  the  commencement  of 
a  religious  life ;  a  change  of  heart  or  will  by  which 
a  person  comes  to  love  and  trust  God,  and  to  de- 
sire to  please  and  obey  him, 
Paul,  a  Jewish  persecutor  of  the  early  Christians, 
experienced  the  new  hirth  on  his  way  to  Damascus 
(A.  D.  3Y)=:Paul,  a  Jewish  persecutor  of  the  early 
Christians,  was  changed  in  heart  and  purpose  while 
going  to  Damascus  (A.  D.  37),  so  that  he  became  a 
believer  in  Christ,  and  desired  to  please  and  obey 
him.     It  is  a  teaching  of  Christ,  Except  a  man  be 
horn  again^  he  can  not  enter  into  the  kingdom  of  God 
=:  Jesus  Christ  teaches,  that  in  order  to  belong  to 
God's  kingdom,  one  must  be  so  changed  in  heart 
and  purpose  as  to  love  God  and  obey  him. 
Mce  or  subtle  points  A  distinct  portion  of  a  sub- 
ject or  discourse,  which  requires  careful  and  dis- 
criminating attention,  or  which  is  not  easily  de- 
cided, {a) 
It  is  a  nice  point  in  constitutional  law,  whether  the 
general  government  has  the  right  to  order  the  pres- 
ence of  soldiers  at  the  polls,  in  federal  elections  =  It 
is  a  point  in  constitutional  law  not  easily  decided, 
whether  the  general  government  has  the  right  to  or- 
der the  presence  of  soldiers  at  the  polls,  in  elections 
for  ofiicers  of  the  United  States. 
Mne  clays'  \ironder  =  Something  that  causes  great 
sensation  or  astonishment  for  a  few  days  only,  (c) 
The  tricks  of  the  magician  were  a  nine  days''  won- 
der—^\\q.  tricks  of  the  magician  caused  great  sensa- 
tion and  astonishment  for  a  few  days. 
K^ip  in  the  bud,  to  =  To  destroy  at  the  beginning ; 
to  stop  before  well  begun,  (a) 


■ 


IDIOMATIC    PHRASES.  163 

A  resistance  to  the  teachers  was  planned  in  the 
school,  but  the  principal  nipped  it  in  the  bud=A  re- 
sistance to  the  teachers  was  planned  by  the  scholars, 
but  the  principal  stopped  it  at  the  beginning.     You 
must  nip  the  practice  of  opium  smoking  in  the  bud  = 
You  must  stop  the  habit  of  smoking  opium,  before 
it  is  established. 
No  more  =  Kot  continuing  ;  existing  no  longer ;  de- 
ceased or  destroyed,  (c) 
The  ancient  city  Troy  is  no  more  =  The  ancient 
city  Troy  no  longer  exists.     Mr.  L.,  who  founded 
a  large  public  library  and  gallery  of  paintings  in 
H^ew  York,  is  no  more=M^r.  L.,  who  was  the  founder 
of  a  large  public  library  and  art  gallery  in  New 
York,  is  deceased. 
Not  at  all = Not  in  the  least;  in  no  wise;  in  no  de- 
gree, (a) 
He  is  not  at  a??  well = He  is  not  well  (not  even 
pretty  well).     I  am  not  at  all  satisfied  with  the  book 
=1  am  not  satisfied  with  the  book,  even  in  part.     It 
is  not  at  all  easy  for  foreigners  to  learn  Chinese = It 
is  in  no  wise  easy  for  foreigners  to  learn  Chinese. 
Were  you  frightened  by  the  severe  thunder-storm  ? 
Not  at  all = Were  you  timid  in  the  severe  thunder- 
storm ?     Not  in  the  least. 
Not  having  a  leg  to  stand  on = Destitute  of  sup- 
port and  resources,  (c) 
Mr.    Tichborne  the  imposter's  claim   for  consid- 
eration  has   not    a   leg   to  stand  on  — The  imposter 
Tichborne's  claim   to  be  received    as  the   genuine 
Tichborne  is  wholly  without  support. 
Not  to  §leep  a  ^wink  =  Not  to  close  the  eyelids  in 
sleep,  (a) 
I  have  not  slept  a  wink  all  night,  on  account  of  a 
severe  toothache  =  I  have  not  closed  my  eyelids  in 
sleep  during  the  night,  by  reason  of  a  severe  tooth- 
ache. 
Now  and  then  =  At  intervals  ;  occasionally,  (a) 
During  the  summer,  we  have  a  thunder-storm  now 
and  then  —  During  the  summer,  we  have  a  thunder- 
storm occasionally. 
Nour  or  never = The  present  is  the  only  time  or  op- 
portunity, (a) 
The  banker  offers  the  young  man  a  situation  in 
his  office,  and  he  ought  to  see  that  it  is  now  or  never 
with  him  =  The  banker  offers  the  young  man  a  situ- 
ation in  his  office,  and  he  ought  to  see  that  this  pres- 
ent opportunity  is  the  only  one. 
Now  that = In  consideration  of  the  fact  that;  inas- 
much as ;  since,  (a) 


164  IDIOMATIC    PHRASES. 

I  did  not  expect  to  finish  the  work  this  year,  but 
now  that  you  have  come,  I  think  I  shall  =  I  did  not 
expect  to  finish  the  work  this  year,  but  in  considera- 
tion of  the  fact  that  you  have  come,  I  think  I  shall. 


P- 

Obtain  or   gain  the  ear,  to  =  To  induce  one  to  lis- 
ten ;  to  get  one's  attention,  (c) 
He  can   readily  gain  the  ear  of  the  governor-gene- 
ral of  Canada = He  can  get  the  govei*nor-general  of 
Canada  to  listen  to  his  statements  with  ease. 
Occupy  one's  self  with,   to  =  To  be  busy  or  em- 
"  ployed  with,  (a) 

Since  the  merchant  retired  from  business,  he  occu- 
pies himself  with  stock-raising  at  his  farm  =  Since  the 
merchant  retired  from  mercantile  life,  he  is  busied 
in  raising  stock  at  his  farm. 
Of  age,  to  toe  =  To  be  at  the  age  of  maturity  ;  to 
have  arrived  at  the  age  when  a  person  is  enabled 
by  law  to  do  certain  acts  for  himself,  (a) 
In  the  United  States,  both  males  and  females  are 
of  age   at   twenty-one   years    old  =  In   the    United 
States,  both  males  and  females,  when  twenty-one 
years  old,  have  arrived  at  the  age  when  they  may 
lawfully  do  certain  acts  for  themselves. 
Of  a  piece  =  Of  the  same  sort,  as  if  taken  from  the 
same  whole  ;   like  ; — sometimes  followed  by  witli. 

That  egotistical  remark  h  of  a  piece  with  the  gen- 
eral style  of  his  conversation  =:  That  egotistical  re- 
mark is  of  the  same  sort  with  his  general  conversa- 
tion.    This  lie  h  of  a  piece  with  the  man's  former 

■character=This  lie  is  consistent  with  the  man's  for- 
mer character.  This  book  is  of  a  piece  with  the 
other  in  style  =  This  book  is  like  the  other  in  style 
of  composition.  The  two  men  are  of  a  piece  in 
their  character = The  two  men  are  alike  in  character. 
All  the  houses  in  this  street  are  of  a  piece  in  con- 
structions All  the  houses  in  this  street  are  alike  in 
construction. 

Of  consequences  Possessed  of  importance,  value, 
or  influence,  (b) 
It  is  of  consequence  that  the  young  should  form 
good  habits  sit  is  important  for  the  young  to  form 
good  habits.  It  is  of  no  consequence  whether  or  not 
tlie  gate  is  shut  sit  does  not  matter  (is  unimportant) 
whether  or  not  the  gate  is  closed.     A  liar's  word  is 


IDIOMATIC     PHRASES.  165 

(/small  consequence =T'he  word  of  a  liar  lias  little 
value  or  influence. 
Of  cour§e=By  consequence  ;  in  natural  order,  with- 
out special  direction  or  provision,  (a) 
The  horse  which  I  rode  fell,  and  of  course  I  fell 
with  him = The  horse  which  I  rode  fell,  and  by  con- 
sequence I  fell  with  him.     You  are  now  one  of  the 
club,  and  you  will  of  course  make  use  of  all  its  ad- 
vantages zr  You  are  now  a  member  of  our  club,  and 
you  will  make  use  of  its  advantages  without  special 
invitation.     The  boy  girdled  the  tree,  and  of  course 
it  died  =  The  boy  girdled  the  tree,  and  by  conse- 
quence it  died. 
Of  deep     or    dark    dye  =  Enormous ;    aggravated 
(said  of  crime),  (a) 
Murder  is  a  crime  of  deepest  c??/e= Murder  is  the 
greatest  of  crimes. 
OflE*  and  on  =  At  one  time  applying  and  engaged,  at 
another  time  absent  or  remiss,  (a) 
That  merchant  pursues  his  business  off  and  on  = 
That  merchant  at  one  time  applies  himself  to  his 
business ;  at  another  time  he  is  absent  or  remiss. 
Off  duty  =  Not  in   customary  service ;  unemployed, 
(a) 

While  he  was  off  duty,  the  soldier  cleaned  his  gun 
=  While    he  was  released  from  his  customary  ser- 
vice, the  soldier  cleaned  his  gun. 
Offer  to  one'§  view,  to  =  To  present  to  one's  eyes. 

A  charming  prospect  offered  itself  to  our  view  from 
the  top  of  the  castle  =  A  charming  prospect  present- 
ed itself  to  our  eyes  from  the  top  of  the  castle. 
Off-hand  =  Without  study  or  preparation,  (a) 

She  plays  a  tune  off-hand  =  She  plays  a  tune  with- 
out preparation   (readily).     He   makes  a  good   off- 
hand speech  =  He  speaks  readily  and  well,  without 
preparation. 
Off  one'§  guard,  to  be  =  To  be  in  a  careless  state  ; 
inattentive,  {a) 
I  was  off  my  guard,  and  made  no  suitable  reply  = 
I  was  neglecting  to  be  watchful,  and  made  no  suit- 
able reply.     The  rail-road  engineer  must  not  be  off 
his  guard  a  moment  =  The  engineer  on  a  rail-road 
must  not,  for  a  moment,  be  careless. 
Off  one'§  mind=: Removed  from  one's  thoughts  so  as 
to  cause  care  or  trouble  no  longer,  (a) 
That  piece  of  work  is  done,  and  is  off  my  mind= 
I  need  think  of  that  piece  of  work  no  more,  as  it  is 
finished.     I  am  glad  you  have  got  that  business  at 
the  bank  off  your  mind=:I  am  glad  you  have  trans- 


166  IDIOMATIC    PHRASES. 

acted  that  business  at  the  bank,  and  so  relieved  your 
mind. 
Of  long   §tanding^  =  Having  existed   long ;  not   re- 
cent, (a) 
His  disease  is  of  long  standing  =  He  has  long  been 
afflicted  with  this  disease.     That  is  a  mercantile  firm 
of  long  standing  =  That  mercantile  firm  has  been  en- 
gaged in  business  many  years. 
Of  necessity  =  By  necessary  consequence  ;  by  com- 
pulsion  or  irresistible  power ;   necessarily ;    una- 
voidably, (a) 
We  are  of  necessity  compelled  to  think  that  every 
efifect  must  have  had  a  cause  =  Our  minds  are   so 
constituted,  that,  by  necessary  consequence,  we  think 
that  every  effect  must  have  had  a  cause.     She  be- 
came insane,  and  her  intended  marriage  was  of  ne- 
cessity postponed  =  She  became  insane,  and  her  in- 
tended marriage  was  necessarily  postponed. 
Of  no  effect  =  Without  results ;  not  availing ;  power- 
less, {a) 
Medicines    were    of  no    effect    in    checking    the 
woman's  diseases  Medicines  did  not  avail  to  check 
the  woman's  disease. 
Of  no  use  —  Useless  ;  of  no  advantage,  (a) 

It  is  of  no  use  to  look  for  that  paper  ;  you  can  not 
find  it=It  is  useless  to  look  for  that  paper,  for  you 
can  not  find  it.  The  best  medical  advice  would  be 
of  no  use  to  him  ;  he  can  not  live  =  The  best  medical 
advice  would  be  of  no  advantage  to  him,  for  he 
can  not  recover. 
Of  old  =  Long  ago  ;  anciently,  (c) 

The  man  can  not  deceive  me  ;  I  know  him  of  old 
=  The  man  can  not  deceive  me ;  I  knew  him  long 
ago.     Of  old,  the  Egyptians  were  among  the  most 
civilized   people  =  Anciently,    the  Egyptians    were 
among  the  most  civilized  people. 
Of  one's  o\i^n  =  Belonging  to  one ;  owned  by  one.  {a) 
Mr.  P.  was  out  driving  this  afternoon ;  has  he  a 
horse  of  his  own  f  =  Mr.  P.  was  out  driving  this  af- 
ternoon ;  does  he  own  a  horse  ? 
Of  one's  ourn  accord  =  Freely ;  voluntarily,  (a) 

The  apprentice  who  ran  away  from  his  master  re- 
turned o/"  A?^  own  accord=The  apprentice  who  ran 
away  from  his  master  returned  voluntarily. 
O  for — This  phrase  expresses  a  wish,  or  a  longing. 

0  for  a  horse-car  to  take  me  home  ;  I  am  so  tired 
=  I  wish  a  horse-car  was  here  to  take  me  home  ;  I 
am  so  tired.  0  for  a  visit  from  my  brother  =  How 
I  long  to  have  my  brother  visit  me. 


IDIOMATIC     PHRASES.  167 

Of  passage  —  Kot  permanently  fixed ;  passing  from 
one  place  to  another  ;  migratory — as  birds,  (a) 
Wild  geese  are  bii'ds  of  passage  —  Wild  geese  are 
migratory. 
Of  small  consequence,  to  be  =  To  be  of  little  im- 
portance, value,  or  influence,  (a) 
Mr.  B's  opinions  on  political  matters  are  of  small 
consequence— Mx.  B's  opinions  on  political   matters 
have  httle  weight  or  influence.       * 
Of  the  first  water  =  Of  the  first  excellence ;  supe- 
rior ;  highly  valuable,  (a) 
It  is  a  diamond  of  Hie  first  water  =lt  is  a  diamond 
of  the  first   excellence.     He  is  a  friend  of  the  first 
water— Hq  is  a  highly  valuable  friend. 
Of  the  opinion,  to  be  =  To  hold  the  opinion ;  to 
think  ;  to  judge,  (a) 
He  is  of  ike  opinion  that  a  republican  government 
is  not  so  good  as  a   constitutional   monarchy  =  He 
holds  the  opinion  (thinks)  that  a  republican  govern- 
ment is  not  so  good  as  a  constitutional  monarchy. 
He  is  of  the  opinion  that  there  will  not  be  much  fruit 
this  year = He  judges  that  the  fruit  crop  will   be 
small  the  present  year. 
Of  the  same  mind,  to  bc  =  To  agree  in  opinion,  (a) 
Mr.  A.  and  Mr.  B.  are  of  the  same  mind,  in  re- 
gard to  the  proposed  widening  of  the  street = Mr.  A. 
and  Mr.  B.  agree  in  opinion,  concerning  the  propo- 
sition to  widen  the  street. 
Old  world  =  1.  The  world  in  past  ages,  (c)     2.  The 
known  world  previous  to  the  discovery  of  America. 

(«) 

1.  In  the  old  world  of  geology  there  are  said  to  be 
seven  ages  =  The  world  in  past  ages  is  divided  by 
geologists  into  seven  ages.  2.  The  old  world,  as  dis- 
tinguished from  the  new  world,  comprised  Asia,  Af- 
rica, and  Europe  =  The  known  world  previous  to  the 
discovery  of  America  comprised  Asia,  Africa,  and 
Europe. 
On  a  large  scale = In  large  degree  or  measure,  com- 
pared with  other  like  things,  (a) 

Mr.  F.  owns  two  paper  mills  which  make  several 
tons  of  paper  daily  ;  he  is  doing  business  on  a  large 
scale  —  Mr.  F.  is  doing  an  extensive  business ;  he 
owns  two  paper  mills  which  produce  several  tons  of 
paper  daily.  The  civil  war  in  America  was  con- 
ducted on  a  large  scale,  there  being  more  than  a  mil- 
lion men  in  the  armies  =  The  operations  of  the  civil 
war  in  America  were  very  great,  compared  with 
other  similar  ones,  there  being  more  than  a  million 
men  in  the  armies.     The  new  city  is  laid  out  on  a 


168  IDIOMATIC    PHRASES. 

large  scafe  =  The   new   city   is   laid   out  with  large 
building  lots,  broad  streets,  ample  parks,  and  the 
like. 
On  all  liand§  =  From  those  in  every  direction  ;  by 
all  parties,  {a) 
We  hear,  on  all  hands^  of  opposition  to  the  new 
liquor  law  =  We  hear  of  opposition  to  the  new  liquor 
law  by  all  parties. 
On  all  account§  =  On  all  grounds  or  considerations. 

On  all  accounts^  it  is  desirable  to  exercise  self-con- 
trol in  the  indulgence  of  animal  appetites  =  On  all 
grounds,  it  is  desirable  to  exercise  self-control  in  the 
indulgence  of  the  animal  appetites. 
On  a  par  =  Equally   valuable ;  on    a   level ;  in   the 
same  condition,  circumstances,  position,  rank,  &c. 
(a)         _  _ 

His  visionary   projects  are  on  a  par  with  most 
speculations  —  His  visionary  projects  are  of  the  same 
character  with  most  speculations. 
On  any,  every,  or  no  account  ==  For  any,  every,  or 
no  reason,  ground,  or  consideration,  (a) 
Do  not,  on  any  account^  neglect  your  health  =  Do 
not,  for  any  reason,  neglect  your  health.     This  house 
is  preferable   to  the   other,  on  every  account^l^im 
house   is   to   be  preferred   id  the   other   on  every 
ground,  or  for  every  reason.     On  no  account,  will  he 
associate  with  evil  persons  =  He  will  not  be  induced 
by  any  reason,  or  consideration,  to  choose  evil  per- 
sons for  his  associates. 
On  a  §mall  scale  =  In  small  degree  or  measure  com- 
pared with  other  similar  things,  (a) 
Mr.  P.  farms  on  a  small  scaZe  =  Mr.  P.  has  a  small 
farm,  and  raises  few  crops,  keeps  but  little  stock, 
etc.     M.  is  a  city  on  a  small  scale  =:  M.  is  a  place  with 
a  small  population  compared  with  many  cities  ;'but 
has  the  government,  conveniences,  and  methods  of 
a  city. 
On  a  sudden  =  Suddenly ;  sooner  than  was  expected  ; 
without  the  usual  preparations,  ih) 
They  were  in  the  midst  of  their  preparations  for 
him,   when,   on   a  sudden,  the  king  arrived  =  They 
were   in  the  midst  of  their  preparations  for  him, 
when,  sooner  than  was  expected,  the  king  arrived. 
On  call  =  Subject  to  call  or  demand,  (a) 

"  Money  loaned  between  5  and  6  per  cent,  on  call, 
and  closed  at  5  per  cent.".  [Quotations  of  money 
market  in  daily  paper]  =  Money  loaned  between  5 
and  6  per  cent.,  subject  to  call  or  demand,  and 
closed  at  5  per  cent. 


IDIOMATIC     PHRASES.  169 

Once  for  all  =  Once,  and  once  only ;  as  something 
not  needing  to  be  repeated,  (a) 
The  real  estate  dealer  said,  "  I  tell  you,  once  for 
all,  that  the  house  will  not  be  sold  for  less  than  tive 
thousand  dollars "  =  The  real  estate  dealer  said,  "I 
tell  you  once,  and  once  only,  that  the  house  will  not 
be  sold  for  less  than  five  thousand  dollars."     I  tell 
you  now,  once  for  all,  I  will  not  go  to  Boston  =  I  tell 
you  now  (and  you  must  not  ask  again),  I  will  not 
go  to  Boston. 
Once  upon,  or  on,  a  time  =  At  some  former  time  ; 
formerly,  (c) 
Once  upon  a  time,  there    dwelt  a  hermit  on  the 
hill-side,  far  from  the  haunts  of  men  =  At  some  for- 
mer time  there  dwelt  a  hermit  on  the  hill-side,  far 
from  the  haunts  of  men. 
On    demand  =  Upon  presentation,  and   request   of 
payment,  (a) 
On  demand,  I  promise  to  pay  (a  form  in  promissory 
notes.)  =  Upon  presentation  of  the  note,  and  request 
of  payment,  I  promise  to  pay.     Mr.  B.  loaned  his 
neighbor   a  hundred   dollars    on    demand  ='M.y.   B. 
loaned  his  neighbor  a   hundred   dollars,  w^ith   the 
agreement  that  it  should  be  paid  whenever  he  should 
ask  for  it. 
On  duty  =  In  customary  service  ;  employed,  (a) 

John  R.  was  on  duty  as  picket  guard,  the  night 
before  the  battle  =  John  R.  was  employed  as  one  of 
the  picket  guard,  the  night  before  the  battle. 
One  day  =  l.  On  a  certain  or  particular  day,  in  the 
past,  (a)     2.  At  some  future  indefinite  time,  (c) 
1.  One  day  I  was  walking  in  the  woods,  and  I  saw 
a  brood  of  young  partridges  =  On  a  certain  day  I 
was  w^alking  in  the  woods,  and  I  saw  a  brood  of 
young  partridges.     2.  One  day,  you  will  repent  of 
this  harsh  language  to  your  brother  =  At  some  future 
time,  you  will  repent  of  this  abusive  language  to 
your  brother. 
On  file  =  Preserved  in  an  orderly  collection,  (a) 

Business  men  keep  their  letters  on  j?Ze  =  Business 
men  keep  their  letters  preserved  in  an  orderly  col- 
lection. Rolls  of  revolutionary  soldiers,  of  the  war 
of  1776,  are  on  file  in  the  State  libraries  of  their  re- 
spective States  =  Rolls  of  revolutionary  soldiers,  in 
the  war  of  1776,  are  preserved  in  an  orderly  collec- 
tion in  the  State  libraries  of  their  respective  States. 
On  foot  =  On  one's  feet ;  by  walking,  (a) 

The  physician  came  to  see  his  patient  on  foot  = 
The  physician  walked  to  see  his  patient.     Did  you 


170  IDIOMATIC    PHRASES. 

come  on  foot?    l^o  Sir,  I  came  by  carriage = Did 
you  walk  here  ?     ]S"o  Sir,  I  came  by  carriage. 
On  foot,  to  be  =  To  be  in  motion,  action,  or  process 
of  execution,  (h) 
The  scouts  have  brought  in  word,  that  a  flank 
movement  of  the  enemy  is  on  foot=T\\Q  scouts  have 
brought  in  word,  that  the  enemy  is  executing  a  flank 
movement. 
On  good  terms  =  Having  friendly  relations,  (a) 

I  am  on  good  terms  with  him  =  He  is  friendly  to 
me.     We  are  on  good  terms,  though  not  intimate  = 
We  are  friendly,  though  we  are  not  intimate. 
On  hand  =  In  present  possession,  (a) 

The  merchant  has  a  large  supply  of  cotton  goods 
on  hand  =  The  merchant  has,  in  present  possession,  a 
large  supply  of  cotton  goods.     I  have  $5,000  o?i 
hand—1  have  $5,000  in  my  possession.     I  have  a 
large  job  of  copying  07i  hand—1  am  at  present  en- 
gaged with  a  great  job  of  copying. 
On  high  =  In  an  elevated  or  conspicuous  position,  (a) 
The  rulers  of  the  people  are  set  on  high,  and 
should  be  examples  of  honorable  living  =  The  rulers 
of  the  people  are  set  in  a  conspicuous  position,  and 
should  be  examples  of  honorable  living. 
On  leave  =  By  permission,  (a) 

The  soldier  is  absent  from  his  regiment,  on  leave= 
The  soldier  is  absent  from  his  regiment,  by  permis- 
sion. 
Only  ft*om  day  to  day  =  Without  certainty  of  con- 
tinuance ;  temporarily,  (c) 
The  carpenter  succeeded  in  getting  work  only  from 
day   to   day  —  The   cai'penter    succeeded  in  getting 
work  temporarily. 
On  one'§  honor  =  On  the  pledge  of  one's  honor  ;  on 
the  stake  of  one's  reputation  for  integrity,  (a) 
The  members  of  the  House  of  Lords  (Eng.)  are 
not  under  oath,  but  give  their  opinions  on  their  honor 
r=The  members  of  the  House  of  Lords  (Eng.)  are 
not  under  oath,  but  give  their  opinions  on  the  pledge 
of  their  honor. 
On  one's  side  =  Favorable  to  one  in  opinion  or  act ; 
helpful  to  one.  (a) 
Some  Indians  were  on  the  side  of  the  British,  dur- 
ing the  Revolutionary  war  in  American  Some  Indi- 
ans helped  the  British,  during  the  Revolutionary 
war  in  America.     In  the  debating  club,  I  argued  in 
favor  of  free  trade,  and  I  had  the  majority  on  my 
side  =  lT\  the  debating  club,  I  argued  in  favor  of  free 
trade,  and  the  majority  were  with  me  (agreed  with 
me.) 


IDIOMATIC    PHEASES.  171 

On  purpose.     Of  purpose  =  With  previous  design  ; 
witii  the  mind  directed  to  that  point,  (a) 
He  did  it  of  purpose  — Hq  did  it  intentionally,  not 
by  accident.      You  pushed  him  on  purpose =Y on 
pushed  him  not  accidentally,  but  intentionally.     I 
came  on  purpose  to  see  you==I  came  for  nothmg  else 
but  to  see  you. 
On    second   tliouglit  =  As   the    result    of   another 
thought;  after  further  or  more  deliberate  consid- 
eration, (a) 
The  jeweler  was  about  to  send  a  package  of  clocks 
to  a  customer  as  freight,  but  on  second  thought,  de- 
cided to  send  them  by  express  ==  The  jeweler  was 
about  to  send  a  package  of  clocks  to  a  customer  as 
freight,  but  after  more  deliberate  thought,  he  decided 
to  send  them  by  express. 
On  tap=Ileady  to  be  drawn  from  the  cask,  (c) 

The  landlord  has  no  beer  on  tap  to-day ;  he  has 
only  bottled  beer = The  landlord  has  only  bottled 
beer  to-day,  and  not  any  which  is  in  the  cask.     The 
brewer's  ale  is  on  tap  now = The  brewer's  ale  is  ready 
to  be  drawn. 
On  that  ground  =  Having  that  as  the  foundation  or 
reason,  (a) 
Mr.  C's  health  is  failing,  and  he  declines,  on  that 
ground,  to  teach  the  school   any   longer = Mr.    C's 
health  is  failing,  and  he  declines,  for  that  reason,  to 
teach  the  school  any  longer. 
On  the  alerts  Watchful;  vigilant,  (a) 

He  is  on  the  alert  for  game  =  He  is  watching  keenly 
for  game.     Be  on  the  alert  for  chances  to  do  good  = 
AVatch  sharply  for  chances  to  do  good.     You  can 
not  deceive  him  in  regard  to  the  stock  market,  for 
he  is  on  the  alert=You  can  not  deceive  him  in  regard 
to  the  stock  market,  for  he  is  vigilant. 
On  the  carpet,  to  be  =  To  be  under  consideration ; 
to  be  the  subject  of  deliberation,  (c) 
The  construction  of  a  canal  across  the  isthmus  of 
Panama  is  on  the  carpet  at  Washington  =  The  con- 
struction of  a  canal  across  the  isthmus  of  Panama  is 
the  subject  of  deliberation  at  Washington. 
On  the  condition  that  =  On  the  stipulation  that; 
provided  that ;  w^ith  the  understanding  that,  (a) 
A  father  promised  his  son  $1,000,  on  the  condition 
that  he  would  stop  smoking  opium = A  father  prom- 
ised his  son  $1,000,  with  the  understanding  that  he 
should  stop  smoking  opium. 
On   the   contrary  =  In   opposition ;    on    the   other 
hand ;  on  the  other  side,  (a) 


172  IDIOMATIC    PHRASES. 

The  prisoner  did  not  succeed  in  escaping ;  on  the 
contrary  he  was  caught  in  the  endeavor,  and  put  in 
irons  =  The  prisoner  did  not  succeed  in  escaping  ;  on 
the  other  hand,  he  was  caught  and  put  in  irons.  I 
am  not  older  than  my  partner,  but  on  the  contrary^ 
my  partner  is  older  than  1  =  1  am  not  older  than  my 
partner,  but  the  opposite  statement  is  true,  that  my 
partner  is  older  than  I. 

On  the  defen§ive,  to  be  or  §taiicl=:To  be  or  stand 
in  a  posture  of  defense  or  resistance,  (b) 
In  the  siege  of  Paris  by  the  Germans  in  1870, 
the  Parisians  stood  on  the  defensive  — \w  the  siege  of 
Paris  by  the  Germans  in  1870,  the  Parisians  stood 
in  a  position  of  defense. 
On  the  edge  or  brink  of  a  precipice,  to  be  =  To 
be  in  danger  of,  or  liable  to,  some  evil,  (c) 
The  man  who  habitually  drinks  intoxicating  liquor 
is  on  the  brink  of  a  precipice=Th.G  man  who  habitu- 
ally drinks  intoxicating  liquors  is  liable  to  become  a 
drunkard. 
On  the  eve  of  =  Just  preceding,  (a) 

On  the  eve  of  the  battle,  the  general  addressed  his 
army  =  Just  preceding   the   battle,  the  general   ad- 
dressed his  army. 
On  the  face  of  lt=:l.  Apparently;    seemingly,  (a) 
2.  Clearly  ;  plainly,  (a) 
1.  The  man's  statement  that  he  has  been  a  sailor 
is,  071  the  face  of  it,  true  =  The  man's  statement  that 
he  has  been  a  sailor  is,  seemingly,  true.     2.  But  his 
statement  that  he  is  a  hundred  years  old  is,  on  the 
face  of  it,  falser  But  his  statement  that  he  is  a  hund- 
red years  old,  is  plainly  false.      2.  His  attempt  to 
obtain  possession  of  the  property  was,  on  the  face  of 
it,  dishonest  =  His  attempt  to  obtain  possession  of 
the  property  was,  clearly,  dishonest. 
On  the  g^round  of  (or  that)  =  For  the  reason  of  (or 
that),  {b) 

He  refused  the  consulate,  on  the  ground  of  ill-health 
=  He  declined  to  accept  the  consulate,  by  reason  of 
his  ill-health.      The  greenback  party  advocated  an 
increase  of  the  paper  currency,  on  the  ground  that 
there  was  an  insufficient  amount  for  business  pur- 
poses =  The  greenback  party  advocated  an  increase 
of  the  paper  currency,  giving  as  a  reason,  that  there 
was  not  a  sufficient  amount  for  the  transaction  of 
business. 
On  the  high  seas  =  On  the  open  sea,  the  common 
highway  of  nations,  (a) 
Piracy  is  robbery  on  the  high  seas  =  Piracy  is  rob- 
bery in  the  open  sea,  or  on  the  ocean.     "We  met 


IDIOMATIC    PHRASES.  173 

vessels  of  all  nations  on  the  high  seas  —  ^^  met  vessels 
from   all   countries   on   the   open   sea,  beyond   the 
boundary  of  any  nation. 
On  tlie  line  =  At  the  right  height ;  on  a  level  with 
the  eye  of  the  spectator,  (c) 
At  the  Art  Union  exhibition,  did  you  see  the  por- 
trait of  the  Emperor  ?     It  hung  opposite  the  en- 
trance, on  the  line  —  At  the  Art  Union  exhibition, 
did  you  see  the  Emperor's  portrait  ?     It  hung  oppo- 
site the  entrance,  and  on  a  level  with  your  eye. 
On  tlie  look-out  =  Observant ;  carefully  looking  for. 
{a) 
Mrs.  A.  is  072  the  look-out  for  a  good  servant  — Mrs. 
A.  is  looking  carefully  for  a  good  servant. 
On  the  part  of  =  As  regards  ;  respecting  ;  with  rela- 
tion to.  (a) 
The  school  examination  was  a  failure,  on  the  part 
of  the  class  in  aritlimetic^As  regards  tlie  class  in 
arithmetic,  the  school  examination  was  a  failure. 
On  the  point  of  =  As  near  as  can  be  to ;  on  the 
verge  of.  (a) 
I  was  on  the  point  of  going  to  my  office,  when  my 
child  was  taken  suddenlj^  ill  =  I  was  just  ready  to  go 
to  my  office,  when  my  child  was  seized  with  sudden 
illness.     He  is  on  the  point  of  publishing  his  book  = 
He  will  publish  his  book  very  soon. 
On  the  qui  vive  =  Watchful ;  on  the  alert ;  excited 
with  curiosity. 
He  is  expecting  his  playmates,  and  is  on  the  qui 
vive—He  is  expecting  his  playmates,  and   on   the 
lookout.     The  fluctuation  of  the  stock  market  keeps 
US  072   the  qui  vzVe^The   fluctuation   of  the   stock 
market  keeps  us  excited  and   watchful.     The  whole 
city  was  on  the  qui  vive  to  learn  the  particulars  of 
the  battle  =  The  people  of  the  city  were  all  excited 
to  learn  the  particulars  of  the  battle. 
On   the  road  =  While   traveling;   on  the   highway, 
(a) 
On  the  road^  we  talked  about  this  book  =  As  we 
journeyed,   we   talked   about   this  book.     He   sells 
goods  by  sample,  and  spends  most  of  his  time  on  the 
road^lia   spends   most   of  his   time  traveling,  be- 
cause he  is  engaged  in  selling  goods  by  sample. 
On  the  sly  =  In  a.  sly  or  secret  manner,  (a) 

The  carpenter's  son  was  married  on  the  .s??/  =  The 

carpenter's  son  was  married  secretly. 

On    or   upon   the   §pot= Without  changing  place; 

immediately ;  without  delay,  (a) 

The  horse  of  the  truckman  was  so  badly  hurt  by 

falling,  that  they  killed  him  on  the  spot—ThQ  truck- 


174  IDIOMATIC    PHRASES. 

man's  horse  was  so  badly  injured  by  his  fall,  that 
the  people  killed  him  without  delay. 
On  the  §pur  of  the  moment  =  On  the  instigation 
of  the  moment ;  by  momentary  impulse ;  without 
previous  thought  or  preparation,  (a) 
When  the  young  man  heard  that  his  friend  was 
going  to  the  city,  he  decided,  on  the  spur  of  the  mo- 
ment, to  accompany  him  =  When   the   young  man 
heard  that  his  friend  was  going  to  the  city,  he  de- 
cided, on  the  impulse  of  the  moment,  to  accompany 
him.     He  started  for  Europe,  on  the  spur  of  the  mo- 
ment =  He  started  for  Europe  at  once,  without  pre- 
meditation.    I  wrote  to  you  to  ship  me  a  cargo  of 
tea,  on  the  spur  of  the  moment— J.  wrote  to  you  to  ship 
me  a  cargo  of  tea,  without  stopping  to  think. 
On  or  upon  the  square  =  In  an  open,  fair  manner ; 
honestly,  (c) 
AH  his  business  is  conducted  upon  the  square  =  All 
his  business  is  honestly  conducted.     The  banker  is 
very  honorable ;  his  business  is  always  done  on  the 
square  =  The  banker  is  very  honest ;  he  conducts  his 
business  in  an  open,  fair  manner. 
On  the  stage  =  In  the  present  period,  time,  or  age.  (a) 
The  men  who  are  now  on   the  stage  have  many 
comforts  and  facilities  which  their  fathers  did  not 
enjoy  =  The  men  who  are  living  in  the  present  age 
or  time  have  many  comforts  and  facilities  which 
their  fathers  did  not  enjoy. 
On  the  strength  of  =  In  reliance  upon,  (a) 

On  the  strength  of  his  promise,  we  lay  our  plans  for 
the  tour  =  We  lay  our  plans  for  the  tour,  depend- 
ing upon  his  promises. 
On  the  stretch = Employed  to  the  full  extent  of  one's 
powers,  (c) 
The  duties  of  the  superintendent  of  a  large  rail- 
road keep  his  mind  on  the  stretch  — The  duties  of  the 
superintendent  of  a  large  rail-road  keep  his  mind 
employed,  to  the  fuU  extent  of  its  powers. 
On  the  trails  On  the  track;  pursuing;  following. 

(«) 
When  the  huntsman  passed,  he  said  that  his  dogs 

were  on  the  trail  of  a  fox = When  the  hunter  passed, 

he  said  that  his  dogs  were  pursuing  a  fox. 

On  the  wane  =  Declining;    diminishing;    waning. 

(a) 

After  the  15th  day  of  every  Chinese  month  the 

moon  is  on  the  wane— AiiQr  the  16th  day  of  every 

Chinese  month  the  moon  is  waning  (has  passed  the 

full).     The  teacher  is  so  stem  that  his  popularity  is 

on  the  wane  =  Th.Q  teacher  is  so  stern  that  he  is  de- 


IDIOMATIC     PHRASES.  175 

dining  in  popnlarity.     Life  is  on  the  wane  with  him 
=rHe  is  in  the  decline  of  life. 

On  tlie  whole rr All  things  considered;  in  view  of 
all  the  circumstances,  (a) 
It  is  best,  on  the  v:hole^  that  the  graduate  from  the 
high  school  should  study  medicine  =  It  is  best,  in 
view  of  aU  the  circumstances,  that  the  graduate 
from  the  high  school  should  study  medicine.  Mr. 
A.  enjoys  much  in  city  life,  but  on  the  whole^  prefers 
living  in  the  country  =  There  is  much  in  city  life 
which  Mr.  A.  enjoys,  but  all  things  considered,  he 
prefers  living  in  the  country. 

On  tlie  wing  =  In  rapid  motion  ;  flying,  as  a  bird. 

(«)         .       . 

He  shot  this  partridge  on  the  wing  =  He  shot  this 
partridge,  while  it  was  flying. 
On  time  =  Not  later  than  the  flxed  time ;  promptly 
present,  (a) 
If  the  train  should  be  on  time,  I  should  reach 
home  before  dark  =  If  the  train  should  not  arrive 
later  than  the  fixed  time,  I  should  reach  home  be- 
fore dark.     At  the  wedding,  all  the  guests  were  on 
time  =  At  the  wedding,  all  the  guests  were  promptly 
present.     {Colloq.) 
On  tiptoe,  to  be  =  To  be  awake  or  alive  to   any 
thing  ;  to  be  excited  or  expectant,  {b) 
Every  body  is  on  tiptoe  to  learn  the  result  of  the 
presidential  election  =  Every  body  is  interested  and 
anxious  to  learn  the  result  of  the  presidential  elec- 
tion. 
Open  a  door  to,  to  =  To  render  easy ;  to  prepare 
the  way  for.  (p) 
The  man's  frequent   absence   from  his   business 
opened  the  door  to  many  unfavorable  remarks  and  ru- 
mors =  The  man's  frequent  absence  from  his  business 
prepared  the  way  for  many  unfavorable   remarks 
and  rumors. 
Open   §e8ame  =  A   charm   which   opens   something 
that  is  closed  ;  means  of  admission  ;  passport,  (c) 
Wealth  is  an  open  sesame  to  much  society  =  Wealth 
is  a  means  of  admission  to  much  society.     My  name 
will  be  an  open  sesame  for  you  at  my  father's  house 
=  My  name  will  serve  to  make  you  welcome  at  my 
father's  house. 
Open  tlie  budget,  to  —  To  lay  before  the  legislative 
body  the  financial  estimates  of  the  goverment.  (a) 
In  England,  it  is  the  duty  of  the  chancellor  of  the 
exchequer  to  open  the  budget  at  the  beginning  of  the 
session  =  It  is  the  duty  of  the  English  chancellor  of 
the  exchequer  to  lay  before  the  legislative  body  the 


176  IDIOMATIC    PHRASES. 

financial  estimates  and  plans  of  the  government,  at 
the  beginning  of  the  session. 

Open  the  eyes  of,  to  =  To  enlighten  ;  to  make  one 
see,  understand,  appreciate,  &c.  (a) 
His  sickness  will  oj)e7i  his  eyes  to  the  necessity  of 
taking  better  care  of  his  health  =  His  sickness  will 
make  him  appreciate  the  need  of  better  caring  for 
his  health.  The  merchant  did  not  believe  that  his 
clerk  was  dishonest,  but  the  discovery  of  some  false 
entries  on  the  books  opened  his  eyes  —  The  merchant 
did  not  believe  that  his  clerk  was  dishonest,  but  the 
discovery  of  some  false  entries  on  the  books  enlight- 
ened him. 

Open  the  question,  to  =  To  commence  the  discus- 
sion of  a  subject ;  to  bring  it  before  the  public,  (a) 
The  article  in  the  newspaper  has  opened  the  qnes-- 
tion  of  Sunday  rail-way  trains  =  The  newspaper  arti- 
cle has  introduced,  foi-  public  discussion,  the  subject 
of  running  rail-way  trains  on  Sunday.  Mr.  Smith 
opened  the  question  of  license,  at  the  temperance  con- 
vention, on  the  affirmative  side  =  Mr.  Smith  began 
the  discussion  on  the  subject  of  license,  at  the  tem- 
perance convention,  speaking  on  the  affirmative  side 
of  the  question. 

Open  to  the  view,  to  =  To  begin  to  appear.  (5) 

After  a  long  ride  through  a  defile  between  moun- 
tains, we  reached  the  mouth  of  it,  where  a  broad  and 
beautiful  meadow  opened  to  our  vi£W  =  AiiQY  a  long 
ride  through  a  defile,  we  found  a  broad  and  beauti- 
ful meadow  stretching  out  before  our  eyes. 

Open  up,  to  =  To  disclose  ;  to  lay  open  ;  to  discover. 

His  essays  open  up  many  topics  of  great  interest 
to  us  =  His  essays  lay  open,  or  disclose,  many  topics 
of  great  interest  to  us.     The  invention  of  the  tele- 
phone by  Mr  Bell,  (American,)  in  1876  opened  up  a 
new  mode  of  conversing  at  a  distance  =  The  inven- 
tion of  the  telephone  in  1876  by  Mr.  Bell,  disclosed 
a  new  mode  of  conversing  at  a  distance. 
Order  of  the  day  (Legislative  bodies)  =  A  succession 
of  business  appointed  for  a  specified  day.  (a) 
At  the  hour  appointed  by  the  vote  of  yesterday, 
the  assembly  took  up  the  order  of  the  day  —  At  the 
hour  appointed  by  the  vote  of  yesterday,  the  assem- 
bly took  up  the  business  which  had  been  ordered 
for  this  day. 
Oh  that  =  I  wish  that,  (c) 

The  man  whose  purse  was  stolen  exclaimed,  "  Oh 
that  all  men  were  honest"  =  The  man  whose  purse 
was  stolen,  cried  out,  "  I  wish  that  all  men  were 


IDIOMATIC     PHRASES.  177 

honest.''     0  that  it  might  rain  to-day,  and  make  the 
weather  cooler  —  I  wish  that  it  might  rain  to-day,  and 
make  tlie  weather  cooler. 
Out  =  ]N^ot  in  ;  Kot  within — used  in  a  variety  of  spe- 
cial senses,  {a) — as,  1.  In  a  state  of  disclosure   or 
publication.     2,  In  a  state  of  exhaustion,  destitu- 
tion or  extinction.      3.  To  the  end  ;    completely. 
4.  Abroad  ;  in  public.     5.  AYithout  restraint ;  audi- 
bly ;  perceptibly.     6.  Not  in  the  right ;  in  a  wrong 
or  incorrect   position   or   opinion.      7.  Not  within 
shelter  or  cover  ;  uncovered. 
1.  The  secret  of  the  visit  of  the  special  envoy  to 
our  government  is  out—T\\Q  hidden  reason  for  the 
visit  of  the  special  envoy  to  our  government  is  dis- 
closed.    1.  A  new  book  on  Japan  is  just  out  =  A 
new   book,  which   treats   of  Japan,  has  just   been 
published.     2.  The  sugar  and  flour  of  the  family  are 
out=  The  supply  of  sugar  and  flour  for  the  family  is 
exhausted.     3.  The  play  w^as  very  long  ;  but  we  sat 
it  out=The  play  was  very  long;  but  we  remained 
till  the  close.     4.  The  military  companies  were  out^ 
to-day  =  The  military  companies  appeared  in  public 
to-day.     5.  The  sun  shone  out,  after  the  shower = 
The  sun  appeared  in  full  view,  after  the  shower.     6. 
The   gardener   was   out,   in   his   prediction    of   the 
weather  for  to-day  =  The  gardener  was  incorrect,  in 
his  prediction  of  what  the  weather  was  to  be  to-day. 
7,  I  was  out  in  the  rain  =  I  was  unsheltered  during 
the  rain.     7.  The  tramp  was  out  at  the  elbows,  and 
out  at  the  toes  =  The  tramp's  coat  had  holes  at  the 
elbow,  and  his  shoes  had  holes  at  the  toe. 
Out  of  indicates  origin,  source,  derivation,  and  the 
like  ;  and  is  used  to  express  a  variety  of  relations, 
(a) — as,  1.  Origin  ;    derivation.     2.  Result ;    conse- 
quence,— denoting  the  motive  or  reason.     3.  Copy 
from   an   original ;   quotation.     4.  Rescue ;  libera- 
tion.    5.  Exclusion,  dismission,   departure,  or   ab- 
sence.    6.  Dereliction  ;  neglect  of  proper  observ- 
ance.    7.  Deviation  from  what  is  common,  regular, 
or  proper.     8.  The  state  of  being  beyond,  or  not 
within  the  limits  of.     9,  Loss  or  exhaustion. 
1.  He  paid  me  out  of  the  funds  which  he  had  in 
in  the  bank  =  He  derived  the  money  for  my  pay- 
ment from  the  funds  which  he  had  in  the  bank.     2. 
He  adopted  the  orphan  girl  out  of  pure  benevolence 
=  He  adopted  the  oi'phan  girl  solely  in  consequence 
of  his  benevolence.     3.  This  precept  is  out  of  (from) 
the  writings  of  Confucius  =  This  precept  is  a  quota- 
tion from  the  writings  of  Confucius.     4.  He  is  out 
(/ prison,  his  term  having  expired  =  He  is  released 

13 


178  IDIOMATIC     PHRASES. 

from  prison  hj  the  expiration  of  his  sentence.  5. 
That  style  of  dress  is  out  of  fashion  =  That  style  of 
dress  is  no  longer  fashionable.  6.  He  was  persuaded 
out  of  his  duty  to  his  parents  =  He  was  persuaded  to 
neglect  his  duty  to  his  parents.  7.  The  ship  which 
we  met  was  out  of  her  course  =  The  ship  which  we 
met  had  deviated  from  her  proper  course.  8.  I 
called  him,  but  he  was  out  of  hearings  I  called 
him,  but  he  was  beyond  hearing  (too  distant  to 
hear).  9.  I  ran  so  rapidly  as  to  be  out  of  breathe  I 
ran  so  rapidly  that  I  exhausted  my  breath. 
Out  and  out  =  Completely  ;  without  reservation,  (a) 
That  misrepresentation  of  my  motives  was,  out  and 
out,  a  disingenuous  statements  That  misrepresenta- 
tion of  my  motives  was  a  completely  disingenuous 
statement.  He  is,  out  and  out,  a  temperance  man= 
He  is  openly  and  thoroughly  an  advocate  of  temper- 
ance. The  politician  who  left  the  greenback  party 
denounces  it,  out  and  ow^r=The  politician  who  left 
the  greenback  party  denounces  it  openly  and  strongly. 
Out  of  characters  Contrary  to  good  or  expected 
character,  (a) 

It  is  out  of  character  for  the  judge  to  take  a  bribe 
=  It  is  contrary  to  good  character  (or  to  the  character 
expected  in  a  judge),  to  take  a  bribe. 
Out  of  conceit  ivith  =  'No  longer  pleased  with  ;  not 
having  a  favorable  opinion  of.  (a) 
I  am  all  out  of  conceit  with  that  book  ;  it  is  so  sim- 
ples I  have  ceased  liking  that  book,  because  it  is  so 
simple.     He  is  out  of  conceit  with  study  s  He  did  love 
study,  but  he  does  not  now. 
Out  of  countenances  With  the  countenance  cast 
down  ;  abashed  ;  confounded,  (a) 
I  was  put  out  of  countenance  by  the  child's  be- 
havior si   was   abashed    (made    ashamed)    by   the 
child's  behavior. 
Out  of  date  —  Obsolete  ;  out  of  fashion  ;  gone  by ; 
antiquated,  (a) 
This  kind  of  clothing  is  out  of  date=Th.is  kind  of 
clothing  is  not  in  use  at  this  time.     This  carriage  is 
all  out  of  (iafesThis  carriage  is  quite  out  of  the 
present  style. 
Out  of  doors  s  Out  of  the  house,  (a) 

The  mother  forbade  the  child  to  go  out  of  doors 

during  her  absences  The  mother  forbade  the  child 

to  go  out  of  the  house  during  her  absence. 

Out  of  harm's   ways  Safe  from  harm  ;   removed 

from  danger,  (a) 

Before  the  enemy  reached  the  town,  its  women 

and  children  were  out  of  harm's  way =^efore  the 


IDIOMATIC     PHRASES.  179 

enemy  reached  the  town,  its  women  and  children 
were  safe  from  harm,  by  reason  of  removal. 
Out  of  joint,  to   be  =  To   be   out   of  place;. dis- 
ordered ;  confused,  (a) 

His  business  affairs  are  all  out  of  joint— His,  busi- 
ness affairs  are  all  in  confusion.     Old  people  are  apt 
to  think  that  the  times  are  out  of  joint  =  Old  people 
are  disposed  to  think  that  the  state  of  things,  at  the 
present  period,  is  disordered  and  confused. 
Out  of  keepings  Not  in  harmony  ;  disproportion- 
ate, (c) 
The  carpet  in  the  parlor  is  out  of  keeping  with  the 
wall-paper = The  carpet  in  the  parlor  does  not  har- 
monize with  the  wall-paper,  in  color.     His  style  of 
living  is  out  of  keeping  with  his  income = His  style  of 
living  is  disproportionate  to  his  income. 
Out  of  kilter  =  Out  of  regular  order,  or  condition. 
My  watch  is  out  of  kilter ='M.y  watch  needs  repair- 
ing.    His  stomach  is  out  of  kilter =1H\&  stomach  is 
not  in  good  condition.     This  sewing  machine  is  all 
out  of  kilfjer=l!\i\s>  sewing  machine  is  much  disar- 
ranged. 
Out  of  order =1.  Disarranged;  not  in  proper  con- 
dition, (a)     2.  Contrary  to  rule,  (a) 
1.  The  children,  in  their  play,  have  put   every 
thing  in  the  room  out  of  order =The  children,  in 
their  play,  have  disarranged  every  thing  in  the  room. 
1.   He  ate  so  much  watermelon,  yesterday,  that  his 
bowels  are  out  of  orc?er=r  Yesterday,  he  ate  so  much 
watermelon  that  his  bowels  are  not  in  healthy  con- 
dition.    2.  The  member  from  Ohio  is  out  of  order ^  in 
speaking  while  another  member  has  the  floors  The 
member  from  Ohio  is  violating  a  parliamentary  rule, 
in  speaking  while  another  member  is  speaking  or 
has  the  right  to  speak. 
Out  of  places  Not  in  the  proper  or  usual  place,  {a) 
The  dictionary  is  out  of  place  =  The  dictionary  is 
not  in  the  place  where  it  commonly  is  or  where  it 
should  be. 
Out   of  pocket  =  Short   of  money ;    out   of   cash  ; 
having  incurred  the  loss  of.  (a) 

He  was  out  of  pocket,  considerably,  through  that 
speculation  in  Erie  stock  =  He  incurred  considerable 
loss,  through  speculation  in  Erie  stock. 
Out  of  print  =  No  longer  for  sale  by  the  publisher  ; 
not  to  be  had  in  the  ordinary  way  of  trade,  {a) 
That  book  is  outof  print=  That  book  can  no  longer 
be  had  in  the  ordinary  way  of  trade. 
Out  of  reach  =  Impossible  or  difficult  to  be  reached 
or  touched,  (a) 


180  IDIOMATIC     PHRASES. 

The  man  would  have  heard  of  his  father's  death 
sooner,  if  he  had  not  been  out  of  reach  by  telegraph 
=  The  man  would  sooner  have  heard  of  his  father's 
death,  if  he  had  not  been  where  it  was  impossible 
or  difficult  to  reach  him  by  telegraph. 
Out  of  seasons  Not  in  the  proper  season,  (a) 

Grapes  in  winter  are  out  of  season  =  Grapes  in 
winter  are  not  in  their  proper  season. 
Out  of  temper  —  In  bad  temper  ;  irritated  ;  sullen  ; 
peevish,  (b) 
Don't  speak  to  him  now  ;  he  is  very  much  out  of 
temper  =  1)0  not  speak  to  him  now,  because  he  is 
very  much  irritated,  and  in  bad  temper. 
Out  of  the  pale  of  =  Beyond  the  limits  of.  (b) 

The  explorer  went  out  of  the  pale  of  civilization  = 
The  explorer  went  beyond  the  limits  of  civilized 
society. 
Out  of  the  question  =  I^ot  to  be  considered  ;  quite 
impossible,  {a) 
Do  not  urge  me  to  accompany  you  on  a  European 
tour,  for  it  is  out  of  the  question  =  Do  not  urge  me  to 
accompany  you  on  a  European  tour,  for  it  is  quite 
impossible.     It  is  out  of  the  question  for  me  to  build 
a  new  house,  until  my  income  is  greater  ==  My  build- 
ing a  new  house  is  not  to  be  considered,  until  my  in- 
come is  greater. 
Out  of  the  sphere  of  =  Beyond  the  limit  or  range 
of.  (a) 
Many  things  which  we  would  like  to  know  are 
out  of  the  sphere  of  our  knowledge  =  Many  things 
which  we  would  like  to  know  are  beyond  the  range 
of  our  knowledge. 
Out  of  the  way  =  l.  In  a  position  not  to  obstruct  or 
hinder,  or  the  like,  (a)     2.  Away  from  the  usual  or 
proper  place  or  course,  (a) 
1.  When  the  farmer  came  home,  he  put  the  wagon 
out  of  the  way  =  When  the  farmer  came  home,  he 
placed  the  wagon  where  it  would  not  obstruct  any 
thing.     2.  In   driving   to   the   adjoining   town,  we 
went  quite  out  of  the  way  =  ln   driving  to  the  adjoin- 
ing town,  we  went  quite  aside  from  the  usual  or 
direct  course.     2.  His  conduct  was  quite  out  of  the 
way  =  llh  conduct  was  quite  improper  or  wrong. 
2,  He  lives  in  an  out-of-the-way  place  =  He  lives  in  a 
place  not  easily  reached. 
Out  of  the  woods  =  Freed  from  dangers  or  difficul- 
ties ;  in  safety  ;  on  sure  ground,  (h) 
The  sick  man  is  improving,  and  is  out  of  the  wood 
now  =  The  sick  man  is  improving,  and  is  now  past 
the   danger.     Don't   shout   till  you   are  out  of  the 


IDIOMATIC    PHRASES.  181 

woods  =  Do  not  rejoice  till  you  are  sure  you  have  rea- 
son to. 
Out  of  time  =  Deviating  from  the  regular  time,  (c) 

The  ship  which  sailed  from  London  on  the  2d 
inst.,  is  out  of  ^me  =  The  ship  which  sailed  from  Lon- 
don on  the  2d  inst.  has  not  arrived  in  due  time. 
Out  of  tune  =  1.  Kot  harmonious  ;  harsh  ;  discord- 
ant, (a)     2.  Not  in  a  good  state  or  temper  ;  ruffled  ; 
irritated,  (h) 

1.  The  piano  which  I  bought  at  auction  is  out  of 
tune  =  The  piano  which  I  bought  at  auction  is  dis- 
cordant. 2.  What  makes  you  out  of  tune  ;  has  any- 
thing gone  wrong  ?  =  What  makes  you  ruffled,  and 
not  in  good  temper ;  has  anything  gone  wrong  ?  2. 
He  is  very  much  out  of  tune  this  morning  =  He  is  not 
in  a  good  temper  this  morning:  he  is  very  much 
irritated. 
Out  of  use  =  Not  in  employment,  (a) 

Tlie  method  of  taking  pictures  by  daguerreotype 
has  gone  out  of  use  —  The  method  of  taking  pictures 
by  daguerreotype  is  not  now  employed. 
Over,  to  be  =  To  be  completed  or  ended,  (a) 

When  the  game  of  ball  was  over^  the  players  went 
to  the  restaurant  and  had  dinner  =  When  the  game 
of  ball  was  finished,  the  players  went  to  the  restau- 
rant and  ate  dinner. 
Over  ag^ain  =  Once  more ;  with  repetition,  (a) 

Please   to   read   that   last   sentence  over  again  — 
Please  to  read  that  last  sentence  once  more. 
Over  and  above  =  Besides;  beyond  what  is  supposed 
or  limited,  (a) 
It   is  not  over   and  above  warm  =  It  is  not  very 
warm.     I  had  so  much,  over  and  above  what  I  gave 
you  =  I   had   so   much,    besides  what   I  gave  you. 
This  is  not  over  and  above  cheap = This  is  not  very 
cheap.     He  is  not  over  and  above  honest  =  He  is  not 
very  honest. 
Oive  one  a  spite,  to  =  To  entertain  a  mean  hatred 
for  one.  (c) 
It  is  ungenerous  and  degrading  to  owe  one  a  spites 
It  is  ungenerous  and  degrading  to  entertain  a  mean 
hatred  for  one.     The  boy  owed  the  farmer  a  spite^  for 
having  refused  to  give  him  some  choice  grapes  =  The 
boy  entertained  a  mean  hatred  for  the  farmer,  be- 
cause he  had  refused  to  give  him  some  choice  grapes. 
Owing  to  =  In  consequence  of ;  because  of.  (a) 

Owing  to  the  professor's  ill  health,  he  will  remain 
in  Europe  all  winter  =  In  consequence  of  the  pro- 
fessor's ill  health,  he  will  remain  in  Europe  all  win- 
ter.    The  escape  of  the  criminal  was  owing  to  the 


182  IDIOMATIC    PHRASES. 

carelessness  of  the  policeman  =  The  escape  of  the 
criminal  was  in  consequence  of  the  carelessness  of 
the  policeman. 


p. 

Pack  up,  to  =  To  put  together  in  close  order  or  nar- 
row compass,  (a) 

Mr.  E.  is  packing  up  his  goods,  preparatory  to  re- 
movals Mr.  E.  is  putting  his  goods  together  into  a 
small  compass,  preparatory  to  removal. 
Palm  off,  to  =  To  impose  by  fraud ;  to  put  off  by 
unfair  means,  (a) 

You  can  not  palm  off  that  counterfeit  coin  on  me 
=  You  can  not  make  me  take  that  counterfeit  coin. 
He   palmed  himself  off  upon  us  for  a  scholar  =  He 
made  us  think  he  was  a  scholar. 
Parcel  out,  to=rTo  divide  and  distribute  by  parts 
or  portions,  (a) 
The  captain  of  the  pirate  ship  parceled  out  the 
spoils  of  the  captured  vessels  among  his  crew  =  The 
captain  of  the  pirate  ship  divided  and  distributed 
among  his  crew  the  spoils  from  the  captured  vessels. 
Par  of   excliange  =  The  established   value   of  the 
coin  of  one  country  when  expressed  in  the  coin  of 
another. 
By  par  of  exchange   between   England   and  the 
United  States,  one  pound  English  currency  is  worth 
four  dollars  and  eighty-four  cents  United  States  mo- 
ney =  By  the  established  value  of  coin  of  England 
when   expressed  in  coin  of  the  United  States,  one 
pound  is  worth  four  dollars  and  eighty-four  cents. 
Part  and  parcel  =  An  essential  portion  ;  a  part,  (b) 
This  book  is  part  and  parcel  of  my  library  =  This 
book  is  an  essential  part  of  my  library.     The  army 
is  part  and  parcel  of  the  people  =  The  army  is  a  real 
portion  of  the  people. 
Part  company,  to  =  To  separate,  (a) 

The  travelers  parted  company  at  Paris :  one  going 
to  Italy,  the  other  to  Egypt  =  The  travelers   sepa- 
rated at  Paris;    one  going  to   Italy,  the   other  to 
Egypt. 
Pass  an  opinion  or  judgement,  to  =  To  express  an 
opinion  or  a  judgment,  (c) 
The  lawyer  was  asked  to  pass  an  opinion  on  the 
best  method  of  enforcing  the  liquor  law  =  The  law- 
yer was  asked  to  express  an  opinion  on  the  best 
method  of  enforcing  the  liquor  law. 


IDIOMATIC  PHRASES.  188 

Pass  toy,  to  =  To  elapse ;  to  be  spent,  (a) 

His  time  for  study  was  allowed  to  pass  hy  without 
improvements  His  time  for  study  was   allowed  to 
elapse  without  improvement.     We  were  so  engrossed 
in  conversation,  that  the  evening  passed  hy  rapidly 
and  imperceptil3ly=We  were  so  engrossed  in  con- 
versation, that  the  evening  was  spent  rapidly  and 
imperceptibly. 
Pass  current,  to  =  To  circulate  freely ;  to  be  gene- 
rally accepted,  (a) 
The  report  passes  current,  that  Mr.  A.  is  engaged 
to  Miss  B.  =  The  report  is  in  circulation,  that  Mr.  A. 
is  betrothed  to  Miss  B. 
Pass  in  the  mind,  to  =  To  be  the  subject  of  thought,  (c) 
I  can  not  tell  what  is  passing  in  tlie  mind  of  my 
neighbor=Ican  not  tell  what  my  neighbor  is  think- 
ing of. 
Passive  commerce = Exports  and  imports  carried  in 
foreign  vessels. 
The  commerce  of  the  United  States  is  partly  active, 
and  partly  passive  =  The  commerce  of  the   United 
States  is  partly  carried  on  in  its  own  vessels,  and 
partly  in  foreign  vessels. 
Pass  over  or  toy,  to=:To  overlook ;  not  to  note  or 
answer  ;  to  disregard,  (a) 
I  shall  pass  over  that  part  of  his  argument  which 
relates  to  the  currency  =  I  shall  not  answer  that  part 
of  his  argument  which  relates  to  the  currency.     In 
distributing  the  papers  this  morning,  the  newsboy 
passed  us  by =1ji  distributing  the  papers  this  morn- 
ing, the  newsboy  omitted  to  leave  one  at  (^ur  house. 
In  preparing  the  statistics  of  the  states,  the  com- 
piler of  the  book  passed   over  Ohio  =  In  preparing 
the  statistics  of  the  states,  the  compiler  of  the  book 
overlooked  Ohio. 
Patch  up,  to  =  To  make   suddenly  or  hastily;  to 
compose  in  an  irregular  or  botching  way.  (a) 
A  peace  was  patched  up  between  Russia  and  Tur- 
key in  the  conference  at  Berlin  =  A  peace  was  made 
in  a  botching  way,  or  unskillfully,  between  Russia 
and  Turkey,  in  the  conference  at  Berlin. 
Pave  the  way,  to=:To  prepare  the  way  for  ;  to  ren- 
der possible  or  easy,  (c) 
Gen.  Grant's  success  in  the  war  paved  the  way  for 
his  nomination  to  the  presidency  =  Gen.  Grant's  suc- 
cess as  a  soldier  prepared  the  way  for  his  nomina- 
tion to  the  presidency.     A's  want   of  occupation 
paved  the  way  for  his  dissolute  habits  =  A's  want  of 
employment  rendered  it  easy  for  him  to  fall  into  dis- 
solute habits. 


184  IDIOMATIC    PHRASES. 

Pay  do\irn,  to  =  To  pay  for  an  article  at  the  time  of 
purchase  or  of  taking  possession,  (a) 
Mr.  B.  bought  a  farm,  and  paid  one-half  down  — 
Mr.  B.  bought  a  farm,  and  paid  one-half  the  price  at 
the  time  of  the  purchase  or  the  time  of  taking  pos- 
session. 
Pay  no  regard  to,  to  =  To  disregard  ;  to  treat  with 
no  respect,  (a) 
The  misguided  son  pays  no  regard  to  the  wishes 
of  his  parents  =  The  misguided  son  disregards  the 
wishes  of  his  parents. 
Peck  at,  to  =  To  belabor  with  petty  and  repeated 
blows ;  to  attack  with  petty  and  repeated  criticism. 
{a) 

The  morning  paper  is  continually  pecking  at  him 
=  The  morning  paper  is  attacking  him  with  petty 
and  repeated  criticism. 
Peep  of  day  =  The  first  appearing  of  day.  (c) 

The  hunter  nmst  be  up  at  peep  of  day^  if  he  would 
surprise  the  early  game = The  hunter  must  be  up  by 
the  first  appearance  of  day,  if  he  would  surprise  the 
early  game. 
Pent  lip  =  Inclosed  ;  prevented  leaving,  (a) 

It  is  trying  to  be  pent  up  in  a  large  city,  in  hot 
weathers  It  is  trying  to  be  confined  to  a  large  city, 
in  hot  weather. 
Pertain  to,  to  =  To  have  relation  to.  (a) 

The   knowledge   of    the   medicinal   qualities    of 
plants  pertains  to  the  physician's   art  =  The  knowl- 
edge of  the  medicinal  qualities  of  plants  has  rela- 
tion to  the  physician's  art. 
PhiIo§opher'8  stone  —  An  imaginary  substance  hav- 
ing the  property  of  converting  the  baser  metals  to 
gold  ;  the  way  to  wealth,  (c) 
Roger  Bacon   discovered  the  composition  of  gun- 
powder, w^hile  searching  for  the  philosopher's  stone = 
Roger  Bacon    discovered   the  composition  of  gun- 
powder, while  searching  for  a  substance  that  could 
change  other  metals  to  gold.     Industry  and  econo- 
my are  the  true    philosopher'' s  sto7ie =lndustry   and 
economy  are  the  sure  way  to  wealth. 
PicR  a  quarrel,  to  =  To  get  into  a  quarrel  by  seek- 
ing for  it.  (a) 
I  was  attending   to  my  concerns,  but  he  picked  a 
quarrel  with   me  =  I  was  attending  to  my  concerns, 
but  he  sought  occasion  of  strife  w^ith  me. 
Picked  out  =  Ornamented  or  relieved  with  stripes  of 
a  different  color,  (b) 
On  the  river  Thames,  England,  one  may  see  white 
pleasure  boats,  picked  out  with  gold  — On  the  river 


IDIOMATIC    PHRASES.  185 

Thames,  England,  are   seen  white   pleasure  boats, 
striped  with  gold. 
Pick  oiie'§  way  or  steps,  to  =  To  go  cautiously  ;  to 
select  one's  path,  (c) 
The  lady  picked  her  way  over  the  wet  pavement 
and  through  the  muddy  streets  =  The  lady  w^ent  cau- 
tiously over   the   wet   pavement  and   through   the 
muddy  streets. 
Pick  out,  to  =  To  choose ;  to  select ;  to  separate  as 
choice  or  desirable. 
The  indulgent  father  picked  out  the  most  brilliant 
diamond  at  the  jeweler's,  and  gave  it  to  his  daugh- 
ter =  The  indulgent  father  selected  the  most  brilliant 
diamond  at  the  jeweler's,  and  gave  it  to  his  daughter. 
Piece  out,  to  =  To  extend  or  enlarge  by  the  addi- 
tion of  one  or  more  pieces,  (a) 
The  boy  grew  so  fast,  that  his  mother  was  obliged 
to  piece  out  his  coat  =  The  boy  grew  so  fast,  as  to 
oblige  his  mother  to  enlarge  his  coat,  by  addition  of 
pieces. 
Pin  one  down  to,  to  =  In  discussion,  to  force  one  to 
keep  to  the  point  or  to  admit  something,  (b) 
The  senator  pinned  his  opponent  down  to  a  state- 
ment he  had  made  in  a  speech,  at  the  last  session  = 
The  senator  forced  his  opponent  to  admit  a  state- 
ment which  he  had  made  in  a  speech,  at  the  last  ses- 
sion. 
Pin  one's  faith  upon  another's  sleeve,  to  =  To  be 
slavishly  dependent  on  another  for  one's  opinions ; 
not  to  be  an  independent  thinker,  (b) 
You  say   that   the   issue   of  more   paper   money 
would  benefit  the  country ;  but  I  shall  not  pin  my 
faith  on  your  sleeve  =  You  say  that  the  issue  of  more 
paper  money  would  benefit  the  country  ;  but  I  am 
not  going  to  believe  it  simply  because  you  do. 
Pit  ag^ainst,  to  =  To  introduce  as  antagonist  to;  to 
provoke  to  combat,  (a) 
They  pitted  two   cocks  against  each  others: They 
provoked  two  cocks  to  combat.    Webster  and  Choate, 
the  two   most   eminent  lawyers  in  Massachusetts, 
were  often  pitied  against  each  other  in   important 
trials  =  AVebster  and  Choate,  the  two  most  eminent 
lawyers  in  Massachusetts,  were  often  opposing  coun- 
sel in  important  legal  cases. 
pitch  upon  or  on,  to  =  To  choose ;  to  select,  (a) 
The  soldiers  pitched  upon  Mr.  D.  for  captain  =  The 
soldiers   selected    Mr.    D.    to  be   their   captain.     I 
pitched  upon  this  pattern,  as  the  best=:I  chose  this 
pattern,  as  the  best.     He  pitched  upon  me  to  do  the 
work = He  selected  me  to  do  the  work. 


186  IDIOMATIC    PHRASES. 

Play  a  double  game,  to  =  To  act  in  two  characters, 
one  openly  and  the  other  secretly  ;  to  be  deceitful, 
(a) 
The  man  who  solicited  contributions,  professedly 
to  found  an  orphan  asylum,  played  a  double  game; 
for  he  spent  the  money  in  a  gambling  saloon  at 
night  =:  The  man  who  solicited    contributions,  pro- 
fessedly to  found  an  orphan  asylum,  acted  in  two 
characters  ;  for  he  spent  the  money  in  a  gambling 
saloon  at  night. 
Play  fast  and  loose,  to  =  To  act  with  reckless  in-  / 
constancy ;  to  be  fickle  or  changeable,  (h) 
The  newspaper  jt?7ay8yas^  and  loose  on  the  question 
of  female  suifrage=:The  newspaper  sometimes  advo- 
cates, and  sometimes  opposes,  giving  women  the  right 
to  vote.     The  young  man  plays  fast  and  loose^  in  his 
courtship  of  the  young  lady  =  The  young  man  is 
fickle  in  his  attentions  to  the  young  lady.     If  the 
representative  plays  fast  and  loose  on  the  question 
of  the  tariff,  he  will  lose  his  election  =  The  represent- 
ative will  lose  his  election,  if  he  does  not  stop  advo- 
cating, first  one  side  and  then  the  other,  of  the  tariff 
question. 
Play  one  a  triek,  to  =  To  deceive  or  impose  on  one, 
by  a  cunning  stratagem,  {a) 
The  man  played  the  hoy  a  trick,  in  sending  him  to 
the  shoemaker's  to  get  his  horse  shod  =  The  man  cun- 
ningly deceived  the  boy,  in  sending  him  to  the  shoe- 
maker's to  get  his  horse  shod. 
Play  the  fool,  to  =  To  act  like  a  fool,  or  foolishly  ; 
to  appear  as  if  void  of  understanding,  (c) 
The  young  man  played  the  fool,   in  contracting 
gambling   debts   for  which   he   must    sacrifice   the 
property  which  his  father  left  him = The  young  man 
acted  very  foolishly,  in  contracting  gambling  debts 
which  must  be  paid  by  parting  with  his  patrimony. 
Play  the  hypocrite,  to  =  To  pretend  to  be  other 
and  better  than  one  really  is.  (a) 
Persons  sometimes  play  the  hypocrite,  in  order  to 
gain   some  advantage  =  Persons  sometimes  pretend 
to  be  other  and  better  than  they  are,  in  order  to  gain 
some  advantage. 
Play  truant,  to  =  To  stay  away  ;  to  idle ;  to  loiter,  {a) 
Two  of  the  scholars  in  this  school  played  truant 
yesterday  =  Two  of  the  scholars  in  this  school  were 
absent  without  leave  yesterday.     The  clerk  is  play- 
ing trtiant  to-day  =r  The  clerk  is  staying  away  from 
duty  to-day. 
Pleased  to  do  a  thing,  to  toe  =  To  taike  pleasure  in 
doing,  (a) 


IDIOMATIC  PHRASES.  187 

The  mandarin  said  that  he  should  be  pleased  to  in- 
troduce the  Englishman  to  his  friends  =  The  manda- 
rin said  that  it  would  please  him  to  introduce  the 
Englishman  to  his  friends.     Will  you  be  pleased  to 
do  me  the  favor  to  escort  my  friend  to  the  station  ? 
Will  you  have  the  complaisance  to  escort  my  friend 
to  the  station  ? 
Pluck  out,  to  =  To  draw  out  suddenly,  or  to  tear 
out.  (a) 
The  eagle,  enraged  by  the  capture  of  her  young, 
plucked  oat  the  eyes  of  her  assailant  =  The  eagle,  en- 
raged by  the  capture  of  her  young,  tore  out  the  eyes 
of  her  assailant. 
Pluck  up  by  the  root§,  to  =  To  destroy  from  the 
foundation  ;  to  eradicate,  (a) 
Political  dishonesty  is  an  evil  which  ought  to  be 
plucked  up  by  the  roofo  =  Political   dishonesty  is  an 
evil  which  ought  to  be  eradicated. 
plume  one'§  §elf,  to  =  To  be  proud  ;  to  boast  ojie's 
self  (a) 
John  B.  plumes  himself  on  being  the  best  ball- 
player in  school = John  B.  is  proud  of  being  the  best 
ball-player  in    school.     Miss    E.  plumes  herself  on 
having  many  suitors  =  Miss  E.  boasts    that  she  has 
many  suitors. 
Point    of  view  =  Position  from  which  anything  is 
seen  or  considered,  (a) 
We  should,  for  the  sake  of  fairness,  take  into  con- 
sideration other  people's  point  of  view,  as  well  as  our 
own  =  We  ought,  for  fairness  sake,  to  put  ourselves 
into  the  position  from  which  other  people  see  things, 
as  well  as  look   at  them  from   our  own  position. 
From  my  point  of  view,  the  house  stands  in  line  with 
the  street = From  the  position  in  which  I  look  at  the 
house,  it  stands  in  line  with  the  street. 
Poll  a  jury,  to  (£aw)  =  To  examine  each  member  of 
a  jury  individually,  as  to  his  concurrence  in  the 
verdict,  (a) 
The  jury  was  polled  in  the  case  of  the  State  ver- 
sus the  Insurance  company  =  In  the  case  of  tlie  State 
versus  the  Insurance  Company,  each  member  of  the 
jury  was  examined  individually,  as  to  his  concur- 
rence in  the  verdict. 
Pore  over,  to  =  To  read  or  study  with  continued 
and  abstracted  application,  (a) 
What  is  that  book  you  are  poring  over  this  after- 
noon ?  =  What  is  that  book  which  you  are  reading  so 
persistently,  and  with  such  an  abstracted  air  ? 
Pounce  upon,  to  =  To  seize  suddenly  or  eagerly,  (c) 
The  hawk  pounced  upon  the  chicken  =  The  hawk 


188  IDIOMATIC  PHRASES. 

suddenly  descended  and  seized  the  chicken  with  his 
talons.  The  policeman  pounced  upon  the  thief,  just 
as  he  was  coming  out  of  the  store  =  The  policeman 
suddenly  seized  the  thief,  just  as  he  was  coming  out 
from  the  store. 
Pour  oil  on  tlie  troubled  craters,  to  =  To  quiet  a 
disturbed  condition  of  affairs ;  to  heal  dissensions. 

(^)      . . 

The  political  convention  was  very  tumultuous ;  but 
the  senator,  by  his  speech,  poured  oil  on  the  troubled 
waters  =  T\iQ  political  convention  was  very  tumultu- 
ous; but  the  senator,  by  his  speech,  healed  the  dis- 
sensions and  produced  quiet. 
Pour  out  the  vials  of  one'§  ^vrath,  to  =  To  ex- 
press one's  anger  vehemently,  (c) 
The  man  who  had  been  deceived  in  the  quality  of 
goods  which  he  bought  of  the  merchant  poured  out 
the  vials  of  his  wrath  upon  the  merchant's  partner  = 
l^he  man  who  had  been  deceived  in  the  quality  of 
the  goods  which  he    bought  of  the  merchant  ex- 
pressed his  anger  vehemently  to  the  merchant's  part- 
ner. 
Practice  on  one'§  credulity,  to  —  To  make  use  of 
one's  credulity  as  a  means  of  sport  or  deception,  (c) 
The  hunter  practiced  on  Mr.  A'^s  credulity^  by  tell- 
ing him  large  and  improbable  stories  =  The  hunter 
made  use  of  Mr.  A's  credulity,  to  deceive  him  by 
large  and  improbable  stories. 
Preg^nant  "with,  to  be  =  To  be  full  of ;  to  contain. 

The   discovery  of  the   gold  mines   of  California 
(1848)  was  pregnant  with  results  to  the  nation  and  to 
the  world  —  The  discovery  of  the  gold  mines  of  Cali- 
fornia (1848)  was  full  of  results  to  the  nation  and  the 
world. 
Prepare  the  g^round  or  ivay,  to  ^  To  make  prepa- 
ration, (a) 
Learning  to  read  prepares  the  way  for  all  knowl- 
edge =  Learning  to  read  makes  preparation  for  all 
knowedge. 
Presence  of  mind  =  A  calm  and  undisturbed  state 
of  the  mind,  which  enables  one  to  speak  or  act  ju- 
diciously, and  without  embarrassment,  in  unexpect- 
ed difficulties  or  dangers,  (a) 
When  the  house  took  fire,  Mr.  C.  exhibited  great 
presence  of  mind,  and  removed  his  family  and  valua- 
bles safely  =  When  the  house  took  fire,  Mr.  C.  was 
very  calm  and  judicious,  so  that  he  safely  removed 
his  family  and  valuable  goods.     One  very  important 
witness  in  the  murder  trial  lost  his  presence  of  mind, 


IDIOMATIC    PHRASES.  189 

wlien  he  was  put  on  the  stand  =  One  very  important 
witness  in  the  trial  for  murder  was  embarrassed  and 
confused,  when  he  was  put  upon  the  stand. 
Present  in  a  new  lig^ht,  to  =  To  present  in  such  a 
manner  that   something  can  be  seen  in  a  new  posi- 
tion ;  or  so  that  new  information  may  be  derived. 

His  attractiveness  as  a   speaker  arises  from  his 
power  of  presenting  an  old  subject  m  a  new  light= 
His  attractiveness  as  a  speaker  arises  from  his  pre- 
senting his  subject  in  such  a  manner  that  one  may 
derive  new  information  from  it. 
Press  forward,  to  =  To  move  forward  urgently  ;  to 
hasten,  (a) 
The   man   who  entered  the  crowd  from  behind 
pressed  forward^  that  he  might  hear  the  speaker  =  The 
man  who  entered  the  crowd  from  behind  urged  him- 
self to  the  front,  that  he  might  hear  the  speaker. 
Prick  up  the  ears,  to=To  attend  closely  ;  to  listen 
sliarply.  (c) 
In  passing  through  the  woods,  I  heard  a  strange 
sound,  which  caused  me  to  prick  up  my  ears  =  In 
passing  through  the  woods,  I  heard  a  strange  sound, 
which  caused  me  to  listen  sharply. 
Prime  mover,  the  =  The  person  originating  or  most 
prominently  carrying  on,  an  enterprise,  (a) 
The  merchant  was  the  prime  mover  in  the  matter 
of  establishing  a  telegraph  office  in  our  town  =  The 
merchant  originated  the  idea  of  establishing  a  tele- 
graph office  in  our  town. 
Process,  train,  or  chain  of  reasoning  =  Connect- 
ed argument. 
By  a  long  and  tedious  process  of  reasoning^  the 
lawyer  endeavored  to  prove  that  his  client  was  not 
guilty  of  murder  =  The  lawyer  endeavored  to  prove 
that  his  client  was  not  guilty  of  murder,  by    a  long 
and  tedious  argument. 
Profit  by,  to  =  To  make  improvement  by ;  to  gain 
advantage  by.  (a) 
The  young  man  has  profited  hy  your  advice  =  The 
young  man  has  gained  advantage  by  your  advice. 
Pros  and  cons  =  The  reasons  for  and  against  any- 
thing; advantages  and  disadvantages,  {b) 
The  governor  heard  the  arguments,  'pro  and  con^ 
in  reference  to  pardoning  the  man  who  was  in  prison 
for  forgery  =  The  governor  heard  the  reasons,  both  for 
and  against  pardoning  the  man  who  was  confined  in 
prison  for  forgery.     The  city  council  considered  the 
pros  and  cons,  before  selecting  the  site  for  the  new 
school-house  =  Before  selecting  the  site  for  the  new 


190  IDIOMATIC    PHRASES. 

school-house,  the  city  council  considered  the  advan- 
tages and  disadvantages  of  the  site. 
Provide  for,  to  =  To  furnish  with  supplies ;  to  fur- 
nish with  resources,  or  income,  (a) 
She  is  provided  for,  by  the  will  of  her  father  =  She 
is  furnished,  by  the  will  of  her  father,  with  an  in- 
come that  supports  her.     The  father  of  the  family 
provides  for  his  household  =  The  father  of  the  family 
furnishes  supplies  for  his  household. 
public  credit  =  The  reputation  of,  or  general  confi- 
dence in,  the  ability  or  readiness  of  a  government 
to  fulfill  its  pecuniary  engagements. 
The  public  credit  of  the  United  States  of  North 
America  has  been  firmly  established,  by  the  resump- 
tion of  specie  payments  =  The  general  confidence  in 
the  ability  of  the  United  States  to  fulfill  its  pecuni- 
ary engagements  has  been  firmly  established,  by  the 
resumption  of  specie  payments. 
Pull  about  one'§  ears,  to  =  To  bring  overthow  and 
destruction  on  one's  self,  (a) 
The   man  who  goes  about  to   destroy  another's 
home  and  happiness  will,  very  likely,  end  by  pulling 
his  own  house  down  about  his  ean9  =  The  man  who 
labors  to  destroy  another's  domestic  peace  will,  very 
likely,  end  by  causing  the  destruction  of  his  own. 
Pull  out,  to  =  To  draw  out ;  to  extract,  (a) 

In  making  the  box,  the  boy  drove  the  nails  wrong, 
and  was  obliged  to  pull  them  out  =  In  making  the 
box,  the  boy  drove  the  nails  wrong,  and  was  obliged 
to  extract  them. 
Push    or  elbow  one's    \Fay,  to  =  To  advance  by 
eifort,  and  by  pushing  others  aside,  (a) 
The  boy  pushed  his  way  through  the  crowd  to  his 
father,  who  sat  on  the  platform  =  By  pushing  others 
aside,  the  boy  advanced  in  the  crowd  to  his  father, 
who  sat  on  the  platform. 
Push  on,  to  =  To  proceed  with  haste,  (a) 

The  general  pushed  on,  that  he  might  overtake  the 
retreating  army  =  The  general  proceeded  with  haste, 
that  he  might  overtake  the  retreating  army. 
Put  about,  to  =  To  tack  ;  to  reverse  direction,  {a) 
As  soon  as  the  captain  knew  that  a  man  had  fallen 
overboard,  he  ordered  the  ship  put  about  =  As  soon 
as  the  captain  knew  that  a  man  had  fallen  overboard, 
he  gave  orders  to  reverse  the  direction  of  the  ship. 
Put  a  false  construction  on,  to  =  To  interpret  or 
explain  wrongly;    to    misinterpret;  to    misunder- 
stand, (a) 
The  senator  says,  that  the  Californians  put  a  false 
construction  on  his  speech  respecting  Chinese  immi- 


IDIOMATIC    PHRASES.  191 

gration  =  The    senator    sajs,  that  the   Californians 
misinterpret  his  speech  respecting  Chinese  immigra- 
tion. 
Put  an  end  to,  to  =  To  terminate ;  to  close  ;  to  de- 
stroy, (a) 
The  new  superintendent  of  the  rail-road  put  an 
end  to  the    custom  of    blowing  the   whistle   while 
passing  through  the  city  =  The  new  rail-road  super- 
intendent   terminated    or     abolished     the    custom 
of  whistling  while  passing  through  the  city.     The 
distinguished  Roman,  Cato,  put  an  end  to  his  own 
life,   rather   than   be  captured  =  The   distinguished 
Roman,  Cato,  deprived  himself  of  life,  to  avoid  be- 
ing captured. 
Put  a  rod  in  pickle,  to  =  To  get  ready  a  smart 
punishment,  (c) 
The  editor  has  put  a  rod  in  pickle,  for  the  politi- 
cian who  spoke  slightingly  of  his  paper  in  a  speech 
=  The  editor  has  prepared  something  to  say  about 
the  politician  who  spoke  slightingly  of  his  paper, 
which  will  punish  him  smartly. 
Put  a  §top  or  an  end  to,  to  =  To  cause  to  cease ; 
to  stop,  (a) 
The  new  teacher  has  put  a  stop  to  ball-playing  in 
the  yard  =  The  new  teacher  has  caused  ball-playing 
in  the  yard  to  cease. 
Put  away,  to  =  l.  To  divorce,  (c)     2.  To  renounce  ; 
to  discard  ;  to  expel,  (a) 
1.  Whosoever  marries  her  that  is  put  away  com- 
mits adultery  =  Whosoever   marries  her  that  is  di- 
vorced commits  adultery.     2.  He  has  put  away  evil 
companionship  =  He  has  renounced  the  companion- 
ship of  evil  men. 
Put  between,  to  =  To  place  between,  (a) 

Cork  is  sometimes  put  between  the  soles  of  shoes, 
to  render    them    water-tight  =  Cork   is    sometimes 
placed  between  the  soles  of  shoes,  to  render  them 
water-tight. 
Put    forth    one'§    strengtb,    to  =  To   exert   one's 
strength  ;  to  make  exertion,  (c) 
By  putting  forth  their  strength,  the  oxen  dragged 
the  rock    out   of  the   highways  By  exerting   their 
strength,  the  oxen  dragged  the  rock  out  of  the  high- 
way. 
Put  in  or  into,  to  =  l.  To  insert,  {a)     2.  To  enter  a 
harbor,  (a) 
1.  Did  the  printer  say  he  would  put  in  a  paragraph 
concerning  the  accident  ?  =  Did  the  printer  say  he 
would  insert  a  paragrapli  concerning  the  accident  ? 
2.  The  vessel  put  in  at  Honolulu  during  the  storm  = 


192  IDIOMATIC    PHRASES. 

The  vessel  entered  the  harbor  of  Honolulu  during 
the  storm. 
Put  in   irons,  to  =  To  apply  manacles  or  handcuffs 
to  a  person,  (a) 

.  The  mutineers  on  the  vessel  were  put  in  irons, 
and  taken  into  port  to  be  tried  =  The  mutineers  on 
the  vessel  were  manacled  or  handcuffed,  and  taken 
into  port  to  be  tried. 
Put  in  pledgee,  to  —  To  put  in  pawn  ;  to  pawn,  (c) 
He  was  so  reduced  to  poverty,  that  he  put  his 
books  in  pledge  =  He  was  so  reduced  to  poverty,  that 
he  pawned  his  books. 
Put  into  the  way  of,  to  =  To  render  possible  ;  to 
aid  one  in  doing,  (a) 
The  senator  could  not  give  a  government  clerk- 
ship to  his  young  friend,  but  he  put  him  into  the  way 
of  obtaining  one  =  The  senator  could  not  give  a  gov- 
ernment clerkship  to  his  young  friend,  but  he  did 
something  which  rendered  it  possible  for  the  young 
man  to  obtain  one. 
Put   off,  to=:l.  To  turn  aside;  to  baffle,  (a)     2.  To 
postpone,  (a)     3.  To  get  rid  of,  especially  to  pass 
fraudulently,  (c)     4,  To  move   off.  (a)     5.  To  lay 
aside  ;  to  remove,  {b) 
1.  The  king  put  the  ambassadors  off  with  an  am- 
biguous answer  =  The  king  baffled  the  ambassadors 
with  an  ambiguous  answer.     2.  Put  not  off  till  to- 
morrow what  should  be  done  to-day  =  Do  not  post- 
pone till  to-morrow  wliat  should  be  done  to-day.     3, 
It  is  wrong  to  put  off  a  counterfeit  note  knowingly 
=  It  is  wrong  to  pass  a  counterfeit  note  for  a  good 
one,  knowing  it  to  be  worthless.     4.  The  ship  put 
off  thh  mornings  The  ship  moved  from  the  shore 
this  morning.     5.  Tell  the  child  to  put  off  his  shoes 
=  Tell  the  child  to  remove  his  shoes. 
Put  or  tlirow,  one  off  Iiis  §fuard,  to  =  To  render 
one  neglectful  or  unwary,  (a) 
The  pickpocket  engaged  the  gentleman  in  conver- 
sation, and  thus  threw  him  off  his  guard^The  pick- 
pocket engaged  the  gentleman  in  conversation,  and 
thus  rendered  him  unwary. 
Put  on,  to  =  1.  To  invest  one's  self  with,  (a)     2.  To 
assume,  (a) 

1.  He  put  on  his  overcoat  to  go  to  the  office  =  He 
invested  himself  with  his  overcoat,  to  go  to  his  of- 
fice. 2.  He  put  on  a  haughty  air,  when  the  poor 
person  approached  him  =  He  assumed  a  haughty  de- 
meanor, at  the  approach  of  the  poor  person. 
Put  one  in  possession  of,  to^To  cause  one  to 
have,  (a) 


IDIOMATIC     PHRASES.  193 

The  boy  put  the  policeman  in  possession  of  knowl- 
<^dge  which  led  to  the  arrest  of  the  tliief  =  The  hoy 
caused  the  policeman  to  have  knowledge  which  led 
to  the  arrest  of  the  thief, 
put  one  on  lii§  mettle,  to  =  To  arouse  one's  spirit 
or  courage  ;  to  excite  one.  (c) 
Some  one  sj)oke  disparagingly  of  the   senator's 
native  state,   and   thereby  put  him  on  his  meitle  = 
Some  one  spoke  disparagingly  of  the  senator's  native 
state,  and  thereby  aroused  his  spirit. 
Put  one'§  no§e  out  of  joint,  to=rTo  supplant  one 
in  the  affections  of  another,  (c) 
The  baby,  your  younger  brother,  has  put  your  nose 
out  of  joint=The  baby,  your  younger  brother,  has 
taken  your  place  in  your  mother's  arms  and  chief 
affections. 
Put  out,  to  =  l.  To  shoot  out.  (a)     2.  To  extinguish, 
(a)     3,  To  place  at  interest,  (a)     4.  To  provoke,  as 
by  insult ;    to   displease,  (a)     5.  To  publish  ;    to 
make  public,  (b)    6.  To  confuse  ;  to  disconcert ;  to 
interrupt,  (a)     7,  To  place  out  of  joint ;  to  dislo-^ 
cate.  (a)     8.  To  eject,  (a) 
1.  The  trees  are  putting  out  their  leaves  =  The  trees, 
are  shooting  out  their  leaves,  or  the  trees  are  leaving 
out.     2.  The  fire  was  put  out  =  The  fire  was  stopped. 
2.  Put  out  the  candle  before  you  get  into  bed  =  Be- 
fore you  get  into  bed,  extinguish  the  light  of  your 
candle.     3.  I  have  put  out  $1,000,  in  United  States 
bonds  =  I  have  placed  $1,000,  at  interest,  in  United 
States  bonds.     4,  lie  was  very  much   put  out  by^ 
your  not  coming  to  dinner  =  He  was  very  much  dis- 
pleased by  your  failure  to  be  present  at  the  dinner. 
5.  The  political  pamphlet  was  put  out  anonymously 
=:Tlie  political    pamphlet    was    published    anony- 
mously.    6.  He  is  casting  up  accounts,   and   your 
talking  puts  him  out =1Ig  is  casting  up  accounts,- 
and  your  talking  disconcerts  him.     7,  The  hip  was 
put  out  of  joint  by  a  fall  =  The  hip  was  dislocated 
by  a  fall.     8.  Put  him  ow^/=: Send- him  out,  or  if 
necessary,  throw  him  out !     8.  A  man  came  into  the 
court  intoxicated,  but  he  was  put  oui=  A  man  came 
into  the  court  in  a  state  of  intoxication,  but  was 
ejected. 
Put  out  of  humor,  to  =  To  irritate ;  to  make  angry,  (c) 
The  depot  master  was  put  out  of  hwnor^  by  the 
noise  of  the  boys  in  the  waiting-room  =  The  depot 
master  was  irritated,  by  the  noise  of  the  boys  in  the 
waiting-room. 
Put  over,  to  =  l.  To  place  in  authority,  (a)     2.  To 
defer  ;  to  postpone,  (a) 

14 


194  IDIOMATIC    PHRASES. 

1.  In  1863  Gen.  Grant  was  transferred  from  the 
West,  and  put  over  the  army  of  the  Potomac  =  In 
1863  Gen.  Grant  was  transferred  from  the  West, 
and  placed  in  authority  over  the  army  of  the  Poto- 
mac.    2.  The  case  has  been  put  over  to  the  next 
term  of  court  =  The  case  has  been  postponed  to  the 
next  term  of  court. 
Put  tlie  case  -  Suppose  the  event,  or  a  certain  state 
of  things,  (h) 
Put  the  case  any  way  you  please,  it  is  a  distressing 
affair  to  happen  between  two  friends  =  Put  any  con- 
struction on  the  affair  you  please,  it  is  a  distressing 
thing  to  happen  between  two  friends. 
Put  to  fltglit,  to  =  To  cause  to  flee ;  to  force  to  es- 
cape, (a) 
The  arrival  of   the   commander   with   reinforce- 
ments put  the  enemy  to  flight  =  The  arrival  of  the 
commander  with  reinforcements  caused  the  enemy 
to  flee. 
Put  to  it,  to  toe  =  To  have  difiiculty ;  to  be  much 
perplexed,  (a) 
He  was  so  poor  that  he  was  greatly  put  to  it  to 
educate  his  sons  =  He  was  so  poor  that  he  had  great 
difiiculty  in  educating  his  sons. 
Put  to  press,  to  —  To  cause  to  be  printed,  (h) 

The  author  intends  to  put  his  history  to  press  this 

winter  =  The    author    intends   to   have   his   history 

printed  this  winter. 

Put   or  set,  to  rights,  to  =  To  put  into  good  order 

that  which  is  out  of  order ;  to  adjust ;  to  regulate. 

(«) 

The  servant  put  the  room  to  rights,  which  the 
children  in  their  play  had  disarranged  =  The  servant 
put  into  good  order  the  room,  which  the  children  in 
their  play  had  disarranged.     Will  you  please  set  my 
affairs  to  rights  — WiiW.  you  please  put  my  affairs  in 
good  order. 
Put  to  the  tolush,  to  =  To  cause  to  be  ashamed  or 
confused,  (h) 
The  senator  was  put  to  the  hlush,  by  the  proof  that 
his  election  had  been  procured  by  fraud  =  The  sena- 
tor was  made  ashamed,  by  the  proof  that  his  election 
had  been  obtained  by  fraud.     His  father's  rebuke 
for  discourtesy  put  him  to  the  blush  =  His  father's  re- 
buke for  discourtesy  made  him  confused. 
Put  to  the  rack,  to  =  To  subject  to  extreme  torture ; 
to  torment,  (c) 
Mrs.  E.  was  put  to  the  rack  by  the  bad  conduct  of 
her  son,  who  was  arrested  for  forgery = Mrs.  E.  suf- 
fered anguish  of  mind  from  the  bad  conduct  of  her 


IDIOMATIC     PHRASES.  195 

son,  who  was  arrested  for  forgery.     Mr.  A.  was  put 
to  the  rack  for  several  days,  by  an  attack  of  inflam- 
matory rheumatism  =  Mr.  A.  suffered  torturing  pain 
for  several  days,  from  inflammatory  rheumatism. 
Put  to  tlie  §word,  to  =  To  slay  with  the  sword  ;  to 
kill,  {h) 
Titus,  the  Roman  general,  put  to  the  sword  some 
conquered  Jews  at  the  siege  of  Jerusalem,  A.  D.  70 
=  Titus,  the  Roman  general,  slew  some  conquered 
Jews  at  the  siege  of  Jerusalem,  A.  D.  YO. 
Put   or   submit,  to  tlie  test,  to  =  To  test ;  to  de- 
termine by  trial  or  experiment,  (a) 
When  the  ring,  bought  at  auction,  was  submitted 
to  the  test,  it  proved  not  to  be  good  gold.     When  the 
ring,  bought  at  auction,  was  tested,  it  proved  not  to 
be  good  gold. 
Put  to  the  trumps,  to  =  To  reduce  to  the  last  expe- 
dient, or  to  the  utmost  exertion  of  power,  (c) 
The  housekeeper  was  put  to  her  trumps  to  accom- 
modate all  her  guests,  there  were  so  many  of  them 
=  The  housekeeper  was  reduced  to  her  last  expedi- 
ent to  accommodate  all  her  guests,  there  were  so 
many  of  them. 
Put  to  vote,  to  =  To  submit  to  expression  of  will  by 
voting,  (a) 

After  long  discussion,  the  question  was  put  to  vote 

=  After  much  discussion,  the  question  was  submitted 

to  expression  of  will  or  preference  by  voting. 

Put  up,  to=:l.  To  place  in  a  package,  (a)     2.  To 

put  in  its  proper  place,  (a)     3.  To  lodge, — followed 

by  at.  (a)     4.  To  incite, — followed  by  to.  (c)     5.  To 

overlook  ;  to  endure, — followed  by  ^with.  (b) 

1.  Put  up  a  pound  of  tea  for  me  =  Place  a  pound 

of  tea  in  a  package  for  me.      2.  When    you  have 

read  the  book,  put  it  up  —  When  you  have  read  the 

book,  put  it  in  its  proper  place.     3,  We  shall  put  up 

at  the  City  Hotel  during  our  stay  =  We  shall  take 

lodgings  at  the  City  Hotel  during  our  stay.     4.  The 

boy  was  put  up  to  steal  the  melons,  by  some  men  = 

The  boy  was  instigated,  by  some  men,  to  steal  the 

melons.     5.  The  boarder  said  he  could  no  longer 

put  up  with  such  poor  fare  =  The  boarder  said  he 

could  no  longer  endure  such  poor  fare.     5.  We  must 

put  up  with  some  inconveniences  in  our  new  house— 

We  must  endure  some  inconveniences  in  our  new 

house  without  murmuring. 

Put  up  the  sword,  to  =  To  refrain  or  desist  from 
fighting  ;  to  make  peace,  {a) 

Chief  Ouray  endeavors  to  persuade  the  TJte  Indi- 
ans, in  Colorado,  to  put  up  the  sword  =  Chief  Ouray 


196  IDIOMATIC     PHRASES. 

endeavors  to  persuade  the  Ute  Indians,  in  Colorado, 
to  desist  from  fighting. 


Quaker  gun = An  imitation  of  a  gun,  placed  in  the 
port-hole  of  a  vessel  or  the  embrasure  of  a  fort,  to 
deceive  the  enemy  ; — so  called  from  its  inoffensive 
character.  (U.  S.j  (b) 
Being  destitute  of  cannon,  they  mounted   Quaker 
guns  in  the  fort  =  Being  destitute  of  cannon,  tliey 
mounted  wooden  imitations  of  cannon  to  deceive  the 
enemy. 
Quiek   parts  =  Active   mental    faculties  ;    sprightly- 
talents,  (c) 
Lord  Byron,  the  English  poet,  was  a  man  of  quick 
parts zrzLord  Byron,  the  English  poet,  was  a  man  of 
sprightly  talents. 
quit  co§t,  to  —  To  pay  ;  to  reimburse,  (c) 

The  farmer  said  to  his  son,  that  it  would  not  quit 
cost  to  cultivate  that  sandy,  barren  lot = The  farmer 
said  to  his  son,  that  the  cultivation  of  that  sandy, 
barren  lot  would  not  repay  the  cost. 
Quit  scores,  to=:To  make  even;  to  clear  mutually 
from  demands,  (c) 
You  accommodated  me  with  a  house  one  year  ;  I 
have  given  you  the  rent  of  my  store  one  year ;  now 
we  have  quit  scores  =:You  accommodated  me  with  a 
house  one  year,  and  I  have  given  you  the  rent  of 
my  store  one  year,  so  that  now  we  are  mutually 
cleared  from  demands.     The  merchant  and  the  far- 
mer agreed  to  quit  scores  every  quarter  =  The  mer- 
chant and  the  farmer  agreed  to  settle  accounts  every 
quarter. 


R 

Rake  up,  to  =  To  cover  with  ashes,  (a) 

In  the  days  when  o])en  fire-places  were  used,  it 
was  customary  to  rake  up  the  fire  at  night  =  In  the 
times  when  open  fire-places  were  used,  it  was  custo- 
mary to  cover  the  fire  with  ashes  at  night. 
Range  with,  to  =  To  be  in  a  line  with,  (a) 

The  trees  range  with  the  front  of  the  house  =  The 
trees  are  in  a  line  with  the  front  of  the  house. 
Reacli  one's  ears,  to  =  To  be  told  or  communicated 
to  one.  (a) 


IDIOMATIC     PHRASES.  197 

The  news  of  his  election  reached  the  ears  of  the 
governor  before  midnight  =  The  news  of  his  election 
was  communicated  to  the  governor  before  midnight. 
Read  bet"ween  the  lines,  to  =  To  go  behind  the 
text,  or  to  conjecture  an  implied,  but  unexpressed 
meaning,  (c) 
That  politician's  letter  to  the  convention  will  be 
understood,  by  reading  between  the  Zznesi=  That  poli- 
tician's letter  to  the  convention  will  be  understood, 
by  conjecturing  an  implied,  but  unexpressed  mean- 
ing. 
Ready    moneys  Means    of   immediate    payment  ; 
cash,  (a) 

I  can  not  pay  you  now,  for  I  have  no  ready  money 
=  I  can  not  pay  you  now,  for  I  have  no  means  of 
immediate  payment. 
Receive  with  open  arms,  to  =  To  welcome  heart- 

ily.  («) 

When  Gen.  Lafayette  came  from  France  to  visit 
this  country  (U.  S.),  (1824)  the  people  received  him 
with  open  arms  =  When  Gen.  Lafayette  came  from 
France  to  visit  the  United  States  (1824),  the  people 
welcomed  him  heartily. 

Reckon  without  one'§  host,  to  =  To  reckon  from 
one's  own  stand-point ;  to  err  ;  to  be  mistaken,  (a) 
In  estimating  the  cost  of  building  my  new  house, 
I  found  I  had  reckoned  without  my  host=l  found  I 
had  not  made  a  right  estimate  of  the  cost  of  build- 
ing a  new  house.  If  you  think  you  can  talk  Chinese 
perfectly  well,  you  have  reckoned  without  your  host— 
If  you  think  you  can  talk  Chinese  perfectly  well, 
you  are  mistaken.  I  expected  to  go  to-day,  but  I 
reckoned  without  my  host=l  expected  to  go  to-day, 
but  my  expectation  was  not  well-founded.  England 
reckoned  without  her  host^  when  she  thought  to  prevent 
the  American  colonies  from  becoming  independent 
=  England  looked  at  the  matter  from  her  own  point 
of  view,  and  was  mistaken,  in  thinking  to  prevent 
the  American  colonies  from  becoming  independent. 

Red-letter  day  =  A  day  that  is  fortunate  or  auspic- 
ious, (c) 

•  It  was  a  red-letter  day  with  me  when  I  landed  in 
America,  and  entered  school  there = It  was  a  fortu- 
nate day  with  me  when  I  landed  in  America,  and 
entered  school  there. 

Red  tape  =:  Official  formality,  (a) 

Bed  tape  interferes  with  dispatch  of  business  =  Of- 
ficial formality  interferes  with  dispatch  of  business. 

Refer  to,  to  =  To  have  reference  to  ;  to  apply  to.  (a) 
Your  remark  refers  to  the  opinion  I  expressed  yes- 


198  IDIOMATIC    PHRASES. 

terday  =  Your  remark  has  reference  to  the  opinion  I 
expressed  yesterday. 
Regard  to,  with  or  in  =  With  or  in  respect  to ;  in 
relation  or  reference  to ;  about,  (a) 
I  will  write  you  in  regard  to  my  journey = I  will 
write   you  in  respect  to  my  journey.     There  is  a 
chapter  in  this  book  in  regard  to  rail-roads = There 
is  a  chapter  about  rail-roads  in  this  book. 
Rein  in,  to  =  To  restrain  ;  to  control,  (c) 

The  man  who  does  not  rein  in  his  passions  will 
always  be  weak  =  The  man  who  does  not  restrain  his 
passions  will  always  be  weak. 
Relate  to,  to  =  To  be  concerned  with,  (a) 

The  science  of  Astronomy  relates  to  the  heavenly 
bodies  =  The  science  of  Astronomy  is  concerned  with 
the  heavenly  bodies. 
Remain  at  a  di§tance,  to  =  To  continue  apart  or 
remote  from,  (a) 
During  the  storm  the  ship  remained  at  a  distance 
from  the  shores  During  the  storm  the  ship   con- 
tinued remote  from  the  shore. 
Render  null,  to  =  To  cause  to  be  of  no  efficacy ;  to 
make  useless,  (c) 
The  boy's  idleness  renders  null  all  the  teacher's 
efforts  =  The  boy's  idleness  causes  all  the  teacher's 
efforts  to  be  of  no  efficacy. 
Reported  of,  to  be  =  To  be  spoken  of,  either  well 
or  ill ;  to  be  mentioned  with  respect  or  reproach. 

The  newly  appointed  minister  from  France  is  well 
reported  of  =  The  newly   appointed    minister    from 
France  is  well  spoken  of  (has  a  good  reputation). 
Report  one's  §elf,   to  =  To  appear  at  the   proper 
time  and  place,  to  receive  order  or  do  service,  (a) 
The  merchant  engaged  a  new  clerk,  and  told  him 
to  report  himself  at  the  store,  the  next  Monday  morn- 
ing =  The  merchant  engaged  a  new  *clerk,  and  told 
him  to  appear  at  the  store  for  service,  the  next  Mon- 
day morning. 
Re§t  with,  to  =  To  be  in  the  power  of;  to  depend 
on.  (a) 
It  rests  with  me  to  fix  the  day  for  us  to  go  to  'New 
York = It  is  my  privilege  to  determine  the  day  for 
us  to  go  to  New  York.     It  rests  with  the  senate  to 
give  confirmation  to  the  minister  to  China  =  The 
power  of  giving  confirmation  to  the  minister  to 
China  belongs  to  the  United  States  senate. 
Return  to  one's  first  love,  to  =  To  go  back  from 
other  pursuits  to  that  which  first  engrossed  the  at- 
tention, (c) 


IDIOMATIC    PHRASES.  199 

He  devoted  the  first  years  of  his  student  life  to 
mathematics  ;  tlien  he  studied  the  natural  sciences  ; 
but  finally  returned  to  his  first  hve  —  ^Q  devoted  the 
first  years  of  his  student  life  to  mathematics ;  then 
he  studied  the  natural  sciences  ;  but  finally  returned 
to  the  study  which  first  interested  him.  In  aban- 
doning his  profession  to  become  a  farmer,  the  lawyer 
only  returnes  to  his  first  love  =  In  leaving  his  profes- 
sion to  become  a  farmer,  the  lawyer  only  goes  back 
to  a  pursuit  which  formerly  interested  and  engaged 
him. 
Revolve  in  the  mind,  to  =  To  ponder,  (c) 

The  professor  is  revolving  in  his  mind  the  subject 
of  geology  =  The  professor  is  pondering  the  subject 
of  geology. 
Rbyme  or  reason  =  Sound  or  sense.  (5) 

'•  The  professor,  though  at  bottom  a  kind-hearted 
man,  was   very   peppery,   and   sometimes   without 
rhyme  or  reason  flew  into  a  passion  "  =  The  professor 
was   very  peppery,   and  sometimes  without   cause, 
reasonable  or  otherwise,  flew  into  a  passion. 
Ride  and  tie,  to  =  An  arrangement  by  which  two 
travelers,  having  a  single  horse  in  common,  alter- 
nately ride  and  walk,  (c) 
It  was  the  habit  of  these  two  brothers,  going  five 
miles  to  school,  to  ride  and  tie=lt  was  the  habit  of 
these  two  brothers,  going  five  miles  to  school,  alter- 
nately to  ride  and  walk,  one  riding  in  advance,  tying 
the  horse  for  the  other  to  take,  and  walking  on. 
Ride  hard,  to  =  To  ride  rapidly,  (a) 

The  courier  rode  hard^  to  carry  the  news  of  the 
battle  to  the  country  around  =  The  courier  rode  rap- 
idly, to  carry  the  news  of  the  battle  to  the  country 
around. 
Ride    one'§   hobby    or    hobby-hor§e,  to=:To  be 
constantly  setting  off"  on  one's   favorite   theme  of 
discourse   or   efibrt ;  to  give   undue   attention   to 
something,  (p) 
This   morning  Mr.   E.  was  riding  his  hobby  of  a 
flying  machine  =  This  morning  Mr.  E.  was  talking 
about  his  favorite  subject  of  conversation — the  con- 
struction of  a  flying  machine. 
Ride  rough-shod,  to  —  To  pursue  a  course  regard- 
less of  the  pain  or  distress  it  may  cause  others,  (a) 
The  new  agent  rode  rough-shod  over  the  tenants  = 
The  new  agent  performed  his  duties  in  such  a  way 
as  to  distress  the  tenants,  but  was  regardless  of  their 
distress. 
Right  of  way  {Law)  -  A   right  of  private  passage 
over  another's  ground,  (a) 


200  IDIOMATIC    PHRASES. 

Bight  of  way  may  arise  either  by  grant  or  prescrip- 
tion =  A   right   of   private   passage   over   another's 
ground  may  arise  either  by  grant  or  prescription. 
Ring  change§  on,  to  =  To  repeat  often,  loudly,  or 
earnestly,  (a) 
He  rung  the  changes  on  his  old  story  =  He  told  his 
old  story  over  in  many  different  ways.     Don't  ring 
the  changes  on  your  wants  any  longer  !  =  Don't  tell 
me  about  your  wants  any  longer  ! 
Roll  on,  to  =  To  proceed  ;  to  advance.  (5) 

Generations  of  men  come  and  go ;  but  time  rolls 
on  in  its  ceaseless  course  =  Generations  come  and  go, 
but  time  advances  in  its  ceaseless  course.  For  many 
months  after  his  arrival,  the  foreigner  was  very 
homesick  ;  but  as  years  rolled  on  he  grew  contented 
and  happy  =  For  many  months  after  his  arrival,  the 
foreigner  was  very  homesick ;  but  as  the  years  pro- 
ceeded he  grew  contented  and  happy. 
Root  and  branch  =  Entirely  ;  thoroughly  ;  in  every 
part,  (a) 
This  medicine  has  removed  the  disease,  root  and 
branch  — "Yhh  medicine  has  entirely  removed  the  dis- 
ease. Many  tribes  of  the  ISTorth  American  Indians 
have  disappeared,  root  and  branch  —  Many  tribes  of 
the  North  American  Indians  have  wholly  disap- 
peared. 

Root  out,   to  =  To   eradicate ;  to   tear  out  by  the 
roots  ;  to  destroy,  (a) 
The  farmer  has.  great  difficulty  in  rooting  out  the 
thistles  from  his  fields  =  The  farmer  has  great  diffi- 
culty in  eradicating  the  thistles  from  his  fields.     The 
civil  war  in  America  rooted  out  slavery  =  The  civil 
w^ar  in  America  eradicated  slavery. 
Rope  of  §and  =  A  feeble  union ;  a  bond  easily  bro- 
ken, (a) 
The  bond  that  binds  the  smugglers  together  is  a 
rope  of  sand=  The  bond  that  binds  the  smugglers  to- 
gether is  a  feeble  tie.     The  bond  between  those  im- 
posters  proved  to  be  a  rope  of  sand—  The  agreement 
which  those  imposters  entered  into,  about  their  im- 
ports, was  easily  broken.     The  member  from  Cork 
said  in  debate,  that  England  and  Ireland  were  imited 
by   a  rope  of  sane?  =  The  member  from  Cork  said, 
that  a  feeble  tie  united  England  and  Ireland. 
Rough  draft  =  A  draught  not  perfected;  a  sketch, 
(a) 
He  prepared   a  rough  draft  of  his  book,  before 
writing  it  =  Before  writing  his   book,  he  prepared 
an  imperfect  outline  of  it. 
Round  number  =  A   whole  number  approximately 


IDIOMATIC     PHRASES.  201 

near  the  trutli.  (a)     (Lit.  a  number  that  ends  with 
a  cipher  and  may  be  divided  by  10  without  a  re- 
mainder.) 
I  can  not  state  the  exact  population  of  Hartford, 
but  I  should  say  it  is,  in  round  numbers,  40,000  =  I 
can  not  state  the  exact  population  of  Hartford,  but  it 
is  approximately  near  the  truth  to  say  it  is  40,000. 
Round  trot  =  A  full,  brisk,  quick  trot.  (5) 

I  drove  my  horse  at  a  round  trot  to  Hartford  (12 
miles),  in  an  hour  =  I  drove  my  horse  at  a  brisk, 
quick  trot  to  Hartford,  in  an  hour. 
Rout  out,  to  =  To  dislodge;  to  turn  out;  to  drive 
away,  {a) 
The  tramps  established  themselves  in  a  thick  grove 
not  far  from  the  town,  and  went  around  begging 
a;nd  pilfering ;  but  the  inhabitants  routed  them  oiit 
=  The  tramps   established   themselves   in    a   thick 
grove  near  the  town,  and  w^ent  about  begging  and 
pilfering ;  but  the  inhabitants  drove  them  away. 
Royal  road  r=  A  privileged  or  easy  method,  (b) 

AVhen  King  Ptolemy  asked  Euclid,  if  he  could  not 
be  taught  mathematics  by  a  shorter  method,  he  re- 
plied:  "  Sir,  there  is  no  royal  road  to  learning  "  = 
When  King  Ptolemy  asked  Euclid  if  he  could  not 
be  taught  mathematics  in  a  brief  manner,  he  replied  : 
Sir,  there  is  no  privileged  or  easy  way  of  learning — 
there  is  no  way  of  learning  but  by  hard  study. 
Run  against,  to  =  To  strike  against  while  in  motion, 
(a) 
As  a  man  was  going  along  the  sidewalk,  he  ran 
against  a  lamp  post  =  As  a  man  was  going  along  the 
sidewalk,  he.  struck  against  a  lamp  post. 
Run  ag^ainst  time,  to  =  To  run  as  rapidly  as  possi- 
ble, in  order  to  ascertain  the  greatest  distance  that 
can  be  passed  over  in  a  given  time,  (a) 
He  entered  his  horse,  at  the  races,  to  run  against 
fome  =  He  registered  his  horse,  at  the  races,  for  the 
purpose  of  having  him  display  his  greatest  speed  in 
a  given  time. 
Run  amuck,  to=:To  run   madly  about,   attacking 
all  one  meets,  (c) 
The  insane  man  armed  himself  with  a  knife,  and 
ran  amuck   through  the    streets  The   insane    man 
armed  himself  with  a  knife,  and  ran  through  the 
street,  attacking  every  one  he  met. 
Run  a  ri§k,  to=:To  incur  danger;    to  encounter 
hazard,  (a) 
He  runs  a  risk  of  taking  the  yellow  fever,  by  act- 
ing as  nurse = He  incurs  the  hazard,  or  will  be  in 
danger,  of  taking  the  fever,  by  acting  as  nurse.    Mr. 


202  IDIOMATIC    PHRASES. 

M.  runs  a  risk  in  buying  such  large  quantities  of  cot- 
ton, as  the  market  may  decline  before  he  can  dis- 
pose of  it  =  It  is  pecuniarily  hazardous  for  Mr.  M. 
to  buy  so  much  cotton,  for  there  may  be  a  decline 
in  the  market  before  he  can  sell  it. 
Run  away,  to  =  To  flee  ;  to  escape,  {a) 

Some  of  the  prisoners  broke  jail,  and  ran  away  — 
Some  of  the  prisoners  broke  jail,  and  escaped. 
Run  counter  to,  to  =  To  be  contrary  to  ;  to  be  op- 
posed to.  (c) 

His  conduct  runs  counter  to  all  rules  of  propriety 
=iHis  conduct  is  contrary  to  all  rules  of  propriety. 
Run  liig^li,  to  =  To  be  great ;  to  be  intense,  (a) 

In  the  storm  the  waves  ran  high  =  In  the  storm  the 
waves  were  large.     At  the  horse  race  the  excitement 
ran  high  —  At  the  horse  race  the  excitement  was  in- 
tense.     The  excitement   in  the  stock  market  runs 
high  to-day  —  The  excitement  in  the  stock  market  is 
very  great  to-day. 
Run  over,  to=:To  go  over  in  a  hasty  manner;  to* 
examine  cursorily  ;  to  rehearse  hastily,  (a) 
I  have  run  over  all  these  books  =  I  have  read  all 
these  books  hastily.     Run  over  these  accounts  for  me 
=  Look  over  these  accounts  rapidly  for  me.     Have 
you  read  through  the  morning  paper  ?     No,  sir ;  I 
have  only  run  over  the  headings  of  the  articles  = 
Have  you  read  through  the  morning  paper?     No, 
sir  ;  I  have  only  cursorily  examined  the  headings  of 
the  articles. 
Run  riot,  to  =  To  act  or  move  without  control  or 
restraint,  (c) 
The  miners  ran  riot  in  the  city,  when  they  were 
on  a  strike  =  The  miners  were  unrestrained  in  riot- 
ous acts,  when  they  were  on  a  strike. 
Run  the  rig  upon,  to=:To   play  a  sportive  trick 
upon.  (&) 
The  boy  ran  the  rig  upon  his  companion,  by  put- 
ting some  powder  in  his  pipe  =  The  boy  played  a 
sportive  trick  on  his  companion  by  putting  some 
powder  in  his  pipe.     The  boys  ran  the  rig  upon  a 
dull  schoolmate,  by  sending  him  to  the  drug-store  for 
some  oil  of  smarts  The  boys  practiced  a  sportive 
trick  on  a  dull  schoolmate,  by  sending  him  to  the 
drug-store  for  some  oil  of  smart. 
Run  througb,  to  =  l.  To  pervade,  (a)      2.  To  ex- 
pend wastefully.  (a) 
1.  A  keen  humor  runs  through  the  writings  of  Mr. 
C.  =  A  keen  humor  pervades  the  writings  of  Mr.  C. 
2.  In  a  few  years  the  fast  young  man  ran  through  the 
property  left  him  by  his  father  =  In  a  few  years  the 


IDIOMATIC    PHRASES.  203 

fast  young  man  wastefuUy  expended  the  property 
left  him  by  his  father. 
Run  up,  to  =  To  enlarge  by  additions ;  to  increase. 

The  lad  in  college  had  run  up  a  large  bill  at  the 
livery  stable,  before  his  father  was  aware  of  it  =  The 
lad  who  was  in  college  had  made,  by  small  additions 
from  time  to  time,  a  large  account  at  the  livery  sta- 
ble, before  his  father  was  aware  of  it. 
Ru§h  headlong^,  to  =  To  move  rapidly  and  rashly  ; 
to  enter  into,  without  due  care  and  deliberation,  (a) 

The  company  rushed  headlong  into  the  manufac- 
ture of  watches,  and  soon  failed  =  The  company  en- 
gaged hastily  and  rashly  in  the  manufacture  of 
watches,  and  soon  failed. 


s 

Saddle  with,  to  =  To  load  with  ;  to  fix  as  a  burden 

upon,  (a) 
The  town  is  saddled  with  a  large  debt,  by  reason 
of  having  built  costly  bridges  and  school-houses  = 
The  town  is  encumbered  with  a  large  debt,  through 
building  costly  bridges  and  school-houses. 
Salted,  to  be  =  To  be  sprinkled  (as  a  field)  with  pre-' 
cious  metals  or  stones,  that  it  may  be  sold  as  a 
genuine  field  of  the  thing  scattered  on  it.  (c) 
Finding  diamonds,  he   bought   the   ground,  but 
afterwards  discovered  that  the  land  had  been  salted 
=  Finding  diamonds,  he  bought  the  ground,  but  dis- 
covered that  diamonds  had  been  scattered,  to  make 
the  land  sell  for  a  genuine  diamond  field. 
Sally  forth,  to  —  To  go  out  suddenly  or  hastily,  (a) 
A  few  troops  sallied  forth  to  repel  the  invaders  = 
A  few  troops  went  out  hastily  to  repel  the  invaders. 
Sap  the  foundation§  of,   to  =  To  wear  away  the 
foundations  ;  to  destroy  gradually,  (a) 
Idleness   and  dissipation  sap   the  foundations    of 
health  =  Idleness  and  dissipation  gradually  destroy 
health. 
Save  one'§  bacon,  to  =  To  preserve  one's  self  from 
harm,  (c) 
The  man's  horse  was  frightened  by  the  cars,  and 
the  man  saved  his  bacon,  by  jumping  from  the  wag- 
on =  The  man's  horse  was  frightened  by  the  cars  and 
the  man  preserved  himself  from  harm  by  jumping 
from   the   wao;on.     One    of    the  thieves    saved  his 
bacon,  by  testifying  against  the  others  =  One  of  the 


204  IDIOMATIC    PHRASES. 

thieves  escaped  punishment,    by  testifying   against 
the  others. 
Say  good  bye,  Bid  adieu,  to  =  To  say  farewell; 
to  give  the  customary  parting  address,  (a) 
An  hour  before  I   embarked,  numerous  friends 
came  to  my  house  to  say  good  hye  to  me  =  An  hour 
before  I  embarked,  numerous  friends  came  to  my 
house  to  give  the  customary  parting  salutations. 
Seale    or    scale   down    a    debt,  to  =  To  reduce  a 
debt  according  to  a  iixed  ratio  or  scale.  (U.  S.)  (c) 
The   Charter  Oak   Life  Insurance  Co.,  under  a 
former  management  (and  also  mismanagement),  was 
defrauded  of  so  much  of  its  property  that  it  was 
obliged  to  scale  doivn  its  poZ/c2e5=:  Through  the  mis- 
management of  a  former  set  of  officers,  the  Charter 
Oak  Life  Insurance  Co.  was  defrauded  of  so  much 
of  its  property,  that  it  had  to  reduce  its  policies, 
which  it  did  according  to  a  fixed  scale.     Instead  of 
repudiating  its  debts,  w^hich  were  ruinously  large, 
the  state  scaled  them  down  -  Instead  of  wholly  refus- 
ing to  pay  its  debts,  which  were  ruinously  large,  the 
state  reduced  all  claims  against  it,  proportionally. 
Scrape  together,  to  =  To  collect  in  a  harsh,  labori- 
ous, or  penurious  manner,  (a) 
The  rag-picker  scraped  together  quite  a  property, 
out  of  the  street  =  The  rag-picker,  in  a  coarse  labori- 
ous way,  collected  quite  a  fortune,  out  of  the  street. 
Scum  of  society  —  The  most  restless  and  worthless 
part  of  society.  (6) 
The  mob  which  assailed  the  foreigners  was  com- 
posed of  the  scum  of  society  =  The  mob  which  as- 
sailed the  foreigners  was  composed  of  the  most  rest- 
less and  worthless  portion  of  society. 
Seal  the  lips,  to  =  To  prevent  speaking  or  giving 
information,  (c) 
The  man  who  was  robbed  knew  who  the  robbers 
were,  but  a  promise  they  had  extorted  from  him 
sealed  his  lips  =  The  man  who  was  robbed  knew  who 
the  robbers  were,  but  a  promise  which  they  had  ex- 
torted from  him  prevented  his  giving  information. 
Seal  up,  to  =  To  shut  close;    to  render  secure   by 
sealing,  (c) 
The  Romans  were  accustomed  to  seal  up  their  sep- 
ulchres =  The  Romans  were  accustomed   to  render 
their  sepulchres  secure  by  sealing. 
Second  cousin  =  The  child  of  a  parent's  cousin. 

She  is  my  second  cousin  =iShe  is  the  daughter  of 
my  father's  cousin. 
See  at  a  glance,  torrTo  discover  by  a  mere  look. 
(a) 


IDIOMATIC    PHRASES.  205 

The  sideboard  is  not  solid  black  walnut,  but  is 
veneered  ;  you  can  see  that  at  a  glance  —  The  side- 
board is  not  solid  black  walnut,  but  is  veneered  ; 
you  can  discover  that  with  only  a  rapid  view,  or  by 
a  mere  look. 
Seed  down,  to  =  To  sow  with  grass-seed,  (a) 

This  field  was  seeded  down  yesterday  =  This  field 
was  sown  w^ith  grass-seed  yesterday. 
See   fair   play,   to=:To   secure  just   and   equitable 
treatment,  (a) 
In  rowing  matches,  umpires  are  appointed  to  de- 
cide the  contest ;  and  also  to  see  fair  play  =  In  row- 
ing matches,  umpires  are  appointed  to  decide   the 
contest ;  and  also  to  secure  just  and  honorable  deal- 
ing on  both  sides. 
See   one  paid,  to  =  To  attend  to  the  paying ;   to 
make  sure  the  payment,  (a) 
The  parent  told  the  carpenter,  that  if  he  would 
repair  the  school-house,  he  would  see  him  paid=T\\Q 
parent  told  the  carpenter,  that  if  he  w^ould  repair 
the  school-house,  he  would  attend  to  paying  him. 
See  one  to  a  plaee,  to  =  To  attend  one  to  a  place, 
and  see  that  he  reaches  it.  (a) 
John  will  see  you  to  the  depot = John  will  accompany 
you  to  the  depot,  and  see  that  you  reach  it  safely. 
See  §erviee,  to  =  To  come  into  actual  conflict  with 
the  enemy,  (b) 
He  has  seen  service  in  the  army,  in  India  =  lie  has 
been  in  actual  conflict  with  the  enemy,  in  India. 
See  that  a  thing  i§  done,  to  =  To  attend  to,  as  to 
the  performance  of  something,  (a) 
I  will  see  that  the  wall  is  built  according  to  vour 
directions  =  I  will  attend  to  the  building  of  the  wall 
according  to  your  directions. 
See  the  light,  to  =  To  have  publicity ;  to  be  pub- 
lished, (o) 
I  have  a  few  things  in  manuscript,  but  I  don't 
know  whether  they  will  ever  see  the  light=l  have  a 
few  things  in  manuscript,  but  I  don't  know  whether 
they  will  ever  be  published. 
See  the  point,  to  =  To  discern  or  comprehend  the 
meaning,  importance,  force,  or  application,  (a) 
Did  you  see  the  point  of  his  argument  ?=:Did  you 
discern  the  force  of  his  argument  ?     The  preacher 
related  an  incident  to  illustrate  his  subject,  but  I 
did  not  see  the  point  of  it  =  I  did  not  discern   the 
force   or  application   of    the    incident    which    the 
preacher  related  in  order  to  illustrate  his  subject.     I 
do  not  see  the  point  of  the  jester  I  do  not  compre- 
hend the  meaning  and  fun  of  the  jest. 


206  IDIOMATIC     PHRASES. 

See  tliroug^h,  to  =  To  understand ;  to  comprehend,  (a) 
I  see  through  his  unwonted  politeness  towards  me 
=  I  understand  what  he  is  aiming  at,  in  his  unusual 
politeness  towards  me. 

See  to,  to  =  To  be  attentive ;  to  take  note ;  to  give 
heed,  (a) 
I  will  see  to  mailing  your  letter  =:  I  will  myself  at- 
tend to  mailing  your  letter.     See  to  that  piece  of 
work  I  gave  you  =  Give  heed  to  that  piece  of  work 
I  gave  you. 
Sell  one'§  life  dearly,  to  =  To  cause  great  loss  to 
those  who  take  one's  life,  (a) 
Admiral  Chong  Kia  Cheung  sold  his  life  dearly  at 
IsTankin  in  the  Taiping  rebellion  =  Admiral  Chong 
Kia  Cheung  caused  great  loss  to  those  who  took  his 
life  in  the  Taiping  rebellion. 
Sell  out,  to  ==  To  dispose  of  one's  stock  of  goods  or 
other  property,  for  a  pecuniary  equivalent,  (a) 
The  dollar  store  is  selling  out  at  cost  =  The  dollar 
store  is  disposing  of  its  stock  of  goods  at  cost. 
Sell  short,  to  (  Stock  Exchange)  —  To  sell  for  future 
delivery  what  the  party  does  not  own,  but  hopes 
to  buy  at  a  lower  rate. 
Erie  stock  was  sold  short  in  Wall  street  to-day  = 
Erie  stock  was  sold  to-day  by  parties  who  owned  no 
stock,  but  agreed  to  deliver  at  a  future  day,  and 
trusted  that  they  would  be  able  to  buy,  when  the 
day  came,  at  a  lower  rate  than  the  present  prices. 
Send  to  Coventry,  to  =  To  exclude  from  society ;  to 
shut  out  from  all  social  intercourse,  for  conduct  re- 
garded as  mean  or  ungentlemanlike.  (c) 
Lieut.  A.  was  sent  to  Coventry  by  his  brother  offi- 
cers, because  he  was  proved  to  have  uttered  false 
reports  about  one  of  the  ladies  of  the  garrison  = 
Lieut.  A.  was  shut  out  from  all  social  intercourse 
with  his  brother  officers,  because  he  had  been  guilty 
of  mean,  ungentlemanly  condiict  in  spreading  false 
reports  of  a  lady  of  the  garrison. 
Sensible  of,  to  toe  =  To  be  cognizant  of;  to  be  aware 
of  {a) 
He  can  not  commit  such  a  breach  of  good  man- 
ners, without  being  sensible  of  \i  —  He  can  not  com- 
mit such  a  breach  of  good  manners,  without  being 
aware  of  it. 
Sequester  one's   self,  to  =  To  choose  great  retire- 
ment ;  to  separate  one's  self  from  society,  (c) 
On  account  of  his  sorrows,  he  has  lately  sequestered 
himself  =  On  account  of  his  sorrows,  he  has  lately 
secluded  himself  from  society,  for  the  sake  of  soli- 
tude. 


IDIOMATIC     PHKASES.  207 

Serve  a  -writ  or  a  process,  to  {Law)  =  110  read  it, 

or  leave  an  attested  copy  at  his  usual  alSode.  («) 
The  constable  served  the  vjrit  upon  the  debtor  = 
The  constable  gave  the  debtor  notice  of  the  writ, 
or  left  a  copy  at  his  usual  place  of  abode.     The 
sheriff  went  to  the  man's  house  to  serve  a  process  = 
The  sheriff  went  to  the  man's  house  to  give  him 
notice  of  the  writ  issued  against  him. 
Serve  an  attachment,  or  writ  of  attachment,  to 
{Law)  =  To  levy  it  on  the  person  or  goods  by  seiz- 
ure ;  to  seize,  (a) 
On  account  of  debt,  a  writ  of  attachment  wa^  served 
upon  his  property  =  His  property  was  seized  for  debt 
according  to  legal  methods. 
Serve  a§  a  substitute,  to  =  To  be  employed  for  the 
same  purpose,  (a) 
In  making  lemonade,  tartaric  acid  often  serves  as 
a  substitute  for  lemons  =  In  making  lemonade,  tartaric 
acid  is  often  used  for  the  same  purpose  as  lemons. 
Serve   one's  apprenticeship,  to  =  To  acquire  the 
knowledge  of  a  trade  under  the  instruction  of  one 
skilled  in  it.  (a) 
Mrs.  A's  son  is  serving  his  apprenticeship  as  a  car- 
pen  ter=  Mrs.  A's  son  is  acquiring  the  knowledge  of 
the  carpenter's  trade  under  a  master. 
Serve  one's  time,  to  =  To  pass  the  usual  and  neces- 
sary time  for  learning  a  trade  under  a  superior  or 
master,  (a) 
The  goldsmith  who  mended  my  bracelet  served  his 
time  in  London  =  The  goldsmith  who  mended  my 
bracelet  was  an  apprentice  in  London. 
Serve  one's  turn,  to  =  To  be  sufficient  for  ;  to  meet 
one's  convenience  or  purpose,  (a) 
I  want  something  to  keep  the  rain  off,  and  this 
old  overcoat  will  serve  my  turn=l  want  something 
to  keep  me  dry,  and  this  old  overcoat  will  be  suffi- 
cient for  the  purpose.     This  is  a  poor  pen,  but  it 
will  serve  my  turn  =  This  is  a  poor  pen,  but  it  is  con- 
venient for  me  to  use  it. 
Set  a-goingr,  to  =  To  cause  to  begin  to  move  ;  to  set 
in  motion,  (a) 
The  clock  has  stopped,  and  the  watchmaker  must 
be  called  to  set  it  a-going  — The  clock  has  stopped, 
and  the  w^atchmaker  must  be  called  to  set  it   in 
motion.     The  cotton  manufacturer  has  set  his  factory 
a-going  =  The  cotton  manufacturer  has  put  his  factory 
in  operation. 
Set  at  naught,  to  =  To  undervalue  ;  to  contemn  ;  to 
despise,  (c) 
He  set  at  nauyht  all  my  good  advice  =  He  despised 


208  IDIOMATIC    PHRASES. 

all  my  good  advice.     He  was  mucli  honored  before, 
but  now  he  is  set  at  naught  —  He  was  much  honored 
before,  but  now  he  is  undervalued. 
Set  a  value  on,  to  =  To  appraise ;  to  estimate  the 
worth  of.  (a) 
Persons  were  appointed,  to   set  a   value   on   the 
property  of  the  deceased  merchant  =  Persons  were 
appointed,  to  appraise  the  property  of  the  deceased 
mercliant. 
Set  by,  to  =  l.  To  set  apart  or  on  one  side  ;  to  reject. 
(a)     2.  To  esteem  ;  to  value,  (a) 
1.  The  enemies  of  the  general  sent  him  a  box 
filled  with  explosive  material,  but  he  set  the  suspi- 
cious box  hy=  The  enemies  of  the  general  sent  him 
a  box  full  of  explosive  material,  but  he  set  it  one 
side.     2.  You  have  been  a  good  friend  to  me,  and  I 
set  very  much  by  you  =  You  have  been  a  good  friend 
to  me,  and  I  esteem  you  very  highly. 
Set  do^vii,  to  =  To  enter  in  writing  ;  to  register,  (a) 
I  set  down  the  temperature,  at  8  and  12  o'clock 
every  day,  in  my  note-book  =  Every  day,  I  enter  the 
temperature  at  8  and  12  o'^clock,  in  writing,  in  my 
note-book. 
Set  forth,  to  =  l.  To    show;  to  manifest,  (a)     2.  To 
publish  ;  to  promulgate,  (a) 
1.  He  set  forth  his  wants  clearly  =  He  stated  his 
wants  clearly.     1.  The  condition  of  the  country  is 
fully  set   forth  in  this  book  =  The  condition  of  the 
country  is  fully  shown  in  this  book.  .  2.  The  king's 
wishes  were  set  forth  in  the  manifesto  =:  The  king's 
wishes  were  published  in  the  manifesto. 
Set  forward,  to  =  l.  To  start  forward,  (a)     2.  To 
promote  a  work,  (b) 
1.  The  army  has  set  forward  to  find   and  attack 
the  enemy  =  The  army  has  begun  to  march,  to  find 
and  attack  the  enemy.     2.  The  enterprise  of  mining 
for  silver  was  set  forward  by  the  increase  of  capital 
=  The  enterprise  of  mining  for  silver  was  promoted 
(helped  along)  by  the  increase  of  capital. 
Set  in,  to  =  To  begin,  (a) 

People  say  that  winter  does  not  usually  set  in,  till 
the  rain  has  filled  the  springs  =  People  say  that 
winter  does  not  usually  begin,  till  the  rain  has  filled 
the  springs.  Winter  has  set  in  with  extreme  rigor 
=  Winter  has  begun  with  extreme  rigor. 
Set  off,  to  =  l.  To  embellish,  {a)  2.  To  assign  a  por- 
tion, {a)     3.  To  start,  {a) 

1.  The  dress  is  simple,  but  the  trimmings  set  it  off 
=:The  dress  is  simple,  but  the  trimmings  make  it 
more   showy.     1.  The   fur  trimmings   set  off  your 


IDIOMATIC    PHRASES.  209 

cloak  well  =  The  fur  trimmings  adorn  your  cloak. 
1.  The  style  of  the  English  historian,  Macaulaj,  sets 
o^  his  history  =  The  style  of  the  English  historian, 
Macaulay,  embellishes  his  history.     2,  A  part  of  the 
estate  of  his  uncle  was  set  off  for  him  =  A  part  of  the 
estate  of  his  uncle  was  apportioned  to  him.     3.  He 
set  off  i'or  San  Francisco  this  morning  =  He  started 
for  San  Francisco  this  morning. 
Set  milk,  to  =  To  put  milk  into  vessels  for  the  cream 
to  rise,  (a) 
Have  you  set  the  milk  ?  -  Have  you  put  the  milk 
in  pans,  in  order  that  the  cream  may  rise  ? 
Set  on,  to  =  To  incite  ;  to  instigate,  (a) 

The  traitor  set  on  the  people  to  rebel  =  The  traitor 

incited  the  people  to  rebel.     Who  set  him  on  to  do 

this  piece  of  mischief  ?  =  Who  instigated  him  to  do 

this  piece  of  mischief? 

Set  on  lire,  to  =  l.  To  kindle  ;  to  communicate  fire 

to.  (a)     2.  To  inflame  ;  to  enkindle  the  passions  of. 

1.  Several  houses  in  different  parts  of  the  city 
were  set  on  fire  last  night  =  Several  houses  in  differ- 
ent parts  of  the  city  were  fired  by  incendiaries  last 
night.  2.  The  political  orator  denounced  the  gov- 
ernment for  oppressive  taxation,  and  set  the  passions, 
of  the  people  on  fire  —  The  political  orator  denounced 
the  government  for  oppressive  taxation,  and  in- 
flamed the  passions  of  the  people. 
Set  on  foot,  to  =  To  put  in  motion  ;  to  start,  {a) 

Mr.  Cyrus  W.  Field  set  on  foot  the  enterprise  of 
connecting  Europe  and  America  by  a  submarine 
telegraph  (1854)  =  Mr.  Cyrus  W.  Field  started  the 
enterprise  of  connecting  Europe  and  America  by  a 
submarine  telegraph  (1854).  The  Chinese  govern- 
ment set  on  foot  the  educational  mission  in  the  United 
States  in  1872,  and  will  continue  it  for  about  twen- 
ty years  =  The  Chinese  government  originated  the 
educational  mission  in  the  United  States  in  1872,. 
and  will  continue  it  for  about  twenty  years. 
Set  onc'§  face  against,  to  =  To  discountenance  ;  to 
oppose  strongly,  (c) 

The  mayor  set  his  face  against  the  issuing  of  city 

bonds,  to  raise  money  for  the  city  expenses = The 

mayor  strongly  opposed  the  issuing  of  city  bonds,  to 

raise  money  to  defray  the  city  expenses. 

Set  one's  hand  to,  to  =  To  aflax  one's  signature  ;  to 

sign  one's  name,  (c) 

He  would  not  set  his  hand  to  the  contract,  till  he 
had  consulted  his  lawyer = He  would  not  sign  his 
name  to  the  contract,  till  he  had  consulted  his  lawyer. 
15 


210  IDIOMATIC    PHRASES. 

Set  one's  heart  on,  to  =  To  ^x  the  desires  on ;  to 
be  very  fond  of ;  to  long  for  earnestly,  (a) 
I  have  set  my  heart  on  going  to  Europe  next  sum- 
mer vacations  I  wish  very  much  to  go  to  Europe 
next  summer  vacation.  He  has  set  his  heart  on  the 
office  of  governors  He  wishes  earnestly  to  get  the 
office  of  governor.  Mr.  E.  has  set  his  heart  on  hav- 
ing the  house  which  is  to  be  sold  at  auction  to-day 
=Mr.  E.  ardently  desires  to  have  the  house  which  is 
to  be  sold  to-day  at  auction.  His  heart  is  so  set  on 
riches  that  he  is  unscrupulous  in  his  methods  of  ob- 
taining them = He  is  so  very  fond  of  riches,  and  so 
anxious  to  increase  his  possessions  that  he  resorts  to 
every  method,  whether  honest  or  not,  of  acquiring 
riches. 

Set  out,  to  =  To  start  upon  a  journey  ;  to  begin  a 
course,  {a) 
After  the  bridal  pair  had  set  out  for  Washington, 
the  guests  departed  =  After  the  bridal  pair  had 
started  upon  their  journey  to  Washington,  the 
guests  departed.  The  young  man  set  out  in  life  with 
much  property  and  many  friends  =  The  young  man 
began  his  career  in  life  with  much  property  and 
many  friends. 

Set  right,  to  =  To  correct  mistakes  ;  to  put  in  order. 

The  grocer  overpaid  me  in  making  change  yester- 
day ;    I  will  set  the  matter   right  to-morrow  =  The 
grocer  overpaid  me  in  making  change  yesterday  ;  I 
will  rectify  the  mistake  to-morrow.     There  has  been 
a  mistake  in  the  wording  of  the  telegram,  but  I  will 
set  it  right ^ThevQ  has  been  a  mistake  in  the  tele- 
gram, but  I  will  correct  it. 
Set  §ail,  to  {Naut.)=\,To  spread  the  sails,  (a)     2. 
To  begin  a  voyage,  {a) 
1.  As  the  breeze  sprang  up,  the  captain  gave  the 
order.  Set  sail  =  As   the   breeze   arose,  the   captain 
gave  the  order.  Spread  the  sails.     2.  My  friend  set 
sail  for  Europe  yesterday  =  My  friend  began  his  voy- 
age to  Europe  yesterday. 
Set  the  fashion,  to  =  To  establish  a  new  mode  ;  to 
determine  what  shall  be  the  mode,  (a) 
I  am  informed  that  Mr.  X's  daughters  set  the  fash- 
ion of  ladies'  driving,  in  Hartford  =  I  am  informed 
that  Mr.  X's  daughters  introduced  the  custom  of 
ladies'  driving,  in  Hartford. 
Set  the  teeth  on  edge,  to  =  1.  To  cause  an  unpleas- 
,  ant  sensation  in  the  teeth,  (a)     2.  To  affect   one 
very  disagreeably,  (c) 
1.  Sharp  vinegar  sets  the  teeth  on  ec?^^^  Sharp  vine- 


IDIOMATIC     PHRASES.  211 

gar  causes  a  disagreeable  sensation  in  the  teeth.     2. 
These  discords  in  their  singing  set  my  teeth  on  edge  — 
These  discords  in  their  singing  affect  me  very  disa- 
greeably. 
Settle,  to  =  l.  To  establish  in  the  pastoral  office,  (a) 

2.  To  restore  to  a  dry  and  passable  condition,  (a) 

3.  To  free  from  uncertainty  ;  to  compose  ;  to  quiet, 
(a)  4.  To  sink  gradually ;  to  become  lowered,  (a) 
5.  To  adjust  differences  or  accounts,  (a) 

1.  This  church  ^-a!^  settled  a  pastor  =  This  church 
has  established  a  minister  in  the  pastoral  relation.. 
2.  Clear   weather    settles   the  roads   in    the    spring 
=  Clear  weather   makes  the  roads  dry  and  passa- 
ble in  the  spring.     3.  A  nice  question  of  law  was 
settled  by  the  court  =  The  court  rendered  its  decision 
upon  a  question  which  required  exact  discrimina- 
tion.    3.  His  agitation  about  the  sickness  of  his  son 
was  settled  by  the  letters  His  agitation  about  the 
sickness  of  his  son  was  quieted  by  the  letter.     4. 
The  house  settles  —  The  house  lowers  by  the  gradual 
sinking  of  its  foundations.     5.  He  has  settled  with 
his  grocer  =  He  has  adjusted  accounts  with  his  grocer. 
Settle   diflferences,  to  =  To  adjust   differences   (of 
opinion  or  feeling),  (a) 
The  differences  between  England  and  America,  re- 
specting the  Newfoundland  fisheries,  were  settled  by 
America's  paying  a  sum  of  money  to  England  = 
The  differences  between  England  and  America,  re- 
specting the  Newfoundland  fisheries,  were  adjusted 
by  America's  paying  a  sum  of  money  to  England. 
Settle  doiivn,  to  =  l.  To   become  quiet  after  agita- 
tion, (a)     2.  To  establish   one's  self  in   a   locality 
or  a  business,  {a) 
1.  The  community  was  very  much  excited  by  the 
murder,  but  is  now  settled  down  to  ordinary  quiet  = 
The  community  was  very  much  excited  by  the  mur- 
der, but  is  now  as  quiet  as  usual.     2.  After  trying 
various  pursuits,  Mr.  A.  has  settled  down  upon  a  farm 
=  After  trying  various  pursuits,  Mr.   A.  has  estab- 
lished himself  in  farming. 
Set  to  \irork,  to  —  To  direct  to  employment  or  -about 
employment ;  to  cause  to  begin  laboring,  (a) 
The  farmer  has  set  his  men  to  work  —  The  farmer 
has  told  his  men  where  to  work,  and  what  to  do. 
Set   up,   to  =  l.  To  erect,  (a)     2.  To   establish;   to 
found,  (a)     3.  To  enable  to  commence  a  new  busi- 
ness, (a)     4.  To    put    in    type,  (a)     5.  To   utter 
loudly,  (c)     6.  To  raise  from  depression,  (p)     7,  To 
begin  business,  (a) 
1.  The  English  set  wp  a  monument  at  Quebec  jn 


212  IDIOMATIC    PHRASES. 

honor  of  Gen.  "Wolfe  =  Tlie  English  erected  a  mon- 
ument at  Quebec  in  honor  of  Gen.  Wolfe.  2.  His 
son  has  set  up  a  school  in  the  city  =  His  son  has  es- 
tablished a  school  in  the  city.  3.  The  young  man's 
uncle  set  him  up  in  the  crockery  business  =  Tlie 
young  man's  uncle  furnished  capital  for  him  to  com- 
mence the  crockery  business.  4.  The  printer  told 
the  apprentice  to  set  up  a  column  of  the  newspaper 
=  The  printer  told  the  apprentice  to  put  in  type  a 
column  of  the  newspaper.  5.  When  the  dog  could 
not  find  his  master,  he  set  up  a  pitiful  whine  =  When 
the  dog  could  not  find  his  master,  he  uttered  a  piti- 
ful whine.  6.  The  family  is  quite  set  up^  by  the 
lottery  prize  =  The  family  is  raised  from  poverty  to 
a  competency,  by  the  lottery  prize.  7.  When  his 
apprenticeship  expired,  he  set  up  for  himself  =  When 
his  apprenticeship  expired,  he  began  business  for 
himself. 
Sliake  off,  to  =  To  remove  by  shaking ;  to  discard, 
(a) 
The  fruit-raiser  shooh  off  the  pears  which  he  could 
not  pick  =  The  fruit-raiser,  by  shaking,  removed  the 
pears  which  he  could  not  pick. 

Shake  off  tlie  yoke,  to  =  To  free  one's  self  from 
the  control  of  another,  (c) 
In   the  Revolutionary  war,  America  shook  off  the 
yoke  of  England  =  In  the  Revolutionary  war,  Amer- 
ica freed  herself  from  the  control  of  England. 
Shake  the  head,  to  =  To  express  dissent,  doubt,  or 
refusal,  (a) 
The  teacher  shook  his  head,  when  the  pupil  asked 
leave  of  absence  for  the  rest  of  the  day = When  the 
pupil  asked  leave  of  absence  for  the  remainder  of 
the  day,  the  teacher  expressed  refusal  by  shaking 
his  head. 

Shall — \vill ;  In  the  first  person,  shall  expresses  sim- 
ple futurity  ;  and  will  expresses  a  promise  or  a  de- 
termination, (a)     In  the  second  and  third  persons, 
shall  is  used  to  denote  a  promise,  command,  or  de- 
termination ;    and   luill  is  used  to  denote   simple 
futurity,  (a) 
I  shall  be  drowned,  nobody  will  help  me  =  It  is 
certain  I  shall  be  drowned,  for  nobody  is  likely  to 
help  me  (simple  futurity  in  both  cases).     I  will  be 
drowned,  nobody  shall  help  me=rl  am  resolved  to 
be  drowned,  I  will  permit  nobody  to  help  me  (deter- 
mination in  both  cases). 
Shape  one'§  course,  to  =  To  plan  and  act ;  to  ad- 
just one's  method  of  procedure,  (a) 
The  representative  in  congress  shaped  Ms  course  so 


I 


IDIOMATIC     PHRASES.  213 

as  to  be  re-elected  =  The  representative  in  congress 
planned  and  acted  with  reference  to  a  re-election. 
You  must  shape  your  course  differently,  if  you  would 
be  respected  =  You   must  conduct    yourself   differ- 
ently, if  you  would  be  respected.     The  law  student 
shaped  his  course  by  the  wishes  of  his  friends  =  The 
law  student  did  according  to  his  friends'  wishes. 
Shed  blood,  to  —  To  cause  blood  to  flow  ;  to  destroy 
life,  (c) 
Napoleon  Bonaparte  shed  much  blood  in  his  Euro- 
pean wars  (1T96-1815)  =  Napoleon  Bonaparte  caused 
much  blood  to  flow  in  his  European  wars  (1796- 
1815). 
Ship  off,  to  =  To  send  off  by  ship;  to  send  away  by 
water,  (a) 
English  convicts  were  formerly  shipped  off  to  Bot- 
any Bay  =  English  convicts  were  formerly  sent  by 
water  to  Botany  Bay. 
Slix2)'§  hu§band  (iVaw^.)=:The  owner  of  a  ship^  who 
manages  its  concerns  in  person. 
The"Argo"  has  sailed  for  Singapore,  carrying 
the  ship'^s  Aw56ar2o?=:The"Argo"has  sailed  for  Singa- 
pore, carrying  the  owner  to  manage  its  concerns. 
Shoot  ahead  of,  to  =  l.  To  outstrip  in  running,  fly- 
ing or  sailing,  (a)     2.  To  outstrip  in  other  things, 
(a) 
1.  In  the  recent  boat  race  between  the  Harvard 
and  Yale  students,  the  Harvard  boat  shot  ahead  of 
the  Yale  boat,  and  won  the  prizes  In  the  recent  boat 
race  between  the  Harvard  and  Yale  students,  the 
Harvard  boat  outstripped  the  Yale  boat,  and  won 
the  prize.     2.  James  and  John  entered  school  at  the 
same  time ;  James  was  diligent  and  fond  of  study, 
and  he  soon  shot  ahead  of  John,  who  was  dull  = 
James  and  John  entered  school  at  the  same  time ; 
James  was  diligent  and  fond  of  study,  and  he  soon 
outstripped  John  in  his  studies. 
Shoot  up,  to  z=  To  rise  or  grow,  (a) 

After  the  rain  the  corn  shot  up  as  by  magic  =  Af- 
ter the  rain  the  com  grew  as  by  magic. 
Show  a  bold  ft*ont,    to  =  To    be   bold,  impudent, 
shameless,  or  defiant,  (a) 

"When  the  murderer  was  arrested  and  brought  be- 
fore the  court,  he  showed  a  hoM  front ^Wh^n    the 
murderer  was  arrested  and  brought  before  the  court, 
he  was  bold  or  shameless  in  manner. 
ShoTT  his  paces,  to  =  To  display  his  gait,  speed  or 
the  like — especially  of  a  horse,  (h) 
He  made  his  horse  show  his  paces^'Q.Q  made  his 
horse  exhibit  his  speed. 


214  IDIOMATIC    PHRASES. 

Show  off,  to  =  To  display  ostentatiously  ;  to  exhibit 
in  an  ostentatious  manner,  (a) 
He  drove  liis  horse  up  and  down  the  street,  in 
order  to  show  him  o^=He  drove  his  horse  up  and 
down  the  street,  in  order  to   display  him  ostenta- 
tiously.    He  is  accustomed  to  show  himself  off  by 
using  large   words   in   conversation = He  is  accus- 
tomed to  exhibit  himself  in  an  ostentatious  manner 
by  using  high  sounding  language  in  conversation. 
iShoiir   one's  colors,  to  =  To  make   manifest  one's 
principles  or  party,  {a) 
Don't  be  afraid  to  show  your  colors  politically = 
Don't  be  afraid  to  make  it  plain  which  party  you  be- 
long to.     He  always  shows  his  colors  on  temperance = 
He  always  shows  what  his  temperance  principles  are. 
ISliow  one's  face,  to=:To  appear;  to  be  present ;  to 
be  seen,  ih) 
If  the  man  who  insulted  ladies  on  the  street  the 
other  night  should  show  Ms  face  again,  the  police- 
man would  arrest    him = If  the  man  who  insulted 
ladies  on  the  street  the  other  night  should  be  seen 
again,  the  policeman  would  arrest  him. 
Show  one's  teeth,  to  =  To  threaten  ;  to  look  angry. 

(*) 

Sometimes  the  newspapers  say.  The  British  lion 
shx)ws  his  teeth  at  the  Russian  bear = Sometimes  the 
newspapers  say,  England  makes  threatening  demon- 
strations toward  Russia. 
Shour  the  white  feather,  to  =  To  show  cowardice ; 
to  exhibit  fear.  Q)) 

Lieut.  B.  showed  the  white  feather  in   battle,  by 
skulking,  in   the  rear  =  Lieut.  B.  showed  want  of 
courage  in  battle,  by  skulking  in  the  rear.     One  of 
the  soldiers  showed  the  ivhite  feather  in  battle,  by  run- 
ning away  =  One  of  the  soldiers  manifested  coward- 
ice in  battle,  by  running  away. 
Shut  in,  to  =  To  inclose ;  to  cover  or  intercept  the 
view  of. 
The  town  is  shut  in  by  high  hills  on  every  side= 
The  town  is  inclosed  by  high  hills  surrounding  it. 
The  headland  shuts  in  the  harbor  from  our  view= 
The  headland  intercepts  our  view  of  the  harbor. 
Shut  out,  to  =:  To  exclude ;  to  prevent  entering,  (a) 
The  thick  curtains  at  the  window  shut  out  the 
lights  The  thick  curtains  at  the  window  prevent  the 
light  from  entering.     The  rain  was  shut  out  by  a 
tight  roof  =  The  rain  was  prevented  from  entering 
by  a  tight  roof.     He  is  a  bad  boy ;  shut  him  out:^ 
He  is  a  bad  boy  ;  exclude  him. 
Shut  the  door  upon,  to  =  To  exclude,  (a) 


IDIOMATIC    PHRASES.  215 

Congress  shut  the  door  upon  many  fraudulent  claims 
=  Congress  excluded  many  fraudulent  claims. 
IShut    up,  to  =  l.  To  close,  (a)     2.  To    confine;    to 
imprison,  (a)     3.  To  cause  to  become  silent  by  au- 
thority, argument,  or  force,  (a) 
1.  On  Saturdays,  the  stores  are  not  shut  up  till 
nine  o'clock  at  nights  On  Saturdays,  the  stores  are 
not  closed  till  nine  o'clock  at  night.     2.  The  soldiers 
who  were  shut  up  in  war  prisons  tell  sad  stories  of 
their  hardships  =  The  soldiers  who  were  confined  in 
war  prisons  tell  sad  stories  of  their  hardships.     2. 
At  night  prisoners  are  shut  up  in  cells = At  night 
prisoners  are  confined  in  cells.     3.  Our  opponents 
were  shut  up  by  our  arguments = Our  opponents  were 
put  to  silence  by  our  arguments. 
Sick  of,  to  be=:To  have  a  strong  dislike  of;  to  be 
tired  of ;  to  be  disgusted  with,  (a) 
I  have  read  so  much  that  I  am  sick  of  reading = 
I  have  read  so  much  that  I  am  very  tired  of  it.     I 
am  sick  of  seeing  this  room  dirty = I  am  disgusted 
with  this  dirty  room. 

Side   irith,  to  i=  To  agree  with  in    opinion ;  to   es- 
pouse the  cause  of.  (a) 
On  tlie  temperance  question,  Mr.  A.  sides  with  the 
license  party  =  On  the  temperance  question,  Mr.  A. 
espouses  the  cause  of  the  license  party. 
Sift  out,  to=iTo  make  careful  selection  ;  to  search, 
or  find  out  with  care,  (a) 
The  judge  had  to  sift  out  the  truth  from  the  con- 
flicting testimony  of  the  two  parties  =  The  judge 
was  obHged  to  find  the  truth  with  care,  out 'of  the 
conflicting  testimony  of  the  two  parties. 
Sinews  of  war,  tlie  =  Every  thing  which  aids  to 
carry  on  war.  (a) 
The  people  were  called  upon  to  furnish  the  gov- 
ernment the  sinews  of  w;ar=The  people  were  called 
upon  to  supply  the  government  with  every  thing 
necessary  to  carry  on  war. 
Sink  into  or  penetrate  the  mind,  to  —  To  make  a 
strong  and  lasting  impression,  (a) 
The  words  of  the  orator  sank  into  the  minds  of  his 
hearers  =  The  words  of  the  orator  made  a  strong  and 
lasting  impression  on  the  minds  of  his  hearers. 
Sink  or  §i¥im=: Whatever  happens;  under  any  cir- 
cumstances, (c) 
I  will  undertake  it,  sink  or  swim  =  I  will  try  to  do 
it,  whether  I  shall  succeed  or  fail.     Sink  or  swim, 
live  or  die,  I  will  stand  by  my  country  !  =  Whatever 
may  happen  to  me,  I  will  bB  faithful  to  my  country. 
JSink  or  swim,  I  will  not  give  up  the  effort  to  reform 


216  IDIOMATIC    PHRASES. 

the  civil  service  =  I  will  not  give  np  the  eifort  to  in- 
troduce reforms  into  the  governmental  offices,  what- 
ever happens. 
Sit  in  judgement,  to  =  To  assume  judicial  authority ; 
to  judge  censoriously,  (a) 
We  ought   not  to  sit  in  judgment  on  our  fellow- 
men  :=AVe  ought  not  to  judge  our  fellow-men  cen- 
soriously. 
Sit  it  out,  to  =  To  sit  to  the  end  of,  during  the  whole 
of,  &c.  (a) 
This   is  the  last  night   of   the  session,   and   the 
House  will  probably  sit  the  night  out -This,  is  the 
last  night  of  the  session  of  Congress,  and  the  House 
will  probably  sit  during  the  whole  of  the  night. 
Sit  on  thorns,  to  =  To  be  uneasy  ;  to  be  distressed,  (c) 
While  the  teacher  was  questioning  the  scholars 
about  the  broken  window,  the  boy  who  did  the  mis- 
chief sat  on  thorns  =  Whi\e  the  teacheV   was  ques- 
tioning the  scholars  respecting  the  broken  window, 
the  boy  who  did  the  mischief  was  very  uneasy. 
Sit  up,  to:=l.  To  rise  from  a  recumbent  position. 
(a)     2.  To  refrain  from    retiring,  or  lying  down, 
(a)     3.  To  assume  or  maintain  the  posture  of  one 
w^ho  is  seated.  («) 
1.  Night  before  last  she  heard  a  noise,  and  sat  up 
in  bed  =  Night  before  last  she  heard  a  noise,  and 
rose  from  her  reclining  position.     2.  Sitting  up  late 
at  night  does  not  agree  with  me=:It  does  not  agree 
with  me  to  refrain  from  retiring  till  late  at  night. 
3.  He  is  too  ill  to  sit  up  —  ^e,  is  too  ill  to  maintain 
the  posture  of  sitting. 
Skim   tlie  surface,  to  =  To  treat  superficially,  (c) 

The  treatise  on  Socialism  skims  the  surface  of  the 
subjects  The   treatise   on   Socialism   deals   superfi- 
cially with  the  subject. 
Skin,  to  =  To  take  off  all  that  can  be  obtained,  (c) 
"  The  inhabitants  of  Egypt  were  skinned  with  all 
sorts  of  taxation"  [Hartford  Courant]  =  The  inhab- 
itants of  Egypt  were  stripped  of  every  thing  by 
heavy  taxation. 
Slip  a  cable,  to  {Naut.)  =  To  veer  out,  and  let  go 
the  end  of  it.  (a) 
The  sailors  slipped  the  cable  =  The  sailors  suffered 
the  cable  to  run,  and  let  go  the  end  of  it. 
Slip  on,  to  =  To  put  on  hastily  or  loosely. 

Hearing  an  alarm  of  fire,  he  rose  from  his  bed, 
and  slippiyig  on  his  pantaloons  and  overcoat,  stepped 
out  to  the  street  =  Hearing  an  alarm  of  fire,  he  rose 
from  his  bed,  and  hastily  putting  on  his  pantaloons 
and  overcoat  went  out  into  the  street. 


IDIOMATIC    PHRASES.  217 

Slip  the  collar,  halter,  &c.,  to  =  To  throw  off ;  to 
disengage  one's  self  from,  (a) 
I  thought  I  had  the  dog  fast,  but  he  has  slipped 
the  collar  =  1  thought  I  had  the  dog  fast,  but  he  lias 
disengaged  himself  from  the  collar.     My  horse  has 
the  trick  of  slipping  his  halter  — Mj  horse  has  the 
mischievous  habit  of  throwing  off  his  halter. 
Slip  through  the  fingers,  to  =  To  escape  insensibly ; 
to  be  lost,  (b) 
The  physician  said  that  his  patient  slipped  through 
his  fingers  =  The  physician  said  that  he  unexpectedly 
and  strangely  lost  liis  patient.     Mr.   A.   once  pos- 
sessed considerable  property,  but  it  all  slipped  through 
his  fingers  — M.Y,  A.  once  possessed  considerable  pro- 
perty, but  it  all   escaped   from  him  gradually  and 
insensibly. 
Slur  over,  to  =  To  treat  lightly,  (c) 

By  the  petty  sentence  which  the  judge  passed 
upon  the  criminal,  he  in   reality  slurred  over  the 
crime  =  By    the    petty   sentence   which   the    judge 
gave  the  criminal,  he  in  reality  treated  the  crime 
lightly. 
Small   talk  =  Light   or   trifling   conversation ;    chit- 
chat, (a) 
At  Mrs.   A's    reception,    the    conversation    was 
chiefly  small  talk  =  T\\Q  conversation   at  Mrs.  A's 
reception  was,  for  the  most  part,  light  and  trifling. 
The  small  talk  of  society  was  distasteful  to  her  =  The 
trifling  conversation  of  society  was  distasteful  to  her. 
Smell  of,  to  =  To  have  the  odor  or  particular  scent 
of.  (a) 
This  handkerchief  smells  of  the  roses  which  have 
been  lying  on  it  =  This  handkerchief  has  the  fra- 
grance of  the  roses  which  lay  upon  it. 
Smell  of  the  shop,  to  =  To  indicate  too  distinctively 
the  profession,  or  occupation,  (c) 
The  school-master  smells  of  the  shop  =  T\\e  school- 
master shows  too  much,  by  one  way  and  another, 
what  his   occupation  is.     The  doctor  of  medicine 
smells  of  the  5/zop=:  The  doctor  of  medicine  talks  of 
nothing,  scarcely,  but  his  profession. 
Smooth  the  way,  to  =  To  make  easy ;  to  facilitate. 

(«) 

The  consul's  letter  of  introduction  smoothed  the 
merchant's  way  to  acquaintance  with  the  prefect  of 
Kwong  Chow  =  The  consul's  letter  of  introduction 
made  easy  the  merchant's  acquaintance  with  the 
prefect  of  Kwong  Chow. 
Snap  one  up,  to  =  To  treat  with  sharp  words  ;  to 
interrupt  suddenly  or  snappishly,  (a) 


218  IDIOMATIC    PHRASES. 

« 

His  employer  snapped  him  up  short  =  His  employer 
interrupted  him  with  a  snappish  reply. 
Sober  down,  to  =  To  become  steady  and  serious  in 
demeanor,  (h) 
When  he  was  young,  Mr.  B.  was  wild  and  ex- 
travagant, but  afterwards,  he  sobered  c?ow;7i  =  When 
he  was  young,  Mr.  B.  was  wild  and   extravagant, 
but  afterwards  he  became  steady  and  serious  in  de- 
meanor. 
Sore  subject  =  A  topic  which  is  painful  to  the  mind. 

Her  daughter's  marriage  is  a  sore  subject  with  her 
=  It  hurts  her  to  talk  about  her  daughter's  marriage. 
In  speaking  of  my  wife's  death,  you  have  mentioned 
a  sore  subject  —  In  mentioning  my  wdfe's  death,  you 
have  spoken  of  something  that  is  painful  to  talk 
about. 

So  to  speak  =  If  such  language  is  fitting,  and  strictly 
correct ;  as  it  w^ere.  (a) 
Mr.  F.  is  a  gentleman  farmer,  so  to  speak  —  Mr.  F. 
is  a  gentleman  farmer,  if  such  an  expression  cor- 
rectly describes  him.     Since  the  cold  weather,  the^ 
street  is  a  lake  of  ice,  50  to  speak  —  Since  the  cold 
weather  came,  the  street  is  a  lake  of  ice,  as  it  were. 
Mr.   A's  house  is  running  over,  so  to  speak ^  with 
books  and  pictures  =  Mr.  A's  house  is  full  to  over- 
flowing, as  it  were,  (is  very  full)  of  books  and  pic- 
tures. 
Sow  broadcast,  to  =  To  sow  by  scattering  at  large 
from  the  hand,  not  in  rows ;  to  spread  widely,  (a) 
This  grain  was  sown  broadcast  — T\ns>  grain   was 
sown  by  scattering  at  large  from  the  hand.     The 
newspapers  of  the  present  day  sow  information  broad- 
cast among   the   people  =  The   newspapers    of   the 
present  day  spread  information  widely  among  the 
people. 
Sow  tbe  seeds  of,  to  =  To  cause  ;  to  originate,  (c) 
The  laborer  sowed  the  seeds  of  his  rheumatism,  by 
worki*ng  in  the   waters  The  laborer's   rheumatism 
was  caused  by  working  in  the  water. 
Speak  a  ship,  to  =  To  hail  a  ship,  and  speak  to  her 
captain,  (a) 
On  the  voyage  out  we  spoke  two  ships  =  On  the 
voyage  from  home,  the  captain  of  our  ship  hailed 
two  other  ships,  and  spoke  to  their  captains. 
Speak  for  itself,  to  =  To  be  visible  to  all ;  to  pro- 
claim its  own  character,  (a) 
One  does  not  need  to  be  told,  that  this  painting  is 
by  one  of-  the  old  masters  ;  it  speaks  for  itself  =  One 
does  not  need  to  be  told,  that  this  painting  is  by 


IDIOMATIC     PHRASES.  219 

one  of  the  old  masters ;  it  proclaims  its  own  char- 
acter. 
Speak  volume§,  to=:To  convey  much  information  ; 
to  have  weight  as  an  argument,  (a) 
The  discoveries  made  by  the  excavations  at  Pom- 
peii speak  volumes  regarding  the  life  of  the  people 
of  that  buried  city  =  The  discoveries  made  by  the 
excavations  at  Pompeii  convey  much  information 
regarding  the  life  of  the  people  of  that  buried  city. 
Speak  well  for,  to  =  To  be  commendatory  of;  to 
give  a  favorable  impression  of  (a) 

It  speaks  well  for  him  that  he  is  kind  to  his  mother 
=  It  is  commendatory  of  him  that  he  is  kind  to  his 
mother.      The  large  dividend  which  the  rail-road 
pays,  this  year,  speaks  well  far  its  managements  The 
large  dividend  paid  by  the  rail-road,  this  year,  indi- 
cates that  its  affairs  have  been  well  managed. 
Spent   ball  =  A   ball   shot   from   a  fire-arm,  which 
reaches  an  object  without  having  sufficient  force  to 
penetrate  it. 

Were  you  wounded  in  the  battle?    No,  I  was 
only  struck  by  a  spent  ball = Were  you  wounded  in 
the  battle  ?     No,  I  was  only  hit  by  a  ball  which  had 
lost  its  power  to  penetrate,  before  it  reached  me. 
Spick  and  §pan  new  =  Quite  new  ;  brightly  new.  (a) 
Mr.  H.  has  refurnished  his  house  ;  and  the  carpets 
and  most  of  the  furniture  are  spick  and  span  new  — 
Mr.  H.  has  refurnished  his  house ;  and  the  carpets 
and  most  of  the  furniture  are  brightly  new. 
Spike  the  g^ung,  to  =  To  disable  ;  to  render  power- 
less, (a) 
The  senator  from  Vermont  spiked  the  guns  of  his 
opponent,  in  argument  =  The  senator  from  Vermont 
rendered  the  argument  of  his  opponent  powerless. 
Spin  a  yarn,  to  {Naut.)  =  To  tell  a  long  story,  (a) 
The  retired  sailor  used  to  delight  the  children  of 
the  village  by  spinning  yarns  about  the  whale  fish- 
ery =  The  retired  sailor  used  to  delight  the  children 
of  the  village,  by  telling  them  long  stories  about 
catching  whales. 
Spring  the  luff,  to  {Naut.)  =  Tlo  yield  to  the  helm, 
and  sail  nearer  to  the  wind  than  before,  (a) 
She  springs  the  luff—  The  vessel  yields  to  the  helm, 
and  sails  nearer  to  the  wind  than  before. 
Spin  out,  to  =  To  prolong  tediously.  (&) 

The  story  of  the  shipwreck,  told  in  the  new  novel, 
is  spun  out  to  a  great  lengths  The  story  of  the  ship- 
wreck, related  in  the  new  novel,  is  tediously  pro- 
longed. 
Spoiled  child  a  =  A  child  injured  by  indulgence,  (a) 


220  IDIOMATIC    PHRASES. 

You  can  not  expect  him  to  be  patient  and  obedi- 
ent, for  .be  is  a  spoiled  child  =  Yon  can  not  expect 
him  to  be  a  patient  and  obedient  child,  for  he  has 
been  injured  by  indulgence  and  petting. 
Spoke  in  one'§  wlieel,  to  put  a  =  To  say  something 
of  one  which  is  calculated  to  injure  him,  or  pre- 
vent his  success  ;  to  thwart  one.  (c) 
His  competitors  in  business  endeavored  to  put  a 
spoke  in  his  wheel  =I{\s  competitors  in  business  en- 
deavored, by  false  representations,  to  prevent  his 
success. 
Spread  abroad,  to  =  To  publish  widely  ;    to  make 
known  extensively,  (a) 
The  news  of  the  discovery  of  the  gold  mines  in 
California  was  soon  spread  abroad  =  The  news  of  the 
discovery  of  the  gold  mines  in  California  was  soon 
made  known  extensively. 
Spring  a  leak,  to  {Naut)  =  To  commence  leaking.; 
to  begin  to  leak,  (a) 
The  ship  has  sprung  a  leak  =  The  ship  has  begun 
to  leak. 
Spy    out,   to  =  To   explore ;    to   view   and   examine 
secretly,  (c) 
Twelve  men  of  the  ancestors  of  the  Jews  went 
and  spied  out  the  land  of   Canaan    (B.  C.  1491)  = 
Twelve  men  of  the  ancestors  of  the  Jews  went  to 
Canaan,   and    secretly   examined    the    land   (B.  C. 

1491).     The  government  of sent  a  small  party, 

to  spy  out  an  adjacent  country  which  they  wished  to 

invade  =  The  government  of sent  a  small  party, 

to  examine  secretly  an  adjacent  country  which  they 
wished  to  invade. 
Square  by,  to  =  To  adjust ;  to  regulate. 

I  can  not  square  myself  hy  your  notions  =  I  can 
not  regulate  my  notions  by  yours. 
Square  with,  to  =  To  accord  or  agree  exactly  with ; 
to  conform  to.  (a) 
His  conduct  does  not  square  with  his  words  =  His 
conduct  does  not  agree  with  his  w^ords. 
Staek  arm§,  to  (M7.)  =  To  set  np   rifles  together, 
with  bayonets  crossing,  (a) 
"When  they  went  into  camp,  the  soldiers  stacked 
arms  =:  When  the  soldiers  went  into  camp,  they  set 
up  their  rifles  together,  with  the  bayonets  crossing 
each  other. 
Stand  a  ehance,  to  =  To  have  the  possibility,  likeli- 
hood, or  opportunity,  (a) 
Now  that  the  secretary  of  the  insurance  company 
has  died,  the  assistant  secretary  will  stand  a  chance 
of  being  appointed  to  the  place = Because  the  secre- 


IDIOMATIC    PHRASES.  221 

tary  of  the  insurance  company  lias  died,  the  assistant 
secretary  will  possibly  or  probably  be  appointed  to 
the  office. 
Stand  aloof,  to  =  To  keep  at  a  distance ;  to  refuse 
to  take  part  in.  (a) 
The  boys  asked  him  to  join  them  in  their  game 
of  ball ;  but  he  stood  aloof  =  The  boys  asked  him  to 
play  ball  with  them,  but  he  kept  at  a  distance,  and 
took  no  part  in  the  game. 
Stand  at  the  head,  to  =  To  be  the  leader,  (a) 

England  stands  at  the  head  of  European  nations  = 
England  is  the  leader  among  European  nations. 
Stand  by,  to  =  l.  To  occupy  a  position  on  one  side  ; 
to  be  a  spectator,  (a)     2.  To  be  ready  to  defend ; 
♦  to  defend,  support,  (a) 

1.  I  stood  hy  while  the  idolatrous  procession  passed 
=  1  was  present  looking  on,  while  the  idolatrous 
procession  went  by.  2.  I  will  stand  hy  my  friend, 
in  his  trouble  in  the  lawsuits  I  will  not  desert  my 
friend  in  his  trouble  in  the  lawsuit. 
Stand  fa§t,  to  =  To  remain  iirm  ;  to  abide  by.  {a) 

The  patriots  of  the  American  devolution  utood 
fast  by  the  principles  of  liberty  =  The  patriots  of  the 
American  Revolution  remained  firm  in  the  princi- 
ples of  liberty. 
Stand  flr§t,  to  =  To  have  the  pre-eminence,  (a) 

Dr.  A.  stands  first  among  the  city  physicians  =  Dr. 
A.  has  the  pre-eminence  among  the  city  physicians. 
Stand  for,  to  =  To  offer  one's  self  as  a  candidate,  (a) 
There  is  a  rumor  that  he  is  anxious  to  enter  Par- 
liament, and  that  he  is  to  stand  for  Cork  =  There  is  a 
rumor  that  he  is  anxious  to  enter  Parliament,  and 
that  he  will  offer  himself  as  a  candidate  at  Cork. 
Stand  for,  to  =  To  be  in  the  place  of;  to  be  the  sub- 
stitute or  representative  of.  (a) 
What  does  the  word  "  it "  stand  for  ?     It  stands 
for  an  object  =  What  is  the  word  it  the  representa- 
tive of?    Jt  is  the  representative  of  an  object.     The 
sign  $  stands  for  dollar  =  The  sign  $  represents  dollar. 
M.  D.  stands  for  Doctor  of  Medicine  =  M.  D.  means 
Doctor  of  Medicine.     The  sign  &c.  stands  for  and  so 
forth  =  The  sign  &c.  means,  and  so  forth. 
Stand  in  fear  of,  to  =  To  be  much  afraid  of.  (a) 

When  tramps  abound,  the  community  stands  in 

fear  of  them  =  When    tramps    abound,   people   are 

much  afraid  of  them. 

Stand  in  hand,  to  =  To  be  for  one's  advantage ;  to 

be  serviceable,  or  advantageous,  (a) 

The  blacksmith  has  a  good  situation  in  Mr.  B's 

machine  shop  ;  it  stands  him  in  hand  to  be  industri- 


222  IDIOMATIC     PHRASES. 

ous  and  obliging  =  The  blacksmith  has  a  good  situa- 
tion in  Mr.  B's  machine  shop  ;  it  will  be  for  his  ad- 
vantage to  be  industrious  and  obliging.     It  stands 
the  youth  in  hand  to  please  his  uncle,  who  intends 
to  leave  him  his  property  =  It  will  be  advantageous 
for  the  youth  to  please  his  uncle,  who  intends  to 
make  him  his  heir. 
IStand  in  one'§  o\irii  lig^ht,  to  =  To  be  the  means  of 
preventing   one's  good,  or   frustrating   one's   own 
purposes,  {a) 
By  indulging  in  the  use  of  intoxicating  drinks, 
you  stand  in  your  own  light— Thi^  conduct  of  yours 
in  using  intoxicants,  is  the   means   of  preventing 
your  own  good.     By  not  being  social  you  stand  in 
your  own  light =^j  not  being  social,  you   deprive 
yourself  of   much  good.     I  have  stood  in  my  own 
light  long  enoughs  I  will  no  longer  hinder  my  own 
advancement.     The  merchant  stood  in  his  own  light 
as  a  business  man,  when  he  opposed  the  construction 
of    the   rail-road  =  The   merchant   acted  disadvant- 
ageously  to   himself  as  a  business   man,  when  he 
opposed  the  building  of  the  rail-road. 
Stand  in  stead,  to=:To  be  of  great  use,  or  advant- 
age, (c) 
'Now  that  the  laborer  is  prevented  working,  by  a 
broken  leg,  the  money  he  has  deposited  in  the  bank 
will  stand  him  in  stead ^Now  that  the  laborer  is  pre- 
vented working,  by  a  broken  leg,  his  money  depos- 
ited in  the  bank  will  be  of  great  use  to  him.     The 
soldier's  blanket  stood  him  in  great  stead  through  a 
long  campaign  =  The  soldier's  blanket  was  very  ser- 
viceable through  a  long  campaign. 
Stand  in  the  gap,  to  =  To  expose  one's  self  for  the 
protection  of  something,  (c) 
The  patriots  stood  in  the  gap,  w^hen  the  liberty  of 
their  country  was  threatened  =  The  patriots  exposed 
themselves  for  the  protection  of  their  country's  lib- 
erty, when  it  was  threatened.     In  the  Sepoy  rebel- 
lion, when  English  families  were  in  great  danger, 
some  native  household  servants  stood  in  the  gap,  and 
saved  the  lives  of  many  =  When  many  English  fami- 
lies were  in  great  danger  in  the  Sepoy  rebellion, 
some  native   servants   exposed   themselves   for  the 
protection    of   their    masters'   families,   and    saved 
many  lives. 
Stand  off,  to  =  To  remain  distant ;  not  to  approach. 
(a) 
The  policeman  told  the  burglar  to  stand  off,  or  he 
would  shoot  him  =  The  policeman  told  the  burglar 
not  to  approach,  else  he  would  shoot  him. 


IDIOMATIC    PHRASES.  223 

Stand   off  and  on,  to  {Naut.)  =  To   remain   near  a 
coast,  bj  sailing  toward  the  land  and  then  from  it. 
Before  entering  the  harbor  the  vessel  stood  off  and 
on  some  hours  =:  Before  entering  the  harbor  the  ves- 
sel sailed  toward  the  coast,  and  then  from  it,  keep- 
ing near  the  land  for  some  hours. 
IStand  one  in,  to  =  To  cost  one  ;  to  be  worth  to  one. 
I  gave  a  piece  of  land  worth  fifteen  hundred  dol- 
lars, and  a  thousand  dollars  cash,  for  this  house ;  so 
that  it  stands  me  in  twenty-five  hundred  dollars  =  I 
gave  a  thousand  dollars  cash,  and  a  lot  of  land  worth 
fifteen  hundred,  for  this  house ;  so  that  it  cost  me 
twenty-five  hundred  dollars. 

Stand  one'§  ground,  to  =  To  keep  the  ground  or 
station  one  has  taken ;  to  maintain  one's  position, 
(a) 
The  soldiers  stood  their  ground,  though  the  arrows 
of  the  savages  were  flying  in  all  directions  =  Tlic 
soldiers  kept  their  position,  though  the  arrows  of  the 
savages  were  flying  in  all  directions. 
Stand  out,  to  =  l.  To  project;  to  be  prominent,  {a) 
2.  To  persist  in  opposition  or  resistance,  (a) 
1.  The  portico  stands  out  from  the   house  =  The 
portico  projects  beyond  the  house.     2.  All  the  peo- 
ple in  the  district  were  anxious   for  a  new  school- 
house,  but  Mr.  A.  stood  out  =  AW  the  people  in  the 
district  were  anxious  for  a  new  school-house,  but 
Mr.  A.  persisted  in  opposition.     2.  He  is  obstinate ; 
he  stands  out  against  our  entreaties  =  He  is  obstinate ; 
he  does  not  yield  to  our  entreaties. 
Stand  over,  to  =  To  be   steadily  present   with,   in 
order  to  secure  the  doing  of  something,  (a) 
Domestic   servants  w^hose   mistress   has   to  stand 
over  them  all  the  time,  are  unsatisfactory  =  Domes- 
tic servants  whose  mistress  is  obliged  to  be  constant- 
ly with  them  and  teach  them  how  to  work,  do  not 
give  satisfaction. 
Stand  to  reason,  to  —  To  be  in  accordance  with  rea- 
son ;  to  be  right  ot  fitting,  (a) 
It  stands  to  reason,  that  you  should  pay  this  bill  = 
It  is  right  and  proper  that  you  should  pay  this  bill. 
It  stands  to  reason  that  murder  should  be  punished  = 
Our  reason  teaches  us  that  murder  should  be  pun- 
ished.    It  standi  to  reason,  that  a  judge  should  not 
accept  bribes  =r  It  is  in  harmony  with  the  dignity  of 
the  office  of  judge,  that  he  should  not  accept  bribes. 
Stand  up  for,  to  =  To  defend ;  to  justify ;  to  sup- 
port, {a) 

Mr.  A.  is  slandered — will  you  stand  up  for  him  ? 
=  Mr.  A.  is  slandered — wiU  you  defend  him  ?    I 


224  IDIOMATIC     PHRASES. 

am  blamed,  but  I  have  many  friends  who  will  stand 
up  for  me  =  I  am  blamed,  but  I  have  many  friends 
who  will  take  my  part.  The  new  members  of  Par- 
liament stand  up  for  i\\Q  ministry  =  The  new  mem- 
bers support  the  ministry  or  executive  government. 
Stand  upon,  to  =  l.  To  value;  to  pride,  (c)  2.  To 
insist,  {b) 

1,  Some  families  staiid  much  upon  their  birth  = 
Some  families  value  their  distinguished  or  noble  ex- 
traction very  much.  2.  Do  not  stand  upon  cere- 
mony =:  Do  not  insist  upon  ceremony;  do  not  be 
formal. 
Stare  one  in  the  face,  to  =  To  be  imminent ;  to  be 
just  before  one.  (c) 

When  the  shipwrecked  sailors  were  out  at  sea, 
starvation  stared  them  in  the  face  — When    the  ship- 
wrecked sailors  were  out  at  sea,  starvation  was  im- 
minent. 
Start  off,  to  =  To  depart ;  to  go  forth,  (a) 

The  officer  started  off  to  find  the  man  who  had 
committed  the  robbery  =  The  officer  went  forth  to 
find  the  man  who  had  committed  the  robbery. 
Start  up,  to  =  To  rise  suddenly;  to  come  suddenly 
into  notice  or  importance,  (a) 
As  we  passed  through  the  wood,  numerous  birds 
started  w^=:  As  we  passed  through  the  wood,  numer- 
ous birds  suddenly  rose  on  the  wing. 
Stave  off,  to  =  To  delay  forcibly  ;  to  prevent,  (a) 
The  influence  of  the  lobby  members  staved  off  the 
passage  of  the  canal  bill  =  Theinfluenceof  the  lobby 
members  prevented  the  passage  of  the  canal  bill. 
Stay  away,  to  =  To  remain  absent  or  at  a  distance, 
(a) 
The  incubating  bird  does  not  stay  away  from  her 
nest  long  enough  for  the  eggs  to  become  cold  =  The 
bird,  while  incubating,  does  not  remain  absent  from 
her  nest  long  enough  for  the  eggs  to  become  cold. 
My  son  has  been  ill,  and  obliged  to  stay  away  irom. 
school  for  a  week  =  My  son  has  been  ill,  and  necessi- 
tated to  be  absent  from  school  for  a  week. 
Steal  along,  to  =  To  proceed  quietly  and  secretly, 
(a) 
The  cat  steals  along,  under  the  hedge,  till  she  comes 
near  the  bird ;  then  suddenly  springs  and  seizes  it  = 
The  cat  proceeds   quietly  and   secretly   under  the 
hedge,  till  she  comes  near  the  bird,  when  she  sud- 
denly springs,  and  seizes  it. 
Steal  a  march  upon,  to  =  To  march  in   a  covert 
way  ;  to  gain  an  advantage  unobserved,  (a) 
He  was  preparing  a  similar  book,  but  I  stx)le  a 


IDIOMATIC     PHRASES.  225 

march  upon  him,  and  published  mj  book  first  =  He 
was  preparing  a  similar  book,  but  I  gained  an  ad- 
vantage over  him,  by  hastening  mj  work  without 
his  knowledge,  and  publishing  it  first.  IN'apoleon 
stole  a  march  on  the  Austrians,  and  took  them  by 
surprise = Napoleon  advanced  without  the  knowl- 
edge of  the  Austrians,  and  took  them  by  surprise. 

Steer  clear  of,  to  =  To  shun  ;  to  avoid ;  to  keep  at 
a  distance  from.  (Z/) 
I  steer  clear  of  all  such  hazardous  investments  as 
fancy  stocks  =  I  shun  such  hazardous  investments  as 
fancy  stocks.  Steer  clear  (/opium  smokers  =  Keep 
away  from  opium  smokers.  Pie  could  not  expect  to 
steer  clear  of  financial  embarrassment,  so  long  as  he 
did  business  so  carelessly  =  He  did  business  so  care- 
lessly, that  he  could  not  expert  to  avoid  financial 
embarrassment. 

Stem  the  tide,  to  =  To  resist ;  to  oppose  ;  to  check.  (5) 
Tlie  candidate  for  oflice  in  America  is  often  oblig- 
ed to  stum  the  tide  of  political  opposition  and  abuse 
=  The  candidate  for  oftice  in  America  is  often  ob- 
liged to  resist  or  struggle  against  political  opposi- 
tion and  abuse. 

Stem  the  torrent,  to  =  To  resist ;  to  check,  (c) 

The  Romans  could  not  stem  the  torrent  of  barba- 
rism which  flowed  down  from  the  northern  nations. 
in  the  fifth  century  =  The  Romans  could  not  check 
the  barbarism  which  descended  from  the  northern 
nations  in  the  fifth  century. 

Step  by  §tep  =  By  degrees  ;  gradually,  (a) 

He  has  now  come,  step  by  step,  to  the  end  of  this 
study  =  He  has  now  come,  by  slow  and  gradual  pro- 
gress, to  tlie  end  of  this  study.  The  settlements  in 
the  United  States  advance  westward,  step  by  step  = 
The  settlements  in  the  United  States  are  gradually 
extended  toward  the  west. 

Step  into,  to  =  1.    To  obtain  easily ;  to  enter  upon 
suddenly,  (a)     2.  To  enter  for  a  short  time,  (a) 

1.  He  has  stepped  into  sl  good  estate  by  inheritance 
=  He  has  come  into  the  possession  of  a  good  estate 
without  trouble,  by  inheritance.  1.  He  has  steppjed' 
into  a  large  fortune  by  marriage  =  He  has  easily  ob- 
tained a  large  fortune  by  marriage.  1.  By  the  res- 
ignation of  the  consul,  Mr.  E.  stepped  into  sl  good' 
office  =  By  the  resignation  of  the  consul,  Mr.  E.  sud- 
denly obtained  a  good  office  without  trouble.  2.  I 
am  in  a  hurry,  and  shall  oidy  step  into  this  house  = 
I  am  in  a  hurry,  and  shall  only  make  a  short  call  here. 

Stick   at,  to  =  To  hesitate,  (c) 

He  will  not  stick  at  any  meanness  in  making  mon- 
16 


226     .  IDIOMATIC    PHRASES. 

ey  =  He  will  not  hesitate  to  do  any  mean  act,  for 
the  sake  of  making  money.     What  I  stick  at  is  the 
expense   of  the  journey  =  I   hesitate   to   make   the 
journey  on  account  of  the  expense. 
IStick  toy,  to:=To  remain  faithful;  to  be  constant; 
to  be  firm  in  supporting,  (c) 
Mr.  M.  sticks  hy  his  political  party,  though  many 
are  deserting  it  =  Mr.  M.  faithfully  adheres  to  his 
political  party,  though  many  are  deserting  it. 
Stick  in  the  throat,  to  —  To  be  spoken  unwilling- 
ly or  painfully,  {b) 
The  boy  confessed   his  fault,  but  the  confession 
stuck  in  his  throat  =  The  boy  confessed  his  fault,  but 
the  confession  was  spoken  unwillingly. 
Stick  out,  to  =  To  project,  (a) 

The  man  carried  his  umbrella  under  his  arm,  so 
that  it  stuck  out  behind  him  =  The  man  carried  his 
umbrella  under  his  arm,  so  that  it  projected  behind 
him. 

Stick  to,  to  =  To  persevere  in  holding  to  ;  to  adhere 
to.  {a) 

lie  sticks  to  his  purpose  of  obtaining  an  education 
=  He  adheres  to  his  purpose  of  obtaining  an  educa- 
tion. The  boy  says,  and  sticks  to  it,  that  he  saw  two 
foxes  in  the  pasture  to-day  =  The  boy  asserts  that  he 
saw  two  foxes  in  the  pasture  to-day,  and  he  persists 
in  the  assertion. 
Stilf  as  a  poker  =  Excessively  stiff,  (a) 

Our  new  laundress  made  my  collars  as  stiff  as  a 
poker  =  Our  new  laundress  made  my  collars  exces- 
sively stiff. 
Stir  up,   to=r:l.  To  disturb,  {a)     2.  To  excite   thor- 
oughly ;  to  awaken ;  to  instigate  by  inflaming  pas- 
sions (a) 
1.  The  wind  stirred  up  the  water  of  the  pond  from 
the  bottoms  The  wind  disturbed  the  water  of  the 
pond  from  the  bottom.     2.  The  speeches  of  Adams 
and  Otis  stirred  up  the  American  people  to  oppose 
the  stamp  act  (1765)  =  The  speeches  of  Adams  and 
Otis  incited  the  American    people   to  oppose   the 
stamp  act  (1765).     2.  In  1860  the  South  was  stirred 
wj>  to  secede  =  In  the  year  1860  the  Southern  states 
withdrew  from  the  nation,  under  the  stimulus  of 
heated  passions.     2.  Do  not  stir  up  strife  among  the 
neighbors  =  Do  not  excite  strife  among  the  neigh- 
bors. 
iStock  doiFn,  to  =  To  sow  with  grass-seed,  (a) 

Farmers  sometimes  stock  down  their  land  in  the 
spring,  and  sometimes  in  the  fall  =  Farmers  some- 


IDIOMATIC    PHRASES.  227 

times  sow  their  land  with  grass-seed  in  the  spring, 
and  sometimes  in  the  autumn. 
Stop    payment,    to  =  To   become    embarrassed    or 
bankrupt,  in  business,  (a) 
The  large  hardware  firm,  on  Front  street,  has  stop- 
ped payment  =  The  large  hardware   firm,  on  Front 
street,  has  become  embarrassed  in  business. 
Strain  or  §trctcli  a  point,  to  =  To  go  beyond  the 
proper  limit  or  extent ;  to  exceed  the  bounds  of 
strict  propriety  or  duty,  (a) 
The  law  was  against  him,  but  the  judge  strained  a 
point  in  his  favor  =  The  law  was  against  him,  but  the 
judge  made  it  yield  a  little  in  his  favor.     He  stretched 
a  point,  to  make  his  story  more  interesting.  =  He  ex- 
aggerated a  little  to  make  his  story  more  interest- 
ing. 
Strategic  point  (M7.)  =  A  point   or   region   in  the 
theater  of  warlike  operations,  which  affords  its  pos- 
sessor an  advantage  over  his  opponent,  (c) 
In  the  civil  war,  the  region  around  Washington 
was  a  strategic  point  =  In  the  civil  war,  Washington 
and  its  vicinity  was  a  region  that  afforded  the  army 
which  chanced  to  possess  it,  much  advantage. 
StraiF  bail  =  Worthless  bail,  (c) 

When  he  was  arrested  for  illicit  distilling,  straw 
hail  was   offered    by   some   friendsr  for    security  = 
Worthless  bail  was  offered  by  some  friends,  when  he 
was  arrested  for  unlawful  distilling. 
Stretch  on  the  bed  of  Procruste§,  to  =  To  judge 
all  cases  by  the  same  rule ;  to  make  all  conform  to 
the  same  standard,  (c) 
Some  opium  reformers  in  China  wish  to  stretch 
all   opium  smokers  on  the  bed  of  Procrustes— ^ome 
opium  reformers  in  China  wish  to  force  all  opium 
smokers  to  be  conformed  to  the  same  rule. 
Strictly  spealcing  =  In  accuracy  of  language  or  ex- 
actness of  meaning,  {a) 
Strictly  speaking,  the  North  American  Indians  were 
not  aboriginal  inhabitants,  for  there  are  proofs  of  an 
earlier  race  in  the  land  =  In  accuracy  of  language, 
the  North  American  Indians  were  not  aboriginal  in- 
habitants, for  there  are  proofs  of  an  earlier  race  in 
the  country. 
Strike  a  balance,  to  =  To  equalize ;  to  average  ;  to 
compare  ;  to  take  a  medial  estimate,  (c) 
If  we  strike  a  balance  between  the  various  pursuits 
of  men,  we  shall  find  that  they  do  not  differ  much 
in  the  toil  and  vexation  attending  them  —  If  we  com- 
pare the  toils  and  vexations  attendant  upon  the  dif- 
ferent pursuits  of  men,  we  shall  find  that  they  do 


2^8  IDIOMATIC    PHRASES. 

not  differ  much  in  this  respect.     To  get  the  truth  in 
political  matters,  we  must  strike  a  balance  between 
the  statements  of  the  partisans  of  both  sides = To 
ascertain  the   truth   in  political  matters,  we  must 
average  the  statements  of  the  partisans  of  both  sides. 
Strike  a  bargain,  tor=To  make  and  ratify  a  bar- 
gain, {h) 
I  have  struck  a  bargain  with  Mr.  B.  for  his  fast 
horse  =1  Mr.  B.  has  agreed  to  sell  me  his  fast  horse 
for  a  specified  sum. 
IStrike  a  jury,  to=:To  constitute  a  special  jury,  or-" 
dered  by  court,  by  each  party  striking  out  from  a 
prepared  list  of  jurors,  till  it  has  been  reduced  to 
the  required  number,  (a) 
In  the  case  between  Mr.  A.  and  Mr.  B.,  the  court 
directed  to  strike  a  jury— In  the  case  between  Mr. 
A.  and  Mr.  B.,  the  court  directed   that  a  special 
jury  should  be  formed,  by  each  party  striking  names 
from  a  list  of  jurors,  till  the  list  should  be  reduced 
to  the  required  number. 
Strike    dumb,   to  —  To   confound ;   to    astonish  ;  to 
render  silent  by  astonishment,  {b) 
I  was  struck  dumb  by  the  dreadful  news  =  I  was 
rendered   silent   by   astonishment   at    the   dreadful 
news. 
Strike  in,  to=:To   recede   from   the  surface,  as  an 
eruption  ;  to  disappear,  (a) 
Small-pox  is  fatal,   if    the   eruption  strikes  in= 
Small-pox  is  fatal,  if  the  eruption  disappears  from 
the  skin  too  soon. 
Strike  off,  to  =  l.  To  erase,  (a)     2.  To  print,  (a)     3. 
To  separate  by  a  blow  or  any  sudden  action,  (a) 
1.  The  man  desired  the  merchant  to  strike  o/f  some 
items  from  his  account  =  The  man  desired  the  mer- 
chant to  erase  some  of  the  items  in  his  account.     2. 
The  printer  struck  off  a  thousand  extra  copies  of  the 
paper  containing  an  account  of  the  celebration  =  The 
printer  printed  a  thousand  extra  copies  of  the  paper 
containing   an   account  of   the   celebration.     3.  In 
1536  the  executioner  struck  off  Queen  Anne's  head, 
of  England,  on  the  charge  of  infidelity  to  the  king 
=:In  1536  Queen  Anne   of  England  was  beheaded, 
on  the  charge  of  infidelity  to  the  king. 
Strike  out,  to  =  l.  To  erase;  to  efface.      2.  To  in- 
vent ;  to  devise. 
1.  When    the     teacher    connected    the    composi- 
tion of  the  scholar,  he  struck  out  some  expressions  — 
In   correcting  the  pupil's  composition,  his  teacher 
erased  some  expressions.     2.  The   secretary  of  the 
treasury  has  struck  out  a  new  plan  for  lessening,  the 


IDIOMATIC    PHRASES. 

national  debt  =  The   secretary  of  the 
devised    a    new    plan    for    lessening   the 
debt. 
Strike  the  eye,  to  =  To  affect  the  eye  in  some  par- 
ticular manner  ;  to  impress  strongly,  (a) 
Bushnell  Park  (Hartford)  strikes  the  eye  of  stran- 
gers entering  the  city  by  rail,  as  a  place  'of  exqui- 
site beauty  =  Bushnell  Park  (Hartford)  strongly  im- 
presses strangers  entering  the  city  by  rail,  with  the 
taste  and  beauty  with  which  it  has  been  laid  out 
and  ornamented. 
(Strike    or   longer  the   flag,   to  =  To  pull  it   down 
upon  the  cap,  in  token  of  respect,  submission,  or, 
in  an  engagement,  of  surrender,  (a) 
After  hard  but  unsuccessful  figliting,  the  captain 
of  the  ship  struck  his  Jiag  =  Ai\er  hard  fighting,  the 
captain  ordered  tlie  flag  to  be  pulled  down,  in  token 
of  surrender. 
Strike  up,  to  =  To  begin  to  play,  as  a  musician,  (a) 

As  we  passed,  the  band  struck  up  =  Wlien  we  were 
passing,  the  band  began  to  play.      Strike   up   the 
national  air  when  I  give  the  signal  =  Begin  to  play 
the  national  air  when  I  give  the  signal. 
Strong  point  =  Special  excellence,  (a) 

Mr.  E's  power  of  argument  is  his  strong  point  as  a 
speaker = Mr.  E's  special  excellence,  as  a  speaker,  is 
his  skill  and  power  in  argument.     Book-keeping  is 
your  strong  point— Yon  are  better  at  book-keeping 
than  at  any  thing  else. 
Stuff  the  ballot-box,  to  (U.  S.)  =  To  put  in  many 
fraudulent  votes,  (a) 
It  is  a  criminal  offense  to  stuff  the  hallot-hox  in  the 
election  of  officers,  (U.  S.)  =  It  is  a  criminal  offense 
to  fill  the  ballot-box  with  fraudulent  votes  in  the 
election  of  officers,  (U.  S.) 
Stumble   upon,   to  =  To   find   b}^  chance   or  unex- 
pectedly, (a) 
Mr.  A.   stumbled  upon  a  valuable   history,  in   a 
second-hand  bookstore = Mr.  A.  unexpectedly  found 
a  valuable  history,  in  a  second-hand  bookstore. 
Stung  to  the  quiek  =  Deeply  pained  or  hurt  in  feel- 
ing, (a) 
The  clerk  was  stung  to  the  quick^  by  the  accusation 
of  dishonesty  =  The  clerk  was  deeply  hurt  in  feeling, 
by  being  accused  of  dishonesty. 
Sue  out,  to  {Law)  =  To  petition  for,  and  take  out.  (a) 
His  attorney  sued  out  a  writ  of  injunction  against 
their  cutting  down  the  trees  =  His  attorney  applied 
for,  and  obtained,  an  injunction  restraining  certain 
parties  from  cutting  down  trees. 


230  IDIOMATIC    PHRASES. 

Suit  one'§  fancy,  to  =  To  please  one ;  to  accord  with 
one's  taste,  (a) 
The  carpet  which  Mr.  O.  selected  for  the  parlor 
did  not  suit  his  wife's  fancy  =  Th.e  carpet  which  Mr. 
O.  selected  for  the  parlor  did  not  please  his  w^ife. 
Suit   or  fit  to  a  T,  to  =  To  suit  exactly ;  to  answer 
perfectly,  (b) 
The  coat  fits  me  to  a  T=  The  coat  fits  me  exactly. 
Mrs.  A's  new  servant  suits  her  to  a  T=  Mrs.  A's  new 
servant  exactly  suits  her  (wholly  pleases  her.) 
Sum  and  §ub§tance  =  The  principal  thoughts,  when 
viewed  together  ;  the  amount ;  the  gist,  (a) 
The  sum  and  substance  of  the  lawyer's  argument 
against  the  rail-road  bill  is,  that  it  is  unconstitutional 
=  The  gist  of   the  lawyer's  argument  is,  that  the 
rail-road  bill  is  unconstitutional.     The  sum  and  sub- 
stance of   all  his  objections  to  going  is  this,  that 
he  does  not  wish  to  go  =  All  his  objections  to  go- 
ing amount  to  this,  that  he  does  not  wish  to  go. 
The  author  of  this  book  of  travels   endeavors   to 
render  himself  conspicuous ;    this  is  the  sum  and 
substance  of  the  work  =  The    whole   import   of  this 
book  is  an  attempt,  on  the  part  of  the  author,  to 
render  himself  conspicuous. 
Sum  up,  to  =  To  ascertain  the  amount  of.  (b) 

When  the  trader  summed  up  his  indebtedness,  he 
was  surprised  to  find  it  so  small  =  When  the  trader 
ascertained    the    amount   of   his   indebtedness,   the 
smallness  of  it  surprised  him. 
Sum  up,  to  =  To  condense ;    to  comprise  in   a  few 
words,  (a) 
The  science  of  things  divine  and  human,  with 
their  causes,  is  all  stimmed  up  in  one  word,  philoso- 
phy =  The  science  of  things  divine  and  human,  with 
their  causes,  is  all  expressed  in  one  w^ord,  philoso- 
phy.    The  lawyer  sumnned  up  the  case  for  the  plaint- 
ifi"  in  a  powerful  plea  =  The  lawyer  mentioned  the 
principal  points  in  favor  of  the  plaintiff  in  a  powerful 
plea.     The  whole  of  man's  duty  to  God  and  to  his 
fellow-men  is  summed  up  in  the  word,  love  =  The 
whole  of  man's  duty  to  God  and  to  his  fellow-men 
is  comprised  in  the  word,  love. 
Surrender  at  discretion,  to=:To  surrender  with- 
out stipulations,  or  unconditionally,  (a) 
The  vanquished  commander  was  not  willing  to 
surrender  at  discretion  =  The  vanquished  commander 
was  unwilling  to  surrender  unconditionally. 
Swalloiv  up,  to  =  To  draw  into  an  abyss  or  gulf :  to 
absorb,  (a) 
His  extravagance  in  living  and  his  betting  habits 


IDIOMATIC    PHKASES.  231 

have  swallowed  up  the  larger  part  of  his  property  = 
His  extravagant  style  of  living  and  his  losses  by 
betting  have  absorbed  the  larger  part  of  his  property. 
Swear  the  peace  against  one,  to  :=  To  make  oath 
that  one  is  under  actual  fear  of  death  or  bodily 
harm  from  one  ;  in  which  case  he  must  find  sure- 
ties of  peace. 
She  was  compelled  to  swear  the  peace  against  her 
drunken  husband=She  was  under  the  necessity  of 
making  oath,  that  she  was  in  fear  of  death  or  bodily 
harm  from  her  husband  in  his  intoxication;  and  he 
was  obliged  to  find  sureties  of  peace. 
Sireat  coin,  toi=To  remove  portions  of  the  coin  by 
'  shaking  it  in  a  bag. 

The  rogues  who  were  known  to  sweat  coin  have 
been   arrested = The   rogues   who   were   known    to 
shake  coin   in  a  bag,  and  steal  the  gold  thus  worn 
oiF  by  friction,  have  been  an-ested. 
Swim  with  the   stream,  to  =  To  conform   to   the 
popular  opinion  ;  to  move  with  the  prevailing  cur- 
rent, (a) 
Many  a  man  secures  office  and  riches,  by  swim- 
ming with  the  stream ^Maiiy  a  man  secures  office  and 
riches,  by  moving  with  the  prevailing  current  of 
opinion  and  feeling. 


T. 

Take  a  course,  to  =  To  go  in  a  direction  ;  to  pursue 
a  path  ;  to  conduct  one's  self,  (a) 
In  crossing  the  Atlantic  ocean,  ships  aim  to  take  a 
course  by  which  they  shall  avoid  the  icebergs  =  In 
crossing  the  Atlantic  ocean,  ships  aim  to  pursue  a 
path  by  which  they  shall  avoid  the  icebergs.     If  a 
man  would  be  respected,  he  must  take  a  course  which 
shall  merit  respects  If  a  man  would  be  respected, 
he  must  conduct  himself  in  a  manner  to  merit  re- 
spect. 
Take  a  cursory  view  of,  to  =  To  see  hastily  ;  to 
examine  superficially,  (c) 
The  teacher  took  a  cursory  view  of  the  new  Ency- 
clopedia which  the   agent  left  at  his   houses  The 
teacher  superficially  examined  the  new  Encyclopedia 
which  the  agent  left  at  his  house. 
Take  atter,  to==l.  To  copy  ;  to  imitate,  (a)     2.  To 
resemble,  (a) 
1.  In  your  deportment,  my  son,  I  wish  you  to  take 
after  the  best  examples = In  your  deportment,  my 


232  IDIOMATIC    PHRASES. 

son,  I  wish  jou  to  imitate  the  best  examples.     2. 
This  lad  takes  after  his  father,  in  his  looks  and  dis- 
position =  This  lad  resembles  his  father,  in  features 
and  disposition. 
Take  amiss,  to  =  To  regard  as  wrong  or  improper  ; 
to  resent ;  to  feel  injm-ed  or  slighted,  {a) 
Mr.  A.  spoke  to  the  young  man  about  his  habit 
of  using  tobacco,  but  the  young  man  took  it  amiss  = 
Mr.  A.  spoke  to  the  young  man  about  his  habit  of 
using  tolDacco,  but  the    young  man  resented  being 
spoken  to.     Do  not  take  amiss  my  advising  you  in 
this  matter = Do  not  regard  as  improper  my  advising 
you  in  this  matter.     He  took  it  amiss  that  he  was 
not  invited  to  the  weddings  He  felt  slighted  by  not 
receiving  an  invitation  to  the  wedding.     He  took  it 
amiss  that  I  should  say  80  =  He  took  offense  at  my 
saying  so. 
Take   an   account  of,  to  =  To  record  ;  to  make  a 
list  of.  (c) 
The  merchant  takes  an  account  of  stock,  at  the  end 
of  every  year  =  At  the  end  of  every  year,  the  mer- 
chant makes  a  list  of  the  stock  which  he  has  on 
hand. 
Take  a  paper,  to  =  To  receive  regularly,  on  paying 
the  price  of  subscription,  (a) 
He  takes  six  papers,  and  pays  about  $40  a  year  = 
He   receives   regularly,   by  paying    for    them,   six 
papers,  and  pays  about  $40  a  year. 
Take  a  risk,  to  =  To  assume  danger ;  to  insure,  (a) 
This  fire  insurance  company  has  take7i  many  risks 
in  the  city  of  B.,  the  past  year  =  This  fire  insurance 
company  has  insured  many  buildings  in  the  city  of 
B.,  the  past  year. 
Take  arms,  to  =  To  go  to  war.  (a) 

The  colonies  took  arms  in  defense  of  their  liberties 
—  The  colonies  began  war  in  defense  of  their  liber- 
ties. 
Take  at  one's  word,  to  =  To  believe  what  one  says, 
and  to  act  upon  it.  (a) 
The  gardener  said  he  would  give  a  basket  of  grapes 
to  any  one  if  he  himself  would  pick  them  ;  and  the 
lawyer  took  him  at  his  word,  and  went  after  them  = 
The  gardener  said  he  would  give  a  basket  of  grapes 
to  any  one  if  he  himself  would  pick  them ;  and  the 
lawyer  believed  what  he  said,  and  acted  accordingly, 
by  going  after  them.     Do  you  wish  me  to  take  you 
at  your  word  f  =  Do  you  wish  me  to  accept  and  act 
on  what  you  have  said,  as  true  ? 
Take  a  turn,  to=:l.  To  take  a  brief  walk,  (a)     2. 
To  change  ;  to  suffer  alteration,  (a) 


IDIOMATIC     PHRASES.  233 

1.  You  have  company  now ;  I  will  take  a  turn  on 
the  avenue,  and  then  come  back  =  Since  you  have 
company,  I  will  take  a  short  walk  on  the  avenue, 
and  then  come  back.  1,  We  will  take  a  turn  in  the 
garden  before  dinner  =  We  will  walk  a  little  in  the 
garden  before  dinner.  2.  His  disease  has  taken  a 
favorable  turn  —  His  disease  has  changed  favorably. 
2.  His  sickness  has  taken  a  new  turn^  and  I  am  ap- 
prehensive of  the  result  =  His  sickness  has  suffered 
alteration,  and  I  am  apprehensive  of  the  result. 
Take  a  walk,  to  —  To  walk,  (a) 

The  botanist  took  a  walk^  and  went  into  the  woods 
to  find  flowers  =  The  botanist  walked  out  for  exer- 
cise, and  went  into  the  woods  to  find  flowers. 
Take  aivay,  to  =  To  remove,  (a) 

They  have  taken  aiuay  the  old  house,  and  built  a 
new  one  =  They  have  removed  the  old  house,  and 
built  a  new  one. 
Take  breath,  to  =  To  pause  long  enough  to  breathe 
freely  ;  to  be  recruited  ;  to  be  refreshed,  (a) 
Half-way  up  the  hill,  he  stopped  to  let  his  horses 
take  breath  — Il2i\i-V7dij  \v^  the  hill,  he  stopped  to  let 
his  horses  breathe  and  rest.     After  going  half-way 
up  the  tower,  the  boys  had  to  stop  to  take  breathe 
After  going  half-way  up  the  tower,  the  boys  had  to 
stop  and  take  time  to  breathe. 
Take   care,  to  =  To  be  careful ;   to  be  solicitous ; 
— with  of  or  for.  (a) 
Take  care  of  your  health  =  Be   careful   of  your 
health. 
Take  coun§el,  to  =  To  consult  others  ;  to  ask  ad- 
vice, (c) 
Because  the  young  man  did  not  take  counsel  of 
more  experienced  persons,  he  made  serious  mistakes 
in  business  =  Because  the  young  man  did  not  con- 
sult persons  who  were  more  experienced  than  him- 
self, he  made  serious  mistakes  in  business. 
Take  doivn,  to=:l.  To  remove  from  a  height;  to 
depress,  (a)     2.  To  swallow,  (a)     3.  To  pull  down ; 
to  pull  to  pieces,  (a)     4.  To  record  ;  to  write  down. 
{a) 
1.  After  the  celebration,  the  flag  was  taken  down 
from  the  top  of  the  building  =  After  the  celebration, 
the  flag  was  removed  from  the  top  of  the  building. 
1,  His  pride  was  taken  down  by  the  loss  of  property 
=  His  pride  was  reduced  by  the  loss  of  property. 
1.  The  author  was  much  taken  down  by  the  criticism 
on  his  book  =  The  author  was  much  depressed  by 
the  criticism  on  his  book.     2.  The  mother  said  to 
the  child,  ''  Take  the  medicine  down^  and  do  not  stop 


234  IDIOMATIC    PHKASES. 

to  think  about  it "  =  The  mother  said  to  the  child, 
"Swallow  the  medicine,  and  do  not  stop  to  think 
about   it."      3.  The   carpenters   took   down  the   old 
house,  in  order  to  build  a  new  one = The  carpenters 
pulled  down  the  old  house,  in  order  to  build  a  new 
one.     4.  The  reporters  took  down  the  testimony,  as 
fast  as  the  witness  uttered   it  =  The   reporters  re- 
corded the  testimony  in  writing,  as  fast  as  the  wit- 
ness uttered  it. 
Take  effect,  to  =  1.  To  have  the  intended  effect,  (a) 
2.  To  go  into  operation,  {a) 
1.  Did  the   medicine  which   he  used   last   night 
Uike   effect  f  =  Did  the  medicine  which  he  used  last 
night  have  the  intended  effect  ?     2.  This  Connecti- 
cut law  about  marriage  licenses  took  effect  immedi- 
ately =  This  Connecticut  law  about  marriage  licenses 
went  into  operation  immediately. 
Take  exception  against  or  to,  to  =  To  object  to  • 
to  find  fault  with,  (a) 
I  could  not,  in  conscience,  do  otherwise  than  take 
exception  against  using  unfair  means  to  win  the  boat- 
race  =  I  could  not  conscientiously  do  otherwise  than 
object  to  using  unfair  means  to  win  the  boat-race. 
The  people  of  W.  take  exception  to  some  statements 
about  their  village,  published  in  yesterday's  paper  = 
The  people  of  W.  find  fault  with  the  publication,  in 
yesterday's  paper,  of  some  statements  about  their 
village. 
Take  for,  to  =  To  suppose  to  be.  {a) 

The  policeman  was  so  dressed  in  uniform,  that 
the  stranger  took  him  for  a  soldier  =  The  policeman 
was  so  dressed  in  uniform,  that  the  stranger  sup- 
posed him  to  be  a  soldier. 
Take  for  g^ranted,  to  =  To  assume  to  be  true,  with- 
out positively  knowing,  {a) 
The  man  started  on  his  journey  to  San  Francisco, 
and  took  for  granted  that  the  trains  would  connects 
The  man  commenced  his  journey  to  San  Francisco, 
and  assumed  that  the  trains  would  connect.     I  sent 
my  friend  some  fine  pears,  taking  for  granted  that  he 
was   fond   of  them  =  I   sent  my  friend   some   nice 
pears,  assuming  that  he  liked  pears,  though  I  did 
not  certainly  know.     I  take  it  for  granted^  you  wdll 
come  to-night  =  I  suppose  it  is  certain,  that  you  will 
come  to-night.     I  take  his  honesty  for  granted— \  do 
not  doubt  he  is  honest. 
Take  French  leave,  to  —  To  take  an  informal  de- 
parture ;  to  leave  without  notice.  (Z)) 
At  the  party,  instead  of  bidding  the  host  good 
evening,  he   took  French   leave— At  the   party,  in- 


I 


IDIOMATIC    PHRASES.  235 

stead  of  saying  good  evening  to  the  host,  he  took 
an  informal  departure. 
Take  fright,  to=:To  become  frightened,  (a) 

The  governor's   horses  took  fright  at  the  engine, 
and  nearly  overturned  the  carriage  =  The  governor's 
horses  became  frightened  at  the  engine,  and  nearly 
overturned  the  carriage. 
Take  beart,  to  =  To  be  encouraged ;  to  gain  confi- 
dence, (c) 
The  man  who  had  long  been  out  of  employment 
took  heart,  when  the  manufacturer  hired  him  for  a 
year  =  The  man  who  had  long  been  without  employ- 
ment was  encouraged,  when  the  manufacturer  hired 
him  for  a  year. 
Take  heed,  to  =  To  be  careful  or  cautious,  (h) 

It  is  almost  dark  ;  and  if  you  do  not  takeheed,  you 
will  drive  into  that  hole  in  the  readmit  is  almost 
dark ;  and  if  you  are  not  cautious,  you  will  drive 
into  that  hole  in  the  road. 
Take  heed  to,  to  =  To  attend  to  with  care ;  to.  ob- 
serve ;  to  regard,  (a) 
If  a  man  does  not  take  heed  to  his  business,  he  can 
not  prosper  =  If  a  man  does  not  carefully  attend  to 
his  business,  he  can  not  prosper.     He  took  heed  to  the 
advice  of  liis  father  =  He  regarded  the  advice  of  his 
father. 
Take  hold  of,  to  =  1.  To  grasp  ;  to  cling  to.  (a)     2. 
To  affect  deeply,  (a) 
1.  As  he  was  about  to  fall  on  the  sidewalk,  he  took 
hold  of  the  fence  and  thus  saved  himself  =  As  he  was 
about  to  fall  on  the  sidewalk,  he  grasped  the  fence, 
and  thus  prevented  himself  from  falling.     2.  Mr.  A's 
troubles  take  hold  of  him = Mr.  A's  troubles  affect 
him  deeply. 
Take  in,  to  =  1.  To  include  ;  to  comprise,  (a)     2.  To 
understand,  (a)     3.  To  draw  into  a   smaller  com- 
pass ;  to  contract,  (a)    4.  To  admit ;  to  receive,  (a) 
5.  To  cheat ;  to  deceive.  («) 
1.  The  neighbor's  farm  takes  in  the  wood-lot  on 
the  hill  =  The  neighbor's  farm    includes  the  wood- 
land on  the  hill.     2.  The  old  man's  mind  is  so  weak- 
ened, that  he  does  not  take  in  what  is  said  to  him  = 
The  old  man's  mind  is  so  weakened,  that  he  does 
not  understand  what  is  said  to  him.     3.  The  coat  is 
too  large ;  the  tailor  must  take  it  in  —  The  coat  is  too 
large  ;  the  tailor  must  contract  it  (make  it  smaller). 
3.  "When  the  storm  increased  to  violence,  they  took  in 
sail  =  They  drew  in  the  sail  close  to  the  mast,  when 
the    storm    increased    to    violence.     4.  The    vessel 
struck  a  rock,  and  began  to  take  in  water  =  The  ves- 


286  IDIOMATIC   PHRASES. 

sel  struck  a  rock,  and  began  to  admit  water.     4.  The 
ship   took  in  a  cargo   of  cotton    at  New  Orleans  = 
Tlie  ship  received  a  cargo  of  cotton  at  New  Orleans. 
5,  Mr.  A.  was  badly  taken  in  by  the  man  with  whom 
he  exchanged  farms  =  Mr.  A.  was  badly  cheated  by 
the  man  with  whom  he  exchanged  farms. 
Take  in  g[oocl  part,  to  =  To  receive  without  anger ; 
not  to  be  offended  by.  (a) 
He  took  my  rebuke  in  good  part—HQ  was  not  an- 
gry at  my  rebuke.     You  must  take  my  jokes  in  good 
part  -  You  must  not  be  angry  with  me  on  account  of 
my  jokes. 
Take  in  hand,  to  =  1.  To  attempt ;  to  undertake,  (a) 
2.  To  seize  and  deal  with.  («) 
1.  He  has  taken  the  work  of  building  the  house  in 
hand=lle  has  undertaken  to  build  the  house.     1.  If 
you  expect  to  finish  that  work  this  year,  you  must 
take  it  in  hand  now  =  If  you  expect   to  finish  that 
work  this  year,  you  must  undertake  it  now.     2,  The 
teacher  took  the  boy  m  ha7id  for  his  truancy  =  The 
•teacher  laid  hold  of  the  boy  to  punish  him  for  his 
truancy. 
Take  into  account,  to  —  To  consider ;  to  regard. 
(a) 
The  men  failed  to  reach  the  depot  in  time  lor  the 
cars,  because  they  did  not  take  into  account  the  dis- 
tance, and  the  bad  travelings  The  men  failed   to 
reach  the  depot  in  time  for  the  cars,  because  they 
did  not  consider  the  distance,  and  the  bad  condition 
of  the  roads.     In  judging  him,  you  do  not  take  his 
youth  info  account— In  judging  him,  you  do  not  con- 
sider his  youthfulness,  which  is  an  excuse.     Taking 
into  account  his  little  education,  he   has  succeeded 
well  in  business  =:  He  has  done  well  in  business,  for 
one  who  had  so  little  education.     We  must  take  into 
account  the  difficulties  of  his  task  =  We  must  not  for- 
get that  his  task  is  difficult. 
Take  into  con§icleration,  to  =  To    investigate   or 
think  upon  carefully,  (a) 
The  teacher  said  that  he  would  take  into  considera- 
tion the  request  of  the  boys,  for  a  change  of  study  = 
The  teacher  said  that  he  would  think  carefully  upon 
the  request  of  the  boys,  for  a  change  of  studies. 
Take  into  cu§tody,  to  —  To  receive  for  safe  keep- 
ing ;  to  confine  or  imprison,  {a) 
The  jailer  took  into  custody  the  man  who  was  ar- 
rested for  stealing  a  horse  =  The  jailer  confined  the 
man  who  was  arrested  for  stealing  a  horse. 
Take  in  tow,  to  =  To  drag  through  the  water  by 
means  of  a  rope,  (a) 


I 


IDIOMATIC     PHRASES.  237 

The  steam  tug  takes  canal  boats  and  barges  in  tow 
=  The  steam  tug  drags  canal  boats  and  barges  through 
the  water  by  means  of  a  rope. 
Take  it§  ri§e,  to  =  To  originate  ;  to  have  its  source. 

(«) 

The  Tai-Ping  rebellion  took  its  rise  in  the  province 
of  Quang  Se  =  The  Tai-Ping  rebelhon  originated  in 
the  province  of  Quang  Se.  My  fear  of  him  takes  its 
rise  in  my  knowledge  of  his  ability  to  injure  me  = 
My  fear  of  him  is  caused  by  my  knowledge  of  his 
ability  to  injure  me.  His  large  fortune  took  its  rise 
from  his  early  savings  =  His  large  fortune  was  begun 
by  his  early  savings.  The  river  A.  takes  its  rise  in  the 
Po  mountains=The  river  A.  has  its  source  in  the 
Po  mountains.  The  term  Protestant  took  its  rise 
from  the  protest,  made  by  the  followers  of  Luther, 
against  a  decree  of  the  Emperor  Charles  Y.^  The 
term  Protestant  originated  with  the  protest  which 
was  made  by  the  followers  of  Luther,  against  a  de- 
cree of  the  Emperor  Charles  Y. 

Take  kindly  to,  to  =  To  be  kindly  inclined  to ;  to 
be  well  disposed  or  friendly  to.  (a) 
The  school  takes  kindly  to  the  new  principal  =  The 
scholars  are  kindly  inclined  to  the  new  principal. 

Take  leave,  to  —  To  bid  farewell ;  to  leave,  {a) 

The  tourists  took  leave  of  Rome  with  regret  =  The 
tourists  bade  farewell  to  Pome  with  regret.  I  have 
come  to  take  leave  of  you  =  I  have  come  to  say  good- 
bye. AYhen  he  took  his  leave  of  us,  he  promised  to 
return  =  When  he  bade  us  farewell,  he  promised  to 
return. 

Take  mea§ure§,  to  =  To  use  the  proper  means  ;  to 
provide  means,  (a) 
On  the  breaking  out  of  the  rebellion  in  the  United 
States  in  1861,  the  president  took  measures  to  put  an 
army  of  volunteers  into  the  field  =  On  the  breaking 
out  of  the  rebellion  in  the  United  States  in  1861,  the 
president  used  the  proper  means  to  put  an  army  of 
volunteers  into  the  field. 

Taken  aback  =  Suddenly  checked  or  disappointed  ; 
unexpectedly  baffled.  («) 
The  truant  school-boys  were  taken  ahack^  by  meet- 
ing one  of  the  teachers  face  to  face  —  The  truant 
school-boys  were  unexpectedly  baffled,  by  meeting 
one  of  the  teachers  face  to  face.  They  were  just 
about  to  be  married,  when  they  were  taken  aback  by 
the  sudden  appearance  of  the  father  of  the  young 
girl  =  They  were  just  on  the  point  of  being  married, 
when  they  were  unexpectedly  baffled  by  the  appear- 
ance of  the  father  of  the  young  girl. 


288  IDIOMATIC    PHRASES. 

Take  notice,  to  :=  To  observe,  (a) 

The  public  will  take  notice^  that  walking  on  the 
grass  in  the  park  is  forbidden  =  The  public  will  ob- 
serve that  walking  on  the  grass  in  the  park  is  for- 
bidden 

Taken  ill   or  sick,  to  l>e  —  To   be  made  sick  ;  to 
be  attacked  with  illness,  (a) 
In  due  time  after  exposure,  my  child  was  taken 
sick  with  measles  =  In  due  time  after  exposure,  my 
child  was  made  sick  with  measles. 

Take  oath,  to  =  To  be  sworn  in  the  judicial  form  ; 
to  solemnly  affirm  by  appealing  to  God.  (a) 
You  will  be  called  into  court,  and  required  to  take 
oath  to  your  statement  =  You  will  be  called  into 
court,  and  will  have  to  be  sworn  in  the  judicial  form, 
before  you  give  your  testimony.  The  sailor  took  his 
oath,  tiiat  he  was  not  in  Shanghai  when  the  murder 
was  committed  =  The  sailor  solemnly  affirmed  with 
an  appeal  to  God,  that  he  was  not  in  Shanghai  when 
the  murder  was  committed. 

Take  oflf  the  edge,  to  =  To  lessen  ;  to  mitigate,  {a) 
This  bad  printing  takes  off  the  edge  of  my  enjoy- 
ment of  the  book  —  This  bad  printing  lessens  my  en- 
joyment of  the  book.  Drink  several  cups  of  tea 
to  take  off  the  edge  of  your  appetite  =  Take  several 
cups  of  tea  to  make  you  a  little  less  hungry.  In 
waiting  for  him  to  come,  the  edge  was  taken  off  from 
my  anger  =  I  became  less  angry  while  waiting  for 
him  to  come.  To  know  that  others  are  suffering  the 
same  takes  off  the  edge  of  our  sorrows  =  To  know  that 
others  are  suffering  the  same  mitigates  our  sorrows. 
The  sympathy  of  friends  takes  off  the  edge  of  our  sor- 
rows =  The  sympathy  of  friends  mitigates  our  sor- 
rows. 

Take  off,  to  =  l.  To  remove  ;  to  invalidate,  (a)  2. 
To  withdraw  ;  to  call  away  from,  (a) 
1.  Your  reply  has  taken  off  the  force  of  his  charges 
against  the  cashier  of  the  bank  =  Your  reply  has  in- 
validated or  weakened  the  force  of  his  charges 
against  the  cashier  of  the  bank.  -  2.  The  late  comers 
took  off  my  attention  from  the  speaker  =  The  late 
comers  withdrew  my  attention  from  the  speaker. 
2,  Do  not  let  any  thing  take  off  your  mind  from  your 
studies  when  you  are  in  schools  Do  not  suffer  your 
mind  to  be  withdrawn  from  your  studies,  by  any 
thing,  when  you  are  in  school. 

Take  on,  to  =  1,  To  assume,  (a)     2.  To  be  violently 
affected,  (a) 
1.  His  disease  has  taken  on  a  new  phases  His 
disease  has   assumed   a   new  phase.     1.  Since  his 


IDIOMATIC   PHRASES.  239 

becoming  rich,  he  takes  on  airs  =  Since  he  became 
rich,  he  assumes  haughty  manners.  2.  When  he 
heard  of  the  death  of  his  father,  he  took  on  at  a 
great  rate  =  When  he  heard  of  his  father's  death,  he 
was  violently  affected,  and  lamented  loudly.  2.  That 
child  is  taking  on  greatly,  because  the  nurse  has  left 
the  room  for  a  time  =  That  child  is  making  a  great 
ado,  because  the  nurse  has  left  the  room  for  a  time. 

Take  one'§  chance,   to  =  To   try   one's    luck ;    to 
venture ;  to  do  something  without  a  rational  regard 
for  tlie  connection  between  cause  and  effect,  (h) 
The  man  pushed   his  boat  toward  the  falls,  and 
took  his  chance  of  escaping  with  his  life  =  The  man 
piished  his  boat  toward  thef  falls,  without  any  ra- 
tional regard  to  the  laws  by  which  life  is  preserved. 
He  buys  a  lottery-ticket,  and  takes  his  chance  of  draw- 
ing a  prize  —  He  buys  a  lottery-ticket,  and  hopes  to 
draw  a  rich  prize,  though  he  understands  there  is  no 
rational  connection  between  the  small  outlay  for  the 
ticket  and  the  large  returns  of  a  prize. 

Take  one'§  choice,  to  =  To  choose ;  to  select,  (a) 
The  merchant  laid  several  pieces  of  silk  on  the 
counter,  in  order  that  the  lady  might  take  her  choice 
=  The  merchant  laid  several  pieces  of  silk  on  the 
counter,  in  order  that  the  lady  might  select  one. 

Take  onc'§  departure,  to  =  To  depart,  (a) 

The  student  has  taken  his  departure  for  Germany, 
expecting  to  be  absent  two  years  =  The  student  has 
departed  for  Germany,  expecting  to  be  absent  two 
years. 

Take  one's  flight,  to  =  To  flee;  to  depart  hastily. 

(a) 

When  the  enemy  appeared  in  sight  of  the  town, 

the  women  and  children  took  their  flight  —  When  the 

enemy  appeared  in  sight  of  the  town,  J:he  women 

and  children  fled. 

Take  one'§  own  course,  to  —  To  follow  one's  own 
will ;  to  act  one's  pleasure,  (a) 
He  would  not  hear  to  my  advice,  but  took  his  own 
course- JLq  would  not  follow  my  advice,  but  did  as 
he  himself  chose,  or  followed  his  own  will.  -Take 
your  own  course  in  regard  to  the  method  of  investing 
the  money  which  I  have  intrusted  to  you  =  Act  your 
own  pleasure  or  judgment  in  regard  to  investing  the 
money  which  I  have  intrusted  to  you. 


240  IDIOMATIC    PHRASES. 

Take  one's  -word  for,  to=:To  believe  because  of 
one's  testimony,  (a) 
We  take  the  word  of  tourists  for  it,  that  Paris  is  a 
verj  gaj  city = We  believe  that  Paris  is  a  very  gay 
city,  because  of  the  testimony  of  tourists. 
Take  on  tru§t,  to  =  To  trust  a  person  or  believe  a 
truth,  because  of  the  testimony  of  another,  (a) 
Mrs.  A.  recommended  the  servant  to  Mrs.  B.,  and 
Mrs.   B.  took  the  servant  on  trust  =  M.Y^.  A.  recom- 
mended the  servant  to  Mrs.  B.,  and  Mrs.  B.  trusted 
the  servant  on  account  of  Mrs.  A.'s  testiniony. 
Take  out,  to  —  To  remove,  (a) 

Bj^  the  application  of  a  suitable  acid,  the  lady  took 
out  the  stain  from  her  sftk  dress  =  By  the  application 
of  a  suitable  acid,  the  lady  removed  the  stain  from 
her  silk  dress 
Take  pain§,  to  =  To  do  any  thing  carefully  and  la- 
boriously, (a) 
The  dress-maker  took  pains  to  make  the  wedding 
dress  in  style  =  The  dress-maker  labored  carefully  to 
make  the  wedding  dress  in  style. 
Take  place,  to  —  To  occur  ;  to  happen,  (a) 

In  the  United  States,  the  election  for  president 
takes  place  once  in  four  years  =  In  the  United  States, 
the  election  for  president  occurs  once  in  four  years. 
Take    precedence,    to  =  To   precede   in   place    or 
order  of  time ;  to  go  before  in  rank  or  importance, 
(a) 
The  unfinished  business  of  yesterday  must  take 
precedence  of  new  business  =  Tlie  unfinished  business 
of  yesterday  must  precede,  in  order  of  time  and  at- 
tention, any  new  business. 
Take  rank  of,  to  =  To  enjoy  precedence  over ;  to 
have  the  right  of  higher  place,  (a) 

In  the  army,  the  general  takes  rank  of  the  colonel 
=  In  the  army,  the  general  has  precedence  of  the 
colonel.  According  to  English  laws  a  marquis  takes 
rank  of  an  earl  =  A  marquis  holds  a  higher  place 
than  an  earl,  in  England. 
Take  root,  to==l.  To  begin  to  grow;  to  form  a 
root,  {a)  2.  To  become  firmly  established,  (a) 
1.  Tliis  slip  of  geranium  has  taken  root  in  the 
flower-pot  =  This  slip  of  geranium,  has  begun  to  send 
out  roots  in  the  flower-pot.  2.  The  principles  of 
honesty  have  taken  root  in  his  mind  =  The  principles 
of  honesty  have  become  firmly  established  in  his 
mind.  2.  The  doctrines  of  socialism  have  taken  root 
in  some  countries  of  Europe  =  The  doctrines  of  so- 
cialism have  become  firmly  fixed  in  some  countries 
of  Europe. 


I 


IDIOMATIC     PHRASES.  241 

Take  sidc§,  to  =  To  join  one  of  two  differing  par- 
ties ;  to  take  an  interest  in  one  party,  (a) 
Most  of  the  West  Point  officers  took  sides  witli  the 
government  during  the  civil  war  =  Most  of  the  West 
Point  officers  remained  in  the  service  of  the  gov- 
ernment, during  the  civil  war.     The  representative 
from  his  district  takes  sides  with  the  hard  money 
men  =  The  representative  from  his  district  joins  the 
party  which  favors  hard  money. 
Take  §iglit,  to  ;    §iglit,  to  =  To  look,  for  the  pur- 
pose of  directing  a  piece  of  artillery ;  to  take  aim.  (a) 
In   shelling   the   city,  the  gunner  carefully  took 
sight  =  In  throwing  shells  into  the  city,  the  gunner 
took  careful  aim. 
Take  stoek,  to  =  To  take  an  inventory,  (a) 

The  store  will  be  shut  up  three  days,  in  order  to 
take  stock  =  The  store  will  be  closed  three  days,  to 
take  an  inventory  of  goods. 
Take  the  air,  to  =  To  walk  or  ride  out.  (a) 

Every  person  ought  to  take  the  air  daily  =  Every 
person  ought  to  walk  or  ride  out  daily. 
Take  the  bull  by  the  horns,  to  =  To  take  the  de- 
cisive step  ;  to  meet  a  danger  or  difficulty  manfully. 
(a) 
When  the  emperor  saw  the  first  signs  of  rebellion 
in  his  empire,  he  took  the  bull  by  the  horns  =  When 
the  emperor  saw  the  first  signs  of  rebellion  in  his 
empire,  he  took  decisive  steps  to  suppress  it. 
Take  the  car§,  (boat,  §tage,)  to  =  To  enter  or  use 
for  the  purpose  of  travel,  (a) 
By  taking  the  cars  at  Hartford,  at  noon,  one  may 
reach  New  York  at  4  o'clock  =  By  entering  the  cars 
at  Hartford,  at  noon,  one  may  reach  New  York  at  4 
o'clock. 
Take  the  field,  to  =  To  encamp;  to  enter  active 
service ;  to  begin  the  operations  of  a  campaign,  (a) 
In  1861  the  army  of  the  United  States  govern- 
ment took  the  field  to   subdue   the   rebellion  =  The 
army  of  the  United  States  government  begun  the 
campaign  to  subdue  the  rebellion  of  the  Southern 
States,  in  1861. 
Take  the  flr§t  §tep,  to  =  To  make  the  first  move- 
ment in  a  given  direction  ;  to  begin,  (a) 
The  Cliinese  government  took  the  first  step  in  estab- 
lishing the  Educational  Mission  in  the  United  States, 
by  sending  thirty  young  men  to  Hartford  in  1872  = 
The  Chinese  government  made  the  first  movement 
in  establishing  the  Educational  Mission  in  the  United 
States,  by  sending  thirty  young  men  to  Hartford  in 
1872. 

17 


242  IDIOMATIC    PHRASES. 

Take  the  hint,  to  =  To  understand  the  suggestion 
or  allusion,  and  to  act  upon  it.  (a) 
The  physician  said  to  the  blacksmith,  that  some- 
times diseases  like  his  were  caused  by  over  eating ; 
and  the  blacksmith  took  the  hint=ThG  physician  said 
to  the  blacksmith,  that  sometimes  diseases  like  his 
were  caused  by  over  eating ;    and  the  blacksmith 
understood  the  suggestion,  and  acted  upon  it ;  that 
is,  he  changed  his  habits  of  eating. 
Take  the  laboring  oar,  to  =  To  take  the  position 
of  chief  labor  and  responsibility,  (a) 
Mr.  A.  and  Mr.  B.  are  partners  in  publishing  the 
newspaper,  but  Mr.  A.  takes  the  laboring  oar==Mr.  A. 
and  Mr.  B.  are  partners  in  publishing  the  newspaper, 
but  Mr.  A.  takes  the  position  of  chief  labor  and  re- 
sponsibility.    He  took  the  lahoring  oar  in  carrying  on 
the  farm  =  He  did  the  hardest  part  of  the  farm  work. 
Take  the  lead,  to  =  To  guide  or  lead  ;  to  be  promi- 
nent or  the  iirst.  (a) 
Mr.  T.  takes  the  lead  among  our  merchant = Mr.  T. 
is  the  most  prominent  of  our  merchants.     A  good 
general  is  competent  to  take  the  lead  of  his  army  in 
every  emergency  =  A  good  general  is  competent  to 
lead  his  army,  in  every  emergency. 
Take  the  name  of  Ood  in  vain,  to  =  To  use  the 
name  of  God  with  levity  or  profaneness.  (6) 
Men  are  commanded  not  to  take  the  name  of  God 
mvam  =  Men  are  commanded  not  to  use  the  name 
of ,  God  with  levity  or  profaneness. 
Take  the  place  of,  to  =  To  take  the  position,  and 
perform  the  function,  of.  (a) 
In  the  United  States,  if  the  president  dies,  the 
vice-president  takes  his  place^ilu  the  United  States, 
if   the  president  dies,  the  vice-president  takes  his 
position,  and  performs  his  duties. 
Take   or  sign   the  pledge,  to  =  To  make  a  written 
promise  that  one  will  not  drink  intoxicating  liq- 
uors, {a) 
At  the  close  of  the  temperance  lecture,  nearly  one 
half  the  audience  signed  the  pledge  — At  the  close  of 
the  temperance  lecture,  nearly  one  half  the  audience 
signed  a  written  promise,  that  they  would  not  drink 
intoxicating  liquors. 
Take  the  stump,  to  =  To  go  from  place  to  place 
making  political  speeches. 
Lincoln  and  Douglass  took  the  stump  in  Illinois, 
when  they  were  candidates  for  the  United  States 
Sen  ate  =  Lincoln  and  Douglass  went  about  making 
speeches  for  electioneering  purposes,  when  they  were 
candidates  for  the  United  States  Senate. 


IDIOMATIC    PHRASES.  243 

Take  the  trouble,  to  =  To  be  at  the  pains ;  to  ex- 
ert one's  self;  to  give  one's  self  inconvenience,  (a) 
Do  not  take  the  trouble  to  write,  if  you  are  not  quite 
well  =  Do   not  give  yourself  the  inconvenience   to 
write,  if  you  are  not  quite  well. 
Take    or    take  up    time,  to  =  To  consume  or  en- 
gross time,  {a) 
It  tooh  all  the  boy's  time^  before  school,  to  do  the 
chores  =  All  the  boy's  time,  before  school,  was  con- 
sumed in  doing  the  chores. 
Take  time  toy  the  forelock,  to  =  To  make  prompt 
use  of  any  thing  ;  not  to  let  slip  an  opportunity,  (c) 
The  merchant  took  time  by  the  forelock,  and  was  the 
first  in  the  market  with  new  goods  =  The  merchant 
was  prompt  in  making  purchases,  and  was  the  first 
in  the  market  with  new  goods.     You  must  take  time 
by  the  forelock = You  must  be  prompt  and  quick  in 
doing  what  you  intend  to  do.     I  took  time  by  the  fore- 
lock, starting  for  China  by  the  next  mail  steamer  =r  I 
let  no  time  be  wasted,  but  started  for  China  by  the 
next  mail  steamer. 
Take  to,  to  =  l.  To  be  pleased  with  ;  to  be  fond  of; 
to  become  attached  to.  (a)     2.  To  resort  to ;  to  be- 
take to.  (a) 
1.  He   does  not  take   to  hard  work .= He  dislikes 
working  hard.     1.  You  seem  to  take  to  writing  =  You 
appear  to  enjoy  writing.     2.  He  took  to  his  heels  for 
safety  =r  He  resorted  to  running  for  safety.     2.  When 
the  labors  of  the  day  were  over,  he  took  to  music  as  a 
recreations  When  the  day's  work  was  finished,  he 
betook  himself  to  music  as  a  means  of  recreation. 
Take  to  drinking^,  to=:To  form  the  habit  of  exces- 
sive and  dangerous  use  of  intoxicating  liquors,  (a) 
Since  losing  so  much  of  his  property,  Mr.  B.  has 
taken  to  drinking  —  Since  losing  so  much  of  his  prop- 
erty, Mr.  B.  has  formed  the  habit  of  using  intoxica- 
ting liquors  in  excess  and  with  hazard. 
Take  to  heart,  to  =  To  feel  sensibly;  to  be  sensibly 
affected  by.  (a) 
He  took  his  son's  death  to  heart =I{e  felt  his  son's 
death  very  much.     They  do  not  take  my  good  ad- 
vice to  heart  =  They  are  not  sensibly  affected  by  my 
good  advice.     The  teacher  takes  it  to  heart  that  the 
pupils  do  not  more  respect  him  =  The  teacher  keenly 
feels  the  want  of  respect  on  the  part  of  his  scholars. 
Take  to  task,  to=nTo  reprove ;  to  reprimand,  (a) 
His  teacher  took  him  to  task  for  his  idleness  =  His 
teacher  reproved  him  for  his  idleness. 
Take  to  the  heel§,  to  =  To  flee  ;  to  run.  (a) 

The  owner  of  the  orchard  appeared,  and  the  boys 


244  IDIOMATIC     PHRASES. 

who  were  helping  themselves  to  fruit  took  to  their 
heels  =  Th.Q,  owner  of  the  orchard  appeared,  and  the 
boys  who  were  helping  themselves  to  fruit  fled. 
Take    turn§,    to  =  To    alternate  ;    to    succeed    one 
another  in  due  order,  (a) 
The  father  and  the  mother  tooh  turns  in  watching 
with  the  sick  child  =  The  father  and  the  mother  al- 
ternated in  watching  with  the  sick  child. 
Take  umbrage,  to  =  To  be  suspicious,  jealous,  or 
offended,  (c) 
Mrs.  A.  took  umbrage^  because  Mrs.  B's  daughter 
was  selected,  instead  of  her  own,  to  play  the  piano  at 
the  school  exhibition  =  Mrs.  A.  was  jealous,  because 
Mrs.  B's  daughter  was  selected,  instead  of  her  own, 
to  play  the  piano  at  the  school  exhibition. 
Take  up,  to  =  1.  To  borrow.  (5)     2.  To  fasten  with 
a  ligature,  (a)     3.  To  engross ;  to  engage  the  atten- 
tion with,  (a)     4.  To  seize ;  to  catch  ;  to  arrest,  (a) 
5.  To  occupy  ;  to  fill,  (a)     6.  To  adopt ;  to  assume, 
(a)     7.  To  pay  and  receive,  (a)     8.  To  collect ;  to 
exact  as  a  tax.  (a) 
1.  One  cause  of  his  failure  was  the  large  amount 
of  money  which  he  had  takeyi  up  at  the  bank,  and 
could  not  pay  =  One  cause  of  his  failure  was  the 
large  amount  of  money  which  he  had  borrowed  at 
the  bank,   and  could  not   repay.     2.  The   surgeon 
took  up  my  severed  artery  with    great   skill  =  The 
surgeon  skillfully  fastened  my  severed  artery  with  a 
ligature.     3.  His   employments   take  up  his  time  = 
His  employments  engross  his  time.     4.  The  burglar 
was  taken  up  —  The  burglar  was  arrested.     5.  Do  not 
put  Webster's  Unabridged  Dictionary  on  my  table, 
because  it  takes  up  much  room  =  Do  not  put  Web- 
ster's Unabridged   Dictionary  on  my  table,  for  it 
occupies  much  room.     6.  His  son  has  taken  up  the 
carpenter's  trade  =  His  son  has  adopted  tlie  carpen- 
ter's trade.     7.  It  is  necessary  to  one's  credit,  that  he 
take  up  his  notes  at  the  bank  when  due  =  It  is  neces- 
sary to  one's  credit   that  he  pay  and   receive   his 
notes  at  the  bank  when  due.     8.  A  collection  was 
taken  up  for  the  poor  =  A  contribution  in  money  w^as 
solicited  for  the  poor. 
Take  up  arms,  to  =  To  go  to  war ;  to  begin  war ; 
to  begin  resistance  by  force,  (a) 
'  The  American  colonies  took  up  arms  for  independ- 
ence,   against    the    mother-country,  in    1775  =  The 
American  colonies  began  a  war  for  independence, 
against  the  mother-country,  in  1775.      The  South 
took  up  arms  against  the  United  States  government 


IDIOMATIC     PHRASES.  245 

in  1861  =  The  South  began  war  against  the  United 
States  government  in  1861. 
Take  up   one'§  quarters  at,  to  =  To  stay  at  ;  to 
take  lodgings  at.  {a) 
The  exploring  party  taJces  up  its  quarters  at  the 
hotel  outside  the  town  =  The  exploring  party  takes 
lodgings  at  the  hotel  outside  the  town. 
Take  upon  one'§  self,  to  =  l.  To  assume;  to  un- 
dertake, (a)     2.  To  appropriate  to  one's  self;  to  al- 
low to  be  laid  on  one's  self.  («) 
1.  You    take   too   much   upon   yourself ;  you   will 
break    down  =  You    undertake    too    much  ;    your 
strength  is  not  equal  to  doing  so  much.     2.  A  Ro- 
man father,  mentioned  in  ancient  history,  took  upon 
himself  half   of  his  son's   punishment  =  A   Roman 
father,  mentioned  in  ancient  history,  allowed  half 
of  his  son's  punishment  to  be  laid  upon  himself. 
Take  up  the  gauntlet,  to  =  To  accept  the  challenge 
or  defiance,  (c) 
The  Northern  States  of  America  were  ready  to 
take  up  the  gauntlet^  when  the  Southern  States  re- 
volted in  1861  =  The  Northern  States  of  America 
were  ready  to  accept  the  challenge  to  fight,  when  the 
Southern  States  revolted  in  1861.     Senator  A.  at- 
tacked the  bill  on  military  appropnations,  and  Sen- 
tor  B.  took  lip  the  gauntlet  in  its  behalf  =  Senator  A. 
attacked  the    bill  on   military  appropriations,  and 
Senator  B.  accepted  the  challenge  to  a  discussion 
which  that  attack  implied. 
Taken  up  with  =  Occupied  with  ;  engrossed  with. 
ia) 
For  many  years   Audubon,   the   naturalist,   was 
taken  up  with  the  preparation  of  his  book, — "  The 
Birds  of  North  America  "  =  For  many  years  Audu- 
bon, the  naturalist,  was  occupied  with  the  prepara- 
tion of  his  book, — "  The  Birds  of  North  America." 
He  is  entirely  taken  up  vnth  making  moneys  Pie  is 
w^holly  absorbed  in  making  money.     I  am  taken  up 
with  the  new  book  which  I  bought  yesterday  —  My 
attention  is  wholly  engrossed  with  the  new    book 
which  I  bought  yesterday. 
Take  up  \¥ith,  to  =  To  be  contented  to  receive  ;  to 
receive  without  opposition,  (a) 
While  he  was  traveling  among  the  Esquimaux,  he 
w^as  forced  to  take  up  with  very  inferior  fare  =  While 
he   was   traveling   among  the  Esquimaux,  he  was 
forced  to  receive  w^ithout  opposition  very  inferior 
fare.     The  price  for  which  I  sell  my  grain  is  less 
than  I  had  hoped  to  receive,  but  I  must  take  up  with 
it  =  The  price  for  which  I  sell  my  grain  is  less  than  I 


246  IDIOMATIC    PHRASES. 

had  hoped  to  obtain,  but  I  must  be  contented  to  re- 
ceive it. 
Take   ii^ing^,    to  =  To  fly  away ;  to  depart  quickly. 
(a) 
When  I  opened  the  door,  all  the    blackbirds  on 
the  tree  took  wing  =  Wh.en  I  opened  the  door,  all  the 
blackbirds  on  the  tree  flew  awaj^     It  is  tantalizing 
to  the  young  sportsman  to  see  birds  always   take 
wing,  when  he  is  about  to  shoot  =  It  is  tantalizing  to 
the  young  sportsman  to  see  birds  always  fly  away, 
when  he  is  about  to  shoot. 

Talk  over,  to  =  To  discuss  in  conversation  ;  to  talk 
about ;  to  deliberate  upon,  (a) 
Not  long  since,  there  was  a  meeting  of  the  citi- 
zens, to  talk  over  the  project  of  bridging  the  rail-road 
crossing  =  Not  long  since,  there  was  a  meeting  of  the 
citizens,  to  discuss  in  conversation  the  project  of 
building  a  bridge  over  the  rail-road  crossing. 
Tear  out,  to=:To  pull  or  draw  out  by  violence,  (a) 
The  lazy  pupil,  being   sternly  reproved   by  his 
teacher,  angrily  tore  out  a  leaf  from  his  book  =:  The 
lazy  pupil,  being  sternly  reproved  by  his  teacher, 
angrily  and  violently  pulled  out  a  leaf  from  his  book. 
Tear  pieeemeal,  to=:To  tear  into  fragments,  by 
pieces,  (c) 
The  bear  tore  the  hunter  piecemeal  =The  bear  tore 
the  hunter  into  fragments,  piece  by  piece. 
Tell  it§  oivn  tale,  to  =  To  require  no  explanation. 

(b) 

The  dangling  coat  sleeve  of  the  soldier  tells  its  own 
tale  =  The  soldier's  danghng  coat  sleeve  requires  no 
•  explanation,  (for  it  shows  that  he  lost  an  arm  in 
battle). 
Tell  of,  to  =  l.  To  relate  ;  to  report  ;  to  mention,  (a) 
2.  To  inform  against ;  to  disclose  some  fault  of.  (a) 
1.  His  study  this  winter  has  been  nothing  to  tell 
of  because  it  has  been  so  little  =  His  study  has  been 
nothing  to  mention,  because  there  has  been  so  little 
of  it.     2.  If  you  do  not  behave,  I  will  tell  your 
father  of  you  =  If  you  do  not  conduct  well  I  will  go 
to  your  father,  and  inform  against  you. 
Tell  off,  to  =  To  count ;  to  divide,  (c) 

Among  ball-players,  one  man  is  appointed  to  tell 
off  the  number  of  runs  made  by  each  side  =  Among 
ball-players,  one  man  is  appointed  to  count  and  de- 
clare the  number  of  runs  which  each  side  makes. 
Tender  mereie§  =  Kindness  of  heart ;  compassion  ; 
readiness  to  forgive,  (c) 
"  The  Lord  is  good  to  all,  and  his  tender  mercies 
are  over  all  his  works  "  =  The  Lords  bestows  good 


IDIOMATIC    PHKASES.  247 

gifts  upon  all,  and  is  very  kind  of  heart  toward 
every  creature  he  has  made.     "  A  righteous  man  re- 
gardeth  the  life  of  his  beast ;  but  the  tender  mercies 
of  the  wicked  are  cruel,"  [Prov.  x.  12  =  ]  .  .  .  but 
the  kindness  of  heart  of  the  wicked  is  cruel. 
Tbat  is  to    say  =  That  is;  in  other  words;    other- 
wise ;  I  mean,  (a) 
Mr.  O.  has  never  traveled  in  Europe — that  is  to  say 
— ^he  has   only  been   to  Paris  and  immediately  re- 
turned =  Mr.  O.  has  never  traveled  in  Europe — to 
explain — he  has  only  been  to  Paris  and  immediately 
returned.     I  am  sure  ;  that  is  to  say,  I  have  no  doubt 
=  1  am  sure,  by  which  I  mean  to  say,  I  have  no 
doubt.     It  looks  rainy ;  that  is  to  say,  it  is  cloudy  and 
will  soon  rain = It  looks  rainy  ;  in  other  words,  it  is 
cloudy  and  will  soon  rain. 
Tlie  clothe  A  profession,  or  the  members  of  it — es- 
pecially the  clerical  profession,  (c) 
He  does  not  show  much  respect  to  the  cloth  =  He 
does  not  show  much  respect  for  ministers. 
The  coast  is  clear  =  The  danger  is  over ;  there  is 
nothing  in  tlie  way.  (a) 
When  the  watchman  went  off,  the  coast  was  clear, 
and  the  hidden  thieves  escaped  =  When  the  watch- 
man went  off,  there  was  nothing  in  the  way,  and  the 
thieves  escaped. 
Tlie  dead  of  nig^ht  =  The  period  of  greatest  dark- 
ness and  repose  in  the  night,  (a) 
Burglars  usually  select  the  dead  of  night  for  their 
operations = Burglars  usually  select  the  darkest  and 
most  quiet  time  of  the  night,  for  their  operations. 
The  die  is  cast  =  The  decision  is  made  ;  the  matter 
is  fixed,  (c) 
The  young  man  has  decided  to  go  as  missionary 
to  Turkey;  and  now  the  die  is  cast  for  life = The 
young  man  has  decided  to  go  as  missionary  to  Tur- 
key ;  and  now  the  decision  is  made  for  life. 
The  horrors  =  A  madness  resulting  from  habits  of 
inebriation  ;  delirium  tremens,  (c) 

The  horrors  are  occasioned  by  excess  in  the  use  of 
intoxicating  liquors  =  Delirium  tremens  is  occasioned 
by  the  excessive  use  of  intoxicating  liquors. 
The  mischief  is  =  The  cause  of  the  trouble  or  vexa- 
tion is  ;  the  difficulty  is.  (a) 
The  mischief  in  that  family  is,  that  the  husband  is 
extravagant  =  The  cause  of  the  trouble  in  that  fam- 
ily is  that  the  husband  is  extravagant. 
The  rather  =  The  more  so  ;  especially,  (c) 

I  have  decided  to  send  my  son  to  the  High  School, 


248  IDIOMATIC    PHRASES. 

the  rather  that  my  friend  proposes  to  send  his  son 
there  =  I  have  decided  to  send  my  son  to  the  High 
School,  especially  for  the  reason  that  my  friend  pro- 
poses to  send  his  son  there. 
Tlie  republic  of  letters  ==  The  collective  body  of 
literary  or  learned  men.  (c) 
Shakspeare  stands  unequaled  as  a   dramatist,  in 
the   republic  of  letters  —  Shakspeare  stands  unequaled 
as  a  dramatist,  in  the  company  of  the  world's  liter- 
ary men. 
Thereby  bang^s  a  tale  =  A  story  or  an  incident  is 
closely  connected  with  that,  (a) 
You  noticed  the  stone  pillar  at  the  corner  of  the 
road;  thereby  hangs  a  ^a?e  =  You  noticed  a  stone  pil- 
lar at  the  corner  of  the  road  ;  there  is  a  story  closely 
connected  with  that. 
The  risings  generation  =  The  class  growing  up  to 
maturity  and  active  life,  (a) 
The  education  of  the  rising  generation  is  a  matter 
of  great  importance  =  The  education   of    the  class 
which  is  growing  up  to  maturity  is  a  matter  of  great 
importance. 
The  sport  of,  to  be=:To  be  the  plaything  of;  to 
be  subject  to ;  to  be  at  the  mercy  of.  (c) 
During  the  storm   the  ship  was  the  sport  of  the 
waves  =  In  the  storm  the  ship  was  tossed  by  the 
waves,  like  a  plaything.     From  his  boyhood,  Mr.  C. 
has  been  the  spor^o/"  adversity  =  From  his  boyhood, 
Mr.  C.  has  been  subject  to  disappointment  and  ill- 
fortune. 
The  staff  of  life  =  Any  article  much  used  for  food 
or  drink,  and  thus  very  serviceable  in  sustaining 
the  body,  (a) 
Bread  is  the  staff  of  life  for  most  persons  =  Bread  is 
much  used,  and  very  necessary  to  most  persons  as 
an  article  of  food. 
The  thin  end  of  the  wedge — This  expression  is 
used  when  some  slight  advantage  is  gained,  which 
will  prepare  the  way  for  yet  more  advantage  and 
success,  (e) 
The  giving  to  women  the  privilege  of  voting  at 
school-meetings,  is  said  to  be  the  thin  end  of  the  ivedge 
of  female  suffrage  —  This  voting  by  women  at  school- 
meetings  is  thought  to  be  but  the  beginning  of  wo- 
man's voting  at  all  elections. 
Think  much  of,  to  =  To  hold  in  high  estimation ; 
to  esteem,  (a) 
I  do  not  think  much  of  their  communistic  princi- 
ples =  I  do  not  hold  their  communistic  principles  in 


IDIOMATIC     PHRASES.  249 

high  esteem.     He  things  much  of  this  boy  =  He  has  a 
high  opinion  of  this  boy. 
Think  scorn,  to  =  To  despise ;   to  regard  as  worthy 
of  scorn,  (c) 

^'  He  thought  scorn  to  lay  hands  on  Mr.  A.  alone  " 
=  He  thought  it  too  small  a  matter  to  destroy  Mr. 
A.  alone  ;  he  regarded  it  as  worthy  of  scorn. 
This  day  week  (or  fortnight)  =  A  week  (or  fort- 
night) from  to-day.  (a) 
This  day  fortnight^  the  merchant  will  be  in  Paris  = 
A  fortnight  from   to-day  the  merchant  will   be  in 
Paris. 
Thorn  in  the  §ide=  Anything  troublesome  ;  an  an- 
noyance ;  a  vexation ;  a  care,  (a) 
He  is  a  thorn  in  my  side,  by  reason  of  his  gossipy 
habit  ==  He  is  an  annoyance  to  me  because  he  is  a 
gossip.     The  thought  of  his  failure  in  business  will 
be  a  thorn  in  his  side  =  The  thought  of  his  failure  in 
business  will  continually  cause  him  pain. 
Througrh  thick  and  thin  =  Through  whatever  may 
^  be  in  the  way  ;  through  all  obstacles,  {b) 

He  came  through  thick  and  thin,  in  order  to  reach 
home  in  time  for  the  weddings  He  overcame  many 
hindrances,  in  reaching  home  in  time  for  the  wed- 
ding.    He  went  through  thick  and  thin,  in  obtaining 
an  education  =  He  encountered  many  obstacles   in 
obtaining  an  education. 
Throi»r  in,  to=To  add  something   to  the  regular 
payment;  to  add  without  enumeration  or   valua- 
tion, (rt) 
His  salary  is  six  hundred  dollars  a  year,  with  his 
board  thrown  in  =  llis  salary  is  six  hundred  dollars  a 
year,  and  to  this  his  board  is  added. 
Throvr  into  the  shade,  to  =  To  surpass  ;  to  excel ; 
to  be  superior  to.  (a) 
This  book  throws  the  other  into  the  shade  =  This 
book  is  superior  to  the  other.     He  throws  me  all  into 
the  shade  in  writings  He  greatly  surpasses  me  in  pen- 
manship.    His  former  success  in  business  is  thrown 
into  the  shade  by  the  last  —  His  former  success  in  bus- 
iness is  niade  to   appear  small,  by  comparison  with 
his  last  success. 
Throw  off,  to  =  l.  To  expel;  to  clear  from,  (a)     2. 
•To  discard,  (a) 

1.  The  sick  man  has  not  vigor  enough  to  throw  off 
the  disease  of  his  lungs  =  The  sick  man  has  not 
vigor  enough  to  expel  his  disease  of  the  lungs.  2. 
The  intemperate  man  has  at  last  thrown  off  all  sense 
of  shame  =  The  intemperate  man  has  become  indif- 
ferent to   shame ;  he  has   discarded  the   sense   of 


250  IDIOMATIC    PHRASES. 

shame.     2.  Tliat  young  man  throws  off  responsibil- 
ity easily  =  That  young  man  readily  discards  respon- 
sibility. 
Throw  off  the    mask,   to  =  To   remove  whatever 
disguises  or  conceals ;  to  disclose,  (c) 
Before  his  election,  Mr.  B.  professed  to  be  in  favor 
of  the  tariff;   but  afterward  he  threw  off  the  mask, 
and  showed  himself  opposed  to  the  tariffs  Before 
his  election,  Mr.  B.  professed  to  be  in  favor  of  the 
tariff;  but  after  election  he  removed  the  disguise, 
and  showed  liimself  opposed  to  the  tariff. 
Throw  out,  to  =  1.  To  reject ;  to  discard  ;  to  expel. 
(a)     2,  To  give  utterance  to  ;  to  speak,  (a) 
1.  The  bill  to  regulate  import  duties  on  tea  was 
thrown  out  by  Congress  =  The  bill  to  regulate  import 
duties  on  tea  was  rejected  by  Congress.     2.  He  threw 
out  such  insinuations  against  his  neighbor's  charac- 
ter =  He  gave  utterance  to  such  insinuations  against 
his  neighbor's  character. 
Throw  out  a  feeler,  to=:To  say  or  do  something, 
in  order  to  ascertain  the  views  of  others,  (c) 
In  his  editorial,  the  editor  threw  out  a  feeler  con- 
cerning the  renomination  of  the  president  —  In  his 
editorial  the  editor  said  something  regarding  the  re- 
nomination  of  the  president,  in  order  to  ascertain 
the  views  of  others. 
Throw  overboard,  to  =  To  reject ;  to  dismiss ;  to 
discard,  (a) 
The   company   has    thrown    him   overboard— 11\\q 
company  has  dismissed  him  (from  being  an  officer). 
If  you  are  going  into  business  with  these  men,  you 
must  throw  overboard  your  honesty  =  If  you  are  to 
engage  in  business  with  these  men,  you  must  dis- 
card your  honesty. 
Throw  up,  tor=l.  To  resign;    to  give  up.  {a)     2. 
To  vomit  from  the  stomach,  (a) 
1.  Colonel  Smith  has  thrown  up  his  commission  = 
Colonel  Smith  has  resigned  his  office  as  colonel.     2. 
When  he  was  seasick,  he  threw  up  nothing  but  bile  = 
"When   he  was  seasick,  nothing   but  bile  was  dis- 
charged from  his  stomach. 
Thrust  one's  nose  into,  to  =  To  intermeddle  ;  to 
interfere  in  a  meddlesome  manner,  (c) 
He  thrust  his  nose  into  our  affairs,  by  impertinent 
inquiries  concerning  the  arrangements  for  my  daugh- 
ter's marriage  =  He  intermeddled  in  our  affairs,  by 
impertinent  inquiries  concerning  the  arrangements 
for  my  daughter's  wedding. 
Tickle  the  palm,  to  =  To  put  money  in  the  hand 
as  a  compensation  or  bribe.  (6) 


IDIOMATIC    PHKASES.  251 

The  farmer  did  not  wish  to  sell  his  fine  colt,  but 
when  the  horse  dealer  iichled  his  palm  with  a  few 
hundred  dollars,  he  consented  =  The  farmer  did  not 
wish  to  sell  his  fine  colt,  but  when  the  horse  dealer 
put  a  few  hundred  dollars  in  his  hand,  he  consented. 
Tie  tlie  liand§,  to  =  To  lay  under  restraint,  (a) 
My  hands  are  tied  by  a  foolish  promise  =  I  can  not 
do  any  thing  because  of  my  foolisli  promise.     The 
man  has  tied  his  hands,  by  giving  all  his  property  to 
his  children  =  The  man  has  laid  himself  under  re- 
straint, by  giving  all  his  property  to  his  children. 
Time  is  up,   tlie  =  The    allotted   time  has  just  ex- 
pired ;  the  appointed  time  has  come,  (a) 
The  time  is  up,  and  we  must  go  =  The  time  for  our 
stay  is  passed,  and  we  must  go.     The  steamer  will 
sail,  as  soon  as  the  time  is  up  =T\ie  steamer  will  sail 
as  soon  as  the  time  comes  which  was  set  for  her  de- 
parture.    I  will  call  you  when  the  time  is  up  =  \  will 
call  you  when  the  time  comes  for  you  to  go. 
Time  of  day  =  Salutation  appropriate  to  the  times 
of  day — as,  good  morning,  good  evening,  and  the 
like ;  greeting,  (c) 
I  met  your  brother  on  the  street,  but  we  were 
both  in  haste,  and  we  simply  passed  the  time  of  day 
=  I  met  your  brotlier  on  the  street,  but  we  simply 
exchanged  salutations,  being  both  in  haste. 
Time  on  one'§  hands  =  Unemployed  time,  (a) 
The  carpenter  had  some  time  on  his  hands,  and 
made  a  house  for  his  fowls  =  The  carpenter  had  some 
unemployed  time,  and  built  a  house  for  his  fowls. 
Time  immemorial = Longer   than   is   remembered. 

{c) 
The  A.  family  and  their  ancestors  have  owned  the 
house  on  the  corner,  time  immemorial=ThG  A.  fam- 
ily and  their  ancestors  have  ovnied  the  house  on  the 
corner,  a  longer  time  than  is  remembered. 
Time  out  of  mind  =  Longer  than  can  be   remem- 
bered ;  time  immemorial ;  to  which  memory  does 
not  extend,  (a) 

In  some  New  England  towns,  the  ringing  of  the 
church  bell  at  9  o'clock  p.  m.,  has  been  the  custom, 
tim^  out  of  Tnind =ln  some  ISTew  England  towns  the 
ringing  of  the  bell  at  9  p.  m.,  has  been  customary, 
longer  than  can  be  remembered. 
Time  was  =z  There  was  a  time,  (c) 

Time  was,  when  it  was  customary  in  New  Eng- 
land to  have  ardent  spirits  on  funeral  occasions  = 
There  was  a  time  when  it  was  customary  in  New 
England  to  have  ardent  spirits  on  funeral  occasions. 
Tit  for  tat  =  An  equivalent,  (a) 


252  IDIOMATIC    PHRASES. 

He  used  my  wagon  without  leave,  and  I  gave  him 
tit  for  tat  by  using  his  horse  without  leave  —  He  used 
my  wagon  without  asking  permission,  and  I  gave 
him  an  equivalent  by  using  his  horse  without  ask- 
ing permission. 
To  a  certain  extent  =  In  a  limited  degree  ;  in  part ; 
somewhat,  [a) 

By  the  hard  times,  his  income  is  reduced,  to  a  cer- 
tain extent  — Hvs,  income  is  reduced  by  the  hard  times, 
in  a  limited  degree.     I  admit  that  you  are  right,  to 
a  certain  extent  =  I  admit  that  you  are  right  in  part. 
To  a  degree  =  To  an  extreme  ;  exceedingly,  (c) 

The  school  mistress  is  precise,  to  a  degree,  in  her 
manners = The  school  mistress  is  exceedingly  precise 
in  her  manners.     Miss  B.    is   serious,  to  a  degrees 
Miss  B.  has  an  exceedingly  grave  disposition. 
To  a  hair  =  With  the  nicest  discrimination,  (c) 

In  the  new  play,  the  writer  has  hit  off  the  charac- 
ter of  a  miser,  to  a  hair— In  the  new  play,  the  writer 
has  set  forth  the  characteristic  points  of   a  miser 
with  the  nicest  discrimination. 
To  a  large  extents  In  a  great   degree;  consider- 
ably, (a) 

It  is  to  be  feared  that  the  reports  of  the  losses  by 
the  storm  are  true,  to  a  large  extent =\t  is  to  be  feared 
that  the  reports  of  the  losses  by  the  storm  are,  in  a 
great  degree,  true. 
To  a  man  =  All  without  exception;  every  one.  (a) 

The  whole  regiment,  to  a  man,  was  engaged  in 
the  battle  ==  Every  man  in  the  regiment,  without  ex- 
ception, was  engaged  in  the  battle.  The  citizens, 
to  a  man,  were  in  favor  of  the  new  post-route = The 
citizens  were  universally  in  favor  of  the  new  post- 
route.  They  are  good  and  loyal,  to  a  maw = They 
are  good  and  loyal,  every  man  of  them.  When  the 
wages  were  cut  down,  we  left  off  work,  to  a  'man  — 
When  the  wages  were  cut  down,  we  all  left  off 
work,  every  man^  of  us.  I  want  you  to  stand  by 
me,  to  a  man  —  \  want  you  to  support  me,  every  one 
of  you. 
To  and  fro  ==  Backward  and  forward,  (a) 

The  pendulum  of  the  clock  swings  to  and  fro = 
The  pendulum  of  the  clock  swings  one  way  and  then 
the  other.  The  mail  wagons  carry  the  mail  bags  to 
anc?yro  between  the  depot  and  the  post-office  =  The 
mail  wagons  carry  the  mail  bags  back  and  forth,  be- 
tween the  depot  and  the  post-office. 
"  To  a  nicety  =  Accurately  ;  exactly. 

The  dress  fitted  her  to  a  nicety  =  The  dress  fitted 
her  accurately. 


IDIOMATIC     PHRASES.  253 

To  a  turn  =  Exactly  ;  perfectly,  (b) 

This  roast  pig  is  done  to  a  turn  =  This  roast  pig  is 
perfectly  cooked. 
To  be  §ure   or    Be  §ure  =  Of   course ;    certainly  ; 
without  doubt,  (a) 

Do  two  and  two  make  four  ?     To  be  sure  they  do 
=  Do  two  and  two  make  four  ?     Certainly  they  do. 
Shall  you  go?     To  be  sure  I  shall  =  Shall  you  go? 
Certainly  I  shall. 
To  blame  =  To  be  blamed  ;  blamable.  (a) 

He  is  to  bhme,  for  setting  the  children  such  an  ex- 
ample =  He  is  blamable,  for  setting  the  children  such 
an  example. 
To  boot  =  Over  and  above;  what  is  given  to  make 
exchange  equal,  (a) 
I  will  give  you  my  horse  in  exchange  for  yours, 
and  fifty  dollars  to  boot  =  I  will  exchange  horses  with 
you,  and  give  you  fifty  dollars  besides  my  horse. 
To  make  a  long^  §tory  §taort  =  In  a  few  words ; 
summarily  ;  briefly,  (b) 
The  girl  whose  parents  died  in  her  infancy  was 
taken  to  an  orphan  asylum,  then  placed  in  Mr.  A's 
family,  left  them  in  a  few   years,  taught   school  a 
year,  and,  to  make  a  long  story  short,  at  last  married  a 
wealthy  man  and  now  lives  in  one  of  the  finest  houses 
in  the  city  =  The  girl  whose  parents  died  in  her  in- 
fancy was  taken  to  an  orphan  asylum,  then  placed 
in  Mr.  A's  family,  left  them  in  a  few  years,  taught 
school  a  year,  and,  in  a  few  words,  married  a  wealthy 
man  and  now  lives  in  one  of  the  finest  houses  in  the 
city. 
Tone  do^vwn,  to=l.  (Paint)  To  bring  the  colors  of 
into  harmonious  relation  as  to  light  and  shade.(a) 
2.  To  moderate  ;  to  diminish  the  striking  charac- 
teristics of ;  to  soften,  (b) 
1.  A  certain  painter  first  colors   his   landscapes 
with  great   richness,  and   subsequently  tones  them 
down  =  A  certain  painter  at  first  gives  to  his  pictures 
great  richness  of  color,  and  subsequently  brings  the 
colors   into   harmonious   relation,   as   to   light   and 
shade.     2.  The  heat  and  bitterness  of  political  strife 
have  been  toned  down  by  the  judicious  conduct  of 
the  President  =  The  heat  and  bitterness  of  political 
strife  have  been  moderated  by  the  judicious  conduct 
of  the  President. 
To  no  purpose  =  Unsuccessfully  ;    unavailingly.  (b) 
I  advised  him,  but  to  no  purpose,  to  leave  the  city 
during  the  hot  weather  =  I  advised  him  to  leave  the 
cit}^  during  the  hot   weather,  but   to   no   purpose 
(without  avail).     The  physician  administered  medi- 


254  IDIOMATIC    PHRASES. 

cine  to  the  sick  child  to  no  purpose^  The  physician 
gave  medicine  to  the  sick  child  without  success. 
To  one'§  face  ==  Directly  to  one.  {a) 

•I  withstood  him  to  his  face,  for  he   was   to   be 
blamed  =  I  made  direct  opposition  to  his  opinions, 
because  he  was  blameworthy. 
To   one's  heart's   content  =  To  one's  entire  satis- 
faction, (a) 
Eat  to  your  hearfs  content  =  ^a,t  as  much  as  you 
wish.     Mrs.   O.  is  very  fond  of  having  company  ; 
and  in  her  new  house  can  entertain  visitors  to  her 
hearfs  content  =  MrQ.   O.   greatly   enjoys   company  ; 
and  in  her  new  house  can  entertain  visitors  to  her 
entire  satisfaction. 
To    one'§    knowledge  =  To   the    extent    of     one's 
knowledge,  (used  in  negative  expressions),  (a) 
There  has  not,  to  my  knowledge,  been  a  case   of 
small-pox  in  Hartford,  for  many  years  =  There  has 
not,  so  far  as  I  know,  been  a  case  of  small-pox  in 
Hartford,  for  some  years. 
To  one's  mind  =  According  to  one's  satisfaction,  or 
wish,  or  idea,  (a) 
I  will  arrange  the  business  to  my  mind,  before  I 
stop  =  I  will  arrange  the  business  as  I  wish  to  have 
it,  before  I  stop.     Is  this  work  done  to  your  mind? 
=  Are  you  satisfied  with  this  work  ?     Please  arrange 
it  to  your  own  mind  =  Please  arrange  it  as  you  want 
it. 
Tooth  and  nail  =  Biting  and  scratching  ;  with  all 
one's  powers  ;  by  every  possible  means,  (c) 
The  newspaper  fought  the  land-bill  before  con- 
gress, tooth  and  nail  =  The  newspaper  opposed  the 
land-bill  that  was  before  congress,  by  every  possible 
means. 
To  pieces  =  Into  fragments  or  parts ;  into  a  ruined 
condition,  (a) 
A   ship   was   dashed   to  pieces  on   the  rocks  =  A 
ship  was  broken  into  fragments  on  the  rocks.     The 
carriage  was  so  old,  that  one  day  it  fell  to  pieces  in 
the  carriage  house  =  The  carriage  was  so  old,  that 
one  day  it  fell  apart,  into  a  ruined  condition,  in  the 
carriage  house. 
Top  oflT,  to  =  To  complete  by  putting  on  or  finishing 
the  top  ;  to  finish,  (c) 
Have  you  topped  off  the  stack  of  wheat  ?  =  Have 
you  finished  the  stack  of  wheat  at  the  top  ? 
Toss  up,  toz=To  throw  a  coin  into   the   air,  and 
wager  on  which  side  it  will  fall,  (a) 
The  two  men  agreed  to  decide  the  matter  by  toss- 
ing up  =  Th.e  two  men  agreed  to  decide  the  matter 


x 


IDIOMATIC    PHRASES.  255 

bj  throwing  a  coin  up,  and  seeing  on  which  side  it 
would  fall. 
To  §eek= Wanted;  needed;  lacking;  a  desideratum 
(something  greatly  to  be  desired),  (c) 
A  cheap  method  of  warming  buildings  is  yet  to 
seek  =  A  cheap  method  of  w^arming  buildings  is  yet 
lacking.     The  answer  to  this  question  is  not  far  to 
5ee^=:Tlie  answer  to  this  question  need  not  be  sought 
far  oif ;  ^.  e.  it  is  near  at  hand.     A  method  of  apply- 
ing the  electric  light  to  the  illumination  of  houses  is 
yet  to  seek  —  A  method  of  using  the  electric  light  for 
lighting  houses  generally  is  yet  a  desideratum,  or  a 
thing  much  desired. 
To  §oine  purpose  =  With  effect ;  successfully,  (h)    ^ 
The  new  citizen  strove,  and  to  some  purpose^  to 
gain  the  respect  and  confidence  of  the  community 
=  The  new  citizen  strove,  and  successfully,  to  gain 
the  respect  and  confidence  of  the  community.     The 
politician  talked  to  some  purpose  ;  for  he  gained  fifty 
votes  =  The   politician    talked    effectively;    for    he 
secured  fifty  votes. 
To  that  effects  To  that  purpose,  or  general  extent ; 
meaning  the  same,  (a) 
I  am  going  to  New  York  to-day,  and  have  written 
him  to  that  effect =\  am  going  to  New  York  to-day, 
and  have  written  him  so.     He  said  he  was  very 
angry,  or  words  to  that  effect  —  He  said  he  was  very 
angry,  or  used  words  which  meant   that.     When 
you  are  ready  to  come  to  Hartford,  please  write  me 
to  that  e^ec^  =  When  you  are  ready  to  come  to  Hart- 
ford please  write  to  me,  telling  me  so.     What  he 
said  in  his  conversation  with  Mr.  A.  was  to  that  effect 
=  What  he  said  in  his  conversation  with  Mr.  A.  had 
that  meaning. 
To  tlie  amount— Denoting  the  extent,  or  limit  of 
the  given  amount,  (a) 
Housekeeping  has  diminished  my  expenses,  to  the 
amount  of  three  hundred  and  ten  dollars  this  year=i 
My  expenses  are  less,  by  three  hundred  and  ten  dol- 
lars, because  I  am  keeping  house  instead  of  board- 
ing, this  year. 
To  the  best  of  one's  hnoivledge  =  Within  one's 
knowledge  ;  so  far  as  one  knows,  (a) 
To  the  best  of  my  knowledge,  there  is  no  cure  for 
this  disease  =  80  far  as  I  know,  there  is  no  cure  for 
this  disease. 
To  the  contrary  =  To  an  opposite  purpose  or  fact ; 
with  an  opposite  tendency,  {b) 
If  the  children  of  that  family  go  astray,  it  will 
not  be  for  the  want  of  instruction  to  the  contrary  = 


256  IDIOMATIC    PHRASES. 

If  the  children  of  that  family  go  astray,  it  will  not 
be  for  the  want  of  instruction,  whose  purpose  and 
tendency  were  quite  opposite  to  such  a  result.     My 
pupil  thought  the  earth  was  flat,  but  I  taught  him  to 
the  contrary  =Mjj  pupil  thought  the  earth  was  flat, 
but  I  taught  him  tlie  opposite. 
To  the  face  =  In  the  presence  of;  not  in  the  absence 
of.  (a) 
He  disobeyed   the   teacher   to  his  /ace  =  He   was 
guilty  of  disobedience  in  the  presence  of  the  teacher. 
To  the  life  =  So  as  closely  to  resemble  the  living 
person  or  original,  (a) 
The  portrait  was  drawn  to  the  life=T\\Q  portrait 
was  drawn  so  as  closely  to  resemble  the  original. 
Rosa  Bonheur  paints  animals  to  the  Z^^Rosa  Bon- 
heur  paints  animals  with  a  life-like  accuracy. 
To  the  full  =  Wholly  ;  entirely  ;  sufficiently,  (h) 
My  business  is  very  good,  and  my  time  is  occupied 
to  the  fuU=Mj  business  is  very  good  and  my  time  is 
wliolly  occupied.     At  my  friend's,  where  I  visited, 
grapes  were  abundant ;  and  I  ate  to  the  full  =  At  my 
friend's,  where  I  visited,  grapes  were  abundant ;  and 
I  ate  sufficient  to  satisfy  me. 
To  the  letter  =  Strictly ;  exactly ;  with  no  variation. 

(«) 

Military  orders  must  be  obeyed  to  the  ?e/^er  =  Mil- 
itary orders  must  be  obeyed  with  exactness.  In 
Hong  Kong  the  law  against  gambling  is  enforced  to 
the  letter  =  ln  Hong  Kong  the  law  against  gambling 
is  strictly  and  vigorously  enforced. 
To  the  minute  =  Accurately  prompt ;  on  time  pre- 
cisely. 

Washington  w^as  noted  for  keeping  his  appoint- 
ments, to  the  mmwte  =  Washington  was  noted  for 
being  accurately  prompt  in  keeping  his  appoint- 
ments. I  will  be  there  at  nine,  to  the  minute  — 1  will 
be  there  at  nine  exactly.  Call  me  in  a  half-hour,  to 
the  minute  =  Q2iM  me  in  a  half-hour,  and  not  a  minute 
earlier  or  later.  You  are  on  hand,  to  the  minute  = 
You  have  come  just  at  the  appointed  time. 
To  the  purpo§e  =  Pertinent ;  appropriate;  adapted 
to  the  end  proposed ;   efifectual.  (a) 

In  the  town  meeting  Mr.  B.  spoke  to  the  purpose^ 
in  advocating  the  raising  of  more  money  to  support 
the  public  schools  =  In  the  town  meeting  Mr.  B. 
spoke  appropriately  and  effectively,  in  favor  of  rais- 
ing a  larger  sum  of  money  for  the  support  of  the 
public  schools.  This  book  is  just  to  the  purpose^ 
This  book  is  exactly  what  I  want. 


IDIOMATIC     PHRASES.  257 

To  the  teeth  =  Directly  to  one's  face ;  in  open  op- 
position, (c) 
I  will  tell  him,  to  the  teeth^  that  he  deceived  me  in 
regard  to  the  horse  he  sold  me  =  I  will  tell  him, 
directly  to  his  face,  that  he  deceived  me  in  regard  to 
the  horse  he  sold  me. 
Touch  and  go,  to  {N'aut.)  =  To  touch  bottom,  as  a 
ship  in  sailing,  with  much  decrease  of  speed. 
The  passengers  lost  heart,  when  they  saw  the  ship 
touch  and  go  =  The  passengers  lost  heart  when  they 
saw  the  ship  touch  bottom  and  go  more  slowly. 
Touch  at,  to  =  To  stop  at  while  passing  by  water ; 
to  come  or  go  to  without  tarrying,  (a) 
The  P.  M.  S.  S.  Co.  steamers,  which  ply  between 
China  and  San  Francisco,  touch  at  Yokohama  =  The 
P.  M.  S.  S.  Co.  steamers,  which  ply  between  China 
and  San  Francisco,  stop  at  Yokohama. 
Touch  on  or  upon,  to  =  To  treat  any  thing  slight- 
ly in  discourse,  (c) 
The  speaker  merely  touched  on  personal  matters, 
but  dwelt  long  upon  the  principles  of  his  party  = 
The  speaker  treated  personal  matters  slightly,  but 
spoke  at  length  upon  the  principles  of  his  party. 
Tourer  of  strength,  a  =  A  protection  ;  a  defender  i 
a  person  greatly  serviceable,  (a) 
Mr.  C.  is  a  tower  of  strength  to  his  party  =  Mr.  C. 
is  greatly  serviceable  to  his  party. 
To  \rit  =  Namely  ;  that  is  to  say.  (a) 

Some  animals  are  venomous  :  to  wit,  the  scorpion 
and  the  rattlesnake  =  Some  animals  are   venomous; 
to  particularize — the  scorpion  and  the  rattlesnake. 
Trace  back,  to  =  To  follow  by  backward  steps,  (a) 
The  man  traced  back  his   ancestry  by  name   for 
several  generations  =  The  man  followed  his  ancestry 
back  for  several  generations  by  their  names. 
Train  up,  to=To  rear;  to  bring  up;  to  educate; 
to  teach,  (a) 
"  Train  up  a  child  in  the  way  he  should  go,  and 
when  he  is  old  he  will  not  depart  from  it  "  =  Bring 
up,  or  teach  a  child  in  the  way  he  should  go,  and 
when  he  is  old  he  will  not  depart  from  it. 
Travel   po§t,   to  =  To   travel  rapidly,  by  frequent 
changes  of  horses,  (a) 
It  was  formerly  common  in  England  to  travel  post, 
but  now  it  is  rarely  practiced  =  It  was  formerly  com- 
mon in  England  to  travel  by  frequent  changes  of 
horses,  but  now  it  is  rarely  practiced. 
Tread  clo§e  upon,  to  =  To  follow  closely ;  to  suc- 
ceed quickly,  {b) 
The  loss  of  health  treads  close  upon  dissipation  = 
18 


268  IDIOMATIC    PHRASES. 

The  loss  of  health  closely  follows  dissipation.     The 
death  of  his  wife  trod  close  upon  his  failure  in  busi- 
ness =  The  death  of  his  wife  quickly  succeeded  his 
-     failure  in  business. 
Tread  on  the  heels  of,  to  =  To  follow  close  upon. 

(«) 

In  that  family  one  calamity  treads  on  the  heeh  of 

another  =  In  that  family  one  calamity  follows  another 

very  quickly.     Famine  and  pestilence  often  tread  on 

the  heels  of  war  =  Famine  and  pestilence  often  follow 

V      war  closely. 

NOTread  out,  to  =  To  press  or  beat  out  with  •the  feet,  (c) 
In  some  countries  they  tread  out  wheat  with  cattle 
=:In  some  countries  wheat  is  threshed  by  the  feet 
of  cattle. 
Treat  with,  to  =  To  negotiate  with  ;  to  make  and 
receive  proposals  with,  for  adjusting  differences,  (a) 
Daniel  Webster  was  appointed,  about  1840,  to 
treat  with  the  British  ambassador  about  the  North- 
eastern boundary^ Daniel  Webster  was  appointed 
to  act  with  the  British  ambassador  in  adjusting  the 
North-eastern  boundary,  about  1840. 
Tremble  in  the  balance,  to  =  To  be  undecided, 
uncertain  ;  to  be  in  a  position  where  a  small  thing 
may  decide  the  issue  one  way  or  another,  (c) 
During  the  trial  the  fate  of  the  murderer  trembles 
'  in  the  balance  =  During  the  trial  the  fate  of  the  mur- 
derer is  uncertain,  and  may  be  decided  one  way  or 
y       the  other  by  a  very  small  matter. 
X  Trench  upon,  to  =  To  encroach;  to  enter  on,  and 
take  possession  of,  that  which  belongs  to  another  ; 
to  invade,  (a) 
You  trench  upon  my  rights  by  driving  across  my 
field  =  You  invade  my  rights  by  driving  across  my 
field. 
TricR  <>ut,  to  =  To  dress  gaily ;  to  adorn  fantasti- 
cally.  (6) 
The  N.  A.  Indians  delight  to  tncJc  themselves  out 
in  beads,  feathers,  brass  ornaments  and  bright  cloth- 
ings The  N.  A.  Indians  delight  to  adorn  themselves 
fantastically  with  beads,  feathers,  brass  ornaments 
and  gay  clothing. 
Trifle  with,  to  =  l.  To  treat  in  a  trifling  manner; 
to  treat  without  respect  or  seriousness,  (a)     2.  To 
disregard  wantonly  or  neglect.  («) 
1.  The  criminal  who  was  hanged  trifled  with  his 
situation,  even  on  the  scaffold  =  The  criminal  who 
was  hanged  was  trifling  and  gay,  even  on  the  scaf- 
fold.    2.  Do   not   trifle  with  your  health  =  Do  not 
wantonly  neglect  your  health. 


IDIOMATIC    PHRASES.  259 

Trouble  one's  self  or  one's  head  about,  to  =  To 

be  solicitous  for ;  to  be  annoyed,  perplexed,  or  dis- 
tressed by.  (b) 
He  does  not  trouble  himself  about  his  personal  ap- 
pearance =  He  is  not  solicitous  as  to  his  dress  and 
the  like.     He  does  not  trouble  his  head  about  politics 
=  He  is  not  specially  interested  in  political  matters 
or  anxious  concerning  them. 
True  to  one's  self  =  Acting  in  accordance  with  a 
high   character  or  with  one's  best  interests ;  faith- 
ful to  one's  self,  (b) 
The  scholar  who  fails  to  improve  his  time  and  his 
opportunities  is  not  t^^ue  to  hi7nself =:The  scholar  who 
fails  to  improve  his  time  and  opportunities  is  not 
acting  in  accordance  with  his  best  interests. 
Trump  up,  to  =z  To  devise ;  to  collect  with  unfair- 
ness ;  to  fabricate,  (a) 
The    accusation   against  him   was   a   trumped-up 
charge = The  accusation  against  him  was  falsely  de- 
vised. 
Trust  to,  to  =  To  rely  upon ;  to  depend  upon,  (a) 
He  trusted  to  his  strong  constitution  for  recovery 
from  his  illness = In  his  illness,  he  relied  upon  his 
strong  constitution  for  recovery.     The  thief  trusted 
to  his  legs,  to  escape  from  the  policeman  =  The  thief 
depended  upon  his  power  of  running,  for  escape 
from  the  policeman. 
Trust  to  a  broken  reed,  to  =  To  expect  vainly ;  to 
rely  upon  that  which  is  weak  or  deceptive,  (c) 
The  farmer  trusted  to  a  broken  reed^  when  he  relied 
on  Mr.  C.  to  help  him  in  harvesting  =  The  farmer 
indulged  vain  expectation,  when  he  relied  on  Mr.  C. 
to  help  him  in  harvesting. 
Try  on,  to  =  To  put  on,  as  a  garment,  to  ascertain 
whether  it  fits  the  person,  (a) 
She  has  gone  to  the  dress-maker's,  to  try  on  her 
new  dress  =  She  has  gone  to  let  the  dress-maker  see 
whether  the  new  dress  fits  her. 
Try  one's    hand,  to  =  To  attempt — usually   some- 
thing unfamiliar,  (a) 

Seeing  you  can  not  do  it,  I  will  try  my  hand  at  it 
=  Seeing  you  can  not  do  it,  I  will  try  if  I  can  do  it. 
He  tried  his  hand  at  writing  poetry  =  He  tried  to 
write  poetry.  Did  you  ever  try  your  hand  at  por- 
trait painting ?  =  Did  you  ever  try  to  paint  portraits? 
Try  the  eyes,  to  —  To  use  the  eyes  in  a  bad  light  or 
on  a  difficult  work ;  to  over  exert  them  ;  to  strain. 

To  read  at  twilight  is  very  trying  to  the  eyes  =  To 
read  at  twilight  hurts  the  eyes  by  straining  them. 


260  IDIOMATIC    PHRASES. 

Turn,  to  =  l.  To  become  acid;  to   sour,  (a)     2.  To 
change  direction,  (a) 
1.  The  thunder  has  turned  the  milk  =  The  milk 
has  become  acid  in  consequence  of  the  thunder.     2. 
We  can  bathe  soon,  for  the  tide  has  turned^  and  is 
coming   in  =  We  can  bathe  soon,  for   the   tide  has 
changed  its  direction,  and  is  coming  m. 
Turn   a  cat  In  the  pan,   to  =  To  make  a  sudden 
change  of  one's  party  in  politics  or  religion,  for  the 
sake  of  being  in  the  ascendant,  (c) 
He  turned  cat-in-the-pan^  for  the  sake  of  obtaining 
an  office  =  He  suddenly  changed  his  party,  for  the 
sake  of  obtaining  an  office. 
Turn  a  deaf  ear  to,  to  =  To  refuse  to  hear ;  to  be 
inattentive  and  indifferent  to.  (a) 
The  miser  turned  a   deaf  ear  to  the   request  for 
money  to  aid  the  hospital  =  The  miser  rejected  the 
request  for  money  to  aid  the  hospital.     Do  not  turn 
a  deaf  ear  to  the  cry  of  the  needy  for  assistance  — 
Do  not  be  inattentive  and  indifferent  to  the  cry  of 
the  needy  for  assistance. 
Turn  adrift,  to  =  To  set  floating  at  random  ;  to  send 
away  to  take  one's  chances,  (a) 
The  pirates  sunk  the  vessel,  and  turned  the  sailors 
adrft  in  a  small  boat  —  The  pirates  sunk  the  vessel, 
and   set  the  sailors  floating  at  random  in  a  small 
boat.     When  the  hired  man's  term  of  service  had 
expired,  the  farmer    turned  him   adrift— Whan  the 
hired  man's  term  of  service  had  expired,  the  farmer 
sent  him  forth  to  take  his  chances.     His   parents 
died,  and  he  was  ^?/?'nec?  ac?n^  =  His  parents  died,  and 
he  w^as  left  to  take  care  of  himself. 
Turn  a  penny,  to  =  To  make  a  small  profit,   or  a 
small  sum  of  money,  (a) 
I  can  turn  a  penny  in  my   leisure  time,   raising 
small  fruits  =  I  can  make  a  small  amount  of  money 
in  my  leisure,  by  raising  small  fruits. 
Turn  away,  to  =  i.  To  dismiss  from  service,  (a)     2. 
To  avert,  (a) 
1.  His  two  servants  were  turned  away  yesterday  = 
His  two  servants  were  dismissed  from  service  yes- 
terday.    2,  The  wrath  of  the  king  w^as  turned  aivay  ^- 
by  their  gifts  =  The  wrath  of  the  king  was  averted 
by  their  gifts. 
Turning  point  =  The  point  of  change ;  the  critical 
point ;  the  point  upon  which  a  question  turns,  (a) 
Last  night  was  the  turning  point  with  the  man 
who  is  ill  of  fever  =  Last  night  was  the  critical  time 
for  the  man  who  is  ill  of  fever.     His  marriage  was 
the  turning  point  in  his  life  =  His  marriage  was  the 


i 


IDIOMATIC    PHRASES.  261 

event-  upon  which  the  question  of  his  future  pros- 
pects turned,  and  wliich  decided  the  character  of  his 
future  life.  His  appointment  to  this  office  was  the 
turning  point  in  his  career  =  When  he  was  appointed 
to  this  office,  it  made  him  change  the  whole  com-se 
of  his  conduct. 
Turn  into,  to  =  To  change  to  ;  to  transform  into,  {a) 
The  caterpillar  turns  into  a  butterfly  =  The  cater- 

\  pillar  changes  to  a  butterfly. 
Turned  of,  to  be  =  To  be  advanced  beyond  in  years. 

(«) 

They  determined,  when  they  should  be  turned  of 
sixty,  to  retire  from  business  =  They  determined  to 
retire  from  business,  when  they  should  be  advanced 
beyond  sixty  years  of  age.  The  consul  from  Amer- 
ica is  turned  of  fifty  years = The  American  consul  is 
more  than  fifty  years  old.  He  is  turned  of  eighty  = 
He  is  more  than  eighty  years  old.  I  am  turned  of '^■ 
forty  —  I  am  over  forty  years  old. 
Turn  of  mind  =  Disposition  ;  propensity,  (a) 

Mr.  W.  is  of  a  scholarly  turn  of  mind=M^r.  W. 
has  a  scholarly  disposition. 
Turn  off,  to=l.  To  dismiss;  to  divert,  (a)     2.  To 
accomplish,  (a) 
1.  It  is  better  occasionally  to  mm  off  your  mind 
from  hard  study  =  It  is  better  occasionally  to  divert 
your  mind  to  other  occupation.     2.  He  can  turn  off 
a  great  deal  of  work  in  a  day  =  He  can  accomplish 
a  great  deal  of  work  in  a  day. 
Turn  one'§  money,  to  =  To  increase  or  to  double 
in  trade  ;  to  keep  in  lively  exchange,  {b) 
He   turns  his  money    rapidly = He   increases   his 
money  rapidly  in  trade. 
Turn  out,  to  =  l.  To  expel,  (a)     2.  To  put  to  pas- 
ture, (a)     3.  To  produce  as  the  result  of  labor,  (a) 
4.  To  incline  outward.     5.  To  prove  in  the  result. 
(a)     6.  To  yield  part  of  the  path  on  meeting,  (a)  • 
7.  To  rise  from  bed.  (a) 
1.  The  boy  was  turned  out  of  school,  for  insubor- 
dination =  The  boy  was  expelled  from  school,  for  in- 
subordination.    2,  Some  farmers  turn  out  their  stock 
in  the  spring,  before  the  grass  is  sufficiently  grown 
=  Some  farmers  put  their  stock  to  pasture  in  the 
spring,   before  the  grass  is  sufficiently   grown.     3. 
The  factory  turns  out  a  hundred  sewing  machines 
weekly  =  The   factory  produces  a  hundred   sewing 
machines  weekly.     4.  It  is  proper  to  turn  the  feet 
out  a  little,  in  walking  =  It  is  proper  to  bend  the 
feet  out  a  little,  in  walking.     5.  The  supposed  ghost 
turned  out  to  be  a  man,  wrapped  in  a  white  sheet  = 


262  IDIOMATIC    PHRASES. 

The  supposed  ghost  proved  to  be  a  man,  wrapped  in 
a  white  sheet.  6.  Because  the  driver  of  the  hack 
did  not  turn  out,  his  wheels  hit  the  passing  carriage 
=  Because  the  driver  of  the  hack  did  not  yield  a 
part  of  the  path,  his  wheels  hit  the  passing  carriage. 
7.  When  a  fire  alarm  sounds  in  the  night,  the  fire- 
men must  turn  out  immediately  =  When  a  fire  alarm 
sounds  in  the  night,  the  firemen  must  rise  from  bed 
immediately. 

Turn  over  a  new  leaf,  to  =  To  reform  an  evil 
habit ;  to  begin  a  new  course  of  life,  (a) 
I  learned  that  he  was  acquiring  a  fondness  for 
gambling,  and  I  exhorted  him  to  turn  over  a  new  leaf 
Having  discovered  that  he  was  acquiring  a  fondness 
for  gambling,  I  exhorted  him  to  reform  his  manner 
of  life.  He  has  turned  over  a  new  leaf=JLG  has 
changed  his  conduct  for  the  better.  You  have  gone 
too  far  in  neglect  of  study ;  now  turn  over  a  new  leaf 
=  You  have  gone  too  far  in  neglect  of  study ;  now 
begin  to  do  differently.  The  man  who  was  dissi- 
pated, turned  over  a  new  leaf  at  the  beginning  of  the 
year = The  man  who  was  dissipated,  reformed  his 
conduct  at  the  beginning  of  the  year. 

Turn  tlie  back  to  =  To  flee  ;  to  retreat,  (a) 

The  raw  soldiers  turned  the  back  at  the  first  fire  of 
the  enemy = The  raw  soldiers  fied  at  the  first  fire  of 
the  enemy. 

Turn  the  back  upon,  to  =  To  manifest  coldness  or 
contempt ;  to  refuse  unceremoniously,  {a) 
He  turned  his  back  upon  the  scoundrels  He  turned 
away  unceremoniously  or  contemptuously  from  the 
scoundrel. 

Turn  the  corner,  to  =  To  go  round  the  comer,  (a) 
As  the  grocer's  wagon  turned  the  corner,  the  wheel 
struck  the  curbstone,  and  the  driver  was  thrown  out 
=As  the  grocer's  wagon  went  round  the  corner,  the 
wheel  hit  the  curbstone,  and  the  driver  was  thrown 
out. 

Turn  the  head,  to  =  To  make  giddy,  wild,  insane, 
and  the  like ;  to  infatuate,  (a) 
His  head  is  turned  with  the  idea  of  constructing 
an  air  ship  =  He  is  crazy  about  this  idea  of  building 
an  air  ship.  He  has  had  success  enough  in  political 
advancement  to  turn  his  head=He  has  had  enough 
success  in  political  promotion  to  make  him  lose  his 
good  judgment. 

Turn  the  occasion  to  account,  to  =  To  make  the 
occasion  profitable,  (a) 
There  was  a  mass  meeting  in  the  grove,  and  the 
baker  turned  the  occasion  to  account,  by  selling  bread 


IDIOMATIC    PHRASES.  263 

and  cakes  =  There  was  a  mass-meeting  in  the  grove, 
and  the  baker  made  the  occasion  profitable,  by  sell- 
ing bread  and  cakes. 
Turn  tlie  scale,  to  =  To  change  the  preponderance ; 
to  give  superiority  or  success,  (a) 
Your  sound  health  turned  the  scale  in  your  favor, 
and  gained  the  appointment  for  you = Your  sound 
health  gave  you  the  superiority,  and  gained  you  the 
appointment.     The  soldier  wavered  between  fight- 
ing and  running  away,  but  fear  turned  the  scale  in  fa- 
vor of  running  away = The  soldier  wavered  between 
fighting  and  running  away,  but  fear  caused  him  to 
run  away.     The  judge  hesitates  to  decide  the  case, 
but  a  bribe  will  turn  the  5ca7e= The  judge  hesitates 
to  decide  the  case,  but  a  bribe  will  make  him  decide. 
Turn  the  stomach,  to=zTo  nauseate,  (a) 

This  cigar  smoke  turns  my  sto7nacA  =  This  cigar 
smoke  nauseates  me. 
Turn  the  tables,  to  =  To  change  the  condition  or 
fortune  of  contending  parties,  (a) 
At  first  he  made  money  in  gambling,  but  now  the 
tables  are  turned = At  first  he  made  money  in  gam- 
bling, but  now  he  loses  and  his  partner  gains.     He 
'  was  laughing  at  my  bad  writing,  when  I  turned  the 
tables  on  him  by  showing  him  his  very  bad  spelling 
=  He   was  laughing   at  my   bad   writing,  when   I 
changed  the  aspect  of  afi*airs  by  pointing  out  his 
very  bad  spelling.     You  raised  a  laugh  in  tlie  com- 
pany at  his  expense,  but  he  turned  the  tables  upon 
you,  by  his  sharp  wit = You  raised  a  laugh  in  the 
company  against  him,  but  by  his  sharp  wit  he  turned 
the  laugh  upon  you. 
Turn  upside  dourn,  to  =  To  make  confusion  ;  to  put 
into  complete  disorder;  to  reverse,  (a) 
The  reign  of  Communism  would  turn  society  up- 
side down  —  The  reign  of  Communism  would  put  so- 
ciety into  complete  disorder. 
Turn  to  account,  to  =  To  change  from  a  given  use  ; 
to  make  of  use  in  some  way.  (a) 
If  I  shall  not  succeed  in   finding  my  friend   in 
New  York,  I  shall  be  able  to  turyi  my  time  to  ac- 
count—If I  shall  not  find  my  friend  in  l^ew  York,  I 
shall  be  able  to  make  good  use  of  my  time  in  some 
way. 
Turn  upon  or  on,  to  =  To  hinge  upon ;  to  depend 
upon,  (a) 
The  question  of  his  recovery  from  this  sickness 
turns  upon  the  native  strength  of  his  constitution  = 
The  question  of  his  recovery  hinges  upon  the  nat- 
ural strength  of  his  constitution. 


264  IDIOMATIC    PHRASES. 

Turn  up,  to  =  To  appear  after  seeming  to  be  lost ; 
to  come  to  light ;  to  occur ;  to  happen,  (a) 
Has  the  lost  thimble  turned  wpF  =  Has  the  lost 
thimble  come  to  light  or  been  found  ?  He  is  look- 
ing for  employment ;  hwi  j\oi\img  turns  up  yet  =  He 
is  seeking  some  employment ;  but  no  business  pre- 
sents itself  (appears)  yet.  If  nothing  turns  up  to 
prevent,  I  shall  make  a  tour  through  the  West  this 
fall  =  If  nothing  occurs  to  prevent,  I  shall  journey 
through  the  Western  states,  this  coming  autumn. 


Under,  (in  many  figurative  uses)=:l.  In  relation  to 
some  thing  or  person  that  oppresses,  governs,  di- 
rects, &c. ;  in  a  relation  of  subjection,  subordina- 
tion, obligation,  liability,  or  the  like,  (a)     2.  Less 
than,  (a)     3.  In  relation  to  something  that  compre- 
hends or  includes — that  furnishes  a  pretext,  pre- 
tense, or  the  like,  (a)     4.  In  the  relation  of  being 
subject,  of  undergoing  treatment  and  the  like,  {a) 
1,  The  early  christians  suffered  greatly  under  the^ 
persecutions  of  the  Roman  government  =  The  early 
christians  suffered  greatly  from  the  persecutions  of 
the  Roman  power,  under  which  they  lived.     We  are 
forbidden  to  do  certain  things,  under  the  pains  and 
penalties  of  the  law  =  We  are  warned  that  we  shall 
make  ourselves  liable  to  the  pains  and  penalties  of 
the  law,  if  we  do  certain  things.     2.  His  salary  is 
under  $1,000  a  year=r:His  salary  is  less  than  a  $1,000 
a  year.     3.  Under  the  order  of  mammals,  man  and 
some  brute  animals  are  included = Man  and  some 
brute  animals  are  included  in  that  class  of  animals 
which  suckles  its  young.     4.  The  bill  for  military 
expenses  is  under  discussion = The  bill  for  military 
expenses  is  the  subject  of  discussion. 
Under  age  =  Not  yet  arrived  at  the  period  when  one 
legally  ceases  to  be  under  parents  and  guardians 
(IT.  S.  under  21  years),  (a) 
The  son  can  not  have  the  control  of  his  property, 
for  he  is  under  a^e=The  son  can  not  have  the  con- 
trol of  his  property,  for  he  is  not  twenty-one  years 
old.     He  is  twenty  years  old,  and  is  therefore  under 
age  —  He  has  not  yet  arrived  at  the  age  of  twenty- 
one,  at  which  period  a  person  is  qualified  by  law  to 
do  certain  acts  for  himself. 
under  arm§  (iiil)  =  Drawn  up  in  readiness  to  use 
arms,  {a) 


IDIOMATIC    PHRASES.  265 

In  momentary  expectation  of  attack,  the  army- 
was  under  arms  for   three   hours  =  The   army  was 
drawn  up  in  readiness  to  use  arms,  for  three  hours, 
in  expectation  of  attack. 
Under  ban  =  Prevented ;  prohibited ;  interdicted,  (c) 
In  the  reign  of  John  (1208),  England  was  under 
the  pope's  ha7i  =  In  the  reign  of  John  (1208),  Eng- 
land was  prohibited  by  the  pope  from  having  divine 
services  and  other  religious  privileges. 
Under  bare   poles    (^ai^^.)  =  Having   all   the   sails 
furled,  (a) 
The  ship  was  going  before  the  wind  under  hare 
poles— The  ship  was  going  before  the  wind  with  all 
sails  furled. 
Under  cover  =  Sheltered  ;  protected,  (a) 

It  is  about  to  rain  ;    the  carriage  must  be  put 
under  cover =lt  is  about  to  rain  ;  the  carriage  must 
be  sheltered. 
Under  lire  =  With  exposure  to  fire ;  exposed  to  an 
enemy's  shot,  (a) 
The  colonel  said  that  his  regiment  was  composed, 
in  part,  of  new  troops,  who  had  never  been  under 
Jire  =  The  colonel  said  that  his  regiment  contained 
some  new  troops,  who  had  never  been  exposed  to  an 
enemy's  shot.     In  the  battle  the  troops  were  under 
fire  one  hour  =  In  the  battle  the  troops  were  exposed 
one  hour  to  the  shot  of  the  enemy. . 
Under  lock  and  key  =  In  an  apartment  or  receptacle 
closed  by  a  lock  and  key  ;  securely  kept,  (a) 
The  prisoners  in  jail  are  under  lock  and  key  -  The 
prisoners  in   jail  are  in  an  apartment  secured   by 
lock  and  key. 
Under  pre§s  of  sail  =  Carrying  as  much  sail  as  the 
state  of  the  wind  will  possibly  permit,  (a) 
The  admiral's  ship  passed  us,  under  press  of  sail  = 
The  admiral's  ship  passed  us,  carrying  all  the  sail 
the  wind  would  allow. 
Under    §all    {Naut.)  —  Having   the  sails  spread ;    in 
motion,  (a) 
A  ship  under  sail  is  a  beautiful  objects: A  ship 
with  the  sails  spread,  is  a  beautiful  object.     The  last 
steamer  from  San  Francisco  sighted  two  whalers  un- 
der sail,  going  towards  the  northern   Pacific = The 
last  steamer  from  San  Francisco  saw  two  whalers 
in  motion,  going  towards  the  northern  Pacific. 
Under     sentence  =  Having     sentence     pronounced 
against,  (a) 
He  was  convicted  of  murder,  and  lies  in  prison, 
under  sentence  of  death  =  He  was  convicted  of  murder, 
and  awaits,  in  prison,  the  execution  of  the  sentence 


266  IDIOMATIC    PHRASES. 

of   death,    which    has    been    pronounced    against 
him. 
Under  the  apprehension,  to  he  =  To  be  apprehen- 
sive ;  to  be  fearful  of  future  evil  with  uneasiness 
of  mind,  (a) 
*      There  is  a  case  of  scarlet  fever  in  the  school,  and 
the  teacher  is  under  the  apprehension  that  the  disease 
may  spread  =  One  of  the  scholars  in  the  school  has 
the  scarlet  fever,  and  the  teacher  is  fearful  that  the 
disease  may  spread.  ^ 

IJncler  the  hreath= With  low  voice;  very  softly,  (a) 
When   I   went   into   my  friend's   sickroom,  the 
nurse  spoke  to  me  under  the  breath,  for  fear  of  dis- 
turbing him  =  When  I  went  into  my  friend's    sick 
room,  the  nurse  spoke  to  me  with  low  voice,  for  fear 
of  disturbing  him. 
Under  the  hand  and  seal  =  Authenticated  by  the 
signature  and  seal,  (a) 
The  deed  of  my  farm  closes  with  this  sentence : 
Given  under  my  hand  and  sea?  =  The  deed   of  my 
farm  contains  this  concluding  sentence  :    Authenti- 
cated by  my  signature  and  seal. 
Under  the  head  =  In  the  class  that  includes  or  is 
called,  (a) 
Homer's  Iliad  comes  under  the  head  of  heroic,  or 
epic,  poetry  =  The  Iliad  of  Homer  belongs  to  the 
class  of  poetry  called  heroic  or  epic. 
Under    the   rose  =  In   secret ;  privately ;  confiden- 
tially, (c) 
The  senator  told  me,  under  the  rose,  that  there  is 
to  be  a  change  in  the  cabinet  =  The  senator  told  me, 
privately,  that  there  is  to  be  a  change  of  ofiicials  in 
the  cabinet. 
Under  the  sun  =  In  the  world  ;  on  earth,  (a) 

Nothing  like  this  accident  ever  occurred  under  the 

sun  =  ISTothing  like  this  accident  ever  occurred  in  the 

world. 

Under  the  iving^  =  Under  the  care  or  protection  of. 

(a) 

It  is  the    dictate    of   propriety   that    daughters 

should  be  kept  under  the  wing  of  their  mothers  =  It 

is  the  dictate  of  propriety  that  daughters  should  be 

kept  under  the  care  or  protection  of  their  mothers. 

Under  -way  =  Started  ;  begun  ;  in  progress,  (a) 

The  ship  A.  is  under  way  for  London  =  The  ship 

A.  has  started  on  her  voyage  to  London.     My  works 

are  under  way,  and  will  be  finished  in  a  few  months 

=  My  works  are  begun,  and  will  be  finished  in  a  few 

months.     The  draining  of  the  marshes  is  under  ivay 

=The  draining  of  the  marshes  is  in  progress.   We  got 


/ 


IDIOMATIC    PHRASES.  267 

under  way  about  noon  =  We  got  started  about  noon. 
When  I  get  under  way^  I  can  tell  better  how  fast  I 
can  do  it  —  After  I  have  gone  forward  a  little  with 
the  work,  I  can  tell  better  how  fast  I  can  do  it. 

Unequal  to,  to  be  =  To  be  inadequate  ;  to  be  in- 
sufficient ;  to  be  unable,  (a) 
The  troops  were  unequal  to  the  task  of  subduing 
the  rioters = The  troops  were  inadequate  to  subdue 
the  rioters.  The  money  contributed  to  relieve  those 
who  suffered  by  the  fire  was  unequal  to  their  wants 
=:The  money  contributed  to  relieve  those  who  suf- 
fered by  the  fire  was  insufficient  to  supply  their 
wants.  The  statesman  was  unequal  to  the  task  of 
securing  a  treaty  between  the  two  nations  ==  The 
statesman  was  not  able  to  secure  a  treaty  between 
the  two  nations. 

Unlicard-of  =  Never  heard  of;  new ;  unprecedented, 
(a)   _ 
It  is  an^  unheard-of  occurrence,  that  a  ship  should 
be  broken  by  running  against  a  fish  =  It  is  an  occur- 
rence never  heard  of,  that  a  ship  should*  be  broken 
by  running  against  a  fish. 

Union  down  =  A  signal  of  distress  at  sea.  (a) 

A  vessel  was  sighted  with  the  glass,  drifting  with 
the  wind,  and  showing  her  flag  with  the  union  down 
=  A  ship  was  sighted,  drifting  with  the  wind,  and 
making  a  signal  of  distress  by  reversing  the  flag. 

Up  and  do\¥n  =  From  one  place,  state,  or  position, 
to  another,  (a) 
Your  patient.  Doctor,  is  up  and  down,  fifty  times 
a  day = Your  patient.  Doctor,  changes  from  lying 
down  to  sitting  up,  fifty  times  a  day.  How  is  Mr. 
B  ?  Oh,  he  is  up  and  down  =  How  is  Mr.  B  ?  Oh, 
he  is  quite  variable ;  sometimes  he  is  cheerful,  and 
at  other  times  he  is  greatly  depressed.  I  am  very 
tired ;  so  many  persons  have  called  to  see  me,  that 
I  have  been  up  and  down  the  stairs  all  day  =  I  am 
very  weary ;  so  many  persons  have  called  to  see  me, 
that  I  have  been  almost  constantly  going  from  the 
chamber  to  the  "parlor,  during  the  day. 

Up  g^rade  =  An  ascent,  as  on  a  graded  rail-way.  {a) 
We  are  going  slow  now,  because  it  is  up  grade  — 
We  are  going  slow  now,  because  the  road  ascends. 

Up  in  arms  =  Excited ;  indignant;  hostile;  opposed.(a) 
The  rail-road  company  has  decided  to  remove  the 
depot  further  from  the  village ;  and  the  people  are 
up  in  arms  about  it  =  The  rail-road  company  has 
decided  to  remove  the  depot  further  from  the  vil- 
lage ;  and  the  people  are  opposed  to  the  change,  and 
excited  over  it. 


268  IDIOMATIC    PHKASES. 

Upon  the  alert  =  Upon  the  watch ;  guarding  against 
surprise  or  danger,  (a) 
The  general  of  an  army  should  be  upon  the  alert, 
when   in  front  of  the  enemy  =  The  general  of  an 
army  should  be  upon  the  watch,  when  in  front  of 
the  enemy. 
Upon   or  on  the  §pot  =  Immediately ;  before  mov- 
ing ;  without  changing  place,  (a) 
It  was  proposed,  and  decided  upon  the  spot,  to  join 
the  excursion  party  =  It  was  proposed,  and  decided 
immediately,  to  join  the  excursion  party. 
Upon  or   on  the  -whole  =  Considering  all  things  or 
the  whole ;    in  view  of   all  the  circumstances  or 
conditions,  (a) 
Upon  the  ivhole,  my  judgment  of  your  official  con- 
duct is  favorable = In  view  of  all  the  circumstances, 
I  approve  of  your  conduct  as  an  official.     His  con- 
duct,  considered  in  detail,  is  capable  of  different 
judgments ;  but  upon  the  whole,  my  judgment  of  it 
is  favorable  =  His  conduct  has  been,  some  of  it  judi- 
cious, and  some  injudicious  ;  but  considering  it  as  a 
whole,  my  judgment  is  favorable.     Some  induce- 
ments were  offered  Mr.  C.  to  sell  his  farm,  and  go 
into  mercantile  business  ;  but  he  decided  that  it  was 
best  for  him,  on  the  whole,  to  remain  on  the  farm  = 
Mr.  C.  had  some  inducements  presented  to  sell  his 
farm,  and  engage  in  mercantile  pursuits  ;  but  decided 
that  his  best  course,  in  view  of  all  the  circumstances, 
was  to  remain  on  the  farm. 
Uppermo§t  in  the  mind  =  Engaging  chief  thought 
or  attention,  (a) 
His  own  popularity  is  uppermost  in  the  mind  of  the 
demagogue  =  How  to  be  popular  engages  the  chief 
thought  of  the  demagogue. 
Up§ide  do-wn  =  In  confusion  ;  in  complete  disorder. 
{a) 
My  goods  have  just  been  moved  into  the  house, 
and  every  thing  is  upside  down—lsLj  goods  have  just 
been  moved  into  the   house,  and  everything  is  in 
confusion. 
Up  stream  =  From  the  mouth  toward  the  head  of  the 
stream  ;  against  the  stream,  (a) 
It  is  the  habit  of  some  fish,  as  salmon  and  shad, 
to  go  up  stream  in  spring,  to  spawn  =  It  is  the  habit 
of  some  fish  to  go  from  the  mouth  toward  the  head 
of  the  stream,  in  spring,  to  deposit  eggs.     It  is  not 
easy  to  swim   up  stream  =  lt  is  not  easy  to  swim 
against  the  stream. 
Up  to  =  Until ;  previous  to.  {a) 

Up  to  this  morning,  I  had  not  received  the  pack- 


IDIOMATIC    PHRASES.  269 

age  of  books  which  I  bought  yesterday  =  Prior  to  this 
morning,  I  had  not  received  the  package  of  books 
which  I  bought  yesterday.  I  had  not  heard  of  the 
accident,  vp  to  this  moment  =  I  had  not  been  told  of 
the  accident,  until  now.  Up  to  twenty  years  of  age 
it  seemed  unlikely  he  would  be  a  great  man  =r  Until 
he  was  twenty,  it  did  not  seem  likely  he  would  be  a 
great  man. 

Up  to  the  mark  =  Equal  to  the  standard  ;  of  the 
quality  expected,  (c) 
This  piece  of  work  is  not  up  to  the  mark=T\\h 
piece  of  work  does  not  reach  the  standard.  The 
senator's  speech  was  not  up  to  the  mark  —  The  sena- 
tor's speech  was  not  equal  to  the  occasion,  or  was 
not  of  the  quality  expected. 

Upi%'ard§  of  =  More  than  ;  above,  {a) 

It  is  upwards  of  a  year  since  I  saw  him  =  It  is 
more  than  a  year  since  I  saw  him.  The  recruiting 
officer  enlisted  upwards  of  1,000  men  =  The  recruit- 
ing officer  enlisted  over  1,000  men.  I  have  learned 
upward  of  a  hundred  lines  in  that  book  =  I  have 
learned  more  than  a  hundred  lines  in  that  book. 
Few  live  to  be  upward  of  one  hundreds  Few  live 
to  be  more  than  one  hundred  years  old.  He  was 
upward  of  ninety  when  he  died  =  He  was  above 
ninety  when  he  died. 

Up  with  him,  it  i§  all  =  It  is  all  over  with  him  ;  he 
is  lost.  («) 
It  is  all  up,  I  fear,  with  the  patient  in  the  first 
w^ard  of  the  hospital  ;  the  doctor  says  he  can  not 
live  =  It  is  all  over,  I  fear,  with  the  patient  in  the 
first  ward  of  the  hospital ;  the  doctor  says  he  can  not 
live. 

U§e  onc'§  di§cretion,  to  =  To  act  according  to  one's 
judgment,  or  wish,  (a) 

The  commander  of  the  army  was  instructed  to 
use  his  own  discretion,  in  attacking  the  enemy  =  The 
commander  of  the  army  was  instructed  to  act  ac- 
cording to  his  judgment,  in  attacking  the  enemy. 

Use  up,  to  =  To  exhaust  the  supply ;  to  consume  by 
using,  (a) 
She  has  used  up  all  the  silk  thread  =  She  has  con- 
sumed in  her  sewing  all  the  silk  thread.  I  have 
u^ed  up  six  reams  of  paper  in  revising  my  dictionary 
=  I  have  consumed  six  reams  of  paper  in  revising 
my  dictionary. 

U§her  in  =  To  introduce,  (a) 

Independence  Day  was  ushered  in  by  a  salute  of 
thirteen  guns  at  sunrise  =  Independence  Day  was  in- 
troduced by  a  salute  of  thirteen  guns  at  sunrise. 


270  IDIOMATIC    PHRASES. 

The  holiday  was  ushered  in  with  the  ringing  of  bells 
=  The  beginning  of  the  holiday  was  marked  by  the 
ringing  of  bells.  I  was  ushered  into  the  great  hall 
where  the  musical  concert  was  to  take  place  =  I  was 
introduced  into  the  great  hall  where  the  musical 
concert  was  to  be. 


Y. 

Valuable  consideration  {Law)  =  A.T).  equivalent  for 
a  contract,  purchase,  or  other  act. 
For  a  valuable  consideration^  the  Indians  transferred 
their  land  to  the  United  States  government,  and  re- 
moved further  West  =  On  receiving  an  equivalent  in 
money  and  stores,  the  Indians  transferred  their  land 
to  the   United   States  government,   and    removed 
farther  West. 
Vote  do"wn,  to  =  To   reject ;   to  throw    out  by  ad- 
verse vote,  (a) 

The  proposition  to  amend  the  bill  was  voted  down 
by  a  large  majority = The  proposition  to  amend 
the  bill  was  rejected  by  a  large  adverse  vote. 


IVait  on   or  upon,  to=:l.  To  perform  service  for. 

(a)     2.  To  visit  for  business  or  for  ceremony,  (a) 

3.  To  follow ;  to  await,  (c) 
1.  John  waits  on  the  governor  with  great  propri- 
ety =  John  attends  the  governor,  as  his  servant,  with 
great  propriety.  1.  He  waits  upon  the  table =116 
attends  the  table  as  a  servant.  *  1.  The  clerk  in  the 
dry-goods  store  -waited  upon  me  very  well = The 
clerk  in  the  dry-goods  store  gave  very  good  attention 
to  my  wants.  2.  I  waited  upon  him  with  a  letter  of 
introduction = I  went  to  see  him  (referring  to  supe- 
riors) with  a  letter  of  introduction.  2.  We  are  going 
to  wait  upon  the  governor  as  a  mark  of  respect = We 
are  going  to  call  on  the  governor,  in  token  of  our 
respect.  2.  The  Turkish  ambassador  will  ivait  on 
the  president,  at  his  earliest  convenience = The  Turk- 
ish ambassador  will  pay  a  formal  visit  to  the  presi- 
dent, at  the  earliest  convenience  of  the  president. 
3.  Ruin,  both  of  fortune  and  character,  waits  on  idle- 
ness and  dissipation  =  Ruin,  both  of  fortune  and 
character,  follows  idleness  and  dissipation. 


IDIOMATIC    PHRASES.  271 

Wake  of,  in  tlie  =  In  the  train  of;  immediately  af- 
ter, (a) 
Whatever  a  party-leader  does,  some  will  follow  in 
his   wake  =  Wh.?itever  a  party-leader  may  do,  some 
will  follow  in  his  train.     The  boat  is  coming  in  the 
wake  of  our  ship  =  The  boat  is  following  immediately 
after  our  ship. 
IValk  by  faith,  to  =  To  live  trusting  Jesus  Christ  as 
a  teacher  and  Savior,  (a) 
Til e  Bible  is  given  to  us,  tb  persuade  us  to  walk 
hy  faith=Th.G  Bible  is  given  to  us,  to  persuade  us  to 
live  trusting  Jesus  as  a  teacher  and  a  Savior. 
l¥ariii  reception,  to  give  a  =  l.  To  give  a  cordial 
welcome,  (a)     2,  To  defend  one's  self,  with  a  hot 
fire,  from  an  enemy,  (a) 
1.  If  you  will  visit  us,  we  will  give  you  a  warm 
reception  =  If  you  will  visit  us,  we  will  give  you  a 
cordial  welcome.     2,  They  gave  the  enemy  a  warm 
rece2)tion  =  Thej  received  the  enemy  witli  a  hot  fire. 
IVasli  one's  liand§  of,  to  =  To  withdraw  from  alto- 
gether ;  to  repudiate,  (c) 
He  has  washed  his  hands  of  the  liquor  business  = 
He  has  separated  himself  entirely  from  the  trade  in 
liquors.     I  wash  my  hands  of  the  charge  of  bribery 
=  I  repudiate  the  charge  of  bribery. 
l¥atch  and  Mratcb  {Naut.)  =  ATi    arrangement    by 
which  the  watches  are  alternated  every  other  four 
hours,  (a) 
Watch  and  watch  is  distinguished  from  keeping  all 
hands  on  deck,  during  one  or  more  watches  =  An  ar- 
rangement,  by  which   the   watches   are   alternated 
every  other  four  hours,  is  distinguished  from  keep- 
ing all  hands  on  deck,  during  one  or  more  watches. 
The  sailors  were  on  duty  watch  and  watch=Th.e  sail- 
ors were  on  duty  in  alternate  periods  of  four  hours 
each. 
HVatch  and  -ward  =  The  charge  or  care  of  certain 
officers,  to  keep  a  watch  by  night  and  a  guard  by 
day,  for  the  preservation  of  the  public  peace,  (c) 
The  officers  of  the  border  towns  were  commanded, 
by  the  Governor  and  Council,  to  keep  watch  and 
ward,  against  Indian  attacks  =  The  officers  of  the 
border  towns  were  directed,  by  the  Governor  and 
Council,  to  keep  watch  by  night  and  guard  by  day, 
against  apprehended  attacks  of  Indians. 
IVatch  over,  to  =  To  be  cautiously  observant  of;  to 
carefully  guard,  (a) 
In  the  East,  the  shepherd  tvatches  over  his  flock = 
In  the  East,  the  shepherd  carefully  guards  his  flock 
from  harm.     The  mother  watches  over  the  manners     • 


272  IDIOMATIC    PHRASES. 

and  morals  of  her  children  =  The  mother  carefully 
observes  the  manners  and  morals  of  her  children,  in 
order  to  train  them  to  politeness  and  goodness. 
Ways  and   means  =  1.  Methods  ;    resources  ;    facili- 
ties, (c)     2.  (Legislation)  Means  for  raising  money  ; 
resources  for  revenue,  {a) 
1.  Such  an  expenditure,  for  the  mere  luxury  of 
housekeeping,  would  not   be  consistent  with  their 
modest  ways  and  means  =  Such  an  expenditure,  sim- 
ply for  the  luxury  of  housekeeping,  would  not  be 
consistent  with  their  modest  resources.     2,  The  com- 
mittee of  ways  and  means  is  one  of  the  most  import- 
ant, in  a  legislative  assembly  =  The  committee  for 
providing  resources  of  revenue  is  one  of  the  most 
important,  in  a  legislative  assembly. 
HVajH  of  Ood  =  The  methods  of  God's  government, 
or  his  works,  (a) 
The  ways  of  God  are  sometimes  mysterious  =  The 
government  of  God  over  us,  and  his  works  are  some- 
times difficult,  or  impossible,  to  understand. 
Way  tlie  wind  blows,  tlie  =  What  is  popular  or  ex- 
pedient, (a) 
Some  persons  do  not  express  an  opinion  on  a  sub- 
ject, till  tliey  learn  which  way  the  wind  blows  =  Some 
persons  do  not  express  an  opinion  on  a  subject,  till 
they  learn  w^hat  is  popular  or  expedient. 
W^eak  side  =  The  side  or  aspect  of  a  person's  charac- 
ter or  disposition  by  which  he  is  most  easily  af- 
fected or  influenced  ;  weakness ;  infirmity,  (a) 
His  weak  side  is  vanity  =  His  weakness  or  infirmity 
is  vanity.     Mr.  A.  obtained  a  favor  of  Mr.  B.,  by 
approaching  him  on  his  vjeak  side;  viz.,  susceptibility 
to  fiattery  =  Mr.  A.  obtained  a  favor  of  Mr.  B.,  by 
making  use  of  that  trait  in  his  character  by  which 
he  is  most  easily  influenced ;  viz.,  susceptibility  to 
flattery. 
IVear  away,  to=rTo  diminish  gradually,  (a) 

The  waters  wear  away  the  rock = The  waters  grad- 
ually diminish  the  rock. 
H^ear  off,  to  =  i.  To  diminish  or  remove  by  contin- 
ued use,  or  by  slow  decay,  (a)     2.  To  pass  away  by 
slow  degrees,  (a) 
1.  The  nap  of  your  coat  is  worn  off=The  nap  of 
your  coat  has  been  gradually  removed  by  wear.     2. 
The  follies  of  youth  wear  off  with  age  =  The  follies 
of  youth  pass  away  gradually,  as  age  advances.     2. 
The  homesickness  of  your  son  who  is  at  school  will 
wear  off=  The  homesickness  of  your  son  who  is  at 
school  will  pass  away  by  slow  degrees  (gradually). 


IDIOMATIC    PHRASES.  278 

l¥ear  out,  to  =  l.  To  render  useless  by  much  ser- 
vice, (a)     2.  To  waste  the  strength  of.  (a) 
1.  The  child  has  worn  out  his  clothes ;  will  you 
get  him  another  suit  ?=:The  child's  clothes  have  be- 
come useless  by  long  wear ;  will  you  get  him  anoth- 
er suit  ?     2.  The  Soldiers'  Home  provides  for  many 
soldiers  worn  out  in  the  service  of  their  country  = 
The  Soldiers'  Home  provides  for  many  soldiers  who 
have  become  disabled  by  wounds  or  by  disease.     2. 
He  is  worn  out  because  he  sat  by  the  bed  of  his  sick 
wife  for  two  full  weeks  =  His  strength  is  wasted  be- 
cause he  sat  up  by  the  bed  of  his  sick  wife  for  two 
full  weeks. 
"Wear  well,  to=l.  To  be  durable,  lasting.     2.  To 
endure  the  test  of  time  and  use.  (a) 
1.  The  overcoat  which   John  bought  four  years 
ago  wea7's  weU=The  overcoat  which  John   bought 
four  years  ago  is  durable.     2.  My  friend  the  lawyer 
wears  well  =  The  lawyer  endures  the  test  of  time  and 
service  as  a  friend. 
Weather  a  point,  to  {Naut.)=l,  To  gain  a  point 
towards  the  wind,  as  a  ship.     2.  To  gain  any  thing 
against  opposition,  (c) 
1,  The  ship  has  weathered  a  point  in  her  course  to- 
day =  The  ship  has  gained  a  point  towards  the  wind 
in   her   course   to-day.     2.  This  party   weathered  a 
point  in   the  debate  on  the  currency  =  This   party 
gained  something  in  spite  of  the  opposition,  in  the 
debate  on  the  currency. 
"Weather  the  storm,  to  =  To  successfully  resist  and 
overcome  a  misfortune  ;  to  bear  up  against  adver- 
sity, (b) 
The  panic   in  the  money  market  so  affects  the 
merchant,  that  he  finds  it  difficult  to  pay  his  bills  ; 
but   he  will   weather  the   storm  =  The   panic   in  the 
money  market  so  affects  the  merchant,  that  he  finds 
it  difficult  to  pay  his  bills  ;  but  he  will  overcome  the 
difficulty,  and  issue  from  it  unharmed. 
Weed  out,  to  =  To  remove  as  useless  or  hurtful ;  to 
sort  out.  (c) 
The  police  officers  are  weeding  out  the  unlicensed 
liquor  sellers  =  The  police  officers  are  sorting  out  and 
prosecuting  the  unlicensed  liquor  sellers.     The  pa- 
tent office  department  is  iveeding  out  some  of  the 
clerks,  because  there  are  too  many  =  The  patent  office 
department  is  lessening  the  number  of  its  clerks,  by 
removing  some,  because  there  are  too  many. 
"Weigh    anchor,  to  =  To  raise  the  anchor  and  de- 
part, (a) 
The  ship  weighed  anchor  at  8  o'clock  =  The  ship 
19 


274  IDIOMATIC    PHRASES. 

raised  her  anchor  and  departed  at   8  o'clock.     On 
the  20th  inst.  the  fleet  of  men-of-war  weighed  anchor 
for  Europe  =  On  the  20th  inst.  the  fleet  of  men-of- 
war  left  the  place  where  it  was  anchored,  and  de- 
parted for  Europe. 
"Weigli    down,   to  =  l.  To   overbalance,  (a)      2.  To 
burden  heavily,  (a) 
1.  A  ball  of  lead  will  weigh  down  an  equal  bulk 
of  feathers = A  ball  of   lead    will   overbalance   an 
equal  bulk  of  feathers.     2.  Abraham   Lincoln  was 
weighed  down  with  the  cares  of  government,  during 
the  civil  war  =r Abraham  Lincoln  was  heavily  bur- 
dened with   the  cares  of  government,  during   the 
civil  war. 
lVei§^hecl  in  the  balance,  and  found  wanting^, 
to  be  =  To  be  tried  or  tested,  and   found  insufii- 
cient,  unsatisfactory,  unfit  and  the  like,  {b) 
Benedict  Arnold,  the  traitor,  was  weighed  in  the 
balance^    and  found  z^anfoV/^  =  Benedict  Arnold  was 
tested,  and  found  wanting  in  patriotism.     The  offi- 
cial will  not  be  re-appointed ;  for  he  has  been  weighed 
in  the  balance^  and  found  wanting  =  The  official  will 
not  be  re-appointed ;  for  he  has  been  tested  as  public 
servant,  and  proved  unsatisfactory. 
IWeigli   on   one'§  mind,  to  =  To  bear  heavily  ;  to 
press  hard  on  the  mind,  (a) 
His   financial  troubles   iveigh  on  his   mind  =  His 
financial  troubles  bear  heavily  on  his  mind. 
Well  enougfh^:!.  "Well  or  good  in  a  moderate  de- 
gree, (b)     2.  So  as  to  give  satisfaction  or  so  as  to 
require  no  alteration,  (a) 
1.  How  did  you  like  the  concert  ?    Oh  !  it  was  well 
enough  =z}Iow  did  you  like  the  concert?    Oh  !  it  was 
tolerably  good,  or  good  in  a  moderate  degree.     2. 
How  does  his  work  please  you  ?     It  is  done  ivell 
enough  z=  How  does  the  work  please  you  ?     It  is  done 
satisfactorily  and  requires  no  alteration. 
IVell   to  do,  to  be.  (c)     Well   off,  to  be.  (a)  =  To 
have  a  comfortable  property ;  to  be  prospered 
Miss  A.  has  married  a  man  who  is  well  to  do  = 
Miss  A.  has  married  a  man  who   is  prosperous  in 
business.     I  am  told  that  Mr.  E.  has  become  vjell  off 
by  the  rise  in  real  estate  =  I  am  told  that  Mr.  E.  has 
acquired  a  comfortable  property  by  the  rise  in  real 
estate. 
Wet   blanket  =  Something  which    disappoints   and 
discourages  a  person  in  his  purpose  or  pursuit,  (b) 
The  refusal  of  several  rich  men  to  give  any  thing 
in  aid  of  establishing  a  free  public  library,  threw  a 
wet  blanket  on  the  projects  The  refusal    of  several 


IDIOMATIC    PHRASES.  275 

rich  men  to  give  any  thing  in  aid  of  establishing  a 
free  public  library,  was  a  discouragement  to  the  en- 
terprise. He  is  a  ivet  blanket  in  any  com  pan 3^,  by  his 
imsociableness  =  He  is  a  restraint  upon  the  enjoy- 
ment of  any  assemblage,  by  reason  of  his  unsocia- 
bleness.  Do  not  throw  a  ivet  blanket  on  the  enter- 
prise of  a  public  library  =  Do  not  discourage  the  en- 
terprise of  a  public  library.  The  refusal  of  the 
banker  to  contribute  any  thing  to  the  orphan,  asy- 
lum, w^as  a  wet  blanket  to  the  enterprise  =  The  refusal 
of  the  banker  to  contribute  any  thing  to  the  orphan 
asylum,  was  disappointing  and  discouraging  to  the 
friends  of  that  enterprise. 

TVe  w\\\  give  a  g^ood  account  of  tliem  (a  soldiers' 
phrase)  =  We  will  give  them  a  good  drubbing,  (a) 
''  If  they  come,  see  if  we  do  not  give  a  good  ac- 
count of  them  "  [London  Times]  =  If  they  come,  be 
on  the  watch  to  notice  whether  or  not  we  give  them 
a  good  thrashing. 

l¥hat  to  do  with  =  "What  use  to  make  of  ;  how  to 
dispose  of;  how  to  employ,  (a) 
Since  school  closed,  the  child  does  not  know  what 
to  do  with  himself  =  Since  the  close  of  school,  the 
child  does  not  know  how  to  employ  himself.  He  is 
breaking  up  housekeeping,  and  does  not  know  what 
to  do  with  his  furniture  =  He  is  abandoning  house- 
keeping, and  is  perplexed  as  to  how  to  dispose  of  his 
furniture.  We  have  more  cherries  this  year  than  we 
know  what  to  do  with  =  We  have  so  many  cherries 
this  year  that  we  are  unable  to  use  them  all  or  to 
dispose  of  them. 

What — followed  by  a  preposition — as  with,  by, 
through,  and  repeated  =  In  part ;  partly.  (6) 
What  with  the  high  price  of  provisions,  and  what 
with  occasional  sickness,  the  family  found  it  very  dif- 
ficult to  live  on  their  income  =  Partly  in  consequence 
of  the  costliness  of  provisions,  and  partly  in  conse- 
quence of  occasional  sickness,  the  family  found  it 
difficult  to  live  on  their  income.  He  was  at  the 
head  of  the  custom-house,  and  what  by  bribes,  and 
tuhat  by  extortions,  he  made  enormous  sums  of  mon- 
ey =  He  was  at  the  head  of  the  custom-house,  and 
partly  by  extortions  and  partly  by  bribes,  he  made 
enormous  sums  of  money. 

What  if  =  What  will  be  the  matter  if;  what  will  be 
the  result  if.  (a) 

I  do  not  like  to  have  you  go  out  on  the  water. 
What  if  a  storm  should  come  up  ?  =  I  do  not  like  to 
have  you  go  out  on  the  water.  What  will  be  the 
result  if  a  storm  should  come  up  ? 


276  IDIOMATIC     PHRASES. 

liniat  i§  that  to=:How  does  that  concern  ?  (a) 

Tlie  river  was  closed  by  ice  yesterday,  but  what  ts 
that  to  me  1  =  The  river  was  frozen  over  yesterday, 
but  how  does  that  concern  me  ? 
Uliat  not  =  A    miscellany;  a  variety — used  indefi- 
nitely, (a) 
He  sells  clothing,  boots  and  shoes,  and  what  not=z 
He  sells  boots  and  shoes  and  a  variety  of  things. 
The  boy's  pocket  contained  marbles,  tw^ine,  slate-pen- 
cils, fishhooks,  and  what  ?2o^=The  boy's  pocket  con- 
tained marbles,  twine,  slate-pencils,  fishhooks,  and 
a  miscellaneous  collection  of  articles. 
l¥liat-not  =  A  stand  of  shelves  for  books,  ornaments, 
and  the  like. 
I  have  a  what-not  in  my  room  =  I  have  a  set  of 
shelves  on  which  to  put  books,  ornaments  and  the 
like  in  my  room. 
"What  though  =  Even  granting  that ;  allowing  that ; 
supposing  it  true  that,  (a) 
What  though  the  climate  be  delightful ;  that  can 
not  make  it  a  desirable  place  to  live  in,  if  the  inhab- 
itants are  savage  =  Even  granting  that  the  climate 
is  delightful ;  that  can  not  make  it  a  desirable  place 
to  live  in,  if  the  inhabitants  are  savage. 
"While  a^i^ay  time,  to  =  To  cause  the  time  to  pass 
without  irksomeness  or  disgust ;  to  spend  the  time. 

The  man  waiting  for  the  train  at  the  depot  whiled 
away  the  time^  by  reading  a  novel  =  The  man  w^aiting 
for  the  train  at  the  depot,  caused  the  time  to  pass 
without  irksomeness,  by  reading  a  novel. 
White  lie,  a  =  An  evasion ;  a  falsehood  which  seems 
harmless  and  pardonable,  (c) 
"  Mistress  is  not  at  home.  Sir,"  is  a  white  lie  seldom 
told  by  servants  =  "  Mistress  is  not  at  home,  Sir,"  is  an 
evasive  answer  seldom  given  by  servants,  when  the 
lady  of  the  house  does  not  wish  to  receive  visitors. 
I  told  the  burglar  a  ivhite  lie  about  my  money  =  I 
told  the  burglar  that  which  was  not  really  true,  but 
which  seemed  justifiable,  about  my  money. 
Wield  the  scepter,  to  =  To  exercise  royal  author- 
ity ;  to  govern  with  supreme  command,  (a) 
About  300  years  ago.  Queen  Elizabeth,  of  Eng- 
land, wielded  the  scepter  forty-five  years  =  About  300 
years  ago.  Queen  Elizabeth,  of  England,  exercised 
royal  authority  forty-five  years. 
W^ill  do  =  Will  answer  the  purpose ;  will  suffice,  {a) 
If  you  can  not  pay  me  to-day,  next  week  will  do 
=  If  you  can  not  pay  me  to-day,  it  will  be  sufficient 
(or  satisfactory),  if  you  pay  me  next  week. 


IDIOMATIC     PHRASES.  277 

H^ind  and  weather  perinTttmg  =  If  the  weather 
do  not  prevent,  (a) 
The  vessel  will  sail  for  San  Francisco  on  Wednes- 
day, wind  and  weather  permitting  =  The  vessel  will 
sail  for  San  Francisco  on  Wednesday,  if  the  weather 
do  not  prevent. 
Wind  up,  to  =  l.  To  put  in  a  state  of  renewed  mo- 
tion, (a)     2.  To  bring  to  a  close  ;  to  conclude,  (a) 
1.  Some  clocks  must  be  wound  up  daily,  and  others 
weekly  =  Some  clocks  must  be  put  in  a  state  of  re- 
newed motion   daily,  and   others   weekly.     2,  The 
senator  wound  up  his  speech  by  a  quotation  from  one 
of  the  poets  =  The  senator  closed  his  speech  with  a 
quotation   from   one  of  the  poets.     2,  Mr.  B.  the 
merchant  is  winding  up  his  business,  intending  to 
remove  West  =  Mr.  B.  the  merchant  is  bringing  his 
business  to  a  close,  intending  to  remove  to  the  West. 
2.  The  insurance  company  became  embarrassed,  and 
wound  up  business = The  insurance  company  became 
embarrassed,  and  closed  its  business. 
Wind  up  one's  affairs,  to  =  To  bring  to  a  conclu- 
sion or  settlement,  (a) 
I  will  wind  up  my  affairs  here,  before  I  return  to 
China  =:  I  will  bring  my  business  to  a  conclusion 
here,  before  I  return  to  China. 
Win  one's  spurs,  to  =  To  obtain  position  or  fame  by 
one's  exertions  or  merits,  (c) 
The  young  lieutenant  has  won  his  spurs  early  = 
The  young  lieutenant  has  obtained  promotion  at  an 
early  age. 
Win  over,  to=:To  persuade  to  change  sides  or  opin- 
ions, (a) 
The  political  speech  of  the  senator  won  over  many 
to  the  democratic  party  =  The  political  speech  of  the 
senator  persuaded  many  to  change  their  political 
opinions,  and  become  democrats. 
^Within  bounds  =  Not  beyond  due  limits;  not   ex- 
travagantly, {a) 
The  farmer  made  a  very  high  fence,  and  thus  kept 
his  cattle  within  hounds  —  The  farmer  made  a  very 
high  fence,  and  thus  his  cattle  did  not  get  out  of  the 
yard.     It  is  speaking  within  hounds  to  say  that  two 
inches  of  water  fell  last  night  =  It  is  not  extravagant 
to  say  that  two  inches  of  water  fell  last  night. 
Witliin  doors  =  In  the  house,  (a) 

The  illness  of  the  consul  keeps  him  within  doors = 
The  illness  of  the  consul  forces  him  to  remain  in 
the  house. 
Within  reach  =  Able  to  be  obtained,  (a) 

The  trial  of  the  bank  robber  was  postponed,  be- 


278  IDIOMATIC    PHRASES. 

cause  one  of  the  impcfrtant  witnesses  was  not  within 
reach  =  The  trial  of  the  bank  robber  was  postponed, 
because  one  of   the  important  witnesses  could  not 
be  obtained. 
IWith  might  and  main = With  the  utmost  strength 
or  exertion,  (a) 
He  ran  home  with  all  his  might  and  mam = He  ran 
home  as  fast  as  he  possibly  could.     "When  I  work,  I 
work  with  all  my  might  and  main=Wheii  I  work,  I 
work  as  hard  as  I  possibly  can. 
IVith  one  accords: Agreeing  in  opinion  or  action; 
unitedly,  (a) 
I»rews  came  that  the  soldiers  were  returning  from 
the  war,  and  with  one  accord  the  citizens  welcomed 
them  =  News  came  that  the  soldiers  were  returning 
from  the  war,  and  the  people  were  agreed  in  wel- 
coming them. 
l^lth  one's  eyes  open  =  Knowing  all  the  circum- 
stances or  consequences  (generally  used  in  an  un- 
favorable sense) ;  observant ;  vigilant,  (a) 
He  purchased  an  interest  in  the  manufacturing 
company  which  is  embarrassed,  and  did  it  with  his 
eyes  open  =  He  purchased  an  interest  in  the  manufac- 
turing company,  which  is  embarrassed,  knowing  all 
the   circumstances.     He  traveled  through   Europe 
with  his  eyes  open  =  'Ke  made  the  tour  of  Europe,  and 
was  an  observant  traveler.     She  was  fully  informed 
of  his  habits  by  her  friends,  so  that  she  married  him 
with  her  eyes  open  =  She  was  fnlly  informed  of  his 
habits,  so  that  she  married  him  with  ample  knowl- 
edge of  the  risks  of  such  a  marriage. 
H^itb  one's  eyes  shut  =  Not  observing  or  knowing  ; 
ignorantly.  (a) 
He  must  have  purchased  that  rail-road  stock  with 
his  eyes  shut ;  for  it  is  well-nigh  worthless  =  He  must 
have  purchased  that  rail-road  stock  ignorantly ;  for 
it  is  almost  worthless. 
"With   or  by  one's  favor  =  With  leave  ;  by  permis- 
sion, (b) 
We  sometimes  see,  on  the  envelope  of  a  letter, 
''By  favor  of  Mr.  ^.,"  (that  is,  of  the  gentleman 
who  conveys  the  letter)  =  We  sometimes  see,  on  the 
envelope  of  a  letter,  something  which  means.  By  the 
kind  permission  of  the  person,  who  carries  the  letter. 
l¥ithout  day  {Sine  die)  =  Without  the  appointment 
of  a  day  to  appear  or  assemble  again ;  finally  dis- 
missed, (a) 

Congress  has  adjourned  toithout  day  =  Congress  has 
adjourned  without  the  appointment  of  a  day  to  as- 
semble again. 


IDIOMATIC    PHRASES.  279 

"Without  fail  =  Unfailiugly ;    positively;    absolutely. 

Come  to  dine  with  us,  without  fail =You.  must  pos- 
itively come  to  dine  with  us. 
H^ith  the  lark  =  At  sunrise  ;  very  early,  (c) 

Hon.  John  Quincy  Adams  was  accustomed  to  be 
up  with  the  lark,  and  take  a  bath  in  the  Potomac  be- 
fore breakfasts  Hon.  John  Quincy  Adams  was  ac- 
customed to  rise  very  early,  and  take  a  bath  in  the 
Potomac  before  breakfast. 
"With  thi§  under§taiiding='With  this  agreement  ; 
provided  that,  {a) 
I  will  come,  with  this  understanding,  that  I  am  not 
to  be  detained  =  I  will  come,  if  you  will  agree  that  I 
shall  not  be  kept  long.     I  buy  it  of  you  with  this 
understanding,  that  you  will  take  it  back  if  it  proves 
bad  =  I  will  buy  it  of  you,  provided  that  you  agree 
to  take  it  back,  if  it  is  not  good.     The  boy  who  was 
expelled  from  school  is  permitted  to  return,  with  this 
understanding,  that  he  is  to  confess  his  fault,  and  be 
an  obedient  scholar  in  futures  The  boy  who  was 
expelled  from  school  is  permitted  to  return,  with  this 
agreement  or  stipulation,  that  he  confess  his  fault, 
and  be  an  obedient  scholar  in  future. 
Work  a  pa§8age,  to  =  To  pay  for  passage  by  work 
instead  of  money,  (a) 
He  worked  his  passage,  by  serving  as  clerk,  from 
New  York  to  Shanghai  =  He  performed  the  duties 
of  clerk,  to  pay  for  his  passage  from  New  York  to 
Shanghai. 
IVork  at  arms  length,  to  =  To  work  awkwardly  or 
disadvantageously.  {a) 
In  picking  the  apples  which  grew  upon  the  ends 
of  the  branches,  he  was  obliged  to  luork  at  arms 
length  =  In  gathering  the  apples  from  the  ends  of  the 
branches,  he  was  forced  to  work  disadvantageously. 
l¥ork  into,  to  —  To  cause  to  make  way,  or  insinuate 
into,  (a) 
He  worked  himself  into  the  favor  of  the  head  of  his 
department  in  the  custom  houses  By  taking  pains, 
he  insinuated  himself  into  the  favor  of  the  head  of 
his  department  in  the  custom  house. 
liVork  off,  to  =  To  remove  gradually,  (a) 

Beer  works  off  impurities  in  fermenting  =  Impuri- 
ties iA  beer  are  gradually  removed  in  fermenting. 
He  was  very  angry ;  but  instead  of  replying  to  the 
insult,  he  went  into  the  garden,  and  worked  off  his 
anger  =  He  was  very  angry ;  but  instead  of  replying 
to  the  insult,  he  went  into  the  garden,  and  by  work, 
his  anger  was  gradually  removed. 


280  IDIOMATIC    PHRASES. 

Work  one's  -way,  to  =  To  advance  or  succeed  by 
toilsome  efforts,  (a) 
The  lawyer  worked  his  way  to  his  profession  =  The 
lawyer  succeeded  by  toilsome  efforts  and  against  ob- 
stacles, in  entering  his  profession. 
YFork   out,   to  =  l.  To   effect   by  labor,  (a)     2.  To 
solve  problems,  (a)     3.  To  exhaust  by  working,  (a) 
1.  That  man  has  worked  out  the  debt  he  owed  me 
=  That  man  has,  by  his  labor,  paid  the  debt  he  owed 
me.     2.  Have   you   worked  out  those   problems    in 
arithmetic  ?= Have   you   solved   those   problems  in 
arithmetic  ?     3.  The  silver  mines  of  Nevada  are  not 
worked  out=llh.Q  silver  mines  of  Nevada  are  not  ex- 
hausted by  working. 
l¥ork  up,  to  =  1.  To  excite,  (a)     2.  To  exhaust  mate- 
rials in  manufacture,  (a) 
1.  Their  anger  was  wrought  up  to  a  high  pitch  = 
Their   anger   was    greatly   excited.     2.  They   have 
worked  up  all  the  wool  which  you  carried  to  the  fac- 
tory =  All  the  wool  which  you  carried  to  the  factory 
has  been  exhausted  in  the  process  of  manufacture. 
IfWorld  ^urithout  end  =  Eternally,  (c) 

The  Christian  hopes  to  praise  and  serve  Jesus  in 
heaven,  world  without  enc?=The  Christian  hopes  to 
praise  and  serve  Jesus  in  heaven,  eternally. 
l¥orm  one'§  §elf  into,  to  =  To  enter  gradually  by 
arts  and  insinuations,  (a) 
It  is  only  a  person  of  low  mind  that  will  worm 
himself  into  the  favor  of  others = It  is  only  a  person 
of  low  mind  that  will  gain  the  favor  of  any  one  by 
artifice  and  insinuation.     He  wormed  himself  into  the 
king's  favor = He  gained  the  king's  favor  by  low  arts 
and  insinuations.      Mr.  A.  wormed  himself  into  the 
favor  of  the  minister  B.,  to  supplant  Mr.  C.=:Mr. 
A.  used  low  and  unworthy  means  to  gain  the  favor 
of  the  minister  B.,  in  order  to  supplant  Mr.  C. 
l¥ortli  whiles  Worth  the  time  or  pains  or  expense, 
&c.,  which  it  requires,  (a) 
It  is  worth  while  to  have  a  good  education  =  It  is 
worth  the  time  and  pains  which  it  requires,  to  have 
a  good  education.     It  is  not  always  worth  while  for  a 
man  to  prosecute  for  small  debts = It  is  not  always 
worth  the  expense  to  prosecute  for  small  debts.     Is 
it  worth  while  to  read  this  paper  ?  =  Will  it  repay  me 
to  read  this  paper  % 
Would   rather,  (c)     Had   rather,  (a)  =  Prefer   to; 
chose  to. 
"  I  had  rather  be  a  doorkeeper  in  the  house  of  the 
Lord,   than   dwell    in    the    tents    of   wickedness" 
[Psalms]  =  I  would  prefer  to  be  a  doorkeeper  in  the 


IDIOMATIC    PHRASES.  281 

house  of  the  Lord,  than  to  dwell  with  wicked  men. 
Will  you  go  with  me  to  the  concert  to-night  ?  I 
would  rather  go  to  the  lecture  =  Will  you  accompany 
me  to  tlie  concert  to-night  ?  I  should  prefer  to  go  to 
the  lecture.  I  had  rather  ride  in  a  carriage  than  on 
the  cars = I  prefer  travel  by  carriage  to  travel  by  rail. 
Ifould  that !  {Poetical)  =  I  wish  that,  (c) 

Would  that  I  were  young  again  =  I  wish  I  was 
young  again.    Would  that  he  were  here  =  I  wish  he  was 
here.      Would  that  there  were  some  method  of  cross- 
ing the  ocean  without  sea-sickness  =  I  wish  there  was 
some  way  to  cross  the  ocean  without  being  sea-sick. 
"Wrap  up  =  To  cover  by  folding  or  winding ;  to  en- 
velop, (a) 
In  New   England,   in   the  winter,   people    ride 
wrapped  up  in  warm  garments  =  In  New  England,  in 
the  winter,  people  ride  enveloped  in  warm  garments. 
^IWrapped  up  in,  to  be  =  To  be  absorbed  in  ;  to  be 
entirely  dependent  on. 

All  her  happiness  was  wrapped  up  in  her  husband 
=  She  was  wholly  dependent  on  her  husband  for  her 
happiness.     He  has  a  new  cabinet  organ,  and  is  wrap- 
ped up  in  his  music  =  He  has  a  new  cabinet  organ, 
and  is  absorbed  in  the  study  and  practice  of  music. 
Wry  face  =  Distortion  of  the  countenance  indicating 
impatience  or  discomfort,  (a) 
The  grapes  at  dinner  were  so  sour  that  they  caused 
him  to  make  a  wry  face  =  The  grapes  at  dinner  were 
so  sour  as  to  cause  him  to  indicate  his  discomfort 
while  eating  them,  by  a  distortion  of  countenance. 


T. 

Year  of  graee  =  The  first  year  of  the  Christian  era ; 
Anno  Domini ;  A.  D.  (c) 

George  Washington  was  bom  in  the  year  of  grace, 
1732  =  George  Washington  was  born  Anno  Domini, 
1732. 
Year§  of  discretion  =  The  age  of  sound  judgment,  (a) 
We  must  not  expect  too  much  of  the  young,  be- 
fore they  arrive  at  years  of  discretion  =  We  must  not 
expect  too  much  of  the  young,  before  they  reach  the 
age  of  sound  judgment. 
Yield  up  the  ghost  or  the  breath,  to  =  To  die ;  to 
expire.  (Scrip.)  (c) 
"  Jesus,  when  he  had  cried  again  with  a  loud  voice, 
yielded  up  the  ghost  ^^= Jesus,  expired,  when  he  had 
cried  again  with  a  loud  voice. 


COLLOQUIAL  PHRASES. 


Ui  The  following  is  a  collection  of  colloquial  words  and  phrases.  They  are 
Railed  colloquial,  because  they  are  employed  in  common  conversation,  and  pertain 
to  this  kind  of  speech,  as  distinguished  from  formal  or  elegant  discourse.  It  is 
their  peculiarity  that  they  are  familiar  and  free  modes  of  expression.  It  is  the 
natural  result  of  a  freer  exercise  of  the  mind  and  feeling  in  social  intercourse,  than 
would  be  considered  appropriate  in  the  book,  the  sermon,  the  poem,  or  the  ora- 
tion. A  certain  latitude  of  expression  is  allowable  and  legitimate  in  the  family 
circle,  the  drawing-room,  and  in  friendly  talk.  Here  it  may  be  permitted  to  speak 
of  one's  "cronies,"  to  "handle"  any  given  subject  "without  mittens,"  and  to  use 
an  almost  unlimited  number  of  like  expressions,  which  would  not  be  permissible 
in  more  formal  speech.  Colloquialisms  are  sometimes  formed  by  giving  a  new  and 
humorous  application  to  words; — as,  when  a  housekeeper  moves  about  hastily  on 
the  occasion  of  some  unexpected  call  for  service,  she  is  said  ''to  fiy  around. '? 
Sometimes  an  idea  is  expressed  colloquially,  by  using  an  established  phrase  for 
some  physical  action; — as,  when  we  say  of  some  defeated  project,  that  it  was 
"knocked  in  tlie  bead.'' 

Colloquial  expressions  are  not  confined  to  conversation.  Being  familiar,  and 
often  pat  and  homely,  they  are  sometimes  employed  by  writers,  especially  of 
light  literature,  to  give  point,  or  to  be  more  free  and  easy  in  style.  There  are 
grades  of  colloquialisms.  Some  approach  to  the  standard  of  good  usage  in  the 
best  writers.  Others  descend  towards  the  level  of  slang.  On  neither  side  can  the 
line  be  very  sharply  drawn.  Webster  marks  a  large  number  of  expressions  as 
colloquial,  which  are  found  in  the  Slang  Dictionary. 

(285) 


COLLOQUIAL    PHEASES. 


A  day  after  the  fair  =  Too  late  ;  after  any  thing  is 
past ;  behindhand,  (c) 
That  man  is  always  a  day  after  the  fair  in  paying 
his  bills  =  That  man  is  always  dilatory  in  paying  his 
bills. 
A  fla§h  in  the  pan=A  vain  attempt ;  a  failure,  (a) 
The  balloon  ascension,  which  was  advertised  to 
take  place  this  noon  on  the  park,  was  a  flash  in  tfie 
pan  for  want  of  sufficient  gas  =  The  balloon  ascen- 
sion, which  was  advertised  to  take  place  this  noon 
on  the  park,  was  a  failure  for  want  of  sufficient  gas. 
Afiraid  of  one'§  oiw^n  shadoiv  =  Exceedingly  timid, 
(a) 
Mrs.  A.  does  not  dare  to  go  out,  even  on  moon- 
light evenings;  she  is  afraid  of  her  own  shadow  =  M.rs. 
A.  does  not  dare  to  go  out,  even  on  moonlight  eve- 
nings ;  she  is  exceedingly  timid. 
A  game  at  nrhich  two  can  play  =  The  power  of 
retaliation  ;  a  method  of  procedure,  in  which  the 
party  attacked  can  give  tit  for  tat.  (a) 
.    The  candidate  for  town  treasurer  would  do  well 
not  to  slander  his  opponent,  for  he  will  find  that  it 
is  a  game  at  which  two  can  play  —  The  candidate  for 
town  treasurer  would  do  well  not  to  slander  his  op- 
ponent, for  he  will  find  that  his  opponent  can  retali- 
ate. 
A  good  round  §um  =  A  large  price  ;  much  money. 

In  1867,  the  United  States  paid  Hussia  a  good 
round  sum  for  Alaska;  viz.,  $7,200,000  =  In  1867, 
the   United   States  paid  Russia   much    money   for 
Alaska ;  viz.,  $7,200,000. 
A  great  catch  =  Some  thing  very  desirable  to  be 
obtained,  (c) 
That  young  man  is  considered  a  great  catchy  by  the 
young  ladies  =  The  young  ladies  consider  that  young 
man  a  very  desirable  person  to  have  for  a  husband. 
All  but=Yery  nearly,  (a) 

(287) 


288  COLLOQUIAL    PHRASES. 

The  skaters  on  the  pond  all  hut  broke  through  the 
ice  =  The  skaters  on  the  pond  very  nearly  broke 
through  the  ice. 

All  liaiid§  =  All  helpers  ;  all  persons,  (a) 

At  midnight  the  captain  of  the  ship  called  all 
hands  on  deck  =  At  midnight  the  captain  of  the  ship 
called  all  helpers,  that  is,  all  the  crew,  on  deck.  Let 
all  hands  of  us  take  hold,  and  try  to  finish  the  hay- 
ing to-day  =  Let  all  of  us  begin  earnestly,  and  try  to 
finish  the  haying  to-day.  He  ordered  all  hands  to 
go  to  the  field  =  He  ordered  all  the  men  to  go  to  the 
field.  All  hands  were  tired  out  =  All  of  us  were 
tired  out. 

All  in  a  pucker  =  Confused ;    agitated;   perplexed. 

(") .  . 

It  is  time  for  school,  and  the  boy  is  all  in  a  pucker 
because  he  can  not  find  his  hat  =  It  is  time  for  school, 
and  the  boy  is  agitated  because  he  can  not  find  his 
hat. 
All  one  =  Just  the  same,  (a) 

It  is  all  one  to  me,  whether  you  stay  or  not  =  It  is 
just  the  same  to  me  whether  you  stay  or  not.     It  is 
all  one  to  him,  whether  we  like  him  or  not  =  He  does 
not  care  whether  we  like  him  or  not. 
All  over  ivitli  one,  to  be  =  To  be  dead,  (c) 

It  is  all  over  with  him,  after  a  long  illness  =  He  is 
dead,  after  a  long  illness. 
All  the  fat  being  in  the  fire  =  All  the  planning  or 
labor  coming  to  naught,  by  reason  of  some  mishap. 

{0) 

The  congressman  who   was   to  recommend    the 
lawyer  to  ofiice,  is  not  re-elected  ;  and  now  the  law- 
yer's fat  is  all  in  the  fire  — The  congressman  who  was 
to  recommend  the  lawyer  for  office  is  not  re-elected  ; 
and  now  the  lawyer's  plan  is  overturned  and  his 
efforts  frustrated. 
All  the  §ame  =  As  completely  or  entirely  as  if.  (a) 
You  do  not  answer  ;  but  I  understand  you,  all  the 
same=You   do  not  answer  me;  but  I  understand 
you  as  completely  as  if  you  had. 
A  long  header  An    acute   and    far-seeing  mind;   a 
shrewd  judgment,  (a) 
It  requires  a  long  head  to  manage  successfully  the 
affairs  of  State  =  It  requires  an  acute  and  far-seeing 
mind  to  manage  successfully  the  affairs  of  State. 
Any  thing  but  =  Quite  contrary  to ;  dilFerent  from. 

It  is  any  thing  but  agreeable,  to  be  sick  with  mea- 
sles =  It  is  quite  different  from  agreeable  (quite  dis- 
agreeable) to  be  sick  with  the  measles.     Is  he  an  in- 


COLLOQUIAL    PHRASES.  289 

telligent  man  ?     He  is  anything  hut  intelligent  =  Is 
he  an  intelligent  man  ?     He  id  quite  the  opposite  of 
intelligent  (ignorant). 
A  nut  to  crack  =  Something   puzzling,   to   be    ex- 
plained, (c) 
Sometimes  on  breaking  open  a  stone,  a  live  toad 
has  been  found  imbedded.     How  can  he  exist  in  that 
condition  ?     There  is  a  nut  to  crack  —  Sometimes  on 
breaking  open   a  stone,  a  live  toad  has  been  found 
imbedded.     How   can   he   exist  in  that  condition? 
There  is  something  puzzling,  and  requiring  explana- 
tion. 
Apple-pic  order  =  Perfect  order  and  arrangement,  (c) 
The  historical  room  at  the  ^thenseum  is  kept  in 
apple-pie  order  =  Ti\Q  order  and  arrangement  of  the 
historical  room  at  the  Athenaeum  are  perfect.     She 
keeps  the  house  in  apple-pie  orcfer=  She  keeps  the 
house  in  perfect  order. 
A  pretty  kettle  of  fl8li=A  bad  state  of  affairs;  a 
muddle,  (c) 
Here's  a  pretty  Icettle  of  Jish  =  HeTe^8  a  bad  state  of 
affairs.     A  part  of  the  invitations  to  the  wedding 
assigned  the  wrong  day  for  the  ceremony — that's  a 
pretty  kettle  of  fish  =  A  part  of  the  invitations  to  the 
wedding  mentioned  the  wrong  day  fov  the  ceremony 
— that  is  a  muddle  (confused  state  of  things) 
A  rattling  pace  =  A  gait  so  rapid  as  to  produce  a 
rattling  sound ;  a  rapid  gait,  (c) 
The  gentleman  and  lady  on  horseback  went  by 
the  house  at  a  rattling  pace  =  The  gentleman  and  lady 
on  horseback  passed  the  house  at  a  rapid  gait. 
A  rough  e§timate  =  An  estimate  in  general  and  not 
very  exact,  (a) 
The  newspaper  correspondent  made  a  rough  esti- 
mate of  the  number  of  persons  present  on  the  fair 
grounds  The  new^spaper  correspondent  estimated,  in 
a  general  way,  the  number  of  persons  present  on 
the  fair  ground. 

A  rough  gue§§  =  A  judgment  or  opinion  given  at 

random  and  in  general  terms,  without  attempt  at 

precision,  (a) 

The   farmer   gave   a  rough  guess  respecting  the 

weight  of  the  load  of  hay  =  The  farmer  estimated  in 

a  general  way,  the  weight  of  the  load  of  hay. 

A  §ight  =  A  quantity ;  a  great  number ;  a  large  sum. 

(*) 

What  a  sight  of  dirt  in  this  kitchen !  =  What  a 
quantity  of  dirt  in  this  kitchen  !     He  is  making  a 
sight  of  money  in  business  =  He  is  making  a  great 
sum  of  money  in  business. 
20 


290  COLLOQUIAL    PHRASES. 

As  ill  luck  irould  have  it  =  Unfortunately,  (a) 
The  man  was  passing  down  the  street,  and  as  ill 
luck  would  have  it^  a  projecting  stone  on  the  side-walk 
threw  him  down,  and  his  leg  was  broken  =  The  man 
was  passing  down  the  street,  and  unfortunately,  a 
projecting  stone  on  the  side-walk  threw  him  down ; 
and  his  leg  was  broken. 
As  like  as  ti¥o  peas  =  So  similar  as  to  be  distin- 
guished from  each  other  with  great  difficulty ;  very 
similar,  (c) 
These  twin  brother's  are  as  like  as  two  peas  =  These 
twin  brothers  are  so  similar  as  to  be  distinguished 
from  each  other  with  difficulty. 
As  mueh  =  As  much  ^s  that ;  the  same,  (a) 

Mr.    K.    has    delayed    writing,    because   he    has 
been  ill ;  I  feared  as  much  =  Mr.  R.  has  not  written 
sooner,  because  he  has  been  ill ;  I  feared  as  much  as 
that. 
As  sound  as  a  roacli  =  Perfectly  sound,  (c) 

He  is  never  sick ;  he  is  as  sound  as  a  roach =^0.^ 
is  never  sick,  and  is  perfectly  sound  and  well. 
As  the  story  goes   or  runs  =  It  is  said  ;  the  story 
is  thus,  (a) 
The  young  man  first  saw  the  young  lady  at  a  wa- 
tering-place, and  proposed  to  her  there,  as  the  story 
goes  =  The  young  man  first  saw  the  young  lady  at  a 
watering-place,  and  there  proposed  marriage,  it  is 
said. 
As  the  world  goes  =  According  to  customary  stand- 
ards, (a) 

.  Mr.  A.  is  an  honest  man,  as  the  world  goes  =  Mr. 
A.  is  an  honest  man,  as  honesty  is  reckoned  in  the 
world. 
As  thick  as  hops  =  As  thick  as  hops  on  the  vine ; 
very  numerous ;  very  plentiful,  (a) 
In  the  crowd  gathered  on  the  park,  children  were 
as  thick  as  hops =lii  the  crowd  gathered  on  the  park, 
children  were  very  numerous. 
As   things   go = According  to  the  present   circum- 
stances, market,  usage  or  custom,  (a) 
As  things  go  now,  this  rent  is  dear  =  Since  rents 
have  come  down,  this  rent  is  dear.     As  things  go  at 
the  South   (U.  S.),   the   colored   population   feel  a 
strong  impulse  to  migrate  to  other  portions  of  the 
country  =  Business  contracts,  civil  rights,  &c.,  are  so 
little  respected  in  some  parts  of  the  South,  that  the 
colored  people  feel  a  strong  impulse  to  migrate  to 
other  portions  of  the  country. 
At  a  pinch  =  In  difficulty ;  under  necessity,  (a) 
That  post  will  serve,  at  a  pinch,  to  put  in  the  fence 


COLLOQUIAL    PHKASES.  291 

which  we  are  building ;  but  we  ought  to  have  a  bet- 
ter one  =:  That  post  will  serve  in  the  present  neces- 
sity ;  but  we  ought  to  have  a  better  one. 

At  flr§t  band  =  From  original  sources ;  without  in- 
tervention of  agents,  (a) 
I  bought  these  strawberries  at  first  hand =1  bought 
these  strawberries  of  the  producers.  I  had  the  ac- 
count of  the  great  fire  in  Jeddo  at  first  hand=l  had  a 
statement  about  the  great  fire  in  Jeddo  from  the 
original  source,  or  from  those  who  were  there. 

At  log^gerhead§,  to  be  =  To  come  to  blows ;  to  be 
at  strife ;  to  differ  strongly,  {b) 
He  is  at  loggerheads  with  his  partner  about  the 
clerks  =  He  is  in  a  quarrel  with  his  partner  concern- 
ing the  clerks.  Germany  and  France  may  be  at  log- 
gerheads again  =  Germany  and  France  may  be  quar- 
reling again.  I  saw  the  Irish  boys  and  the  negro 
boys  at  loggerheads  in  the  street,  the  other  day = The 
other  day,  I  saw  the  Irish  boys  and  the  negro  boys 
at  strife  in  the  street. 

At  Ioo§e  ends  =  Neglected  ;  badly  managed ;  in  con- 
fusion, (a) 
His  business  affairs  are  at  loose  ends,  and  he  is 
likely  to  become  bankrupt  =  His  business  affairs  are 
carelessly  managed,  and  he  is  likely  to  become  bank- 
rupt. 

At  sea  =  Uninformed ;  uncertain;  unable  to  tell,  (a) 

When  asked  what  were  the  capitals  of  the  several 

States,  the  school-boy  was  all  at  5ea=:When  asked 

what  were  the   capitals  of  the  several  States,  the 

school-boy  was  unable  to  tell. 

At  tbe  end  of  one's  rope,  to  be  =  To  be  without 
resources ;  to  be  unable  to  do  any  thing  further,  (b) 
He  is  at  the  end  of  his  rope  as  a  political  leader  = 
He  can  not  do  any  more  as  a  political  leader.  If 
you  are  not  more  prudent  you  will  soon  be  at  the  end 
of  your  rope  =  If  you  are  not  more  prudent  you  will 
soon  have  used  up  all  your  resources.  He  hired  a 
store,  and  carried  on  business  in  a  very  showy  and 
extravagant  manner  ;  but  was  soon  at  the  end  of  his 
rope,  for  want  of  capitals  He  hired  a  store  and 
transacted  business  in  a  very  showy  and  extravagant 
manner  ;  but  soon  exhausted  his  capital,  and  was  un- 
able to  proceed  further. 

At  tbe  pincb  =  At  the  moment  of  special  difficulty. 

An  axle-tree  broke,  in  the  evening,  miles  from 
any  house,  and  I  should  have  been  in  a  sad  plight, 
but  Mr.  A.  came  by  at  the  pinch,  and  helped  me  out 
of  the  difficulty  =  An  axle-tree  broke,  in  the  even- 


292  COLLOQUIAL    PHRASES. 

ing,  miles  from  any  house,  and  I  should  have  been 
in  a  sad  plight,  but  Mr.  A.  came  along,  at  the  mo- 
ment of  special  difficulty,  and  helped  me  out. 
A  -wild-goose  clia§e  =  Pursuit  after  something  un- 
likely to  be  obtained,  or  something  of  little  value. 

(«) 

He  is  on  a  wild-goose  chase  in  trying  to  find  some 
one  who  will  buy  the  property  at  that  price = He  is 
not  likely  to  find  any  one  who  will  buy  the  property 
at  the  price  he  asks  for  it.  Mr  B.  is  on  a  vjild-goose 
chase  after  a  project  to  light  the  city  by  decompos- 
ing water  =  Mr.  B.  is  engaged  in  a  vain  enterprise  to 
light  the  city  by  decomposing  water. 


B. 

Back  out,  to  =  To  withdraw ;  to  retreat ;  to  retire ; 
to  give  up.  (a) 
He  began  last  spring  to  study ;  but  he  soon  bached 
OM/=He  began  to  study  last  spring;  but  he  soon  gave 
up.     You  promised  to  assist  me  and  you  can  not 
hack  out— Yow.  promised  to  assist  me,  and  you  can 
not  get  away  from  keeping  your  promise. 
Bag[  and  baggages  All   one's  goods;  every  thing 
belonging  to  a  person,  (a) 
The  blacksmith  has  left  town,  hag  and  haggage= 
The  blacksmith  has  left  town,  with  all  his  goods. 
He  has  started  for  California,  hag  and  haggage  —  He 
has  started  for  California,  with  his  family  and  all 
his  possessions. 
Be   or  keep  in  with,  to  =  To  be  on  good  terms ; 
to  be  intimate,  (c) 
It  is  my  wish  to  keep  in  with  my  classmates  =  It  is 
my  wish   to   keep  on   terms   of  intimacy  with  my 
classmates.     He  tried  to  keep  in  with  his  neighbors  ; 
but  they  were  so  quarrelsome  that  he  found  it  very 
difficult  =  He  tried  to  be  on  friendly  terms  with  his 
neighbors ;  but  found  it  very  difficult,  because  they 
were  so  quarrelsome. 
Beat  into  the  head,  to  =  To  teach,  by  repetition 
of  instruction  ;  to  cause  to  learn,  (c) 
I  can  not  heat  it  into  the  boy's  head^  that  he  must 
say.  Yes,  sir,  in  answering  =  I  can  not  make  the  boy 
learn,  that  he  must  say.  Yes,  sir,  in  answering. 
Beat  up  recruits,  to  =  To  get  up  an  extra  supply 
of  helpers  ;  to  find  persons  to  assist,  (a) 
He  has  gone  to  heat  up  recruits  for  his  house-rais- 
ing =  He  has  gone  to  obtain  helpers  for  his  house- 


COLLOQUIAL    PHRASES.  293 

raising.     We   must  heat  up   recruits  for   the  work, 
wliicli  must  be  finished  to-morrow  =  We  must  get  up 
an  extra  supply  of  lielpers  for  the  work,  which  must 
be  finished  to-morrow. 
Belour  the  mark  =  Below  the  standard  ;  inferior,  (a) 
This  book  on  astronomy  is  helow  the  mark  =  T\i\^ 
book  on  astronomy  is  inferior. 
Be  off,  torrl.  To  depart,  (a)     2.  To  depart  or  re- 
cede from  an  engagement  or  design,  (c) 
1.  I  must  6eo^  now;  excuse  me  please  =  I  must 
go  now ;  please  excuse  me.     2.  He  engaged  to  do 
the  work,  but  now  he  is  off=Ile  engaged  to  do  the 
work,  but  now  he  has  receded  from  the  engagement. 
2.  He  entered  into  the  arrangement  to  make   the 
survey  of  the  farm,  but  now  he  is  off=  He  entered 
into  or  made  the  arrangement  to  make  the  survey 
of  the  farm,  but  he  now  withdraws. 
Between  you  and  me,  &c.  =  In  strict  confidence  ; 
it  must  go  no  further ;  I  say  it  privately,  (a) 
Between  you  and  me,  he  is  a  thief  =  I  tell  you  (but 
you  must  not  tell  any  one  else)  he  is  a  thief.     He 
makes  great  boasts  of  his  ability  to  do  the  work ;  but 
between  you  and  me,  I  think  he  is  wholly  incompe- 
tent =  He  makes  great  boasts  of  his  ability  to  do  the 
work ;  but  I  say  to  you  in  strict  confidence,  I  think 
he  is  wholly  incompetent. 
Birds  of  a  feather  =  Persons  of  like  character,  (a) 
They  belong  to  the  same  political  party  ;  they  are 
birds  of  a  feather =They  belong  to  the  same  political 
party  ;  they  are  persons  of  like  opinions.     Hunters 
and  fishermen   are  birds  of  a  feather  =  IlunteYS,  and 
fishermen  are  persons  of  similar  tastes  and  callings. 
Black  as  ink  =  Yery  gloomy ;  hopeless  prospect,  (c) 
His  business  and  domestic  afiairs  are  in  confusion, 
and  every  thing  looks  to  him  black  as  ink =lli8  busi- 
ness  and  domestic  afiairs  are  in  confusion ;  every 
thing  looks  gloomy,  and  he  sees  no  light. 
Bleed,  to  =  To  draw  money  from ;  to  pay  or  lose 
money,  (c) 
The  party  bled  the  rich  candidate  for  state  senator, 
in  order  to  pay  the  expenses  of  election  =  The  party 
drew  money  from  the  wealthy  candidate  for  state 
senator,  in   order  to   pay  the  expenses  of  election. 
The  people  tvere  bled  for  new  public  buildings  and 
roads  =  The  people  were  obliged  to  pay  much  mon- 
ey for  new  public  buildings  and  roads. 
Blind  side  =  The  side  of  a  person's  character  most 
'  susceptible  to  approach  or  appeal ;  the  weak  or  im- 
pressible side,  (c) 
When  Mr.  A.  wanted  a  favor  of  Mr.  B.,  he  ap- 


294  COLLOQUIAL    PHRASES. 

proached  him  on  his  blind  side^  which  is  his  love  of 
flattery = When  Mr.  A.  wanted  a  favor  of  Mr.  B.,  he 
approached  him  on  the  most  susceptible  side  of  his 
character,  which  is  the  love  of  flattery. 
Blood,  qualified  by  up = Excited  feeling  or  passion; 
anger,  (c) 

His  blood  is  up  at  that  taunts  He  is  angry  at  that 
taunt.     Don't  speak  when  your  blood  is  w^=:  Don't 
speak  while  you  are  angry. 
Blour  great  guns,  to=rTo  blow  violently,  tempest- 
uously, (c) 
It  blew  great  guns^The  wind  blew  a  hurricane. 
The  clouds  look  as  if  it  would  soon  blow  great  guns= 
The  clouds  look  so,  that  I  think  the  wind  will  soon 
blow  violently.     When  we  were  off'  Cape  Hatteras, 
it  blew  great  guns  —  WYien   we   were   passing   Cape 
Hatteras,  at  a  little  distance  from  it,  the  wind  blew 
violently. 
Blour  up,  to=:To  abusc  or  scold  violently,  (a) 

When  he  finds  out  your  carelessness,  he  will  blow 
you  wp=:  When  he  finds  out  your  carelessness,  he  will 
scold  you  violently.     I  never  had  such  a  blowing  up 
=1  was  never  so  violently  scolded.     The  gardener 
blew  up  the  hostler  for  disclosing  a  secret  which  he 
had  confided  to  him  =  The  gardener  violently  scolded 
the  hostler  for  disclosing  a  secret  which  he  had  in- 
trusted to  him. 
Blue-stoeking  =  A  literary  lady ;  a  female  pedant. 
ib)     The  term  blue-stocking,  to  signify  a  literary 
lady,  was  first  used  in  London  in  the  time  of  Dr. 
Johnson.     Its  use  to  signify  a  female  pedant  came 
in  naturally  afterwards. 

The  last  of  the  original  clique  of  English  blue- 
stockings was  Miss  Monckton,  who  died  in  1840  =  The 
last  of  the  original  clique  of  literary  ladies  was  Miss 
Monckton.  Miss  A.  is  a  blue-stocki7ig,  and  tires  you 
with  her  conversation  =  Miss  A.  is  a  pedant,  and 
wearies  you  with  her  conversation. 
Bored  to  death  =  Exceedingly  annoyed,  (a) 

The  rail-road  conductor  said  that  he  was  bored  to 
death  by  the  foolish  questions  of  passengers  =  The 
rail-road  conductor  said   that  he  was   exceedingly 
annoyed  by  the  foolish  questions  of  passengers. 
Bother  =  Annoyance  or  perplexity  ;  that  which  per- 
plexes or  annoys,  (b) 
I  had  a  great  deal  of  bother  to  find  the  place = I 
was  much   perplexed  in   finding  the   place.      Get 
down  from  my  chair,  pussy  ;  you  are  a  bother  —  Get 
down  from  my  chair,  pussy  ;  you  annoy  me.     It  is 
a  great  bother  to  stop  and  shut  the  gate,  every  time 


#  COLLOQUIAL    PHRASES.  295 

I  drive  outfit  is  a  great  annoyance  or  hindrance  to 
stop  and  shut  the  gate,  every  time  I  pass  ont  with 
the  horse  and  carriage. 

Bran-ne\r  =  Unworn  ;  recently  made  or  purchased. 

(a) 

This  is  a  bran-new  hat  =  This  is  a  hat  not  yet  worn. 

We  have  hran-new  furniture = We  have  furniture  but 

just  bought.     He  had  on  a  bran-new  suit  =  He  was 

wearing  very  new  clothes. 

Brass  =  Impudence  ;  boldness  ;  excessive  self-confi- 
dence, (a) 
In  his  examination,  the  witness  showed  a  great 
deal  of  brass  =  ln  his  examination,  the  witness  mani- 
fested mucli  impudence.  He  has  not  brass  enough 
to  succeed  as  a  public  speaker  =  He  has  not  suificient 
boldness  or  self-reliance  to  be  a  successful  public 
speaker.  Brass  sometimes  goes  farther  than  brains  = 
Excessive  self-confidence  sometimes  succeeds,  w^iere 
merit  fails  through  its  modesty. 

Bring  up,  to  (intrans.)  =  To  come  to  the  end  of  one's 
course,  (a) 
Those  young  fellows  will  probably  bring  up  in  the 
penitentiary ;  they  are  so  dishonest  and  lawless  = 
Those  young  men  will  most  likely  end  their  present 
course  in  the  prison,  because  they  are  so  dishonest 
and  lawless. 

Broad  as  it  is  long  =  The  same  one  way  as  the 
other.  («) 
The  rule  of  social  calls  is  as  broad  as  it  is  long ; 
if  you  receive  calls,  you  must  return  them  =  The 
rule  of  social  calls  holds  in  both  directions ;  if  you 
receive  calls,  you  must  return  them.  If  I  give  my 
brother  my  horse,  I  shall  be  obliged  to  buy  me 
another ;  so  that  it  is  as  broad  as  it  is  long^  whether  I 
give  him  the  horse  or  the  moneys  If  I  give  my 
brother  my  horse  I  shall  be  necessitated  to  have 
another ;  so  that  it  is  really  the  same,  whether  I  give 
him  the  horse,  or  the  money  to  purchase  one. 

Brush  up,  to  =  To  paint ;  to  cleanse ;  to  renew ;  to 
improve,  (c) 
Can  not  you  brush  yourself  up  a  little  ?  =  Can  not 
you  make  yourself  appear  a  little  better?  Before 
examination,  I  must  brush  up  my  Latin = Before 
examination,  I  must  study  my  Latin  over  a  little,  to 
bring  it  to  my  memory.  He  is  considerable  brushed 
up  of  late  =  Of  late  he  is  considerably  improved  in 
his  appearance.  Mr.  A.  is  brushing  up  his  premises, 
preparatory  to  bringing  home  his  bride  =  Mr.  A.  is 
improving  the  appearance  of  his  house  and  grounds, 
in  preparation  for  bringing  home  his  bride. 


296  COLLOQUIAL    PHRASES.  » 

Buckle  to,  to  =  To  apply  one's  self  with  vigor  to ; 
to  engage  with  zeal  in ;  to  bend  to.  (c) 

When  I  buckle  to  my  hoeing,  it  will  be  quickly  done 
=When  I  go  earnestly  at  work  hoeing,  it  will  be 
quickly  done.     He  buckled  to  study  like  a  good  one=: 
He  applied  himself  to  study  very  earnestly.    It  is  late ; 
buckle  to!  —  li  is  late;  work  hard.     The  hay  makers 
buckled  to,  and  got  in  the  hay  before  the  shower  = 
The  hay  makers  worked  vigorously,  and  secured  the 
]iay  before  the  shower. 
Burn  the  candle  at  both  end§,  to  =  To  squander 
in  two  ways ;  to  be  doubly  extravagant,  (a) 
By  idleness  and  extravagance  he  burns  the  candle 
at  both  ends—Bj  idleness  and  extravagance  he  is 
doubly  wasteful.     Do  not  burn  your  candle  at  both- 
ends =1)0  not   waste   and   squander  time,   money, 
and  the  like.     By  working  hard  and  living  poorly, 
he  is  burning  the  candle  of  life  at  both  ends  =  By  exces- 
sive work  and  innutritions  food,  he  is  exhausting  his 
strength  of  constitution. 
Button-hole,  to  =  To  bore;  to  detain  in  conversa- 
tion to  weariness,  (ci) 
He  button-holed  me  on  the  street  to  talk  politics  = 
He  kept  talking  politics  to  me  on  the  street  till  I 
was  wearied,  as  if  he  held  me  by  the  button-hole. 
As  the  senator  was  leaving  the  senate-chamber,  he 
was  butto7i-holed  by  a  man  interested  in  the  rail-road 
bill  =  As  the  senator  was  leaving  the  senate-chamber, 
he  was  accosted  and  wearily  detained  in  conversa- 
tion, by  a  man  who  was  interested  in  the  rail-road 
bill. 
By  fit§  and  §natche§.     By  fits  and  starts  =  Impul- 
sively aad  irregularly ;  at  intervals,  (c) 
She  embroidered  this  rug  by  fits  and  snatches  =  She 
embroidered  this  rug,  by  working  at  intervals.     He 
is  generous  by  fits  and  starts  =  Iie  is  impulsively  and 
irregularly  generous.     The  boy  does  not  progress  in 
learning  the  language,  because  he  studies  by  fits  and 
starts  — The,  boy   does  not  progress  in  learning  the 
language,  because  he  studies  irregularly. 
By  all  odds.     By  long  odds  =  By  eminent  superi- 
ority ;  very  much,  (a) 
This   ship  is  the  he&t,  by  long  oc?cfe= This  ship  is 
very  much  the  best.     This  is  the  warmest  day  by 
all  odds  — This  is  very  much  the  warmest  day.     He 
is,  by  all  odds,  the  best  man  for  the  office  =  He  is 
very  much  the  best  man  for  the  office.     I  should 
prefer  a  tour  in  Europe  to  one  in   California,  by  i.21 
odds=l  should  regard  a  tour  in   Europe  as  much 
preferable  to  one  in  California. 


COLLOQUIAL    PHRASES.  297 


O. 

Call  a  §pade  a  spade,  to  =  To  be  plain-spoken ;  to 
call  things  by  their  right  names,  (c) 
Why  not  call  a  spade  a  spadef  —  Why  shall  we  not 
call  things  by  their  right  names?     The  editor  de- 
nounced the  duel  as  a  murderous  combat,  and  not 
an  affair  of  honor;  he  believes  in  calling  a  spade  a 
5/)a<ie= The  editor  denounced  the  duel  as  a  murder- 
ous combat,  and  not  an  affair  of  honor ;  he  believes 
in  calling  things  by  their  right  names. 
Carry  on,  to  =  To  conduct  in  a  rude  manner;  to  be 
hilarious,  (a) 
The  young  people  sometimes  carry  on   greatly, 
when  they  get  together  =  The  young  people  some- 
times conduct  in  a  hilarious  manner,  or  in  a  rude 
way,  when  they  get  together.     Young  folks  like  to 
carry  on,  when  they  get  together = Young  folks  like 
to  frolic,  when  they  get  together.     At  the  picnic, 
the  boys  and  girls  can^d  on  at  a  great  rate  =  At  the 
picnic,  the  boys  and  girls  were  very  hilarious. 
Ca§t  cye§  upon,  to=:To  direct  the  eyes  towards,  (c) 
Looking  about  for  a  wife,  lie  cast  his  eyes  on  dame 
Prissy = Looking  about  for  a  wife,  he  directed  his 
eyes  towards  dame  Prissy,  as  one  worthy  of  his 
choice. 
Catch  a  Tartar,  to=To  lay  hold  of  or  encounter  a 
person,  who  proves  too  strong  for  the  assailant, 
(a) 
Louis  ^N'apoleon  declared  war  against  Germany, 
and  caught  a  7brto?'r=  Louis  Napoleon,  making  war 
on  Germany,  encountered  a  power  too  strong  for 
him. 
Catchpenny  =  Made  to  gain  money;  worthless,  (a) 
Tliat  book  is  a  catchpenny  affair  =  That  book  is 
worthless,  and  made  for  the  sake  of  getting  money. 
That  is  a  mere  catchpenny    circus-show;    there    is 
neither  instruction  nor  entertainment  in  it  =  That  is 
a  valueless  and  money-getting   circus-show;    it   af- 
fords neither  instruction  nor  entertainment. 
Catch  up,  to  —  To  cease  to  be  behindhand ;  to  over- 
take, (a) 
The  boy  who  was  absent  from  school  a  week  has 
caught  up  with  his  class  =  The  boy  who  was  absent 
from  school  a  week  has  ceased  to  be  behind  his 
class. 
Catch  with  chaff,  to  =  To  deceive  easily,  (c) 

Mr.  A.  is  a  shrewd  man,  he  is  not  to  be  caught 


298  COLLOQUIAL    PHRASES. 

with  chaff  =M.Y,  A.  is  a  shrewd  man,  he  is  not  easily- 
deceived. 
Chatter-box  =  One  who  talks  incessantly  and  idly,  (a) 
She  is  a  little  chatier-hox=ShG  chatters  (z.  e.  talks) 
constantly.     You  never  saw  such  a  chatter-box  as  my 
niece  is  =  You  never  saw  such  an  incessant  talker  as 
my  niece  is. 
Cheap  as  dirt  =  Yery  cheap ;  low-priced  in  compari- 
son with  the  value,  (c) 
Strawberries  are  now  so  abundant  in  market  that 
they  are  cheap  as  dirt— There  is  now  such  an  abund- 
ance of  strawberries  in  market,  that  they  are  very 
cheap.      I  bought  a  carpet  at  the   auction  room, 
cheap  as  dirt  =  I  bought  a  carpet,  at  the  auction  room, 
for  a  low  price  compared  with  its  value. 
Chip  of  the  old  block  =  A  son  having  the  charac- 
teristics of  his  father,  (a) 
He  is  a  chip  of  the  old  blocJc  =  He  is  like  his  father, 
in  looks  or  disposition.       I  saw  the  artist's  little  boy- 
sketching  the  cat,  he  is  a  chip  of  the  old  block— 1  saw 
the  artist's  little  son  drawing  the  figure  of  the  cat ; 
he  has  his  father's  characteristics. 
Chunk  =  A  short,  thick  piece  of  any  thing,  (a) 

Throw  the  dog  a  chunk  of  meat  =  Throw  the  dog 
a  thick  piece  of  meat.     Put  a  chunk  of  wood  on  the 
fire  =  Put  a  large,  rough  piece  of  wood  on  the  fire. 
Chunky  =  Short  and  thick,  (a) 

He  is  a  chunky  man  =  He  is  a  short,  stout  man. 
Mr.  E.  has  a  chunky  little  horse  =  Mr.  E.  has  a  com- 
pactly formed  little  horse. 
Clear  as  noon-day  =  Perfectly  intelligible,  (a) 

I  did  not  understand  his  strange  behavior,  but 
now  it  is  clear  as  noon-day ;  he  is  insane  on  that  one 
subject  =  I  did  not  understand  his  strange  behavior, 
but  now  it  is  perfectly  intelligible ;  he  is  insane  on 
that  one  subject. 
Clear  out,  to  =  To  depart ;  to  quit  the  town,  {b) 
After  the  exposure  of  his  bad  conduct,  he  cleared 
out— He  left  the  town,  when  his  evil  conduct  was 
discovered.      Clear  out,  boys!    I  can  not  have   the 
grass  on  my  lawn  trampled  down  =  Go  away  (depart), 
boys !    the  grass  on  my  lawn  must  not  be  trodden 
down. 
Cock  of  the  walk  =  Chief  person ;  one  without  ri- 
val ;  a  leader,  (c) 
He  is  the  cock  of  the  walk  here  =  He  is  the  principal 
person  here.     "Elsewhere  than  in  tap-rooms  it  is  a 
dangerous  thing  to  be  cock  of  the  walk  "  =  Elsewhere 
than  in  tap-rooms  it  is  dangerous  to  be  without  a 
^  rival. 


COLLOQUIAL    PHRASES.  299 

Cock  of   the   roo§t  =  Chief  person ;   master-spirit ; 
leader  of  a  party,  (c) 
Mr.  A.  is  cock  of  the  roost  in  his  party  =  Mr.  A.  is 
the  leader  of  his  party.     John  B.  is  cock  of  the  roost 
on  the  play-ground  =  John  B.  is  the  master-spirit 
or  leader  on  the  play-ground. 
Coin  money,  to  =  To  gain  wealth  rapidly,  (a) 

Since  he  commenced  that  business,  he  has  been 
coining  money— ^\xi(tQ  he  began  that  business,  he  has 
been  making  great  profits.  At  that  time,  I  fairly 
coined  money =A.t  that  time,  I  made  a  great  deal  of 
money. 
Cold  a§  a  stones  Exceedingly  cold.  (6) 

My  feet  were  cold  as  a  stone  when  I  got  out  of  the 
sleigh = At  the  end  of  the  sleigh-ride,  my  feet  were 
exceedingly  cold. 
Cool  as  a  cucumber =Ilefreshingly  cool;  self-pos- 
sessed, (a) 
Sitting  under  the  shade  of  this  tree,  I  am  as  cool 
as  a  cucumber  this  hot  day  =  Sitting  under  the  shade 
of  tliis  tree,  I  am  refreshingly  cool  this  hot    day. 
When  the  accident  happened  to  the  train,  by  which 
some  of  the  passengers  were  injured,  the  conductor 
was  cool  as  a  cucumber =W}[ien  the  train  met  with  an 
accident  by  which  some  of  the  passengers  were  in- 
jured, the  conductor  was  very  self-possessed  (calm 
and  having  control  of  himself). 
Come  across  the  mind,  to=To  enter  the  mind,  (c) 
Mr.  A.  was  about  to  drive  to  the  next  town,  when 
it  came  across  his  mind,  that  the  bridge  had  been 
carried  away  by  the  freshets  Mr.  A.  was  about  to 
drive  to  the  next  town,  when  the  thought  entered 
Ins  mind,  that  the  bridge  had  been  carried  away  by 
the  freshet. 
Come  or  g^o  in  at  one  ear  and  go  out  at  the  other, 
to=:To  receive  no  lodgment  in   the  memory;  to 
be  immediately  forgotten,  (a) 
What  you  told  me  went  in  at  one  ear  and  out  at  the 
other  =:Whsit  you  told  me  was  immediately  forgotten. 
What  Mr.  A.  told  me  of  the  family  difficulty  in  the 
neighborhood  came  in  at  one  ear,  and  went  out  at  the 
other ^Wlmt  Mr.  A.  told  me  of  the  family  difficulty 
in  the  neighborhood  was  heard  with  inattention. 
Come  in   or    into  play,  to  =  To  be  useful;  to  fit 
some  need,  (a) 
Take  these  field-glasses  in  your  excursion;  you 
will  find  that  they  will  come  in  play =Take  these 
field-glasses  in  your  excursion ;  you  will  find  them 
useful.     I  picked   up   that  horse   shoe,  thinking  it 
might  coTYie  in  play  some  time = I  picked  up   that 


800  COLLOQUIAL    PHRASES. 

horse  shoe,  thinking  that  it  might  some  time  serve  a 
useful  pm-pose  or  supply  a  need. 
Come  into  the  liead,  to  =  To  be  suggested  indirectly 
to  the  mind,  (c) 
How  did  that  come  into  your  headf  =  lIo\v  did  that 
suggest  itself  to  you?     It  has  just  come  into  my  head 
that  I  have  an  engagement  at  this  hour = It  has  just 
occurred  to  me  that  I  have  an  engagement  at  this 
hour.     I  was  driving  through  the  town.,  when  it 
came  into  my  head  to  stop,  and  visit  the  emery  mine 
there = I  was  driving  through  the  town,  w^hen  it  was 
suggested  to  my  mind  to  stop,  and  visit  the  emery 
mine  there. 
Come  off,  to  =  ]^ot  to  adhere  to  a  surface  long  or 
properly,  (a) 
This  paint  comes  off  the  fence  =  This  paint  does 
not  adhere  to  the  fence  properly. 
Come  off,  to  =  To  fare ;  to  experience  a  certain  for- 
tune, good  or  ill.  {a) 
How  did  you  come  off  in  your  bout  with  him  ?  = 
How  did  you  fare,  or  what  fortune  did  you  have,  in 
your  contest  with  him  ? 
Come   or  get  round,  to  =  To  impose  on  by  flattery; 
to  gain  advantage  over  by  flattery,  (a) 
He  is  very  sagacious  and  shrewd ;  you  can  not  get 
round  him  =  He  is  very  sagacious  and  shrewd ;  you 
can  not  gain  any  advantage  over  him  by  flattery  or 
by  deception. 
Come  to,  to  =  To  recover,  as  from  a  swoon,  (a) 

He  appeared  to  be  dead,  but  he  came  to  =  He  ap- 
peared to  be  dead,  but  he  revived.     Give  her  air ; 
she  has  only  fainted,  and  will  come  to  —  Let  her  have 
fresh  air  about  her ;  she  will  revive  from  her  faint- 
ness.     The  carpenter  was  stunned  by  a  fall  from  the 
building  ;  and  it  was  several  hours  before  he  came  to 
=:The   carpenter  was   stunned   by  a  fall  from  the 
building;  and  several  hours  elapsed  before  he  re- 
covered consciousness. 
Come  up  to  the  scratch,  to  =  To  come  up  to  the 
required  test ;  to  do  all  that  is  expected,  (c) 
He  has  not  had  sufiicient  experience  in  book-keep- 
ing ;  he  does  not  come  up  to  the  scratch  =  He  has  not 
had   experience  enough  in    book-keeping;  he  does 
not  stand  the  test.     If  the  new  servant  does  not 
come  up  to  the  scratch  better,  we  must  discharge  him 
=  If  the  new  servant  does  not  more  satisfactorily 
perform  the  duties  expected  of  him,  we  must  dis- 
charge him. 
Confti§ion  wor§e  confounded  =  Confusion  increas- 
ed, (c) 
The  chairman's  attempts  to  introduce  order  into 


COLLOQUIAL    PHRASES.  801 

the  assembly,  only  made  confusion   worse  confowided 
=  The  chairman's  attempts  to  introduce  order  into 
the  meeting,  only  increased  the  confusion. 
Cook  up,  to  =  To   concoct   or   prepare ;  to   tamper 
with  or  alter,  (b) 
The  treasurer  cooked  up  the  accounts  of  the  com- 
pany =  The  treasurer  made  the  accounts  of  the  com- 
pany appear  to  be  right  when  they  were  not. 
Crack  =  Of  superior  excellence  ;  first  rate,  (a) 

Dr.  J.  is  a  o'ack  shot  =  Dr.  J.  is  an  excellent  rifle- 
man.    This  is  a  crack  line  of  steamers  =  This  is  a 
first-rate  line  of  steamers. 
Crack  of  doom,  the  =  The  end  of  the  world,  (c) 
AVill  you  keep  talking  till  the  cYack  of  doom  f  = 
"Will  you  talk  till  the  end  of  the  world  ?     This  liouse 
is  built  so  well  that  it  seems  as  if  it  might  last  till  the 
crack  ofdoom  =  T\ns,  house  is  so  strongly  built  that 
it  seems  as  if  it  might  last  till  the  end  of  the  world. 
Cracked  up  =  Highly  extolled  ;  boasted  of.  (h) 

His  speech  was  cracked  up  in  the  newspapers = 
His  speech  was  highly  extolled  in  the  newspapers. 
This  play  is  not  what  it  is  cracked  up  to  be  =  This 
play  has  been  more  highly  praised  than  it  merits. 
Crony  =  An  intimate  companion  ;  an  associate,  (a) 
He's  an  old  crony  of  mine  =  He  is  an  old  intimate 
friend  of  mine. 
Cudgel  one'§  brain§,  to=:To  think  with  efibrt.  (h) 
He  cudgeled  his  brains  all  day  over  the  mathemat- 
ical  problem  =  He   tried  hard  all  day  to  solve  the 
mathematical  problem.     I  cudgeled  my  brains  to  re- 
call where  I  had  seen  that  quotation  =  I  strove  hard 
to  think  where  I  had  seen  that  quotation. 
Cut-and-dried  =  Prepared  beforehand  ;  formal ;  not 
spontaneous,  (a) 
The  resolutions  at  the   public  meeting  were  cut- 
and-dried  =H\iQ  resolutions   at   the   public   meeting 
were   prepared    beforehand.     His  greetings  appear 
cut  and  c?neo?  =  His  greetings  appear  formal. 
Cut  one's  coat  according  to  tlie  cloth,  to=rTo 
be  economical ;  to  keep  expenses  within  one's  in- 
come, {b) 
You  have  only  so  much  income,  and  you  should 
cut  your  coat  according  to  your  cloth  —  You  have  a  small 
income,  and  you  should  regulate  your  expenses  by 
your  income  (you  should  be  economical). 
Cut  one's  eye  teeth,  to  —  To  be  acute  or  knowing,  (r:) 
That  shoe-black  is  sharp  ;  he  has  cut  his  eye  teeth  = 
That  shoe-black  is  not  dull ;  he  is  a  knowing  boy. 
Cut  out  work  for,  to  =  To  arrange  or  provide  for 
something  to  be  done,  (c) 


802  COLLOQUIAL    PHRASES. 

Before  Mr.  G.  started  on  his  journey,  he  cut  out 
work  for  his  laborers  during  his  absence.  =  Before 
Mr.  G.  started  on  his  journey,  he  arranged  the  work 
to  be  done  by  his  laborers  in  his  absence. 


D. 

I>a§li  off,  to  =  To  form  or  sketch  rapidly  or  care- 
lessly ;  to  execute  with  careless  haste,  (c) 
He  can  dash  off  a  story-book  in  a  month  =  He  can 
write  a  story-book  rapidly  or  carelessly  in  a  month. 
On  receiving  the  telegram,  I  dashed  off  a  short  letter 
=  I  wrote  •  a  short  letter  very  hurriedly,  on  the  re- 
ceipt of  the  telegram.     While  the  train  stopped  for 
refreshments,  the  artist  dashed  off  a  sketch  of  the 
dining  party  =  While  the  train  stopped  for  refresh- 
ments, the  artist  made  a  hasty  sketch  of  the  party 
seated  at  the  table. 
/Davy  Jones's  loeker  =  The  spirit  world,  (c) 

The  sailor  said  that  his  messmate  had  gone  to  Da- 
vy Joneses  locker  =110.0  sailor  said  that  his  messmate 
was  gone  to  the  spirit  world  (was  dead). 
I>eaf  a§  a  post  =  Exceedingly  deaf,  (a) 

It  is  of  no  use  to  talk  to  him ;  he  is  as  deaf  as  a 
post  =  You  can  not  make  him  hear,  for  he  is  exceed- 
ingly deaf. 
Devil's  tattoos  A  drumming  with  fingers  or  foot, 
from  listlessness.  (c) 
He  has  the  vulgar  habit,  when  in  company  with 
others,  of  beating  the  deviVs  tattoo  =  He  has  the  vul- 
gar habit,  when  in  company  with  others,  of  drum- 
ming with  his  fingers  on  the  table  or  on  chairs. 
Do  justiee  to,  to  =  To  eat  with  an  appreciative  ap- 
petite, (c) 
You  have  scarcely  done  justice  to  such  a  good  din- 
ner =  You  have  not  eaten  as  such  a  good  dinner  de- 
serves to  be  eaten.     The  military  company  visiting 
the  city  did  ample  Justice  to  the  bountiful  dinner  pro- 
vided for  them  =:  The  military  company  visiting  the 
city  appreciated,  and  ate  freely  of,  the  bountiful  din- 
ner provided  for  them. 
Don't  you  see  =  You  comprehend,  do  you  not  ?  (a) 
He  is  jealous ;  that  accounts  for  his  conduct — 
donH  you  seef^'Ke  is  jealous,  that  accounts  for  his 
•conduct — you  comprehend,  do  you  not  ? 
Do  things  by  halves,  to  =  To  be  unskillful ;  to  lack 
thoroughness,  (c) 
The  wall  which  the  mason  built  has  begun  to  set- 


COLLOQUIAL    PHRASES.  803 

tie ;  he  does  things  hy  halves  =  The  wall  which  the 
mason  built  has  begun  to  settle ;  he  lacks  thorough- 
ness in  his  work. 
Do  up,  to  =  To  accomplish  thoroughly ;  to  execute, 
(a) 
Is  the  work  all  done  up  f  =  Is  the  work  all  accom- 
plished thoroughly  ?     Mrs.  A.  intends  to  do  up  her 
spring  sewing  next  week  =  Mrs.  A.  intends  to  devote 
next   week   to   executing   or   finishing   the   sewing 
which  is  customary  in  the  spring. 
Dourn  in  the  mouth  =  Low-spirited ;  dejected,  (a) 
What  makes  you  ^o  down  in  the  month?  =  What 
makes  you  look  so  sad  ?     The  man  can  not  obtain 
work  ;  and  he  is  very  much  dowii  in  the  mouth  =  The 
man  can  not  get  work ;  and  he  is  very  low-spirited 
(discouraged  and  melancholy). 
Do  ^vonder§,   to  =  To  perform  strange,  surprising, 
or  difficult  things,  (a) 
The  new  medicine  does  wonders  in  curing  chills 
and  fever  =  The  new  medicine  performs  wonderful 
cures  in  cases  of  chills  and  fever. 
Drive  a  good  bargain,  to  =  To  make  a  good  bar- 
gain ;  to  make  a  good  contract  for  the  transfer  of 
property,  (a) 
I  hope  you  will  drive  a  good  bargain  with  Mr.  A. 
about  that  farm  =  I  hope  you   will    make  a  good 
bargain  with  Mr.  A.  for  the  purchase  of  that  farm. 
He  is  noted  for  driving  a  good  bargain  =  He  is  noted 
for  his  shrewdness  in  trade. 
Drive    a  hard  bargain,  to  =  To  be  oppressive  or 
grasping  in  a  bargain,  (a) 
Mr.  A.  drove  a  hard  bargain  with  Mr.  B.,  when 
they  traded  houses  =  Mr.  A.  was  oppressive  in  the 
bargain  with  Mr.  B.,  when  they  traded  houses. 
Drop   in,  to  =  To  come  unexpectedly;   to   call    in- 
formally, (a) 
Mr.  A.  dropped  in  at  my  house  to-day = Mr.  A. 
came  to  my  house  to-day  unexpectedly.     Our  neigh- 
bor Mrs.  B.  often  drops  in  to  spend  the  evenings 
Our  neighbor  Mrs.  B.  often  comes  in  unexpectedly 
or  unceremoniously  to  spend  the  evening. 
Dry  as  a  bone  =  Without  moisture,  juice,  &c.  (c) 
The  meat  is  cooked  dry  as  a  bone  =  The  meat  is 
cooked  so  much  that  there  is  no  juice  in  it. 
Ducli.8  and  dral(e§,  to    malie,  to  play  at  (with 
property)  =  To  waste  and  squander  it  foolishly  and 
unprofitably.  (c) 

He  is  playing  at  ducks  and  drakes  with  his  money 
=  He  is  wasting  his  money  unprofitably.  He  is 
making  diicks  and  drakes  of  his  money  by  fast  living 


304  COLLOQUIAL    PHRASES.      . 

=  He  is  throwing  away  his  money  in  extravagant 
living. 


E. 

Eat  dirt,  to  =  To  retract;  to  endure  mortification  or 
insult,  (c) 
I  will  make  him  eat  dirt^  for  his  slanders  of  me  =  I 
will  bring  him  to  mortification,  for  his  slanders  of  me. 
Eat  the  bread  of  idleness,  to  —  To  be  lazy,  (c) 
Do  not  eat  the  bread  of  idleness  —  Do  not  be  lazy. 
End  in  smoke,  to  =  To  fail  signally  or  contempti- 
bly or  ridiculously,  {h) 
The  investigation  of  the  election  frauds  ended  in 
smoke  — T\\Q    investigation    of    the    election    frauds 
failed  signally. 
Enter  one's  head,  to  =  To  be  thought  of  by  one ; 
to  occur  to  one.  (a) 
It   never  entered  the  hoyh  head^  that  the  squirrel 
which  he  had  caught  could  gnaw  through  the  box  in 
which  he  was  confined = It  did  not  occur  to  the  boy, 
that  the  squirrel  which  he  had  caught  could  gnaw 
through  the  box  in  which  he  was  confined. 
Every  inch  =  In  every  part;   thoroughly;   pre-emi- 
nently, (a) 
The  commander  of  the  fourth  regiment  is  every 
inch  a  soldier  =  The  commander  of  the  fourth  regi- 
ment is  thoroughly  a  military  man. 
Every  now  and  then  =  Repeatedly ;  at  short  inter- 
vals ;  often ;  frequently,  (a) 
Last  night,  every  now  and  then,  his  baby  cried  out 
in  his  sleep  =  Last  night  his  baby  cried  out  repeat- 
edly, or  often,  in  his  sleep.     He  was  restless,  and 
every  now  and  then  muttered  something  in  his  sleep 
=  He  was  restless,  and  often  muttered  something  in 
his  sleep. 


r. 

Fair  and  square  =  Honestly ;  equitably,  (a) 

I  feared  I  should  never  get  a  settlement  of  money 
accounts  with  Mr.  A.,  but  now  he  has  come  forward, 
and  settled  every  thing,  fair  and  square =1  feared  I 
should  never  get  a  settlement  with  Mr.  A.,  but  now 
he  has  come  forward,  and  settled  every  thing,  hon- 
estly. 
Fall  foul  of,  to  =  To  assail;  to  attack;  to  make  an 
assault  on.*  (c) 


COLLOQUIAL    PHRASES.  805 

They  all  fell  foul  o/' me  — They  all   attacked   me 
imexpectedly.     The  robbers  fell  foul  of  a  man  as  he 
was  passing  through  tlie  forest,  taking  his  money 
and  wounding  him  =  The  robbers  attacked  a  man  as 
he  was  passing  through  the  forest,  taking  his  money 
and  wounding  him. 
Feel    or    look   blue,    to  =  To    be   low   in    spirits ; 
to  be  melancholy;   to  appear  sad  or  melancholy, 
(a) 
What's  the  matter?  you  look  hlue  =  Whj  do  you 
look  sad?     He   feels  very    blu£   this   mornings: He 
feels  quite  low  in  spirits  this  morning.     He  seems 
to  feel  quite  blue  =  He  appears  to  feel  sad. 
lib  =  A  (small)  falsehood ;  a  lie  (by  euphemism),  (b) 
He  tells  ^^5  about  his  absence  from  schools  He 
tells  falsehoods  about  his  absence  from  school.     Fibs 
are  no  better  than  other  lies  =  Small  falsehoods  are 
as  bad  as  great  lies. 
Fidclle8tick§ !  =  Absurd  ;  nonsensical;  not  to  be  be- 
lieved— (a  contemptuous  expression),  (b) 
I  am  a  poet?     Fiddlesticks /  =  1  am  a  poet?     That 
is  foolish  talk.     I  am   afraid  of  him  ?     Fiddlesticks  t 
=  1  am  afraid  of  him?     Oh,  how  absurd!     When  I 
told  him  of  the  rumored  engagement  of  Mr.  A.  and 
Miss  B.,  he  replied,  Fiddlesticks  /  =  When  I  told  him 
of  the  reported  engagement  of  Mr.  A.  and  Miss  B., 
he  replied  by  an  expression  indicating  disapproval 
or  disbelief. 
Fi§h  for  eompllinent§,  to=:To  solicit  praise  indi- 
rectly, (a) 
The  lecturer  fished  for  compliments,  by  asking  the 
man  if  he  heard  him  lecture  last  night  =  The  lec- 
turer indirectly  solicited  praise,  by  asking  the  man  if 
he  heard  him  lecture  last  night. 
Fisli  out  of  water,  a  =  A  person  unsuitably  and  un- 
comfortably placed  ;  one  who  is  out  of  his  element. 

(6) 
If  that  merchant  removes  to  his  farm,  he  will  be 
a  fish  out  of  water  =  lf  that  merchant  removes  to  his 
farm,   he   will   be    unsuitably   and    uncomfortably 
placed. 
Flare  up,  to  =  To  become  suddenly  heated    or  ex- 
cited ;  to  break  into  a  passion",  (a) 
Why  do  you  fiare  up  so  ?  =  Why  do  you  break  into 
such  a  passion  ?     When  he  read  the  account  of  the 
outrages  committed  by  the  Indians  in  Colorado,  he 
flared  up  and  denounced  the  governments  When  he 
read  the  account  of  the  outrages  committed  by  the 
Indians  in  Colorado,  he  suddenly  became  excited,, 
and  denounced  the  government. 

21 


806  COLLOQUIAL    PHRASES. 

FlaS'footed  (U.  S.)  =  Firm-footed;  determined,  (a) 
You   may  depend    on  his  assistance,  when   you 
need  it,  for  he  is  a  flat-footed  man  =  He  is  a  resohite 
man,  and  you  may  depend  on  his  help  when  you 
need  it.     He  came  out  flat-footed  for  the  greenback 
candidate  for  Congress  =  He  strongly  supported  the 
greenback  candidate  for  Congress. 
Fly  the  kite,  to  {Stock  .Excharige)  =  To  obtain  money 
on  bonds  or  bills, — usually  those  of  small  or  doubt- 
ful value,  (b) 
The  broker  has  a  quantity  of  those  new  rail-road 
bonds,  and  is  trying  to  fly  the  k{te=  The  broker  has  a 
quantity  of   those  new  rail-road  bonds,  and  is  en- 
deavoring to  raise  money  on  them. 
Fool  to  the  top   of  one's  bent,   to  =  To  fool  as 
much  as  possible,  (c) 
The  boys  met  a  simpleton,  and  fooled  him  to  the 
top  of  his  bent  =  The  boys  met  a  simpleton,  and  fooled 
him  as  much  as  possible. 
Foot  a  bill,  to  =  To  pay  a  bill,  (a) 

I  am  ready  to  foot  the  bill=l  am  ready  to  pay  the 
bill.  The  expense  of  the  excursion  was  heavy;  but 
all  clubbed  together,  and  footed  the  bill  =  The  expense 
of  the  excursion  was  large ;  but  all  the  excursionists 
clubbed  together,  and  paid  the  bill. 
Foot  it,  torn  To  walk,  (a) 

I  have  no  horse,  and  so  I  foot  it=l  have  no  horse, 
and  therefore  I  walk.     He  footed  it  all  the  way  home 
last  night  =: He  walked  all  the  way  home  last  night. 
How  will  you  go?     I  shall  foot  ^^=How  will  you 
go?     I  shall  walk. 
For  a  song   or  a  mere  song  =  For  much  less  than 
its  value ;  very  cheaply,  (a) 
Mr.  A.  bought  the  bankrupt  merchant's  house  for 
a  so77g  =  M.r    A.  bought   the  bankrupt  merchant's 
house  for  much  less  than  its  worth. 
For  an  age ;  tbis  age  =  A  long  time,  (c) 

The  man  who  used  to  peddle  vegetables  has  not 
been  on  the  street  for  an  age  =  The  man  who  used  to 
peddle  vegetables  has  not  been  on  the  street  for  a 
long  time.  Where  have  you  been?  I  have  not 
seen  you  this  a^e= Where  have  you  been?  I  have 
not  seen  you  for  a  loiig  period. 
For  certain  =  Certainly ;  without  doubt.  (6) 

It  is  thought  that  the  interior  of  the  earth  is  in  a 

fluid  state,  but  it  is  not  known  for  certain  =  lt  is 

thought  that  the  interior  of  the  earth  is  in  a  fluid 

state,  but  it  is  not  certainly  known. 

Forever  and  a  day  =  A  tediously  long  time,  (c) 

If  I  send  this  boy  to  the  store,  he  will  be  gone 


COLLOQUIAL    PHKASES.  807 

forever  and  a  day  =  If  I  send  this  boy  to  the  store,  he 
will  be  absent  a  tediously  or  unreasonably  long  time. 

Fourth  estate  -  The  whole  body  of  journalists,  (c) 

The  phrase  fourth  estate  is  a  new  one,  meaning  the 
whole  body  of  journalists  =  The  phrase  fourth  estate 
is  a  new  one,  meaning  the  whole  class  of  persons  en- 
gaged in  editing  newspapers,  and  contributing  to 
them. 

Frigbtened  out  of  one's  wits  =  So  terrified  as  not 

to  know  what  to  say  or  do.  (c) 

The  boy  w^ho  was  brought  into  court  as  a  witness 

was  nesLYly  frightened  out  of  Ms  wits =The  boy  who 

was  brought  into  court  as  a  witness  was  so  terrified 

as  not  to  know  what  to  say. 

Frightened  to  death  =  Yery  much  terrified,  (a) 
The  old  lady  said  that  she  was  frightened  to  death^ 
by  a  ghost  in  the  garret  =  When  the  old  lady  said 
that  she  was  frightened  to  death,  &c.,  she  meant 
that  she  was  very  much  frightened,  by  something 
which  she  took  for  a  ghost. 

From  pillar  to  post  =  From  one  position  to  another, 
(a) 
The  army  officer  is  driven  from  pillar  to  post;  his 
place  of  duty  has  been  changed  four  times  in  two 
years  =  The  army  ofiicer  is  transferred  from  one 
station  to  another ;  he  has  been  assigned  to  four  dif- 
ferent places  of  duty  in  two  years.  I  have  been 
running  from  pillar  to  post  all  day  =  I  have  been 
hastening  from  one  place  or  employment  to  another, 
the  whole  day. 

FuII-tilt=:At  full  speed;  with  a  rush,  (a) 

He  drew  a  knife,  and  came  at  me  full-tilt ='Re 
drew  a  knife,  and  rushed  towards  me.  We  were 
going  along  full-tilt,  when  the  wheel  broken  We 
were  going  fast,  wlien  the  wheel  broke.  The  bull 
attacked  the  dog  fullrtilt=ThG  hyiil  ran  at  the  dog 
with  a  rush. 


G. 

Game  to  the  backbone  =  Unyieldingly  resolute 
and  courageous,  {b) 
The  president  of  the  rail-road  will  not  be  moved 
by  the  opposition  which  is  made  to  the  employment 
of  Chinese  laborers,  for  he  is  game  to  the  backbone  = 
The  president  of  the  rail-road  will  not  be  moved  by 
the  opposition  which  is  made  to  the  employment  of 
Chinese  laborers,  for  he  is  unyieldingly  resolute  and 
courageous. 


808  COLLOQUIAL    PHRASES. 

Oet  a  §et-dowii,  to=:To  get  a  rebuff;  to  get  a  hu- 
miliating rebuke,  (c) 
The  congressman  got  a  set-down  for  his  course,  by 
not  being  re-elected  ==  The  congressman  was  rebuked 
for  his  course,  by  being  defeated  in  the  struggle  for 
re-election. 
Oet  into  hot  water,  to  —  To  become  mvolved  in 
difficulty,  (a) 
The  teacher  has  got  into  hot  water ^  because  he  did 
not  heed  the  request  of  the  school  committee  =  The 
teacher  has  become  involved  in  a  difficulty,  because 
he  did  not  heed  the  request  of  the  school  committee. 
Oet  one'§  back  up,  to  =  To  be  angry ;  to  show  hos- 
tility or  stubbornness,  (c) 
He  got  Ms  hack  up  about  it^rlTe  was  angry  about 
it.     Need  n't  get  your  hack  up  so  high  about  it  =  You 
ought  not  to  be  so  angry  about  it.     This  child  is 
usually  docile  and  obedient;  but  when  he  gets  his 
hack  up  we  have  trouble  with  him = Usually  this 
child  is  docile  and  obedient ;  but  when  he  manifests 
stubbornness  or  bad  temper  he  makes  us  trouble. 
Oet  over,  to  =  To  recover  from ;  to  cease,  (a) 

The  child  now  feels  the  disappointment  keenly, 
but  she  will  soon  get  over  it  =  The  child  feels  the  dis- 
appointment keenly,  now,  but  she  w^ill  soon  recover 
from  it.     Has  your  son  got  over  the  measles  ?  =  Has 
your  son  recovered  from  the  measles?     My  boy  has 
got  over  teasing  me  to  buy  him  a  watch  =  My  boy 
has  ceased  to  importune  me  to  buy  him  a  watch. 
Oet  the  hang-  of,  to  =  To  learn  the  arrangement  of; 
to  become  accustomed  to  or  familiar  with,  (h) 
It  is  difficult  for  a  foreigner  to  get  the  hang  (/Eng- 
lish idioms  =r  It  is  hard  for  a  foreigner  to  become 
familiar  with  the  construction  of  English  idioms. 
When  I  have  got  the  hang  of  this  sewing  machine 
I  shall  be  able  to  work  more  rapidly  =  When  I  have 
learned  the  arrangement  of  this  sewing  machine  or 
when  I  have  become  accustomed  to  using  it,  I  shall 
be  able  to  work  more  rapidly. 
Oild   or  sugar  the  pill,  to  =  To  render  a  disagreea- 
ble thing  attractive,  (c) 
The  farmer  did  not  wish   the   rail-road   to   run 
through  his  land,  but  the  company  sugared  the  pill 
by  offering  him  some  of  the  stock  at  a  discount  = 
The  farmer  did  not  wish  the  rail-road  to  run  through 
his  land,  but   the   company  rendered    the   project 
attractive,  by  offering  him  some  of  the  stock  at  a 
discount. 
Oive  a  gue§s,  to  =  To  guess;  to  judge  at  random,  (c) 
The  man  asked  the  company  at  dinner  to  give  a 


COLLOQUIAL    PHRASES.  809 

guess  as  to  his  age = The  man  asked  the  company  at 
dinner  to  judge  at  random  how  old  he  was. 
Give  a  lift,  to=:l.  To  give  assistance  in  lifting,  {a) 
2.  To  give  assistance  in  general,  {a) 
1.  John,  will  yon  give  me  a  lift?  I  want  to  move 
mj  stove  =  John,  will  you  give  me  some  assistance 
in  moving  my  stove?     2.  I  was  in  a  difficult  place; 
but  he  gave  me  a  lift  by  lending  me  $1,000  =  1  was 
pressed  for  money,  but  he  assisted  me  with  a  loan 
of  $1,000. 
Oive  in,  tor=To  yield;  to  submit;  to  acknowledge 
defeat,  (a) 
He  was  forced  to  give  in^  in  the  contest = He  was 
forced  to  eubmit,  in  the  contest.     Wlien  I  showed 
him  the  date  of  the  battle  from  the  history,  he  gave 
zVizrrWhen  I  showed  him  the  date  of  the  battle  from 
the  book  of  history,  he  yielded  tlie  point,  and  ac- 
knowledged that  he  was  in  error  in  his  assertion. 
Give  leg-bail,  to  =  To  escape  from  custody  and  run 
away,  (c) 
He  was  arrested  for  embezzlement,  but  he  gave  leg 
bail  =  He   was   arrested   for   embezzlement,  but   he 
escaped  from  custody  and  ran  away. 
Give  one  to  understand,  to  =  To  suggest;  to  in- 
form, (a) 
The  farmer  gave  his  hired  man  to  understand,  that 
he  was  not  satisfied  with  his  work  =  The  farmer  in- 
formed his  hired  man,  that  he  was  not  satisfied  with 
his  work. 
Give  the  mitten  to,  to  =  To  dismiss  a  lover ;  to  re- 
ject a  suitor,  (a) 

She  has  given  her  suitor,  Mr.  A.,  the  mitten=She 
has  rejected  Mr.  A's  suit.  He  wished  to  escort  the 
lady  to  the  concert,  but  she  gave  him  the  mitten =lle 
wished  to  escort  the  lady  to  the  concert,  but  she 
refused  to  accompany  him. 
Go  =  The  fashion  or  mode,  (a) 

This  new  style  of  hat  is  all  the  go  now  =  This  new 
style  of  hat  is  all  the  fashion  now. 
Go  ahead,  to=iTo  proceed;  to  advance,  (a) 

Go  ahead  with  your  plan  for  making  sugar  from 
cornstalks,  and  see  how  you  will  succeeds  Proceed 
with  your  plan  for  making  sugar  from   cornstalks, 
and  see  what  success  you  have. 
Go  all  lengths,  to  =  To  proceed  to  the  utmost  limit 
in  any  thing ;  to  be  excessive,  (c) 
The  miner's  son  is  said  to  go  all  lengths  in  wicked- 
ness =  The  miner's  son  is   said   to  be   exceedingly 
wicked. 


310  COLLOQUIAL    PHRASES. 

Oo  by  tlie  board,  to  =  To  be  lost;  to  suffer  com- 
plete destruction,  (a) 
His  property  has  gone  hy  the  hoard  in  stock  spec- 
ulation =  His  property  is  all  lost  by  stock  specula- 
tion.    The  house  went  hy   the  hoard  when  the  water 
rose  =  The  house  was   dashed  to  pieces  when   the 
water  rose. 
Oo  farther  and  fare  worse,  to  =  To  neglect  the 
present  opportunity,  and  afterward  take  a  poorer 
choice,  (a) 
He  did  not  sell  this  land  to  me  for  what  I  offered, 
but  he  may  go  farther  and  fare  worse  —  He  did  not 
sell  this  land  to  me  for  what  I  offered,  but  he  may 
have  to  take  up  with  a  smaller  offer.     I  have  de- 
cided to  take  the  horse  which  the  dealer  showed  me ; 
it  is  not  quite  such  an  one  as  I  wanted,  but  I  fear  I 
shall  go  farther  and  fare  worse^  if  I  do  not  take  him 
=  I  have  decided  to  take  the  horse  which  the  dealer 
showed  me ;  it  does  not  wholly  suit  me,  but  I  fear 
that  if  I  neglect  the  present  opportunity,  I  shall  be 
obliged  to  take  a  horse  inferior  to  him. 
Oo  halves,  to  =  To  have  an  equal  share ;  to  divide 
evenly,  (a) 
Will  you  go  halves  with  me  in  buying  this  land  ? 
Will  you  share  evenly  with  me  in  buying  this  land  ? 
We  go  halves  in  the  profits  of  this  speculation  in 
wheat  =  We  divide  the  profits  of  this  speculation  in 
wheat  evenly  between  us.     They  worked  together, 
and  went  halves  in  what  they  made  =  They  worked 
together,  and  shared  equally  what  they  made. 
Oo  heels  over  head,  to=:To  move  in  a  heedless, 
rash,  or  inconsiderate  manner,  (a) 

He  went  heels  over  head  into  buying  mining  stocks 
=  He  purchased  mining  stocks  in  a  very  inconsider- 
ate manner.     In  whatever  he  does,  he  is  apt  to  go 
heels  over  head  =1x1  whatever  he  does,  he  is  apt  to 
move  in  a  hasty  and  heedless  manner. 
Oood  hand  at = Experienced  in;  skillful  at;  faith- 
ful in.  (a) 
He  is  a  good  hand  at  swimmings  He  can  swim 
well.     Are  you  a  good  hand  at  writing  ?  =  Is  your 
hand-writing  good  ?     Mr.  A.  is  the  hest  hand  at  gar- 
dening whom  I  have  ever  employed = Mr.  A.  is  the 
most  skillful  or  faithful  person  whom  I  have  ever 
employed  in  gardening. 
Oo  on  a  fool's  errand,  to  =  To  undertake  a  useless 
or  an  impossible  enterprise,  (a) 
The  party  who  went  to  search  for  the  money, 
buried  by  the  pirate  Captain  Kidd,  went  on  a  fooVs 
errand—  The  party  who  went  to  search  for  the  mon- 


'  COLLOQUIAL    PHRASES.  811 

ey,  buried  by  the  pirate  Captain  Kidd,  undertook  a 
foolish  and  fruitless  enterprise. 
Oo  §nack§,  to  =  To  share  expense ;  to  take  part,  (b) 
I  will  go  snacks  with  you  in  the  pic-nic=:I  will 
share  with  you  in  the  expense  of  the  pic-nic.     Let 
us  take  a  fishing  trip,  and  go  snacks  in  expenses  and 
fish  =  I  propose  that  w^e  go  on  a  fishing  trip,  and 
equally  divide  the  expenses  knd  the  fish. 
Oo  tlie  whole  leng^th,  to=:To  go  to  the  extent  of 
any  thing ;  to  be  an  extremist ;  to  be  radical,  (c) 
The  lecturer  of  last  evening '  went  the  ivhole  length 
in  advocating  woman  suffrage  =  The  lecturer  of  last 
evening  went  to  the  furthest  limit,  in  his  advocacy 
of  woman  sufirage. 
Go  to  pot ;  go  to  the  dog§,  to  =  To  be  ruined ;  to 
be  destroyed,  (c) 
The  extravagant  and  dissipated  banker  has  gone  to 
pot  (or  has  gone  to  the  dogs)=.^\iQ  extravagant  and 
dissipated  banker  is  ruined. 
Go  to  rack,  to  =  To  perish ;  to  be  destroyed,  (c) 

The  ship  lost  her  masts  in  the  storm,  was  diiven 

on  the  rocks,  and  every  thing  went  to  rack  =  The  ship 

lost  her  masts  in  the  storm,  was  driven  on  the  rocks, 

and  every  thing  was  destroyed. 

Green  old  age  =  An  old  age  healthy  and  vigorous. 

(c) 

Temperance  and  chastity  secure  a  green  old  age  = 
Temperance  and  chastity  secure  an  old  age  healthy 
and  vigorous. 
Grit  (U.   S.)  =  Spirit;    determination;    spunk;  firm- 
ness of  mind,  (a) 

There  is  no  possibility  of  his  withdrawing  on  ac- 
count of  danger  that  threatens  us  in  the  battle :  the 
general  is  a  man  of  real  grit=  There  is  no  possibility 
of  his  withdrawing  on  account  of  the  danger  that 
threatens  us  in  the  battle :  the  general  is  a  man  of 
real  firmness  of  mind.  It  takes  grit  to  be  a  military 
ofiicer  =  It  requires  courage  and  self  possession  to  be 
a  military  officer. 
Gumption  =  Capacity ;  shrewcjness;  address,  (b) 

You  succeeded  badly  in  that  business ;  you  have 
no  gumption  =  Yo\i  have  no  wit  or  common  sense, 
and  this  is  the  reason  you  succeeded  so  badly. 
Gumption  without  learning,  is  worth  more  than 
learning  without  gumption  — ^2ii\YQ  wit  without 
learning,  is  worth  more  than  learning  without  native 
wit. 


812  COLLOQUIAL    PHRASES. 


II. 

Hail-fellow    well    met  =  Hailing  every   one   with 
courtesy;    on  easy  familiar  terms — an    expression 
denoting  intimacy,  (a) 
He  is  hail-fellow  well  met^  with  every  one  =  He  is 
on  easy,  familiar  terms  with  every  one.     John  and 
James  are  hail-fellows  ivell  7ne^= John  and  James  are 
boon  companions. 
Hammer  and  tongs  =  Violently ;  in  earnest,  (a) 
He  pitched  in,  harvesting,  hammer  and  tongs  -  He 
went  to  work  in  earnest,  harvesting.     In  a  newspa- 
per article,  he  came  down  on  me,  hammer  and  tongs 
z=He  attacked  me  in  a  newspaper  article,  severely. 
"Work  on  the  new  bridge  was  suspended  last  month, 
for  want  of  funds,  but  now  the  workmen  have  gone 
at  it  again  hammer  and  tongs  =  Work  on  the  new 
bridge  was  suspended  last  month,  for  want  of  funds, 
but  now  the  workmen  have  resumed  work  vigor- 
ously and  in  earnest. 
Handle  without  mittens,  to  =  To  handle  uncere- 
moniously; to  treat  without  ceremony;    to    treat 
roughly,  (o) 
As  the  offense  was    a   very  grave  one,  and  re- 
quired plain  speaking,  he  handled  it  without  mittens  = 
As  the  offense  was  very  grave,  and  required  plain 
speaking,    he    reprimanded    without   ceremony,  or 
roughly. 
Hang^  by  a  thread,  to  =  To  be  in  a  critical  situa- 
tion, (a) 
He  is  very  sick,  and  his  life  hangs  hy  a  thread— His, 
life  is  in  danger — he  is  dangerously  sick. 
Hangr  together,  to  =  To  agree;  to  be   self-consist- 
ent, (a) 
The  story  which  you  tell  about  your  conduct  does 
not  hang  together  =  The  story  which  you  tell  about 
your  conduct  is  not  self-consistent. 
Hard  up  =  Without  jiioney  or  resources ;  in  extrem- 
ity ;  closely  pressed  by  want,  (a) 
He  is  very  hard  wp=He  is  destitute  of  money. 
While  the  travelers  were  passing  over  the  plains, 
they  were  hard  up  for  water  =  While  the  travelers 
were  passing   over   the  plains,   they   were   closely 
pressed  for  want  of  water. 
Haul  over  the  coals,  to  =  To  take  to  task  for  short- 
comings ;  to  call  to  account,  (c) 
I  was  tardy,  and  the  teacher  hauled  me  over  the 
coals  =  I  was  tardy,  and  the  teacher  took  me  to  task. 


COLLOQUIAL    PHRASES.  813 

The  government  will  haul  those  officials  over  the  coals 
for  extravagance=The  government  will  call  those 
officials  to  account  for  extravagance.  The  conductor 
of  the  rail-road  was  hauled  over  the  coals  for  uncour- 
teous  treatment  of  passengers  —  The  conductor  of 
the  railroad  was  called  to  account  for  uncourteous 
treatment  of  passengers. 
Have  a  drop  too  mucb,  to  =  To  be  slightly  intoxi- 
cated, (c) 

The  stage-driver  seems  to  have  had  a  drop  too  7mich 
z=  The  stage  driver  appears  to  be  slightly  intoxicated. 
Have  a  finger  in  the  pie,  to  =  To  be  concerned  in ; 
to  have  part  in.  (a) 
If  any  entertainment,  as  for  instance,  a  concert  or 
a  fair,  is  proposed,  Mr.  B.  always  wants  to  have  a 
finger  in  the  pie  =  li  any  entertainment,   as  for  in- 
stance, a  concert  or  a  fair,  is  proposed,  Mr.  B.  al- 
ways wishes  to  be  concerned  in  it. 
Have  a  fling  at,  to  =  To  make  contemptuous   re- 
marks about ;  to  utter  a  stinging  speech  against.  («) 
This  member  of  Congress  is  always  finding  fault 
with  the  government ;  and  on  this  occasion  he  had 
his  usual  ^i??^  at  it^This  member  of  Congress  is 
always  finding  fault  witli«the  government;  and  to- 
day he  made  severe  and  sarcastic  remarks  about  it, 
as  usual. 
Have  a  great  mind  to,  to  =  To  be  strongly  inclined 
to ;  to  be  almost  decided  to.  («) 
I  have  a  great  mind  to  do  this  =  I  have  a  strong  in- 
clination to  do  this.     Mr.  A.  is  about  to  take  a  tour 
abroad ;  and  I  have  a  great  mind  to  accompany  him 
=  Mr.  A.   is  about  to  journey  abroad;  and  I  am 
strongly  inclined  to  accompany  hhn. 
Have  a  mind  to,  to  =  To  be  inclined  to ;  to  be  will- 
ing to.  (a) 
I  have  a  mind  to  go  to  Kew  York  to-morrow  =  I 
have  an  inclination  to  go  to  New  York  to-morrow. 
I  have  half  a  mind  to  buy  a  house  here  =  I  am  some- 
what inclined  to  buy  a  house  here.     He  could  go  to 
school  if  he  had  a  mind  to  =  He  could  go  to  school  if 
he  wished  to. 
Have  an  eye  to  the  main  ehance,  to  =  To  scheme 
or  calculate  for  one's  own  interest,  (h) 
Mr.  B.  has  secured  a  street  through  his  land,  and 
has  laid  out  building  lots ;  he  always  has  an  eye  to  the 
main  chance^^iv.  B.  has  secured  the  opening  of  a 
street  through  his  land,  and  has  laid  out  building 
lots  ;  he  always  schemes  for  his  own  advantage. 
Have    or  get   a  shot  at,  to  =  To  fire  one's  gun  at. 


814  COLLOQUIAL    PHKASES. 

The  sportsman  got  a  shot  at  the  flock  of  wild  geese, 
as  tliey  flew  over=The  sportsman  fired  his  gun  at 
the  flock  of  wild  geese,  as  they  flew  over. 
Have  at  the  tongue'§  end,  to  =  To  have  completely 
in  memory ;  to  be  able  to  repeat  readily,  (a) 

She  has  these  rules  of  grammar  at  her  tongue's  end 
=  She  can  repeat  these  rules  of  grammar  with  great 
fluency. 
Have  a  will  of  one's  own,  to  =  To  be  strong-willed 
and  determined,  (a) 
Mr.  A's  boy  ?ias  a  ivill  of  his  own^M-v.  A's  boy  is 
characterized  by  strength  and  resoluteness  of  will. 
Have  no  business,  to^To  have  no  right  or  occa- 
sion, [a) 
You  have  no  business  to  say  that = You  have  no 
right  to  say  that.     He  took  my  book  home  without 
asking  me ;  but  he  had  no  business  to  do  so  =  He  took 
my  book  home  without  asking  my  permission ;  but 
he  had  no  right  to  do  so. 
Have    no    business    there,  to  =  Ought  not  to  be 
there,  (a) 
The    ticket-agent  drove  away   the  boys  playing 
about  the   depot,  saying  that  they  had  no  business 
there=The  ticket  agent  drove  away  the  boys  who 
were  playing  about   the   depot,   saying   that   they 
ought  not  to  be  there. 
Have  not  a  leg  to  stand  on,  to=:To  be  weak; 
to  have  no  foundation  or  support,  (b) 
The  principal  supporters  of  the  mining  enterprise 
have  withdrawn,  and  it  has  not  a  leg  to  stand  on  — 
The  principal  supporters  of  tlie  mining  enterprise 
have  withdrawn,  and  it  is  left  very  weak. 
Have  a  set-to,  to=:To  have  a  conflict  in  boxing, 
argument,  or  the  like,  (c) 
When  one  boy  called  the  other  a   coward,  they 
had  a  set-to  =  When  one  boy  called  the  other  a  cow- 
ard, they  had  a  fight.     The  two  newspapers  have  had 
a  set-to  on  the  question  of  foreign  immigration  —  The 
two  newspapers  have  had  a  sharp  contention  about 
foreign  immigration. 
Have  one's  eyes  open,  to  =  To  be  vigilant,  observ- 
ing, (c) 
A  person  who  travels,  needs  to  have  his  eyes  open, 
to   avoid  danger    and   imposition  =  A   person   who 
travels,  needs  to  be  vigilant,  in  order  to  avoid  danger 
and  imposition. 
Have  on  the  brain,  to=:To  manifest  or  to  have 
excessive  emotion  or  feeling  concerning  any  object. 

Mr.  B.  has  indigent  insane-asylums  on  the  brain  = 


COLLOQUIAL    PHRASES.  315 

Mr.  B.  manifests  excessive  feeling  concerning  the 
needs  of  the  indigent  insane. 
Have  other  fish  to  fry,  to  =  To  be  otherwise  em- 
ployed ;  to  be  needed  elsewhere,  (b) 
The  man  said  he  could  not  go  to  the  opera  this 
evening,  for  he  had  other  fish  to  fry  —  Tlie  man  said 
he  could  not  attend  the  opera  this  evening,  for  he 
must  be  otherwise  employed. 
Have  the  blues,  to  =  To  be  depressed  in  spirits ;  to 
be  discouraged  or  melancholy,  (a) 
He  has  been  unfortunate  in  business,  and  has  the 
Hues  terribly  =  He  has  been  unfortunate  in  business, 
and  is  greatly  depressed  in  spirits.     If  you  have  the 
blues,  your  health  will  suffer  =  If  you  become  dis- 
couraged or  melancholy,  your  health  will  suffer. 
Have  to,  to=To  be  forced;  to  be   obhged ;  to  be 
constrained,  (a) 
Did  you  have  to  go  ?  =  Were  you  forced  to  go  ?     I 
had  to  walk  home ;  I  could  not  help  myself  =  I  was 
forced  to  go  home  on  foot ;  I  could  not  do  otherwise. 
He  will  have  to  pay  for  the  damage  done  by  his  run- 
away horse  =  He  will  be  necessitated  (it  will  be  ex- 
pected or  required  of  him)  to  make  compensation 
for  the  losses  w^hich  others  sustained  by  the  running 
of  his  horse. 
Have  tTvo  strings  to  one's  bow,  to  =  To  have  two 
expedients  for  executing  a  project,   or  gaining  a 
purpose,  (a) 
If  the  jeweler  does  not  have  work  in  his  shop,  he 
can  teach  music;  he  has  therefore  two  strings  to  his 
boiu  =  lf  the  jeweler  does  not  have  work  in  his  shop, 
he  can  teach  music ;  he  has  therefore  two  methods 
of  gaining  a  livelihood. 
Heacl-and-ears  =  With  the  whole  person ;  deeply  ; 
completely,  (a) 
He  is  head-and-ears  in  debt  on  account  of  his  ex- 
travagance =  He  is  overwhelmed  with  debts  on  ac- 
count of  his  extravagance.     I  am  head-and-ears  in 
work,  please  excuse  me  for  not  accompanying  you 
to  the  depot  =  I  am  very  busy,  please  excuse  me  for 
not  accompanying  you  to  the  depot.     He  is  head- 
and-ears  in  love  with  Miss  A.  =  He  is  very  deeply 
in  love  with  Miss  A.     The  fisherman's  boat  tipped 
to  one  side,  and  he  went  into  the  water,  head-and- 
ears  —  The  fisherman's  boat  leaned  to  one  side,  and 
his  whole  person  was  submerged  in  the  water. 
Hear  say,  to  =  To  learn  by  common  report,  that  is, 
to  receive  by  rumor.  (6) 
I  have  heard  say,  that  the  moon  influences  the 


816  COI^LOQUIAL    PHRASES. 

weather  =  It  is  the  common  remark,  that  the  moon 
influences  the  weather. 
Hearty  as  a  buck  =  In  a  strong,  healthy  condition 
of  body,  (c) 
He  spent  a  month  in  the  mountains,  hunting  and 
fisliing ;  and  returned  hearty  as  a  ^wc^  =  IIe  passed  a 
month  in  hunting  and  fishing,  among  the  mountains ; 
and  returned  strong  and  healthy. 
Heave  up,  to  =  To  throw  up  from  the  stomach ;  to 
vomit,  (c) 
The  boy  ate  some  green  apples,  and  not  long  after, 
he  was  sick,  and  heaved  up  —  The  boy  ate  some  green 
apples,  and  not  long  after,  was  sick,  and  vomited. 
Heft=:l.  AYeight.  (c)     2.  The  greater   part  or  bulk 
of  any  thing.  (U.  S.)  (c) 
1.  What  is  the  heftoi  it ?  =  What  does  it  weigh? 
2.  The  heft  of  my  hay  crop  was  gathered  before  mid- 
summer =  The   greater   part  of  my  hay   crop   was 
gathered  before  midsummer. 
Helter-skelter r=  In  hurry  and  confusion;    without 
order,  (a) 
He  threw  the  books  on  the  table  helter-skelter  =  He 
threw  the  books  on  the  table  in  confusion.     They 
ran  helter-skelter  down  the    street  =  They   ran   very 
hurriedly  or  confusedly  down  the  street. 
Hide  its  diminisbed  bead,  to  =  To  withdraw  from 
view  because  of  a  sense  of  inferiority  or  wrong ;  to 
be  surpassed  or  superseded,  (a) 
That  newspaper  poet  would  do  well  to  hide  his 
diminished    head  =  Thsit  newspaper    poet  would   do 
well  to  withdraw  from  sight,  because  his  poetry  is  so 
inferior.     When  the  sun  rises,  the  stars  hide  their  di- 
minished heads =W\ien  the  sun  rises,  the  stars  disap- 
pear, being  surpassed  in  brightness. 
Higb  and  dry  =  Out  of  water ;  out  of  reach  of  the 
current  and  waves,  (a) 

The  disabled  boat  was  driven  by  the  storm  upon 
the  shore,  and  left  there  high  and  dry  — The  boat, 
disabled  by  the  storm,  was  driven  upon  the  shore, 
and  left  there  out  of  reach  of  the  waves. 
Hii^b  up  =  Yery  elevated,  (c) 

The  eagle's  nest  is  high  up  the  mountain  side= 
The  eagle's  nest  is  very  elevated  on  the  mountain 
side. 
Hob-nob,  to  =  To  drink  together  familiarly,  (c) 

They  are  hob-nohhing  there  in  the  corner  r=  They 
are  drinking  familiarly  in  the  corner.  The  old 
sailor  and  his  comrade  sat  by  the  fire  in  the  tavern, 
hoh-nohhing— The  o\di  sailor  and  his  comrade  sat  in 
the  tavern  by  the  fire,  drinking  familiarly  together. 


COLLOQUIAL    PHRASES.  817 

IIob§on'8  choice  =  A  choice  without  an  alternative ; 
the  tiling  offered  or  nothing,  (a) 
We   must   take   this.     It  is  Hohson's  choice  =  We 
must  take  this  that  comes  next  in  order.     It  is  this 
or  nothing. 
Hold  a  candle  to,  to  =  To  be  equal  to.  (c) 

The  lawyer's  son  can  not  hold  a  candle  to  the  car- 
penter's son,  in  scholarships  The  lawyer's  son  is  far 
inferior  to  the  carpenter's  son,  in  scholarship. 
Hold  water,  to  =  ]N"ot  to  leak ;  to  be  valid  or  sound, 
(a) 
The   cup   holds  water z=Th.e   cup    does    not  leak. 
That  argument  will  not  hold  ivater=Thsit  argument 
is  not  sound.  * 

Honor  bright  =  On  one's  honor ;  in  good  faith  ;  as- 
suredly, (c) 
The  tenant  promised  the   landlord,  honor  bright, 
that  he  would  pay  the  rent  punctually  =  The  tenant 
promised  the  landlord,  that  he  would  pay  the  rent 
punctually,  pledging  his  honor  to  do  so. 
Hop  =  An  informal  dance;  also,  any  dance,  (a) 

There  will  be  a  hop  at  the  hotel  to-night = There 
will  be  a  dancing-party  at  the  hotel  to-night. 
Ho\ir  come§  it = How  does  it  happen,  (c) 

Hoio  comes  it  that  John  is  so  much  healthier  than 
his  elder  brother  James  ?  =  How  does  it  happen  tliat 
John  is  60  much  healthier  than  his  elder  brother 
James  ? 
How  conies  it  about ?=: What  is  the  reason  that? 
How  does  it  come  to  pass  ?  (a) 
How  comes  it  about  that  you  are  not  at  home  to- 
day ?=  What  causes  you  to  be  not  at  home  to-day? 
How  comes  it  about  that  he  is  so  poor  ?  =  What  causes 
him  to  be  so  poor  ? 


I  dare  §ay  =  I  express  the   opinion;    I  venture  to 

say.  (a) 
The  merchant  is  worth  half  a  million  dollars,  / 
dare  say  =  The  merchant  is  worth  half  a  million  dol- 
lars, I  venture  to  say.     /  dare  say  you  are  right  in 
your  estimate  =  I  express  the  opinion  that  you  are 
right  in  your  estimate. 
I'll  engage  =  I   will   pledge   you  my  word ;  I   will 
promise,  (c) 
The  dog  has  wandered  down  the  street,  but  he 
will  return  for  his  dinner,  Pll  engage  — The  dog  has 
wandered  down  the  street,  but  he  will  return  for  his 
dinner,  I  will  pledge  you  my  word. 


318  COLLOQUIAL    PHRASES. 

lii  a  bad  way  =  In  a  condition  fitted  to  excite  ap- 
prehension, (b) 
The  man  who  has  had  the  fever  does  not  fully  re- 
cover, and  is  in  a  bad  way  =The  man  who  has  had 
the  fever  does  not  fully  recover,  and  is  in  a  condition 
to  excite  apprehension. 
In  a  box  =  In  a  perplexity,  or  embarrassing  position ; 
in  diihculty.  (c) 
I*^ow  1  am  in  a  box.     The  pickpocket  has  taken 
my  last  dollar,  and  I  am  fifty  miles  from  home  =  Now 
I  am  in  difiiculty.     The  pickpocket  has  taken  my 
last  dollar,  and  I  am  fifty  miles  from  home. 
In  a  pickle,  to  be  =  To  be  in  a  disagreeable  posi- 
tion ;  to  be  in  a  condition  of  embarrassment,  diffi- 
culty, or  disorder,  (c) 
"We  are  in  a  pickle  now ;  it  rains,  and  we  have  no 
umbrella = We  are  in  a  disagreeable  position  now; 
it  is  raining,  and  we  have  no  umbrella.     The  cashier 
of  the  bank  is  in  a  pickle;  he  has  lost  the  combina- 
tion by  which  the  lock  of  the  vault  is  opened  —  The 
cashier  of  the  bank  is  in  a  condition  of  embarrass- 
ment;  he  has  lost  the  combination  (of  letters)  by 
which  the  lock  of  the  vault  is  opened. 
In  a  round-about  way  —  Indirectly ;  circnitously.  {a) 
He  told  me  the  story  of  his  courtship,  in  a  round- 
about w;a?/=IIe  told  me  the  story  of  his  courtship, 
in  an  indirect  manner. 
In  a  §tew=: Excited;  worried,  (c) 

The  carriage  has  not  come  to  the  door,  and  Mrs. 
B.  is  in  a  stew,  for  fear  she  will  be  too  late  for  the 
party  =:  The  carriage  has  not  come  to  the  door,  and 
Mrs.  B.  is  worried,  fearing  that  she  will  be  too  late 
for  the  party. 
In  every  one's  moutb  =  The  common  talk,  ib) 

The  report  of  their  betrothal  is  in  every  one's  mouth 
=  Every  body  is  telling  the  report  of  their  betrothal. 
In  for  it,  to  be  =  To  be  unable  to  withdraw  or  to 
escape  consequences,  (a) 
I  regret  having  commenced  building  an  addition 
to  my  house ;  but  I  am  in  for  it  now  =  I  regret  hav- 
ing commenced  enlarging  my  house;    but  having 
begun  the  enterprise,  I  can  not  withdraw  from  it. 
The  incendiary  was  caught  in  the  act  of  setting  fire 
to  a  hpuse ;  and  now  he  is  in  for  ^V=:The  incendiary 
was  caught  in  the  act  of  setting  fire  to  a  house; 
and  now  he  can  not  escape  the  consequences  of  his 
act. 
In  full  blast  =  In  complete  operation ;  in  a  state  of 
great  activity,  (a) 
Orders  have  come  in  fast  of  late,  and  the  iron 


COLLOQUIAL    PHRASES.  319 

fonndrj  is  in  full  5?a5/=The  iron  foundry  is  in  a 
state   of  great   acti\aty   because   of  the   numerous 
orders  which  have  come  in  of  late. 
In  good    earnest  =  In   a  determined   and   resolute 
manner,  (a) 
Mr.  A.  has  long  delayed  building  a  house,  but  has 
now  taken  hold  of  it  in  good  earnest  — M.v.  A.  has 
long  delayed  building  a  house,  but  has  now  taken 
hold  of  it  in  a  determined  and  resolute  manner. 
In  good  time  =  Sufficiently. early,  (h) 

He  will  be  here  in  good  time;  do  not  fear  =  He  will 
be  here  sufficiently  early ;  do  not  fear. 
In  hot  water,  to  be  =  To  be  in  a  quarrel,  in  trouble. 

(")   .  . 

He  is  in  Jiot  water  again  by  reason  of  his  temper  = 
He  is  in  a  quarrel  again  by  reason  of  his  temper. 
You  a?'e  alw^ays  in  hoi  water  =  You  are  always  in  a 
quarrel  with  somebody.  He  got  into  hot  water  by 
interfering  in  his  neighbor's  affairs  =  He  brought 
himself  into  trouble,  by  interference  with  the  affairs 
of  his  neighbor.  ' 

In  le§s  than  no  time  =  Yery  quickly,  (a) 

The  dentist  said  to  the  man,  "Be  seated  and  I 
will  extract  your  tooth  in  less  than  no  time "  =  The 
dentist  said  to  the  man,  "  Be  seated  and  I  will  ex- 
tract your  tooth  very  quickly." 

In  no  time  =  Yery  soon ;  in  a  very  short  time,  (c) 
The  fishermen  found  the  fish  abundant,  and  in  no 
time  they  caught  a  basket  full  =  The  fishermen  found 
the  fish  abundant,  and  in  a  very  short  time  they 
caught  a  basket  full. 

In  one'§  eup§,  to  be=:To  be  drunk,  intoxicated. 

He  is  in  his  cups  =  JIe  is  drunk.     When  Mr.  A.  is 
in  his  cups,  he  is  very  noisy  and  talkative  =  Mr.  A.  is 
very  noisy  and  talkative  when  he  is  intoxicated. 
In  one'§  sober  senses  =  Calm ;  dispassionate ;  in  a 
condition  favorable  to  sound  judgment,  (c) 
The  farmer  could  not  have  been  in  his  sober  senses, 
when  he  paid  such  a  high  price  for  his  farm  =  The 
farmer  could  not  have  been  in  a  condition  favorable 
to  sound  judgment,  when  he  paid  such  a  high  price 
for  his  farm. 
In  sober  earnest  =  Seriously  and  truthfully,  (c) 

The  father  told  the  son  in  sober  earnest,  that  he 

must  attend  more  strictly  to  business  =  The  father 

told  the  son  seriously  and  truthfully,  that  he  must 

attend  more  strictly  to  business. 

In    the  arms    of  Morpheus  =  Asleep,  (a)     (In  the 

Greek  mythology,  Morpheus  was  the  god  of  dreams). 


320  COLLOQUIAL    PHRASES. 

That  babe  will  soon  be  in  the  arms  of  Morpheus  = 
That  babe  will  soon  be  asleep. 
In  the  dumps  =  Gloomy ;  low-spirited,  (a) 

Mr.  P.  is  in  the  dumps  this  morning = Mr.  P.  is 
gloomy  this  moraing. 
In  tlie  same  boat  =  In  like  circumstances;   in  the 
same  condition  or  situation,  (a) 
Mr.  A.  and  Mr.  B.  have  each  loaned  money  to  the 
grocer  who  has  failed ;  they  are  therefore  in  the  same 
hoat  —  Mv.  A.  and  Mr.  B.  have  each  loaned  money  to 
the  grocer  who  has  failed ;  they  are  therefore  in  sim- 
ilar  circumstances.      I   shall    lose    money   by   the 
Northern  Pacific  railroad;    and  my  neighbor  is  in 
the  same  boat  with  me  =  I  shall  lose  money  by  the 
Northern  Pacific  railroad;   and  my  neighbor  will 
also  lose. 
In  tlie  suds,  to  toe  —  To  be  in  turmoil  or  difficulty,  (c) 
Her  children  are  all  sick  with  scarlet  fever,  and 
she  is  in  the  5wcZsr=  She  is  in  difficulty,  for  all  her 
children  are  sick  with  scarlet  fever. 
In  the  wind,  to  toe  =  To  be  covertly  in  preparation ; 
to  be  in  the  reach  of  surmise,  although  not  an- 
nounced or  acknowledged,  (b) 
From  the  covert  consultations  and  knowing  looks 
of  certain  people,  I  suspect  there  is  something  in  the 
wind ^Yvom.  the  secret  consultations  and  knowing 
looks  of  some  people,  I  suspect  that  something  im- 
portant, and  not  yet  announced,  is  about  to  happen. 
The  custom-house  officer  suspects  that  a  plan  for  his 
removal  is  in  the  wind=ThQ  custom-house   ofl[icer 
suspects  that  a  plan  for  his  removal  is  secretly  in 
preparation. 
In  the  wrong  toox  =  Out  of  place ;  mistaken,  (c) 
The  lady  who  entered  the  smoking-car  soon  dis- 
covered that  she  was  in  the  wrong  hox  —  T\\Q  lady  who 
entered  the  smoking-car  soon  discovered  that  she 
was  out  of  place. 
It  toeing^  no  otoject^Not  sufficient  motive  or  reason 
or  inducement,  (c) 
It  is  no  object^  pecuniarily,  for  the  clerk  to  accept 
the  merchant's  offers  There  is  no  sufficient  induce- 
ment, pecuniarily,  for  the  clerk  to  accept  the  mer- 
chant's offer. 
I  Avould  just  as  soon  as  not  =  I  am  willing ;  I  do 
not  object,  (c) 
/  would  just  as  soon  as  not,  walk  with  you  this  after- 
noon =  I  am  willing  to  walk  with  you  this  afternoon. 


COLLOQUIAL    PHRASES.  821 


Jail-bird  =  A  person  who  has  been  in  jail  or  prison. 

(«) 

He  is  an  old  jad-bird  =  He  has  been  in  jail  many 
times.     The  gang  of  burglars  is  probably  composed 
of  jail-birds  =  The  gang  of  burglars  is  probably  com- 
posed of  persons  who  have  been  inmates  of  the 
prison  at  some  time. 
Job's  comforter  =  One  who  reproaches  a  person  in 
trouble  w^th  being  the  canse  of  his  ow^n  troubles; 
one  who  fails  to  comfort,  (a) 
You  are  one  of  Job's  comforters  =Yo\Ji  are  no  com- 
forter at  all. 
Jog    tbe   memory,   to=:To  excite  the  memory  to 
acfion ;  to  cause  it  to  recall  something,  (c) 
The  man  who  borrowed  mone}^  of  me  has  evi- 
dently forgotten  it;    I  must  jog  his  memori/ =  The 
man  who  borrowed  money  of  me  has  evidently  for-^ 
gotten  it ;  I  must  awaken  his  remembrance. 
Jolcing^  apart  =  Not  jesting ;  speaking  seriously,  (a) 
Joking  apart,  the  musquitoes  in  the  forest  were  so 
large  as  to  draw  blood  at  every  bite  =  Speaking  seri- 
ously, the  musquitoes  in  the  forest  were  so  large  as 
to  make  blood  flow  at  every  bite. 
Jump  at,  to  =  To  accept  eagerly ;  to  snatch  at.  (ci) 
I  would  jump  at  the  chance  of  visiting  Europe  = 
I  would  snatch  the  opportunity  of  visiting  Europe. 
He  jumped  at  my  offer  to  give  him  a  horses  lie 
gladly  accepted  my  offer  to  give  him  a  horse.     The 
merchant  offered  the  young  man  a  clerkship,  and  he 
jumped  at  the  situation  =  The  merchant  offered  the 
young  man  a  clerkship,  and  he  eagerly  accepted  the 
situation. 
Jump  from  the  frylng^-pan  into  the  flre,  to  =  To 
extricate  one's  self  from  an  evil  or  a  difiiculty  by 
falling  into  a  worse  one.  (a) 
Tlie  delicate  servant  girl  who  left  the  private  fam- 
ily for  a  situation  in  a  hotel  jumped  from  the  frying- 
pan  into  the  fii'e  =  The  delicate  servant  girl  wlio  went 
from  a  private  family  to  work  in  a  hotel  escaped 
from  one  kind  or  degree  of  hard  labor,  only  to  enter 
upon  that  which  was  harder. 

K. 

Keep  body  and  soul  together,  to  =  To  keep  alive. 

(*) 

He  does  not  eat  enough  to  keep  body  and  soul  to- 

22 


822  COLLOQUIAL    PHRASES. 

gether^  because   of  homesickness  =  He  does  not  eat 
enough  to  keep  alive,  because  he  is  homesick. 
Keep  the  pot  boilings,  to  =  To  keep  the  family  sup- 
plied with  provisions,  (c) 
The  man  who  was  out  of  work  said  that  he  must 
do  something  to  keep  the  pot  boiling  =  The  man  who 
had  no  work  said  that  he  must  do  something  to  keep 
the  family  supplied  with  provisions. 
Kick  up  a  dust,  to  =  To  make  a  fuss;  to  make  a 
bustle  or  ado.  (c) 

You  need  n't  kick  up  such  a  dust  over  the  new  law 
=You  need  not  make  such  a  commotion  about  the 
new  law.     The  boy  was  expelled  from  school  for  bad 
conduct ;  and  the  parents  kicked  up  quite  a  dust  about 
it  =  The  boy  was  expelled  from  school  for  bad  con- 
duct ;  and  the  parents  made  quite  an  ado  about  it. 
Knoek-do-wn  argument  =  An  overpowering,  uhan- 
sw^erable  argument,  (c) 
He  won  that  case,  because  his  lawyer  made  a 
knock-down   argument  =  lle  won   that   case,  for   his 
lawyer  made  an  unanswerable  argument.     He  said 
the  man  should  not  be  nominated  for  office  because 
he  was  not  naturalized ;  and  that  was  a  knock-down 
argument  =  When  he  said  that  the  man  ought  not  to 
be,  or  could  not  be,  nominated  for  office  because  he 
had  not  been  made  a  citizen,  the  argument  was  con- 
vincing or  sufficient. 
Knock  in  tlie  head,  to  =  To  frustrate ;    to  put  an 
end  to ;  to  defeat,  (c) 
The   scheme   of   a  descent   on   England   by  the 
Spanish  Armada,  (1588)  was  knocked  in  the  head  = 
The  scheme  was  frustrated,  of  making  a  descent  on 
England   by  the   Spanish   Armada,    (1588).      The 
failure  of  Mr.  A.  knocked  in  the  head  the  proposed 
plan  of  forming  a  new  gas  company  =  The  failure 
of  Mr.  A.  put  an  end  to  the  proposed  formation  of  a 
new  gas  company. 
Knocked  up :=  Wearied  or  worn  out;  fatigued  till 
unable  to  do  more,  (a) 
I  am  completely  knocked  up  by  the  day's  work  =  I 
am  very  tired  by  my  work,  and  can  do  no  more. 
My  horse  is  knocked  up;  I  must  stop  =  My  horse  is 
exhausted ;  I  must  stop. 
Know  one'§  own  mind,  to  =  To  be  decided  and 
positive  in  character ;  not  to  be  irresolute  and  wa- 
vering, (c) 
Mr.  C.  never  hiows  his  own  mind  in  regard  to  any 
matter  =  Mr.  C.  is  always  irresolute  and  undecided 
in  any  matter. 
Know  what  one  Is  about,  to  =  To  act  reasonably 


COLLOQUIAL    PHRASES.  823 

and  wisely;  to  act  with  understanding  and  judg- 
ment, (a) 
The  man  knoios  what  he  is  about,  in  buying  real 
estate  in  the  new  city  =  The  man  acts  with  under- 
standing and  judgment,  in  buying  real  estate  in  the 
new  city. 
Know  \irhat's  iw^hat,  to  =  To  be  sensible,  discern- 
ing, and  judicious ;  to  be  shrewd,  wise,  &c.  (c) 
The  banker  would  not  invest  money  in  fancy  rail- 
road stocks,  for  he  knows  whafs  what  =  The  banker 
would  not  invest  money  in  fancy  railroad  stocks,  for 
he  is  sensible   and  shrewd.      He  knows  whafs  luhat 
=  He  is  wise. 


Laid  on  one's  back,  to  be  =  To  be  confined  to 
one's  bed  by  illness,  (a) 
The  mason  could  not  finish  the  house  as  promised, 
because  he  wa^  laid  on  his  hack  all  last  month  =  The 
mason  could  not  finish  the  house  as  promised,  be- 
cause he  was  confined  to  his  bed  by  illness  all  the 
month  past. 
Large  a§  life  =  Having  an  undue  estimate  of  one's 
importance;  conceited,  {h) 
I  saw  my  old  neighbor  yesterday,  large  as  life=l 
saw  my  old  neighbor  yesterday,  as  conceited  as  ever. 
Lay  doivn  the  law,  to  =  To  assert   positively;    to 
impose  commands  or  duties  in  a  decided  or  offen- 
sive manner,  (a) 
Our  friend  is  very  apt  to  lay  down  the  law  =  Our 
friend  is  very  apt  to  make  positive  assertions.     Mrs. 
A.   lays  down  the  hw  to  a  new  servant,  as  soon  as 
one  arrives  =  As  soon  as  a  new  servant  arrives,  Mrs. 
A.  is  accustomed  to  state  the  duties  of  a  servant, 
and  the  regulations  of  the  household,  in  a  positive 
manner. 
Lay  up  or  save,  against  a  rainy  day,  to  =  To  save 
jnoney  in  anticipation  of  a  time  of  sickness  or  mis- 
fortune, (a)  ■ 
Every  person  ought  to  earn  enough  to  enable  him 
to  lay  up  something  against  a  rainy  day  =  Every  per- 
son ought  to  earn  enough  to  enable  him  to  save 
some  money,  in  anticipation  of  the  time  of  need. 
Have  you  saved  something  against  a  rainy  day?  = 
Have  you  laid  up  some  money  to  support  you  if  you 
should  be  overtaken  by  sickness  or  misfortune  ? 
Lead  a  eat-and-dog  life,  to  =  To  be  in  the  habit 
of  quarreling ;  to  live  together  inharmoniously.  (a) 


324  COLLOQUIAL    PHRASES. 

He  and  his  wife  led  a  cat-and-dog  life  for  several 
years  before  their  divorce  =  He  and  his  wife  lived 
together  inharmoniouslj  for  several  years  previous 
to  their  divorce.  That  boy  and  his  step-motlier  had 
a  cat-and-dog  ?i/e=That  boy  and  his  step-mother  ha- 
bitually disagree  or  quarrel. 
Lead  a  pretty  dance,  to  =  To  bring  one  to  trouble ; 
to  lead  into  embarrassment,  (c) 

She  will  lead  you  a  pretty  dance  if  you  marry  her 
=:She  will  give  you  a  great  deal  of  trouble,  if  you 
marry  her.  He  led  me  a  pretty  dance  by  inducing 
me  to  invest  in  stocks  which  I  afterward  had  much 
difficulty  in  disposing  of=He  brought  me  into  em- 
barrassment by  inducing  me  to  invest  in  stocks 
which  I  afterward  found  it  very  difficult  to  dispose  of. 
I^et  me  tell  you  =  Permit  me  to  tell  you  ;  I  assert,  (a) 
I  am  a  woman,  but  let  me  tell  you^  I  have  a  man's 
courage  =  I  am  a  woman,  but  permit  me  to  tell  you 
a  man's  courage. 

1.  To  suffer  to  escape  or  go  free,  as  from 
some  penalty,  (a)     2.  To  release,  as  from  engage- 
ment, (a) 
1.  As  this  was  his  first  offense  in  school,  he  was 
let  off  with  a  reprimands  As  this  was  his  first  offense 
in  school,  he  was  suffered  to  go  with  no  penalty  but 
a  reprimand.     2.  Since  you  are  needed  at  home,  I 
will  let  you  off  from  the  engagement  =  Since  you  are 
needed  at  home,  I  will  release  you  from  the  engage- 
ment. 
Let  the  cat  out  of  the  bag^,  to  =  To  tell  a  secret ; 
to  divulge  what  is  studiously  concealed,  (a) 
The  neighbors  of  Mr.  A.  were  intending  to  sur- 
prise him  by  a  visit  on  his  birthday ;  but  one  of 
them  let  the  cat  out  of  the  bag=zT\\Q  neighbors  of  Mr. 
A.  were  intending  to  surprise  him  by  a  visit  on  his 
birthday ;  but  one  of  them  disclosed  the  secret.     Do 
not  let  the  cat  out  of  the  hag  —  Do  not  tell  the  secret. 
Lick,  to  =  To  whip,  (c) 

The  boy  was   licked  for   truancy = The  boy  was 
whipped  for  his  truancy. 
Lie   in  a    nutshell,   to  =  To   be   capable   of   brief 
statement ;  to  admit  of  easy  determination,  (a) 
The  argument  for  free  schools  lies  in  a  nutshell — 
their   absolute  necessity  to  society  =  The   argument 
for  free  schools  admits  of  very  brief  statement,  or 
can  be  stated  very  briefly — they  are  absolutely  nec- 
essary to  the  good  of  society.     The  remedy  for  un- 
productive land  lies  in  a  nutshell;  it  is,  to  fertilize  it 
=  The  remedy  for  unproductive  land  can  be  briefly 


COLLOQUIAL    PHRASES.  825 

stated  or  easily  determined  ;  it  is,  to  apply  fertilizing 
substances. 
L«ight-flngered  =  Dexterous  in  taking  away;  thiev- 
ish ;  addicted  to  petty  thefts,  (a) 
He  has  the  reputation  of  being  light-fingered  =:lle 
is  reputed  to  be  addicted  to  petty  thefts. 
Liike,  to  =  To  escape  narrowly;  to  avoid  with  diffi- 
culty ;  to  come  near,  (a) 
He  slipped  on  the  icy  sidewalk,  and  liked  to  have 
fallen  =:  He  narrowly  escaped  falling  when  he  slipped 
upon  the  icy  sidewalk.     He  started  late  from  the 
house,  and  liked  to  have  missed  the  train  =  He  came 
near  missing  the  train,  because  of  his  starting  late. 
Likely   or  like,  enough  =  It  is  somewhat  probable; 
probable  in  a  slight  degree ;  perhaps,  (r) 
Likely  enough  Mr.  A.  will  call  upon   us,  before  he 
leaves  the  city  =  Perhaps  Mr.  A.  will  call  upon  us, 
before  he  leaves  the  city. 

Liike  one  po§§e§§ecl  =  As  if  influenced  by  evil  spir- 
its ;  very  badly,  (c) 
The  boy  acts  like  one  possessed  =  The  boy  acts  very 
badly. 
Like  tinder = Excitable;  passionate,  (c) 

Be  careful  what  you  say  to  Mr.  P.;  he  is  like  tinder 
=  Be  careful  what  you  say  to  Mr.  P.,  for  he  is  a  pas- 
sionate man. 
Live  in  clover,  to  =  To  live  luxuriously,  or  in  abun- 
dance, (a) 
He  lives  in  clover =116  lives  in  prosperous  circum- 
stances.    I  shall  live  in  clover  when  I  get  that  posi- 
tion =  I  shall  live  luxuriantly  w^hen  I  get  that  posi- 
tion.     He  has  married  the    daughter  of  the  rich 
manufacturer,  and   lives  in  clover  =I{e  has  married 
the  daughter  of  the  rich  manufacturer,    and  lives 
luxuriantly. 
Ijoave§  and  fl§lie§^  Personal  emoluments,  (a) 

Some  men  seek  office,  not  to  be  useful  to  the  state, 
but  for  the  loaves  and  fishes = Some  men  seek  office 
for  the  personal  emoluments,  and  not  to  be  useful  to 
their  country. 
Lioek  the  stahle  door  after  the  horse  is  stolen, 
to  =  To  begin  to  guard  against  a  danger  or  provide 
for  an  emergency,  when  it  is  too  late,  (c) 
The  man  who  banished  wine  from  his  dinner  ta- 
ble after  his  son  had  become  a  drunkard,  locked  the 
stable  door  after  the  horse  was  stolen :=:Tlie  man  who 
banished  wine  from  his  dinner  table  after  his  son  had 
been  made  intemperate  by  his  example,  began  to 
guard  against  danger  when  it  was  too  late. 
Long  home  =  The  grave ;  the  spirit  world,  (c) 


326  COLLOQUIAL    PHKASES. 

The  plague  and  the  famine  send  people  to  their 
long  home  by  myriads  =  The  plague  and  famine  take 
people  away  by  myriads  to  the  world  beyond.     The 
North  American  Indians  are  diminishing,  and  going 
to  their  long  Aome^The  ]^orth  American  Indians 
are  diminishing,  and  going  down  to  the  grave. 
LiOok  about  one,  to  =  To  keep  a  good  look  out.  (a) 
When  you  walk  in  a  crowded  street  in  a  great 
city,  you  must  look  about  yoit^  lest  you  be  run  over  or 
have  your  pockets  picked  =,When  you   walk  in  a 
crowded  street  in  a  great  city,  you  must  keep  a  good 
look  out,  lest  you  be  run  over  or  have  your  pockets 
picked. 
Look  black,  to  —  To  look  angry  or  threatening,  (h) 
Do  not  look  so  black  — J)o  not  look  so  threatening. 
When  the  general  heard  that  one  of  the  officers  had 
deserted  the  field,  he  looked  black  — When  the  general 
heard  that  one  of  the  officers  had  deserted  the  field, 
he  looked  very  angry. 
LiOok   or  hunt  for  a  needle  in  a  hay  moiv,  to  = 
To  engage  in  a  hopeless  search,  (a) 
You  might  as  well  hunt  for  a  needle  in  a  hay  mow, 
as  to  look  for  the  doctor  in  the  crowd  on  the  park  = 
You  will  engage  in  a  hopeless  search,  if  you  attempt 
to  find  the  doctor  in  that  crowd  on  the  park. 
Look    out,   to  =  To   be   careful ;   to   exercise  fore- 
thought, (a) 
If  you  don't  look  out,  you  will  fall  =  If  you  don't 
take  care,  you  will  fall.     If  I  had  looked  out,  it  would 
not  have  happened  =  If  I  had  been  careful,  it  would 
not  have  happened. 
Look  sharp,  to  =  To  take  heed  ;  to  be  keenly  atten- 
tive to  one's  interest ;  to  be  careful,  (a) 
I  looked  sharp,  and  got  through  the  crowd  safely  = 
I  took  good  care,   and  so  got  through  the  crowd 
safely.     Look  sharp,  or  you  will  fall  on  the  icy  pave- 
ment =  Be  vigilant,  else  you  will  fall  on  the  icy  pave- 
ment. 
Lo§e  one's  tongue,  to  =  To  be  unable  to  say  any 
thing ;  to  be  silent,  (c) 
The  child  lost  his  tongue  in  the  presence  of  stran- 
gers =  The  child  was  silent  in  the  presence  of  stran- 
gers.    Have  you  lost  your  tongue,  my  son  ?  =  C^n  you 
not  speak,  my  son  ? 


M. 

Hade  of  money  =  Inexhaustibly  rich,  (c) 

My  nephew  has  asked  me  for  funds,  with  which 


COLLOQUIAL    PHRASES.  827 

to  make  tlie  tour  of  tlie  world ;  does  he  think  I  am 
made    of  money?  =zM.j   nephew   has   asked   me   for 
funds,  with  which  to  make  the  tour  of  the  world ; 
does  he  think  me  inexhaustibly  rich  ? 
Hake  a  cat'§-paw  of,  to  =  To  use  another  to  incur 
the  risk,  while  one  secures  the  profit  for  himself;  to 
make  a  dupe  or  tool  of  another,  (c) 
It  is  suspected  that  the  politician  made  a  cat''s-paw 
of  some  of  his  followers   in  the  matter  of  buying 
votes  =  It  is  suspected  that  the  politician  used  some 
of  his  followers  to  incur  the  risks  of  buying  votes, 
while  he  secured  the  profit. 
Make  a  elean  §iveep,  to  =  To  remove  or  destroy 
entirely,  without  remainder,  (a) 
He  made  a  clean  sweep  of  the  dishonest  clerks  in 
his  store  in  the  middle  of  last  year = He  turned  out 
all  the  dishonest  clerks  in  his  store  in  the  middle  of 
last  year.     The  fire  made  a  clean  sweep  of  the  village 
last  night = The  fire  burned  up  all  the  village  last 
night.     I  have  made  a  clean  siceep  of  the  old  furni- 
ture and  bought  a  new  set  of  it  =  I  have  removed  all 
the  old  furniture,  and  bought  a  new  set  of  it.     The 
new  administration  has  Tnade  a  clean  sweep  in  the 
custom-house  =  The  new  government  has  completely 
changed  the  ofiicials  of  the  custom-house. 
Make  a  nie§§  of  it,  to  =  To  bungle ;  to  treat  awk- 
wardly ;  to  create  embarrassment  and  make  mat- 
ters worse,  (a) 
If  I  interfere  in  that  domestic  difficulty,  I  shall 
make  a  mess  of  it  =  If  I  interfere  in  that  domestic 
difiiculty,  I  shall  bungle,  and  make  matters  worse. 
Make  a  mountain   of  a  mole-hill,  to  =  To  mag- 
nify trifles ;  to  exaggerate  difficulties  or  obstacles. 
(a) 

The  father  said  to  his  son,  "  Do  not  make  moun- 
tains of  mole-hills ;  and  your  life  will  be  much  hap- 
pier "=  The  father  said  to  his  son.  Do  not  magnify 
the  difficulties  or  obstacles  which  you  may  encounter 
in  life ;  and  you  will  be  much  happier. 
Make  an  a§§  of  one's  self,  to  =  To  act  in  a  foolish 
or  stupid  manner,  (c) 
When  Alexander  was  in  London,  he  made  an  ass 
of  himself   by   continually   boasting   of   American 
manners  and  institutions  =  When  Alexander  was  in 
London,  he  acted  foolishly,  in  continually  boasting 
of  American  manners  and  institutions. 
Make  a  noise  in  the  world,  to  =  To  become  fa- 
mous ;  to  attract  attention,  (b) 
The   book  which    revealed  certain  court  secrets 
made  a  noise  in  the  world  =  The  book  which  revealed 


828  COLLOQUIAL    PHRASES. 

certain    court    secrets    attracted    attention.      That 
young  man  bids  fair  to  make  a  noise  in  the  world  — 
That  young  man   gives   promise  of  becoming   fa- 
mous. 
Make  face§,  to  =  To  distort  the  countenance  in  sport 
or  derision,  {a) 
He   made  faces   at   me   in    sport  =  He   sportively 
twisted  his  lace  into  strange  shapes  at  me.     The 
boy  made  faces  at  the  teacher  when  he  was  not  ob- 
served =  The  boy  distorted  his  countenance,  in  deri- 
sion of  his  teacher,  when  he  was  not  observed. 
Make  fun  of,  to=:To  ridicule;  to  make  a  butt  of; 
to  turn  into  a  jest,  (a) 
Do  not  make  fan  of  the  matter,  because  it  is  a  se- 
rious business  =  Do  not  turn  the  matter  into  a  jest, 
for  it  is  a  serious  business.     They  made  fun  of  the 
boy,   for    his    strange   pronunciation   and    his    odd 
clothes  =  They  made  a  butt  of  the  boy,  on  account 
of  his  strange  pronunciation  and  his  odd  clothes. 
He  made  fun  of  his  seasick  companion  =  He  found 
amusement    for  himself  in  the  seasickness   of  his 
companion. 
Make  it  pay,  to  =  To  make  it  remunerative  or  prof- 
itable ;  to  cause  it  to  make  suitable  returns,  (a) 
Can  you  make  it  pay ^  to  take  such  pains  with  your 
work  ?  =  Can  you  cause  it  to  make  suitable  return 
for  your  trouble,  to  take  such  pains  with  your  work  ? 
Make  one'§  blood  boil,  to=:To  arouse   one's  in- 
dignation ;  to  provoke  one.  (c) 
It  makes  one's  blood  hoil^  to  read  of  the  cruelties 
and  sufterings  on  the  slave  ships  of  former  times  = 
It  arouses  one's  indignation,  to  read  of  the  cruelties 
and  sufferings  on  the  slave  ships  of  former  times. 
Make  one'§    liair  stand  on  end,   to=:To   terrify 
greatly,  (c). 
The  boy  said  it  made  his  hair  stand  on  end^  to  go 
through  the  cemetery  at  night  =  The  boy  said  it  ter- 
rified him  greatly,  to  go  through  the  cemetery  at 
night. 
Make  one'§  self  at  home,  to  =  To  be  at  ease  in 
another's  house,  (a) 
Mr.  A.  please  take  a  seat ;  make  yourself  at  home  = 
Mr.  A.  please  take  a  seat ;  I  wish  you  to  feel  at  ease 
here  as  you  would  in  your  own  home.     I  always 
make  myself  at  home  at  my  brother's  =  I  always  have 
an  unrestrained  and  home-like  feeling  in  my  broth- 
er's house. 
Make  sad  work  of,  to=iTo  make  such  mistake  or 
blunder  in  doing  a  thing,  as  to  cause  sorrow,  or  to 
result  in  calamity,  (a) 


COLLOQUIAL    PHRASES.  829 

Mr.  E.  made  sad  work  of  training  his  cliildren  = 
Mr.  E.  governed  his  children  so  poorlj,  that  they 
grew  up  dishonest,  ill-bred,  selfish,  and  willful. 
Make  tlie  mouth  ivater,  to  =  To  cause  desire  or 
longing,  (a) 
The  sight  of  that  fruit  mahes  ray  mouth  water  = 
The  sight  of  that  fruit  makes  me  want  to  eat  it.     It 
is  enough  to  mahe  your  mouth  water  to  look  at  Mr. 
C's  strawberry  beds  =  The  sight  of  Mr.  C's  straw- 
berry beds  causes  a  longing  for  the  fruit. 
Make  t'wo  bite§  of  a  cherry,  to  =  To  do  any  thing 
in  parts,  and  not  thoroughly  or  at  one  stroke,  (a) 
If  the  Indian  question  must  be  settled  by  force, 
it  is  best  to  send  an  army  large  enough  to  subdue 
the  tribes,  and  not  make  two  bites  of  a  cherry  =  If  the 
Indian  question  must  be  settled  by  force,  it  is  best 
to  send  an  army  large  enough  to  subdue  the  tribes, 
and  not  do  the  work  imperfectly  and  in  parts. 
Mare'§  nest  =  A   supposed   discovery  of   something 
important  or  wonderful,  which   turns   out   to  be 
nothing  at  all ;  something  absurd  or  ridiculous,  (c) 
The  editor  has  found  a  mare^  vest,  in  getting  pos- 
session  of  some    political   letters  =  The   editor  has 
made  what  he  supposes  -to  be  a  very  important  dis- 
covery, in  obtaining  some  political  letters;  but  it 
will  turn  out  to  be  nothing  at  all. 
Marked  with  the  croir'§  feet,  to  be  =  To  have  the 
wrinkles  in  the  outer  corners  of  the  eyes  wdiich  are 
produced  by  age.  (c) 
When  I  last  saw  my  friend,  he  was  beginning  to 
he  marked  with  the  crowds  feet  =z'When  1  last  saw  my 
friend,  he  was  beginning  to  have  the  wrinkles  of  age 
at  the  corners  of  his  eyes. 
Marry  a  fortune,  to  =  To   obtain  w^ealth  by  mar- 
riage, (a) 
Mr.  G-.  married  a  fortune— M.r.  G.  obtained  wealth 
by  marriage. 
Milk-and-^water  =  Weak;  lacking  in  force,  energy, 
&c.  (a) 
He  is  a  sort  of  milk-and-water  man  =  He  is  a  man 
without  positive  character.     That  is  a  milk-and-water 
government  =  That  is  a  government  without  energy 
and  force.     This  is   a  milk-and-water  diet  =  This  is 
very  simple  food.     That  was  a  milk-and-water  dis- 
course —  That  was  a  discourse  lacking  in  originality 
or  strength  of  thought. 
Mind  one'§  P'§  and  q's,  to  =  To  be  careful;  to  be 
circumspect,  (a) 
Mind  your  P^s  and  Q^s  =  Be  careful  how  you  con- 
duct yourself.     I  have  to  mind  my  P^s  and  Q^s  in 


830  COLLOQUIAL    PHRASES. 

this  work  =  I  have  to  be  careful  in  this  work.     You 
are  invited  to  dine  with  the  governor:  mind  your 
P's  and  §'s  =  You  are  invited  to  dine  with  the  gov- 
ernor :  be  very  circumspect  in  your  behavior. 
Mind  what  you  are  about  =:  Be  careful,  (c) 

Mind  what  you  are  about,  else  you  will  step  into 
that  puddle  =  Be  careful,  else  you  will  step  into  that 
puddle. 
Mint  of  money  =  An  unlimited  supply  of  money ; 
much  wealth,  (c) 
It  will  take  a  mint  of  money,  to  construct  a  ship 
canal  across  the  isthmus  of  Darien  =  It  will  require 
an  unlimited  supply  of  money,  to  construct  a  ship 
canal  across  the  isthmus  of  Darien. 
Mixed  up  \rith,  to  be=:To  have  part  in.  (c) 

The  carpenter's  son  was  mixed  up  with  the  affair 
of  tarring  and  feathering  the  man  =  The  carpenter's 
son  had  part  in  the  affair  of  tarring  and  feathering 
the  man. 
More  frightened   or  §eared  than  hurt  =  Unduly 
apprehensive  of  evil  or  fearing  some  evil  which 
never  came,  (a) 
Mr.  C.  did  not  tSake  the  fever,  after  all;  he  was 
more  scared  than  huri=M.i\  C.  did  not  take  the  fever, 
after  all;    he  was  fearful  of  an  evil  which  never 
came  upon  him. 
More  than  flesh  and  blood  can  bear  =  Intolera- 
ble ;  unendurable ;  not  to  be  allowed,  (c) 
The  boys  in  the  street  have  become  very  insolent ; 
and  it  is  more  than  flesh  and  blood  can  bear=^The  boys 
in  the  street  have  become  very  insolent;  and  it  is 
unendurable. 
Murder  the  King's   English,  to  =  To  speak  incor- 
rectly ;  to  talk  bad  English,  (a) 
Do  not  murder  the  Kingh  English  so  =  Do  not  talk 
so  ungrammatically.     That  man  is  very  uneducated ; 
he  murders  the  King^s  English  =z  Thsit  man  is  not  well 
educated ;  he  speaks  the  English  language  very  in- 
correctly. 


]sr. 

Neither  flsh,  flesh,  nor  fowl = Peculiar;  indefinite; 
not  easily  classified  or  understood,  (c) 
He  is  neither  fish,  flesh,  nor  fe)wl  —  YLQ  is  a  peculiar 
person,  not  like  other  people  in  any  respect.  That 
book  is  neither  fish,  flesh,  nor  ^2^^=  That  book  is  in- 
distinct and  indefinite,  in  its  treatment  of  the  sub- 
ject— it  lacks  unity  and  consistency. 


COLLOQUIAL    PHRASES.  881 

IVeitlier  one  thing  nor  another  =  Anomalous ;  ec- 
centric, (a) 
The  house  which  the  man  has  built  is  neither  one 
thing  nor  another  =  The  style  of  the  liouse  which  the 
man  has  built  has  nothing  distinct  or  definite  about 
it. 
Wever   mind  =  It  is  no  matter;   it  is  of  no  conse- 
quence ;  do  not  regard  it.  (a) 

I  told  you  to  sew  this  for  me,  but  never  mind  now 
=  I  told  you  to  sew  this  for  me,  but  it  is  of  no  con- 
sequence now.     Never  mind  returning  the  cent  that 
you  borrowed  of  me  =  It  is  of  no  consequence  that 
you  return  the  cent  which  you  borrowed  of  me. 
l^fever  say  die  =  Never  give  up ;  never  despair ;  never 
yield  to  discouragement,  (c) 
Never  say  die  =  Do  not  give  up,  but  keep  on  hop- 
ing.    In  difficulty  he  will  never  say  die  =  In  difficulty 
he  will  never  despair.     Can  you  not  work  the  sum 
in  arithmetic?     Never  say  die  =  C2in  you  not  work 
the  sum  in  arithmetic?     T^ever  yield  to  discourage- 
ment. 
Never  tell  me  =  I  do  not  believe ;  I  doubt,  (c) 

Never  tell  me,  that  the  tunnel  through  the  mount- 
ain can  be  finished  in  four  years  =  I  do  not  believe, 
that  the  tunnel  under  the  mountain  can  be  com- 
pleted in  four  years. 
]^ext  door  to=:I^ear  to;  almost;  bordering  on.  (a) 
The  merchant  is  next  door  to  a  bankrupt  =  The 
merchant  is  almost  a  bankrupt.     He  is  not  exactly 
a  thief,  but  he  is  next  door  to  it  =  He  is  not  exactly  a 
thief,  but  he  does  something  almost  as  bad  as  steal- 
ing.    Hatred  is  next  door  to  murder  =  Hatred  and 
murder  are  much  alike. 
IViek  of  time  =  A  fortunate  conjuncture   or   coinci- 
dence; just  in  season;  at  the  right  moment,  (a) 

Your  letter  was  received  just  in  the  nicJc  of  time 
=  Your  letter  was  received  just  at  the  right  moment. 
You  always  come  at  the  nick  of  time =You  always 
come  just  when  you  are  needed.     The  pardon  came 
from  the  Governor,  in  the  nick  of  time  to  save  the 
prisoner's  life  =  The  pardon  came  from  the  Governor 
just  in  time  to  prevent  the  criminal's  execution. 
JVobody  the  wi§er  =  Without  the  knowledge  of  any 
one;  unknown  to  any  one.  (a) 
He  voted  in  opposition  to  his  party ;  and  nobody 
the  wiser  =  He  voted  contrary  to  his  part j  ;  and  no 
one  knew  it. 
No    end   of  =  1,  Yery   numerous,  (a)     2,  Continual. 

(«)  . 

1.  There  is  no  end  of  applications  for  the  position 


832  COLLOQUIAL    PHRASES. 

of  clerk  in  Mr.  A's  store  =  The  applications  for  the 
position  of  clerk  in  Mr.  A's  store  are  very  numerous. 
2,  There  is  no  end  of  the  pleasure  which  the  nat- 
uralist takes,  in  his  researches  =  The  pleasure  whicli 
the  naturalist  derives  from  his  researches  is  continuah 
No  joke  =  Something  important  or  serious,  (a) 

When  the  brakeman  lost  his  situation  on  the  rail- 
road because  he  pretended  to  be  the  conductor,  he 
found  it  was  7Z0  yo^e  =  When  the  brakeman  lost  his 
situation  because  he  pretended  to  be  the  conductor, 
he  discovered  tliat  the  matter  was  serious. 
Wo  laug^hiirgr  matter  =  Important ;    of  serious   con- 
sequences, {a) 
The  man's  quarrel  with  his  uncle  is  no  laughing 
matter^  for  he  will  lose  a  fortune  by  it  =  The  man's 
quarrel  w^ith  his   uncle  is  of  serious   consequence, 
for  he  will  lose  a  fortune  because  of  it. 
]^o  love  lo§t  betiveejri  =  Mutually  disliking  or  with- 
out love,  (a) 
There  is  710  love  lost  between  the  boy  and  his  step- 
father =  The  boy  and  his  step-father  mutually  dislike 
each  other. 
No  matter  =  Of  no  consequence ;  of  no  importance,  (a) 
Bring  the  books;  no  matter  about  the  papers  = 
Bring  the  books ;  I  don't  care  about  the  papers.     No 
matter  if  this  work  is  not  Unished  to-day  ==  It  is  of  no 
consequence  if  this  work  is  not  finished  to-day.     If 
you  can  not  tell  me  the  precise  date  of  the  occur- 
rence, no  matter =lf  you  can  not  tell  me  the  precise 
date  of  the  occurrence,  it  is  unimportant. 
No  offen§e  =  Do  not  be  offended;   I  do  not  intend 
any  insult,  or  offense,  (c) 
I  think  your  children  are  too  thinly  clad  for  w^in- 
ter — no  offense^  madam  =  I  think  your  children  are 
too  thinly  clad  for  winter — I  do  not  intend  any  in- 
sult (or  impropriety),  madam. 
No  sueh  thing  =  It  is  not  so.  (c) 

The  paper  announced  this  morning  that  Mr.  A. 

and  Miss  B.  were  to  be  married  in  church;  but  it  is 

no  such  thing  =  Tlie  paper  this  morning  announced 

that  Mr.  A.  and  Miss  B.   were  to  be  married  in 

church ;  but  it  is  not  so. 

Not  a  bit   or  -whit^l^ot  in  the  least;  not  in  the 

smallest  degree ;  not  any.  (c) 

This  board  is  not  a  bit  longer  than  the  other = This 

board  is  not  in  the  least  longer  than  the  other.     Do 

you  wish  to  go  to  the  circus?     Not  a  bit=  J)o  you 

desire  to  attend  the  circus?     I  have  not  the  least 

desire  to  attend.     His  health  is  not  a  whit  better  for 

the  journey  =  His  health  is  not  in  the  least  improved 


COLLOQUIAL    PHRASES.  833 

by  the  journey.     Are  you  fatigued  by  the  walk? 
Not  a  whit  =  Are   you  fatigued    by  the  walk?     ^ot 
in  the  least. 
M"©!  a  bit  of  it  =  No  (emphatically),  (c) 

Shall   you  vote  the  democratic  ticket  this  fall? 
Not  a  bit  of  2^=  Shall  you  vote  the  democratic  ticket 
this  fall?     No. 
Not  that  I  know  of  =  I  do  not  know  that,  (a) 

Has  Mrs.  A.  heard  from  her  sick  daughter  to-day  ? 
Not  that  I  know  of-  Has  Mrs.  A.  heard  from  her  sick 
daughter  to-day?     I  do  not  know  that  she  has. 
Nothings  to  §peak  of  ^  Unimportant ;  small,  (a) 
Tlie  farmer  said  that  his  crop  of  apples  was  noth- 
ing to  speak  of—ll\\Q  farmer  said  that  his  crop  of 
apples  was  small. 
IlJot  to  be  §neezed  at  — Not  to  be  despised;  not  to 
be  treated  lightly,  {h) 
Captain  A.  has  offered  to  give  me  a  passage  to 
Europe  in  his  ship;  and  that  is  an  offer  not  to  he 
sneezed  «^=  Captain  A.  has  offered  to  give  me  a  pass- 
age to  Europe  in  his  ship ;  and  that  offer  is  one  not 
to  be  despised  (is  an  excellent  offer). 
Not  to  care  a  pin,  ru§h,  flg,  §traiir,  Ac.,  for  =  To 
be  indifferent  to ;  not  to  regard,  (a) 
The  boy  who  played  truant  at  school  did  not  care 
a  fig  for  the  reprimand  wliich  the  teacher  gave  liim 
The  boy  who  played  truant  at  school  was  indifferent 
to  the  reprimand  wliich  the  teacher  gave  him. 
Not  to  mention  =  Leaving  unmentioned ;  not  speak- 
ing of.  (a) 
That  teacher  has  a  superior  faculty  of  instructing 
youth,   not    to   mention   his    tine    scholarship  =  That 
teacher  has  the  faculty  of  instructing  youth,  leaving 
unmentioned  his  fine  scholarship. 
Not  to  §tip  a  peg  or  §tep=:Not  to  move ;  to  remain 
fixed,  (c) 
The  boy  promised  to  remain  where  he  was,  till  our 
return,  and  he  has  not  stirred  a  peg  —  The  boy  prom- 
ised to  remain  where  he  was,  till  our  return,  and  he 
has  not  moved.     DoriH  stir  a  peg  from  this  place  = 
Don't  move,  even  a  little,  from  here.     He  has  not 
stirred  a  peg  since  I  came  away  =  He  has  not  mov^ed 
from  the  place  where  I  left  him,  since  I  came  away. 
Not  ivorth  a  straw,  a  pin,  a    fig  =  Of  very  little 
value;  nearly  or  quite  worthless,  (c) 

The  stock  of  the  M.  railroad  is  not  worth  a  straw 
==The  stock  of   the  M.  railroad   is  of  very  little 
value. 
Number  one  =  One's  self;  one's  own  personal  inter- 
ests, (a) 


834  COLLOQUIAL    PHRASES. 

Men  generally  think  of  number  one^  first  =  Men  are 
generally  selfish.  He  always  took  care  of  number 
one  =  He  always  took  care  of  himself.  I  have 
learned  that  my  butcher  looks  out  for  number  one=z\ 
have  learned  that  my  butcher  makes  his  own  inter- 
est selfishly  prominent.  In  traveling,  you  must 
take  care  of  number  one  =  In  traveling,  you  must  at- 
tend sharply  to  your  own  interests  and  convenience. 


o. 

Off  the  hooks  =  Unhinged ;  disturbed  or  disordered. 

(«)  .     . 

She  had  news,  last  night,  of  the  loss  of  some  funds, 
and  did  not  sleep  much;  and  this  morning  she  is 
>-  quite  off  the  hooks  =  She  is  quite  unhinged  this  morn- 
ing, and  mentally  disordered,  because  of  loss  of  some 
property,  and  a  sleepless  night. 
Old  as  lUethuselah  =  A  very  old  person,  (c) 

The  missionary  returned  to  America,  looking  as 
old  as  Methuselah  =  The  missionary  returned  to  Amer- 
ica, very  old  in  appearance. 
Old  as  the  hills  =:Yery  old.  (c) 

That  story  is  old  as  the  hills  =  That  story  is  very 
old. 
Old  bachelor  =  A  man  who  was  never  married,  and 
is  no  longer  young,  (a) 
We  have  one  old  bachelor  on  this  streets  One  man 
who  was  never  married,  and  who  is  no  longer  young, 
lives  on  this  street. 
Old  maid  =  1.  A  woman  who  was  never  married,  and 
who  is  no  longer  young,  (a)     2.  Fussy;  over-par- 
ticular, (a) 
Mr.  B's  only  aunt  is  an  old  maid  =  Mr.  B's  only 
aunt  is  a  woman  who  was  never  married,  and  who 
is  no  longer  young.     2.  You  are  an  old  maid  in  re- 
gard to   your  garden  and   stables  =  You   are  over- 
particular respecting  your  garden  and  stables. 
On  a  spree  =  Having   a  merry  frolic — especially,  a 
drinking  frolic,  a  carousal,  (a) 

This  man  has  been  absent  on  a  spree  for  two  days 
=  This  man  has  been  away  for  a  drunken  frolic,  for 
two  days.     "When  he  gets  on  *a  spree,  he  spends  much 
of  his  earnings  =  When  he  engages  in  a  carousal,  he 
spends  much  of  the  money  w^iich  he  has  earned. 
One-horse  =  Small ;   petty;  insignificant;  unimport- 
ant, (a) 
The  Irishman  keeps  a  one-horse  grocery  near  the 


COLLOQUIAL    PHRASES.  335 

depot  =  The  Irishman  keeps  a  small  grocery  near  the 
depot.  This  is  a  one-horse  town  =  This  is  an  un- 
important town.  He  does  a  one-horse  business  =  He 
does  a  petty  business.  He  keeps  a  one-horse  store  in 
the  city  =  He  keeps  a  small  store  in  the  city. 
Only  a  §tep  =  Only  a  short  distance,  (a) 

The  church  is  only  a  step  from  the  school-house  = 
The    church    is    only    a    short    distance   from  the 
school-house. 
On  one's  high  horse  —  Supercilious ;  arrogant,  (c) 
The  man  who  has  inherited  some  property  was  in 
town  yesterday,  and  was  oji  his  high  /ior5e  =  The  man 
who  has  inherited  some  property  was  in  town  yes- 
terday, and  was  arrogant  in  his  bearing. 
On  one's  last  legs  =  Failing;  nearly  spent;  near  the 
end.  ih) 
The  man  who  has  been  intemperate  so  many  years 
is  on  his  last  legs  =  Th.Q  man  who  has  been  intemper- 
ate so  many  years  is  near  the  end  (of  his  property 
or  his  life). 
On  one's  oivn  hook  =  On  one's  own  account  or  re- 
sponsibility ;  not  under  another,  but  independently. 
•     (a)  _  _ 

I  am  doing  business  on  my  own  nook=zl  am  carry- 
ing on  business  on  my  own   responsibility.      Not 
having  been  invited  to  ride  w^ith  the  party,  he  hired 
a  horse,  and  went  riding  on  his  oivn  hook  =  ^ot  hav- 
ing been  invited  to  accompany  the  party  in  a  ride, 
he  hired  a  horse  and  went  riding  independently. 
On  the  cards = On  the  programme;  arranged  for; 
in  order,  (c) 
Mr.  A.  has  built  a  house ;  and  the  next  thing  on 
the  cards  is  his  marriage  =  Mr.  A.  has  built  a  house; 
and  the  event  next  in  order  is  his  marriage.     A 
trip  to  Europe  is  not  on  the    cards  =  Thej  have  not 
arranged  (do  not  purpose)  to  make  a  trip  to  Europe. 
On  the  sick  list  =  111 ;  ailing — said  of  any  one.  (a) 

Several  of  the  scholars  are  on  the  sick  list  this 
morning  =  Several  of  the  scholars  are  ill  this  morn- 
ing. 
On  the  sly  =  In  a  sly  or  secret  manner;  secretly,  (a) 
The  boys  chew  tobacco  07i  the  sly z=ThG  boys  chew 
tobacco  secretly.     They  were  married  on  the  sly= 
They  were  married  secretly. 
On  tick  (by  abbreviation,  from  On  ticket)  =  On  credit ; 
on  trust,  (a) 
1  bought  these  clothes  on  tick  —  l  bought   these 
clothes  on  credit.     No  tick  here !  =  No  credit  is  given 
here. 
Open  the  hall,  to  =  To  begin  an  enterprise,  (a) 


836  COLLOQUIAL    PHRASES. 

The  political  party  opened  the  hall    with  a  mass- 
meeting,    which    was    followed    by   a   dinner   and 
speeches  =  The  political  party  began  their  work  with  a 
mass-meeting  and  a  dinner  and  speeches.     Napoleon, 
having  made  all  his  preparations,  opened  the  hall  by 
attacking  Milan  =  Napoleon,  having    made   all   his 
preparations,  commenced  the  conflict  by  attacking 
Milan.     A  warm  discussion,  on  the  payment  of  the 
United  States  marshals,  is  expected  in  Congress ;  and 
the  country  is  waiting  to  see  who  will  open  the  ball  — 
The  country  is  w^aiting  to  see  who  will  begin  the 
expected  discussion  in  Congress,  on  the  payment  of 
United  States  marshals. 
Out  of  all  patience,  to  be  =  To  be  thoroughly  dis- 
satisfied ;  to  be  unable  to  tolerate,  (a) 
I  am  out  of  all  patience  with  his  unfaithfulness  as 
steward  of  my  property  =  I  am  not  able  to  tolerate 
his  unfaithfulness  as  steward  of  my  property. 
Out  of  sort§  =  Out  of  order;  unwell,  (a) 

My  cold  is  in  my  head,  and  occasions  some  fever, 
and  makes  me  feel  quite  ovt  of  sorted  My  cold  is  in 
my  head,  and  occasions  some  fever,  and  makes  me 
feel  quite  unwell.  He  is  out  of  sorts  to-day  =  He  is 
not  well  to-day. 
Outstrip  the  -wind,  to  =  To  go  very  fast,  (c) 

You  should  have  seen  the  bay  mare  on  the  track ; 
she  outstripped  the  wind = Yon  should  have  seen  the 
bay  mare  on  the  track  ;  she  went  very  fast. 
Out    with^  It  =  Speak    freely    and   fully;    make   it 
known,  (a) 
What  are  you  thinking  of  so  intently  ?     Out  with 
zY=What  are  you  thinking  of  so  intently?     Make 
it  known. 
Over  and  over  again  =  Repeatedly  ;  often  (a) 
We  have  driven  on  that  road  over  and  over  again 
=  We  have  repeatedly  driven  on  that  road. 
OAve  a  g[rudge,  to  =  To  cherish  ill-will,  spite  or  en- 
mity ;  to  bear  malice,  (a) 
He  owes  you  a  grudge  — He  cherishes  ill-will  and 
resentment  towards  you.     The  school-boy  owes  his 
seat-mate  a  grudge,  for  having  reported  his  mischiev- 
ous conduct  =  The  school-boy  cherishes   ill-will    or 
spite  toward  his  seat-mate,  for  having  reported  his 
mischievous  conduct. 
Oivn  to  tbe  §oft  Impcacliment,  to  =  To  admit  the 
truth  of  something  alleged  concerning  one.  (c) 
When  the  rumor,  that  he  was  about  to  marry  the 
banker's  daughter,  was  mentioned  to  Mr.  A.,  he 
owned  to  the  soft  impeachment  —  When  the  rumor,  that 
he  was  about  to  marry  the  banker's  daughter,  was 


COLLOQUIAL    PHRASES.  837 

mentioned   to   llr.  A.,  he   admitted   the  truth   of 
the  report. 


Paddle    one's  own  eanoe,  to  =  To  get  along   in 
life,  or  in   any  particular  enterprise,  by  one's  own 
exertions ;  to  succeed  unaided,  (c) 
When  the  young  man  applied  to  his  uncle  for  as- 
sistance in  business,  his  uncle  told  him  he  must  ^ac?- 
dlehis  own  ca7zoe  =  When  the  young  man  applied  to 
his  uncle  for  assistance  in  business,  his  uncle  told 
him  he  must  get  along  by  his  own  exertions. 
Pa§§  muster,  to  =  To    pass  through   an   inspection 
without  censure  ;  to  bear  examination,  (a) 
That  excuse  will  not  pass  muster  =  That  excuse  is 
not  good.      Tliese   goods   will  pass  muster  — T\\q^q 
goods  will  bear  examination.     When  the  class  was 
examined  for  admission  to  the  high  school,  two  of 
the  number  did  not  pass  muster  =  W\iQXi  the  class 
was  examined  for  admission  to  the  high  school,  two 
of  the  number  did  not  bear  examination. 
Pay  dear  for  the  \rhistle,   to  =  To  get  any  pos- 
session or  advantage  at  too  great  cost,  {b) 
The  boy  who  stole  a  ride  on  the  cars,  and  in  get- 
ling  off  too  soon  fell  under  tlie  wheel  and  crushed 
his  foot,  ^azc?  dear  for  the  whistle  =  The  boy  who  stole 
a  ride  on  the  cars,  and  in  getting  off  too  soon  fell 
under  the  wheel  and  crushed  his  foot,  had  his  ride 
at  too  great  cost. 
Pay  one's  way,  to  =  To   render  an  equivalent  for 
what  is  laid  out.  (c) 
This  boy,  that  we   took  in  from  the  streets,  pays 
his  way ;  lie  is  so  useful  and  good-natured  and  oblig- 
ing =  This  boy  renders  an  equivalent  for  all  the  ex- 
pense he  is  to  us,  because  he  is  so  useful,  good-na- 
tured and  obliging. 
Pay  the  debt  of  nature,  to  =  To  die.  (c) 

He  has^azc^  the  debt  of  nature  =  TLe  has  died. 
Pay  the  piper,  to  =  To  settle  the  bill ;  to  suffer  the 
consequences — especially   of  extravagant,  unwise, 
or  foolish  acts,  (c) 
We  should  like  to  have  a  fine  celebration  Inde- 
pendence day;  but  who  will  pay  the  piper f  =  We 
should  delight  to  celebrate  Independence  day  finely; 
but  who  will  settle  the  bills?     Those  who  waste 
their  time  in  foolish  pleasures  must  pay  the  piper  — 
Those  who  go  to  excess  in  foolish  pleasure,  must 
suffer  the  consequences  of  their  folly  and  errors. 

2io 


888  COLLOQUIAL    PHRASFS. 

Pepper,  to  =  To  pelt  with  shot  or  similar  missiles ; 
to  cover  thickly  with  wonnds.  (c) 
Mr.   A.   has  a  gun  loaded  ;  and  will  pepper  any 
burglar  who  comes  to  his  house  =  Mr.  A.  has  a  gun 
loaded ;  and  will  pelt  with  shot  any  burglar  who 
comes  to  his  house. 
Pepper  and  salt  =  Gray  and  black;  speckled,  (b)  . 
A  pepper-and-salt  suit  is  not  so  common  now,  as 
it  was  twenty-live  years  ago  =  A  mixed  suit,  gray 
and  black  in  color,  is  not  so  common  now,  as  it  was 
twenty-five  years  ago. 
Perpetrate  a  joke,  to  =  To  be  guilty  of  jesting  at 
an  unseasonable  time,  (c) 
The  boy  perpetrated  a  joke  at  the  camp-meeting  = 
The  boy  was  guilty  of  jesting  at  an  out-of-door  re- 
ligious gathering. 
Petticoat  g^overnment  —  A  derisive  term  to  express 
undue  influence  or  authority  of  a  woman  over  a 
man.  (c) 
The  neighbors  say  that  Mr.  M.  is  under  petticoat 
governments  The  neighbors  say  that  Mr.  M.  is  con- 
temptibly ruled  by  his  wife. 
Pick    acquaintance  -with,  to=:To    make  the   ac- 
quaintance of.  (c) 
My  little  boy  is  very  sociable — on  the  steamer  he 
picked  acquaintance   with  everybody  =  M}?"  little  boy 
is  very  sociable ;  on  the  steamer  he  made  the  ac- 
quaintance of  everybody. 
Pick  to  pieces  =  To  find  fault  witli ;  to  decry,  (c) 

He  picked  their   character    to  pieces  — 11q   found 
great  fault  with  their  character.     Do  not  pick  the 
book  to  pieces  — T)o  not  find  fault  with  the  book,  and 
decry  it. 
Pick  up,  to  =  To  improve  slowly  in  health,  {a) 

She  has  been  sick  all  winter ;  but  now  since  spring 
and  mild  weather  have  come,  she  is  picking  up  =  She 
has  been  sick  all  winter ;  but  slie  is  now  improving 
slowly  in  health,  under  the  influence,  of  the  mild 
spring  weather. 
Piping:  hot  =  At  full  heat ;  boiling  hot.  (a) 

The  tea  is  piping  hot— The  tea  is  at  its  full  heat. 
After  our  sleigh-ride  we  sat  down  to  a  piping  hot 
dinner  =  After  our  sleigh-ride,  we  partook  of  a   din- 
ner composed  of  articles  of  hot  food. 
Pitch  one's  tent,  to  =  To  prepare  to  tarry  or  reside 
for  a  longer  or  shorter  time,  (c) 
Having  roamed   about   the   world,   the   traveler 
pitched  his  tent  in  London  =  Having  roamed  about  the 
world,  the  traveler  prepared  to  reside  in  London. 


COLLOQUIAL    PHRASES.  839 

Pitch  into,  to  =  To  fall  upon  ;  to  assail ;  to  attack ; 
to  figlit.  (a) 
The  editor  pitched  into  the  new  treaty,  in  his  last 
papers  The    editor    strongly    denounced   the    new 
treaty,   in    the   last  issue  of  his  paper.     The  dog 
pitched  into  the  chickens,  and  injured  some  of  them 
=  The  dog  attacked  the  chickens,  and  injured  some 
^f  them.     He  flew  into  a  passion,  and  pitched  into 
the  offender  =  He  became  instantaneously  very  an- 
gry, and  thrashed  the  offender. 
Play  second   fiddle,  toi=To    take    a   subordinate 
part;  to  follow  another's  lead,  (a) 
The   actor  refused   to  play  second  fiddle  in   the 
drama  =  The  actor  refused  to  take  a  subordinate  part 
in  the  drama. 
Play  with  edg^e-tools,  to  =  To   act  with  levity  or 
thoughtless  presumption,  with  the  risk  of  serious 
damage,  (c) 
The  father  said  to  his  son  who  engaged  in  stock 
gambling,  "  You  are  playing  with  edr/e-tools^^  =  When 
the  father  said  this  to  his  son,  he  meant,  it  is  thought- 
less presumption  for  you  to  gamble  in  stocks,  for 
you  will  very  likely  lose  all  you  have. 
Plenty    a§    blackberries  =  Yery  numerous;    very 
abundant,  (b) 
The  politicians  were  plenty  as  blacJcberries,  at  the 
mass-meeting  =  The  politicians  were  very  numerous 
at  the  mass-meeting. 
Pocket  an  insult  or  aflrk*ont,  to  =  To  receive  with- 
out resenting,  or  at  least,  without  seeking  redress. 

{c) 
He  never  pockets  an  tnsult  =  'H.e  never  receives  an 
insult  without  resenting  it.     He  pocketed  the  affront, 
and  said  nothings  He  submitted  quietly  to  the  in- 
sult.    He  could  not  pocket  the  affront  of  being  called 
dishonest  =  He  could  not  receive  without  resenting 
it,  the  affront  of  being  called  dishonest. 
Poke  fkin  at,  to=:To  ridicule;  to  make  fun  of;  to 
make  a  butt  of.  (c) 
They  poked  fun  at  him  on  account  of  his  queer 
dress  =  They  ridiculed  him  on  account  of  his  queer 
dress. 
Poor  as  a  church-mouse  =  Miserably  poor,  (a) 
He  has  a  large  family,  and  is  poor  as  a  church- 
mouse=zIle  has  a  large  family,  and  is  miserably  poor. 
Poor  chance  =: Little  opportunity;  small  likelihood. 

I  think  he  has  a  poor  chance  to  get  this  position  = 
I  think  he  has  little  opportunity  to  get  this  position. 
With  your  many  disabilities,  you  have  a  poor  chance 


3^0  COLLOQUIAL    PHRASES. 

of  success  =r  With   your  disabilities,  you    are   little 
likely  to  succeed.     A  poor  chance  is  better  than  none 
=  A.  small  opportunity  is  better  than  none. 
Pop  the  question,  to  =  To  make  an  offer  of  mar- 
riage, (a) 
Has  he  popped  the  question  f  =  Has  he  made  an  of- 
fer of  marriage  ?     Sometimes  it  requires  much  cour- 
age to  pop  the  question  —  Sometimes  it  requires  much 
courage  to  ask  a  woman's  hand  in  marriage. 
Possessed  =  Entered  into  and  influenced ;  having  the 
will  controlled, — said  of  evil  spirits,  passions,  &c.  {h) 
He  acts  like  one  ^05se5^W=Heacts  like  one  under 
the  influence  of  evil  spirits.     The  boy  seems  to  be 
possessed  with  the  spirit  of  mischiefs  The  boy  seems 
to  be  entered  into  and  influenced,  by  a  mischievous 
spirit. 
Pot-luck  =  What  may  chance  to  be  provided  for  din- 
ner, {a) 
Come  and  take  pot-luck  with  me  to-day  =  Go  home 
with  me  to-day,  and  partake  of  what  may  chance  to 
be  provided  for  my  family-dinner. 
Po-wers  that  be  =  Rulers  ; — also,  any  one  in  author- 
ity, (a) 
The  powers  that  be,  have  prescribed  the  style  of 
dress  to  be  worn  graduation-day  =  The  persons  who 
have  authority  in  the  matter,  have  prescribed  the 
particular  kind  of  dress  for  graduation-day. 
Pressed  for  time,   to  be  =  Not   to  have  suJSficient 
time  ;  to  be  hurried,  (c) 
The  speaker  apologized  for  his  imperfect  speech, 
saying  that  he  was  pressed  for  time  when  preparing 
it  =  The  speaker  apologized  for  the  imperfection  of 
his  speech,  saying  that  he  had  not  sufiicient  time  for 
preparing  it. 
Pull  the  string^s   or  wires,  to  =  To  operate  by  se- 
cret means  ;  to  intrigue,  (h) 
Mr.  A.  pulled  the  wires  at  the  convention  so  as  to 
secure  the  nomination  of  senator  B.  =  Mr.  A.  oper- 
ated by  secret  means,  at  the  convention,  in  such  a 
manner  as  to  secure  the  nomination  of  senator  B. 
Pull  together,  to  =  To  co-operate;  to  unite,  (a) 
The  thirteen  American  colonies  pidled  together  in 
securing  their  independence  (1776-1 783)  =  The  thir- 
teen American  colonies  co-operated  in  securing  their 
independence  (1776-1783). 
Pull  up  stakes,  to  =  To  abandon  one's  residence  or 
place  of  business ;  to  change ;  to  remove,  (b) 

Mr.  I.  is  too  old  to  pull  up  stakes,  and  begin  anew 
=  Mr.  I.  is  too  old  to  change  his  place  of  residence, 
and  begin  life  in  a  new  home. 


COLLOQUIAL    PHRASES.  841 

Put  in  a  word,  to  =  To  say  something  in  a  general 
conversation,  (a) 
The  daughters  were  talking  about  the  customs  of 
society,  when  the  mother  said,  "  Let  me  put  in  a 
word^"' —  The,  daughters  were  talking  about  the  cus- 
toms of  society,  when  the  mother  said,  Let  me  say 
something. 
Put  .it  to,  to  =  1.  To  set  before  one  for  advice,  judg- 
ment, acceptance,  &c.  (a)     2.  To  offer  to  sell,  (c) 
1.  Now  I  put  it  to  you;  what  would  you  do?  = 
Now  I  ask  you,  earnestly,  what  would  you  do  ?     1.  I 
put  it  to  you ;  do  you  not  think  there  ought  to  be  aji 
international  copyright  law  ?  =  I  submit  the  question 
to  your  judgment ;  do  you  not  think  there  ought  to 
be  an  international  copyright  law  ?     2.  I  will  put  it 
to  you  at  $10  =  1  will  sell  it  to  you  for  $10. 
Put  on  air§,  to  =  To  assume  an  artificial  manner; 
to  make  a  show  of  pride  or  haughtiness,  (a) 
Tliat  young  miss  is  very  conceited,  and  puts  on 
aiVs  =  That  young  miss  thinks  too  much  of  herself, 
and  assumes  an  artificial,  affected  manner.     Since 
receiving  his  legacy,  he  puts  on  a^>5  =  Since  he  came 
into  possession  of  money  by  a  legacy,  he  assumes  a 
haughty  manner. 
Put  one'§  foot  in  it,  to  =  To  get  one's  self  into  a 
pretty  mess ;  to  mismanage ;  to  blunder,  (a) 
Now  you  \i2^YQ  put  your  foot  m  it^  if  you  have  been 
uncivil  to  3^our  rich  uncle  =  You  have  mismanaged, 
if  you  have  been  uncivil  to  your  rich  uncle.     The 
editor  never  opens  his  mouth  on  this  subject,  with- 
out putting  his  foot  in  it  =  The  editor  never  says  any 
thing  on  this  particular  subject,  without  making  a 
bad  blunder. 
Put  on  one'§  g^ood  behavior,  to  =  To  put  on  pro- 
bation, or  in  a  state  of  trial,  in  which  something 
important  depends  on  good  behavior,  (a) 
One  of  the  school-boys  has   been   irregular  and 
negligent,  and  having  been  reprimanded,  he  was  put 
on  his  good  behavior  =  One  of  the   school-boys  was 
reprimanded  for  irregularity  and  neglect,  and  put 
on  probation ;  i.  e.,  his  stay  in  school  was  made  to 
depend  on  his  good  behavior. 
Put  on  the  §erews,  to  =  To  be  severe  and  exact- 
ing, {b) 
Our  former  teacher  was  very  pleasant  and  easy ; 
but  the  new  teacher  puts  on  the  screws  =  Our  former 
teacher  was  very  pleasant  and  easy  but  the  new 
one  is  severe  and  exacting. 
Put  the  be§t  foot  foremost,  to  =  To  do  one's  best 
or  utmost ;  to  use  all  possible  dispatch,  (c) 
The  committee  will  visit  the  school  to-day,  my 


342  COLLOQUIAL    PHRASES. 

son ;  if  you  recite  or  declaim  in  their  presence,  put 
your  hest  foot  forward  :=  The  committee  are  to  visit  the 
school  to-day,  my  son ;  if  you  recite  or  declaim  in 
their  presence,  do  the  best  you  can. 

Put  the  cart  before  tUe  horse,  to  =  To  say  or  do 
in  an  inverted  order,  (a) 
To  teach  writing  before  reading  is  to  put  the  cart 
before  the  horse  =  To  teach  writing  before  reading  is  to 
teach  a  person  in  an  inverted  order.  The  little  boy 
put  the  cart  before  the  horse^  in  saying  that  his  father 
harrowed  the  field,  and  then  ploughed  it  =  The  little 
boy  inverted  the  order,  in  saying  that  his  father  first 
harrowed  the  field,  and  then  ploughed  it. 

Put  to  it,  to  toe  =  To  have  difficulty,  {a) 

When  he  has  attacks  of  asthma,  he  is  much  put 
to  it  to  breathe  =  In  his  attacks  of  asthma,  he  has 
much  difficulty  in  breathing. 


Q. 

Quarrel  ^rith  on^'s  toread  and  toutter,  to  =  To 

find  fault  with  one's  means  of  livelihood,  and  so 
endanger  his  support,  (c) 
It  is  not  well  for  this  workman  to  quarrel  with  his 
bread  and  butter  =  It  is  not  well  for  this  workman  to 
find  fault  with  his  means  of  livelihood,  and  so  en- 
danger his  support. 
Queer  fish,  a  =  An  eccentric,  strange  person,  (c) 
He  is  a  queer  fish;  he  gets  up  at  midnight  to  eat 
=  IIe  is  a  strange  person;  he  rises  at  midnight  and 
takes  food. 
Quick  as  thought  =  Yery  quickly,  (a) 

The  boy  who  was  bathing  was  carried  down  by 
the  current ;  but  quick  as  thought  he  seized  a  project- 
ing limb,  and  was  saved  =  The  boy  who  was  bathing 
was  carried  down  by  the  current ;  but  very  quickly 
seized  a  projecting  limb,  and  was  saved. 
Quits,  to  toe  =  To  have  made  mutual  satisfaction  of 
demands;  to  be  even  with,  {c) 
Now  we  are  quits  =  IN'ow  I  have  requited  the  in- 
jury  you  did  me,  and  I  am  even  with  you.     You 
have  assisted  me  two  days  in  harvesting,  and  my 
two  workmen  have  assisted  you  one  day  each ;  so 
that  we  are  quits  =  You  have  assisted  me  two  days  in 
harvesting,  and  my  two  workmen  have  each  assisted 
you  one  day;  so  that  there  is  no  indebtedness  on 
either  side. 


COLLOQUIAL    PHRASES.  343 


E. 

Rack  and  ruin  =  Destruction ;  utter  ruin,  (c) 

Your  old  homestead  has  gone  to  rack  and  ruin= 
Your  old  homestead  has  gone  to  destruction. 
Rack  oiic'§  brains,  to  =  To  make  violent  mental 
efforts,  (c) 
The  man  who  received  a  Christmas  present  anon- 
ymously, racked  his  brains  to  discover  who  sent  it  = 
The  man  who  received  a  Christmas  present  anon- 
ymously, tried  by  every  effort  of  thought  to  discover 
who  sent  it. 
Rain  in  torrents,  to=:To   rain  with  a  violent  or 
rapid  flow,  (a) 
The  thunder  was  very  heavy,  the  lightning  fear- 
ful, and  it  rained  in  torrents  =T[\q  thunder  was  very 
heavy,  the  lightning  fearful,  and  it  rained  with  a 
violent  flow  of  water. 
Rain  or  shine  =  Without  regard  to  the  weather,  {a) 
The  agricultural  fair  will  be  held,  five  days  from 
now,  rain  or  shine=T\\Q  agricultural  fair  will  be  held, 
five  days  from  now,  whatever  the  weather  may  be. 
I  will  go  to  post  my  letter  for  Cliina,  rain  or  shi7ie  = 
I  will  go  to  post  my  letter  for  China,  whether  it  is 
fair  or  stormy.     The  steam-boat  will  sail  for  N'ew 
York  at  4  o'clock  this  afternoon,  rain  or  shine  =The 
steam -boat  will  sail  for  New  York  at  4  o'clock  this 
afternoon,  without  regard  to  the  weather. 
Rain  cats  and  dogs,   or  pitcliforks,  to  =  To  rain 
in  torrents,  (c) 
I  awoke  in  the  night,  and  it  was  raining  cats  and 
dogs=l  awoke  in  tlie  night,  and  it  was  raining  vio- 
lently.    He  said  he  should  go  to  the  ball,  if  it  rained 
pitchforks  =  He  said  he  should  go  to  the  ball,  if  the 
rain  descended  in  torrents. 
Raise  the  \¥ind,  to  =  To  procure  money,  (a) 

He  is  trying  to  raise  the  loind  and  pay  your  bill  = 
He  is  trying  to  procure  money  to  pay  your  bill.     He 
finds  it  hard  to  raise  the  wind  because  he  is  deeply  in 
debt  =  He  finds  it  hard  to  borrow  money  because  he 
is  deeply  in  debt.     I  shall  go  to  London  to  buy 
goods,  if  I  can  raise  the  wind=l  shall  go  to  London 
to  buy  goods,  if  I  can  get  money  enough. 
Rake    up,   to  =  To   collect  by   minute    and    mean 
search,  (a) 
The  lawyer,  in  his  plea  in  the  divorce  case,  raked 
up  all  the  prejudicial  stories  and  incidents  of  the 
husband's  life  =  The  lawyer,  in  his  plea  in  the   di- 
vorce case,  collected  by  minute  and  mean  search  all 


844  COLLOQUIAL    PHRASES. 

the  prejudicial  stories  and  incidents  of  the  husband's 
life. 
Read  a  lecture  or   sermon,  to  =  To  give  a  magis- 
terial reprimand,  or  a  formal  reproof,  {h) 
The  guardian  read  his  ward  a  lecture  on  his  extrav- 
agance :=  The  guardian  formally  reproved  his  vrard 
for  his  extravagance. 
Reduced   to    a    skeleton,   or   a    shadow  =  Much 
emaciated;  very  lean;  having  little  flesh,  (c) 
The  sailor  who.  was  shipwrecked  had  become  re- 
duced to  a  skeleton^  when  he  was  picked  up  by  a 
passing  vessel  =  The  sailor  who  was  shipwrecked  had 
become  much  emaciated,  when  he  was  picked  up  by 
a  passing  vessel. 
Regular    as    clock-work  =  Uniformly    methodical 
and  systematic,  (a) 
He  is  as  regular  as  chch-work  in  his  business  =  He 
is  very  methodical  and  systematic  in  his  business. 
Rest  assured  =  You  may  be  certain ;  do  not  doubt,  (c) 
Rest  assured^  Mr.  A.  will  do  all  in  his  power  to 
make  your  visit  pleasant  =:  You  may  be  certain,  that 
Mr,  A.  will  do  every  thing  he  can  to  render  your 
visit  pleasant. 
Rich  as  Croesus  =  Yery  rich.     (Croesus  was  an  an- 
cient king  of  Lydia  famed  for  immense  wealth),  (a) 
By  the  rise  of  real  estate,  Mr.  B.  has  become  rich 
as  Croesus =^j  the  rise  of  real  estate,  Mr.  B.  has 
become  very  rich. 
Ride  or  sit  bodkin,  to  =  To  sit  closely  wedged  be- 
tween two  persons,  (c) 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  A.  went  the  whole  journey  in   a 
small  buggy,  with  their  child  riding  bodkin  =  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  A.  went  the  whole  journey  in  a  small  buggy, 
with  their  child  wedged  closely  between  them. 
Right  and  left  =  On  all  sides ;  in  every  direction,  (a) 
Being  attacked  by  a  gang  of  rowdies,  he  struck  out 
bravely,  right  and  /e/7^  =  Being  attacked  by  a  gang  of 
rowdies,  he  struck  out  with  his  fists,  on  all  sides.     At 
the  end  of  every  quarter  he  sent  out  his  bills  right 
and  left  =  At  the  end  of  every  quarter  he  sent  his 
bills  in  every  direction. 
Rights  and  lefts,  (said  of  shoes)  =  Fitted  each  to  the 
foot  of  its  own  side  of  the  body,  (a) 
These  shoes  are  rights  and  lefts  =zThese  shoes  are 
purposely  so  shaped  that  they  must  be  worn,  one 
always  on  the  right  foot,  and  the  other  always  on 
the  left. 
Right  away  or  right  off,  (U.  S.)  =  At  once ;  imme- 
diately; without  delay,  (a) 
Why  don't  you  mind?     Go,  right  off,  and  do  that 


COLLOQUIAL    PHRASES.  845 

=  Why  don't  you  mind  ?  Go  without  delay,  and  do 
that.  Do  it  right  away !  —  T)o  it  immediately !  It  is 
late,  and  I  am  going  right  away  =  lt  is  late,  and  I  am 
going  at  once. 
Riglit-liand  man  =  Chief  assistant  or  supporter;  a 
person  much  depended  on  for  service  or  assistance. 

(«) 

He  is  my  right-hand  man  =  He  is  my  best  helper. 
You  have  lost  your  right-hand  man  =  You  have  lost 
the  one  on  whom  you  chiefly  depended.     Mr.  C.  is 
the  editor's  right-hand  man  =  M.r.  C.  is  the  chief  as- 
sistant of  the  editor  in  preparing  the  paper. 
Robbing^  Peter  to  pay  Paul  =  Withholding  what 
is  due  or  necessary  in  one  direction,  to  bestow  it 
in  another,  (c) 
The  man  who  almost  starved  his  cow,  in  order  to 
keep  his  horse,  robbed  Peter  to  pay  Paul=T]\e  man 
who  almost  starved  his  cow  in  order  to  keep  his 
horse,  withheld  what  was  necessary  from  one  to  give 
it  to  the  otlier. 
Roll  in  riclies,  or  irealth,  to  =  To  be  luxuriously 
rich ;  to  be  very  weahhy.  (c) 
It   is   said    that   Caligula,  the   Roman   emperor, 
rolled  in  wealth  =  It  is  said  that  Caligula,  the  Roman 
emperor,    was   luxuriously   rich.     A   person    is   no 
happier,  because  he  rolls  in  7nches  =  A  person  is  no 
happier  because  he  is  very  rich. 
Room  and  to  spare  =  More  space  than  is  needed ; 
unoccupied  room,  (a) 
It  was  thought  that  the  hall  would  be  crowded  al 
the  lecture,  but  there  was  room  and  to  spare  =  It  was 
thouo^ht  that  the  hall  would  be  crowded  at  the  lee- 
ture,  but  there  was  unoccupied  room  (space  which 
was  not  filled). 
Rough  customer  =  A  troublesome  antagonist,  (b) 
The  burglar  whom  the  man  found  in  his  house 
was  a  rough  custo7ner=:  The  burglar  whom  the  man 
found  in  his  house  was  a  troublesome  antagonist. 
Rough   diamonds  A   diamond   uncut   and   unpol- 
ished ;  hence,  a  person  of  fine  natural  ability  with- 
out cultivation,  (c) 
Rough  diamonds  are  valuable,  but  polished  ones 
are  of  much  more  value  =  Persons  of  fine  natural 
ability  without  cultivation  serve  important  uses  in 
society ;  but  they  would  be  much  more  useful  if  they 
were  highly  cultivated  also. 

Rough  It,  to  =  To  pursue  a  rugged  course;  to  en- 
counter and  overcome  difficulties  or  hardships,  (a) 
In  summer  I  like  to  rough  it,  for  a  few  weeks,  in 
the  woods  =  In  summer  I  like  to  live  in  a  rough  way, 


846  COLLOQUIAL    PHRASES. 

in  tlie  woods,  for  a  few  weeks.     "When  fighting  the 
Indians,  the  general  roughed  it  with  the  soldiers  =  In 
the  campaign  against  the  Indians,  the  general  lived 
in  the  same  rough  way  as  the  soldiers. 
Rugged  (  U.  S .)  =  Vigorous ;  hardy;  robust.  (Z)) 

He  does  not  look  rugged  =!{&  does  not  appear  to 
be  in  robust  health.     He  is  not  as  rugged  as  he  was 
before  he  removed  West  =  He  is  not  as  vigorous  as 
he  was  before  removing  West. 
Rule  the  roast,  to  =  To  domineer ;  to  take  the  lead,  {b) 
She  rules  the  roast  in  that  family  =  She  domineers 
over  her  husband  and  every  body;   and   takes  the 
lead  in  that  house. 
Run  down,  to  =:  To  disparage ;  to  speak  ill  of.  (a) 
He  ran  down  the  city  which  he  visited,  very  much 
=He  disparaged  the  city  which   he   visited,  very 
much.     You  run  down  the  goods,  in  order  to  cheapen 
them  =  You  speak  ill  of  the  goods,  that   you   may 
make  them  cheaper. 
Run  foul  of,  to  =  To  come  into  collision;    to  run 
into,  or  against,  (a) 
The  two  boats  ran  foul  of  each  other,  in  a  foggy 
morning  last  month  =  The  two  boats  came  into  colli- 
sion, in  a  foggy  morning  last  month. 
Run  in  one'§  head,  to  =  To  linger  in  the  memory ; 
to  dwell  in  one's  recollections,  {b) 
Snatches  of  that  music  I  heard  last  night  keep 
running  in  my  Aeac?=That  music  which  I  heard  last 
night  lingers  in  my  memory.     Last  week  I  heard  an 
'opium  eater  relate  his  horrible  experience;  and  it 
has  run  in  my  head  ever  since  =  Last  week  I  listened 
to  the  horrible  experience  of  an  opium  eater;  and  it 
has  been  vivid  in  my  recollection  ever  since. 
Run  in  the  blood,  to  =  To  be  hereditary ;  to  belong 
to  one  by  reason  of  his  family  relationship,  (c) 
A  taste  for  poetry  runs  in  his  blood=ltl\^  taste  for 
poetry  is  hereditary. 
Run  the  eye  over,  to  =  To  look  through  rapidly,  as 
accounts,  a  newspaper,  and  the  like,  (a) 
I  wish  you  would  have  the  goodness  to  run  your 
eye  over  these  colunms  of  figures,  and  see  whether  I 
have  added  them  correctly  =  I  would  be  pleased  to 
have  you,  without  taking  too  much  of  your  time, 
look  through  these  colunms  of  figures,  to  see  wheth- 
er I  have  added  them  correctly. 
Run  wild,  to  =  To  be  unrestrained ;  to  be  unreason- 
able, unlimited,  {a) 
Speculation  in  Erie  stocks  runs  wild,  at  present = 
Speculation  in  the  stock  of  the  Erie  railroad  is  ex- 
cessive, at  present. 


COLLOQUIAL   PHEASES.  347 

S. 

to  =  To  dissipate ;  to  waste ; 
to  lose,  (c) 
The  property  wliich  the  young  man's  father  left 
him  was  soon  scattered  to  the  winds  =  T\\q  property 
which  the  young  man's  father  left  him  was   soon 
wasted  and  lost. 
IScrape   acquaintance  ii^itli,  to  =  To   make   one's 
self  acquainted ;  to  curry  favor,  (c) 
I  scraped  acquaintance  with  him  =  I  made  myself 
acquainted  with  him.     On  the  way  to  New  York  in 
the  boat,  I  scraped  acquaintance  with  a  gentleman 
who  resides  in  California  =  During  the  trip  to  New 
York  by  boat,  I  made  myself  acquainted   with  a 
gentleman  who  resides  in  California. 
Screw  one's  courage  to  the  sticking  place,  to  = 
To  become  resolute,  determined,  or  courageous,  (c) 
The  man  who  had  been  suffering  long  with  the 
toothache,  at  last  screwed  his  courage  to  Hie  sticking 
place^  and  had  the  tooth  extracted  =  The  man  who 
had  been  suffering  long  with  the  toothache,  at  last 
became  courageous  or  determined,  and  had  the  tooth 
extracted. 
Seedy  =  Shabby-looking;    poor  and    miserable-look- 
ing; shabbily  clothed.  Qi) 
He  looks  seedy— Hq  looks  poor  and  shabby.     This 
coat  of  mine  is  a  seedy  old  coat  =  This  is  a  faded  and 
worn  old  coat  of  mine. 
See  how  the  land  lies,  to=:To  make  examination 
or  inquiry ;  to  reconnoitre,  (a) 
Before  the  election  the  politician  traveled  through 
the  district,  to  see  how  the  land  ^a?/==  Before  the  elec- 
tion the  politician  traveled  through  the  district,  to 
learn  by  examination  and  inquiry  the  political  pros- 
pect. 
See  it,  to=:To  comprehend,  (a) 

You  have  explained  the  case  clearly ;  /  see  it= 
You  have  explained  the  case  clearly ;  I  comprehend 
it.     This  arithmetical  problem  can  be  solved  in  two 
ways ;  do  you  not  see  it  ?  -  This  arithmetical  problem 
can  be  solved  by  two  methods;  do  you  not  com- 
prehend it? 
See  ivith  half  an  eye,  to=:To  discern  or  under- 
stand easily,  (h) 
One  can  see,  with  half  an  e?/e,  that  the  burdens  and 
vexations  of  public  office  are  many  and  great  =  One 
can  easily  understand  that  there  are  many  and  great 


848  COLLOQUIAL    PHRASES. 

burdens  and  vexations  connected  with  holding  pub- 
lic office. 
Serve  one  right,  to  =  To  treat  one  as  he  deserves, 
(usually  in  an  ill  sense),  (a) 
You  was  behind  time,  and  he  did  not  w^ait  for 
you.     He  served  you  right  =  Yo\i  was  behind   time 
and  he  did  not  wait  for  you.     He  treated  you  as 
you  deserved. 

Set  do^vn,  to  be  =  To  be  established  in  popular  or 
-  general  estimation,  (b) 

That  man  has  conducted  very  lawlessly,  and  he  is 
set  down  as  a  dangerous  character = That   man  has 
conducted  very  lawlessly,  and,  in  the  general  esti- 
mation, he  is  considered  a  dangerous  character. 
Set  one's  cap  for,  to  =  To  take  measures  to  gain  the 
affections  or  favor  of  a  man,  with  a  view  to  being 
married  to  him.  (c) 
The  chamber-maid  appears  tp  be  setting  her  cap  for 
the  gardener  =  The  chamber-maid  is  apparently  at- 
tempting to  gain  the  affections  of  the  gardener,  in 
order  to  marry  him. 
Set  one'§  wit§  to  work,  to  =  To  think  upon  a  mat- 
ter; to  consider  carefully,  (c) 
No  sooner  was  the  burglar  confined  in  the  prison, 
than  he  set  his  wits  to  ivork  to  devise  means  of  escape 
=  As  soon  as  the  burglar  was  confined  in  the  prison, 
he  began  to  consider  carefully  how  he  could  devise 
means  of  escape. 
Set  store  toy,  to  =  To  value  greatly ;  to  put  a  high 
estimate  on.  (c) 
This  richly  carved  bookcase  is  an  heir-loom,  and  I 
set  store  by  it  =  This  richly  carved  bookcase  has  been 
in  the  family  for  generations,  and  I  value  it  greatly. 
Set  the  river  on  fire,  to  =  To  be  highly  successful 
or  renowned  in  life ;  to  do  some  great  thing,  (c) 

He  will  never  set  the  river  on  fire,  he  is  so  indolent 
=  He  will  never  accomplish  any  thing  notable,  be- 
cause he  is  so  indolent. 
Set  together  by  the  ears,  to  =  To  cause  to  quarrel,  (c) 
The  property  which  was  bequeathed  to  the  R. 
family,  set  them  together  hy  the  mr5  =  Tlie  property 
which  was  bequeathed  to  the  R.  family  caused  them 
to  quarrel  among  themselves. 
Shake  one's  sides,  to  =  To  laugh  heartily,  {a) 

The  audience  shook  their  sides,  while  the  comic 

actor  performed   his  part  =  The   audience  laughed 

heartily,  while  the  comic  actor  performed  his  part. 

Shave  a  note,  to  =  To  buy  a  promissory  note  at  a 

considerable  discount;  to  take  much  beyond  legal 

interest,  (c) 


COLLOQUIAL    PHRASES.  849 

That  man's  business  is  to  shave  notes  =  That  man's 
business  is  to  purchase  promissory  notes  at  a  great 
discount. 
(Shell  out,  to  =  To  expend  money  freely ;  to  bring  or 
pay  out.  (c) 
Men  of  property  are  expected  to  shell  out,  on  oc- 
casions of  general  festivity,  or  public  need  =  On  oc- 
casions of  general  festivity,  or  public  need,  men  of 
property  are  expected  to  spend  money  freely. 
Short  of,  to  toe  =  To  be  insufficiently  provided;  to 
be  lacking  (a) 

I  can  not  pay  the  bill  to-day ;  I  am  short  of  money 
=  1  can  not  pay  the  bill  to-day,  for  I  have  not  suffi- 
cient money.  At  the  battle  of  Bunker  Hill  (1775), 
the  American  army  was  short  o/"  ammunition  =  At 
the  battle  of  Bunker  Hill  (1775),  the  American 
army  was  insufficiently  provided  with  ammunition. 
Short-§poken  =  Gruff ;  surly,  (c) 

I  think  something  must  have  gone  wrong  with  my 
master,  he  is  so  short-sjwken  =  My  master  is  so  gruff 
and    snappish  that  I  think   something  must  have 
gone  wrong  with  him. 
Show  up,  to  =  To  expose;  to  lay  open  to  general 
condemnation  by  making  public  the  character,  (a) 
The  quack  doctor  has  been  well  shown  i(p  =  The 
pretentions  of  the  quack  doctor  have  been  exjDosed. 
The  dishonest  dealing  and  bad  faith  connected  with 
Indian  affairs  were  shown  up  in  yesterday's  paper 
=  The  dishonest  dealing  and  deception  connected 
with  Indian  affairs  were  made  public  in  yesterday's 
paper. 
Shut  doivn,  to  =  To  stop  work  in  a  factory,  (a) 

Tlie  proprietors  are  going  to  shut  clow7i,  at  the 
Cotton  Mills,  on  the  Fourth  of  July  and  the  rest  of 
the  week  =  At  the  Cotton  Mills,  the  proprietors  are 
going  to  stop  work  on  the  Fourth  of  July  and  the 
rest  of  the  week. 
Sight  =  A  great  number,  quantity,  or  sum.  (c) 

Since  warm   weather  he's  a  sight  betters  Since 

warm  weather  he 's  a  great  deal  better.     She  drinks 

a  sight  of  tea  =  She  drinks  a  great  deal  of  tea.     Did 

he  meet  your  expectations?     Not  by  a  great  sight!  = 

Did  he  meet  your  expectations  ?     No ;  very  far  from 

it.     Shall  you  purchase  the  farm  at  the  price  he  asks 

for  it?     Not  by  a  great  s^^/^^=  Shall  you  purchase 

the  farm  at  the  price  he  asks  for  it  ?     Indeed  I  shall 

not. 

Single  toles§edne§§  or  §tate  of  single  tolessedness 

=  The  unmarried  state,  ip) 

He  is  living  in  a  state  of  single  blessedness  — ^q  is 


850  COLLOQUIAL    PHRASES. 

living  in  the  unmarried  state.     He  lives  in  single 
blessedness =I{e  lives  without  a  wife. 
Sit  under,  to  =  To  attend  on  the  ministry  of  a  par- 
ticular preacher,  (c) 
In  the  early  days  of  New  England,  the  wliole 
population  of  a  town  sat  under  one  minister  =  In  the 
early  days  of  New  England,  the  whole  population 
of  a  town  attended  on  the  ministry  of  one  preacher. 
Sixe§  and   sevens,   at  =  In  disorder;  in  confusion; 
disarranged,  (a) 
The  grocer's  accounts  are  all  at  sixes  and  sevens  = 
The  grocer's  accounts  are  all  in  confusion.     These 
books  on   the  table  are  at  sixes  and  sevens  =  These 
books  on  the. table  are  in  disorder.     When  tlie  house 
took  fire  my  wits  were  at  sixes  and  sevens  =  When 
the  liouse  took  fire  my  mind  was  in  confusion. 
Slapdash,  to  =  To  apply  in  a  hasty,  careless  manner. 

You  see  how  the  painter  has  slapdashed  the  paint 
on  the  wall  =  You  see  how  carelessly  the  painter  has 
painted  the  wall. 
Sleep  like  a  log,  to  =  To  sleep  soundly,  (a) 

I  was  so  fatigued  by  my  ride  that  I  slept  like  a  log, 
all  night  =  I  was  so  fatigued  by  my  ride  that  I  slept 
soundly,  all  night. 
Slippery  as  an  eel  =  Not  to  be  trusted,  (c) 

Beware  of  that  peddler,  for  he  is  slippery  as  an  eel 
=  Beware  of  that  peddler,  for  he  is  not  to  be  trusted. 
Slow  eoach  =  One  who  is  inactive,  sluggish,  lazy ;  a 
dawdler,  (a) 
He  is  a  sloiv  coach— He  is  very  inactive.     Is  not 
your  lesson  learned  ?     What  a  slow  coach  you  are  =  Is 
not  your  lesson  learned?     What  a  dull  fellow  you 
are.     He  promised  to  call  for  me  at  8  o'clock,  but 
has  not  come  yet ;  he  is  a  slow  coach  =  He  promised 
to  call  for  me  at  8  o'clock,  but  has  not  yet  come ;  he 
is  wont  to  dawdle. 
Small  fry = Things  insignificant,  (sometimes  applied 
to  children),  (a) 
There  was  an  abundance  of  small  fry  at  the  cele- 
bration of  Independence  =:  There  were  many  small 
children  at  the  celebration  of  Independence. 
Small  hours  =  The  time  from  midnight  till  three  or 
four  o'clock  in  the  niorning.  (c) 
Secret  societies  often  hold  their  meetings  till  into 
the  small  hours  of  the  night  =  Secret  societies  often 
hold  their  meetings  till  after  midnight. 
Smell  a  rat,  to  — To  be  suspicious ;  to  suspect  strong- 
ly, (c) 
He  saw  the  door  open  at  midnight  and  began  to 


COLLOQUIAL    PHRASES.  351 

smell  a  ra/=He  saw  the  door  open  at  midnight  and 
began  to  suspect  something  was  wrong.     The  spies 
smelt  a  rat^  and  left  the  city  =  The  spies  suspected 
that  the  J  were  to  be  arrested,  and  left  the  city. 
Smell  out,  to  =  To  find  out  by  sagacity ;  to  trace  out 
by  shrewdness,  (c) 
The  principal  of  the  school  smelkd  out  a  plan  for 
mischief,  which  the  scholars  were  concocting  =  By 
his  shrewdness,  the  principal  of  the  school  found  out 
a  mischievous  plan  which  the  students  were  arrang- 
ing. 

Snap  one'§  fing^ers  at,  to  =  To  disregard;    to  de- 
spise, (c) 
The  judge  snapped  his   fingers  at  the   accusation 
that  he  was  partial  in  his  decision  =  The  judge  dis- 
regarded the  accusation  that  he  was  partial  in  his 
decision. 
So  §o  =  Moderately  or  tolerably  well ;  passably,  (a) 
He  feels  only  so-so  to-day  =  He  feels  only  partly 
well  to-day.     That  book  will  answer  my  purpose  so- 
so  =  That  book  will  answer    my  purpose    tolerably 
well,  but  no  more.     How  do  you  like  tin's  tea?     JSo- 
so  -  How  do  you  like  this  tea  ?     Moderately  well. 
Soft  moneys  Paper  money,  as  distinguished  from 
coin,  (a) 
During  the  war,  and  for  some  years  after,  there 
was  nothing  but  soft  money  in  circulation  =  During 
the  war,  and  for  some  years  after,  there  was  nothing 
but  paper  money  in  circulation. 
Somewhere  about  =  1.  In  the  vicinity,  (a)     2.  I^ear 
to  (in  time),  (a) 
1.  Where    is    the    carpenter?     He    is    somewhere 
a5ow^  =  Where  is  the  carpenter?     He  is  somewhere 
in  the  vicinity  ^.  e.  not  far  away.     2.  In  history,  the 
Dark  Ages  are  regarded  as  having  begun  somewhere 
about  the  tenth  century  ==  In  history,  the  Dark  Ages 
are  regarded  as  having  begun  near  the  tenth  century. 
Sour    grapes  =  Things   despised  or  depreciated  be- 
cause they  are  unattainable  by  us.  (a) 
He  speaks  slightingly  of  the  titles  and  honors  of 
office;  but  every  one  sees  that  it  is  an  instance  of 
sour  grapes  — Hq  speaks  slightingly  of  the  titles  and 
honors  of  office ;  but  it  is  evident  that  he  depreciates 
such   honors   and   titles  because  he  can  not  obtain 
them. 
Sow  wild  oats,  to  =  To  pass  through  a  season  of 
wild  or  thoughtless  dissipation,  as  in  youth,  (a) 
The  young  man  is  sowing  wild  oafe=  The  young 
man  is  pursuing  a  course  of  wild  dissipation.     It  is 
to  be  hoped  that  he  will  soon  finish  sowing  his  loild 


852  COLLOQUIAL    PHRASES. 

oats  and  attend  to  business  =:  It  is  to  be  hoped  tliat 
lie  will  soon  cease  his  youthful  follies  or  dissipations, 
and  give  his  attention  to  business. 
Split  the  difference,  to=:To  divide  the  difference 
equally,  (a) 
I  offered  ten,  he  asked  twenty;  and  afterwards 
we  agreed  to  split  the  difference  —  I   offered  ten,  he 
asked  twenty ;  and  we  agreed  to  divide  equally  the 
difference  between  ten  and  twenty,  making  the  price 
fifteen. 
Splurge    (IJ.  S.)  =  A    blustering    demonstration;    a 
sophomorical  effort,  (c) 
He  made  a  splurge  in  his  graduating  speech  =  He 
made  a  blustering,  sophomorical  speech  graduation 
day.     The  A's  made  a  great  splurge  at  the  wedding 
of  their  daughter  =  The  A.  family  made  a  blustering 
demonstration,  which  was   ridiculous,  at  the  mar- 
riage of  their  daughter. 
Spread  like  ^riidfire,  to  =  To  spread  like  fire  un- 
controlled ;  to  spread  very  rapidly,  (h) 
The  news  of  the  assassination  of  President  Lin- 
coln spread  like  ivildjire— The  news  of  the  assassina- 
tion of  President  Lincoln  spread  with  astonishing 
rapidity. 
Standings  di§li,  a  =  An  established  article  of  food; 
an  important  or  oft  recurring  article  of  food,  (a)  " 
At  the  best  hotels,  soup  is  a  standing  dish  at  din- 
ner =  At  the  best  hotels,  soup  is  an  established  article 
of  food  at  dinner. 
Stand    or  be  in  one'§  §lioe§,  to  =  To  be  in  some 
special  position  or  circumstances  of  another,  {b) 
A  murderer  is  to  be  executed,  in  a  fortnight ;  I 
would  not  like  to  stand  in  his  shoes  =  A  murderer  is 
to  be  executed  in  two  weeks ;  I  would  not  like  to  be 
in  his  position. 
Stand  it,  to  =  To  endure  it ;  to  maintain  one's  ground 
or  state,  (a) 
The  little  boy  was  out  in  this  severe  cold ;  but  he 
stood  it  bravely  =  The  little  boy  was  exposed  to  this 
severe  cold ;    but  he  endured  it  bravely.     I  have 
been  tried  beyond  measure  by  this  servant,  and  I 
can  stand  it  no  longer  =  I  have  been  excessively  tried 
by  this  servant,  and  I  can  endure  it  no  longer. 
Stand  treat,  to  =  To  furnish  some  articles  of  food, 
drink,  or  luxury  to  one's  companions,  as  a  token  of 
regard  or  good  fellowship,  {b) 
As  three  young  men  were  passing  an  oyster  sa- 
loon, one  of  them  said  that  he  would  stand  treat,  if 
they  would  go  in  and  partake  =  As  three  young  men 
were  passing  an  oyster  saloon,  one  of  them  said  that 


COLLOQUIAL    PHRASES.  853 

he  would  pay  for  certain  articles  of  food  or  drink, 
if  they  would  go  in  and  partake. 
Start  game,  to  =  To  arouse  some  object  of  pursuit,  (c) 
The  politician  has  started  game,  in  the  discovery 
of  election  frauds  that  were  perpetrated  by  his  op- 
ponents The  politician  has  roused  an  object  of  pur- 
suit, in  the  discovery  of  election  frauds  that  were 
perpetrated  by  his  opponent. 

Still  as  a  mouse  =  Exceedingly  quiet;  suspiciously 
still,  (a) 
That  child  in  the  next  room  must  be  about  some 
mischief,  for  he  is  still  as  a  mouse  —  That  child  in  the 
adjoining  room  must  be  about  some  mischief,  for  he 
is  suspiciously  quiet. 
Stomaeli,  to  =  To  brook;    to  bear  without   repug- 
nance ;  to  endure  patiently,  (i) 
Do  the  boys  stomach  these  restraints  upon  their 
liberty  out  of  school  ?  =  Do  the  boys  bear  these  re- 
straints on  their  liberty  out  of  school  without  repug- 
nance?    It  goes  against  our  natures  to  stomach  an 
open  affront  =  It  is  not  our  natural  disposition  to 
endure  a  mark  of  disrespect,  offered  in  the  presence 
of  others. 
Stop,   to  =  To   spend   a  short   time;  to  reside  tem- 
porarily; to  tarry,  (a) 
During  my  vacation,  I  am  stopping  with  my  elder 
brother  =  I  am  residing  temporarily  with  my  elder 
brother,  during  my  vacation. 
Straw  bid  =  A  bid  for  a  contract,  which  the  bidder 
is  unable  or  unwilling  to  fulfill  (U.  S.) ;  a  fictitious 
or  worthless  bid.  (c) 
In  letting  the  contract  for  furnishing  the  govern- 
ment with  stationery,  there  were  some  straw  hids  = 
In  letting  the  contract  for  supplying  stationery  to 
the  government,  there  were  some  bids  which  the 
bidders  were  unable  to  fulfill. 
Strike  Mrhlle  the  iron  l§  hot,  to  =  To  improve  an 
opportunity ;  to  do  things  just  at  the  right  moment, 
(a) 
Some  good  railroad  stock  is  offered  at  a  low  price ; 
I  must  5^n"^e  while  the  iron  is  Ao^^Some  good  rail- 
road stock  is  offered  at  a  low  price ;  I  must  improve 
the  opportunity  to  purchase  some. 
Strongs  as  a  lion,  or  as  a  horse  =  Yery  strong,  {a) 
You  will  need  some  one  as  strong  as  a  lion,  to  remove 
the  stone  =  You  will  need  some  one  very  strong,  to 
remove  the  stone. 

Strong^-box  =  A  secure  repository  for  money  or  other 
valuables,  (c) 

At  the  end  of  every  quarter,  the  landlord  collected 
24 


854  COLLOQUIAL    PHRASES. 

his  rents,  and  put  the  money  in  his  strong-box  =  At 
the  end  of  every  quarter,  the  landlord  collected  his 
rents,  and  deposited  his  money  in  a  place  of  security. 
Stump,  to  =  To  challenge ;  to  puzzle ;  to  nonplus,  (a) 
The  boys  stumped  him  to  take  the  leap  over  the 
wall  =  The  boys  challenged  him  to  take  the   leap 
over  the  v^all. 
Stump,  to  =  To  travel  over,  delivering  speeches  for 
electioneering  purposes,  (a) 
The  candidate  for  congress  is  stumping  the  state  = 
The  candidate  for  congress  is  going  about  the  state, 
delivering  electioneering  speeches. 
Stump-speecb  =  An  electioneering  speech ;  a  popular 
harangue,  (a) 
He  often  makes  stump  speeches =lie  often  makes 
public  electioneering  speeches.     It  requires  peculiar 
talents  to  make  a  good  stump-speech z^To  address  the 
populace  successfully  on  political  and  kindred  top- 
ics requires  peculiar  talents. 
Sure  as  fate   or  as  death  =  Positively  certain,  (c) 
If  Mr.  A.  does  not  reform  his  habits,  he  will  ruin 
his>  hesilth,  sure  as  fate  =zlt  is  positively  certain  that 
Mr.  A.  will  ruin  his  health,  if  he  does  not  reform 
his  habits. 
Sure  enoughs  Quite  without  doubt;  quite  truly,  (a) 
I   entered   the   cars   to   go   to   Boston;  and  sure 
enough,  there  was  my  old  friend,  whom  I  had  not  seen 
for  many  years = I  entered  the  cars  to  go  to  Boston ; 
and  truly,  there  was  my  old  friend,  whom  I  had  not 
seen  for  many  years. 
Sirap,  to=:To  exchange;  to  barter;  to  swop,  (a) 

I   have   swapped  houses   with   him  =  I   have   ex- • 
changed  houses  with  him.      The  boy  swapped  his 
skates  for  a  gold  pen  ==  The  boy  bartered  his  skates 
for  a  gold  pen. 
Sivear  like  a  trooper,  to  =  To  be  very  profane,  (a) 
The  boy  who  brings  fish  to  the  house  jwears  like  a 
trooper  =  The  boy  who  brings  fish  to  the  house  is 
very  profane. 
Sii^eet  tooth  =  An  especial  fondness  for  sweet  things 
or  for  sweetmeats,  (a) 
That  child  has  a  sweet  tooth  =  Th.at  child  has  an 
especial  fondness  for  sugar  and  all  sweet  articles. 
Sweet  upon,  to  toe  =  To  treat  with  such  marked  at- 
tention as  to  show  an  incipient  affection;  to  be 
making  love  to.  (c) 
He  is  very  sweet  upon  her = He  treats  her  in  such  a 
manner  as  to  show  affection.     Mr.  A.  is  reported  to  be 
sweet  upon  the  merchant's  daughter  =  Mr.  A.  is  report- 
ed to  be  making  love  to  the  merchant's  daughter. 


COLLOQUIAL    PHRASES.  855 


T. 

Talk  big,  to  =  To  boast ;  to  brag,  (a) 

The  new  recruits  talked  hig ;  but  when  the  first 
shot  was  fired,  thej .  ran  away  =  The  new  recruits 
boasted ;  but  when  the  first  shot  was  fired,  they  ran 
away.  He  talks  hig  of  what  he  is  going  to  do  when 
he  gets  into  business  for  himself  =  He  boasts  of 
what  he  will  do  when  he  carries  on  business  for 
himself. 

Talk  one'i  §elf  out  of  breath,  to  =  To  exhaust  or 
weary  one's  self  by  talking ;  to  talk  much,  (a) 
The  insurance  agent  talked  hhnself  out  of  breathy 
endeavoring  to  persuade  the  merchant  to  insure  his 
house = The  insurance  agent  wearied  himself,  in  en- 
deavoring to  persuade  the  merchant  to  insure  his 
house. 

Talk  to,  to  =  To  advise ;  to  exhort ;  to  reprove  gently. 

(«)  . 

I  will  talk  to  this  young  man,  respecting  his  con- 
ducts I  will  reprove  this  young  man,  gently.  The 
teacher  gave  the  boys  a  good  talking-to  for  their  ill 
manners  on  the  streets  The  teacher  faithfully  re- 
proved the  boys  for  their  ill  manners  on  the  street. 
Take  a  fancy  to,  to^To  take  a  liking  to.  {a) 

She  is  very  interesting,   and  I  have  taken  quite 
a /anc?/ to  her = I  have  conceived  quite  a  liking  for 
her,  because  she  is  so  attractive.     Mr.  D.  took  a  fancy 
to  that  Swiss  cottage  on  C.  street ;  and  built  his  own 
new  house  in  imitation  of  it=Mr.  D.  fancied  (was 
pleased  with)  that  Swiss  cottage  on  C.  street;  and 
took  it  for  a  model  for  his  own  new  house. 
Take  a  liberty,  or  take  liberties,  to  =  To  neglect 
the  laws  of  propriety  or  courtesy ;  to  treat  without 
ceremony,  (a) 
You  will  not,  of  course,  take  liberties^  when  you 
make  official  visits  ==  You  will  not  neglect  the  laws 
of  propriety ;  you  will  not  be  discourteous,  when 
you  make  official  visits. 
Take  do^i^n  a  peg,  to  =  To  bring  lower ;  to  depress ; 
to  humiliate,  (a) 
It  would  be  well  to  take  him  down  a  peg ;  he  is  so 
conceited^It  would  be  well  to  depress  him  a  little; 
he  is  so  conceited.     The  wrestler  boasted  that  he 
could  throw  any  one  present,  but  was  taken  down  a 
peg  by  being  thrown  by  the  second  man  who  at- 
tempted  it  =  The   wrestler  boasted   that  he   could 
prostrate  any  one  who  was  present ;  but  was  humil- 


866  COLLOQUIAL    PHRASES. 

iated  by  being  himself  prostrated  by  the  second  man 
who  attempted  it. 
Take  in,  to  =  To  cheat;  to  impose  upon,  (a) 

I  was  sadly  taken  in,  when  I  joined  partnership  in 
a  store  with  that  man  =  I  was  imposed  upon,  greatly, 
when  I  joined  partnership  in  a  store  with  that  man. 
Take  into  one'§  head,  to=rl.  To  propose  to  one's 
self,  (a)     2.  To  indulge  a  fancy  or  whim,  (a) 
1.  He  took  it  into  his  head  to  go  to  London,  and 
sailed  yesterday = He  proposed  to  himself  to  go  to 
London,  and  he  sailed  yesterday.     2.  He  has  taken  it 
into  his  head  that  he  would  like  to  buy  a  riding 
horse,  although  he  is  too  old  to  ride  =  He  is  possessed 
with  the  whim  of  buying  a  riding  horse,  although 
he  is  too  old  to  ride. 
Take  it,  to=:To  suppose;  to  assume,  (a) 

I  take  it  he  is  rich  =  I  suppose  he  is  rich.     I  take  it 
you  are  not  an  American  =  I  suppose  you  are  not  an 
American.     I  take  it  these  books  are  for  sale  =  I  sup- 
pose these  books  are  for  sale. 
Take  it  coolly,  to  =  To  be  calm,  deliberate ;  not  to 
be  excited  or  agitated,  {b) 
When  there  was  an  alarm  of  fire  in  the  theatre, 
the  manager  took  it  so  coolly,  that  there  was  no  panic 
=When  there  was  an  alarm  of  fire  in  the  theatre, 
the  manager  was  so  calm  and  deliberate,  that  there 
was  no  panic. 
Take  it  ea§y,  to  =  To  consult  one's  ease  or  comfort 
in  work ;  to  work  leisurely,  (a) 
The  farmer  said  he  had  much  work  to  do  this 
summer ;  but  he  should  take  it  easy  =  The  farmer  said 
he  had  much  work  to  do  this  summer ;  but  he  should 
work  leisurely. 
Take  off,  to  =  To  imitate ;  to  mimic ;  to  personate,  (a) 
Some  students  take  off  members  of  the  faculty,  in 
their  private  diversions = Some   students   personate 
members  of  the  faculty,  in  their  private  diversions. 
Take  one'§  self  off,  to  ■=  To  depart,  {b) 

What  are  you  doing  in  my  cherry-tree?     Take 
yourself  off=  What  are  you  doing  in  my  cherry-tree  ? 
Depart. 
Take  one's  time,  to=:l.  To  act  according  to  one's 
convenience,  (a)     2.  To  occupy  one's  time,  (a) 
1.  You  can  take  your  time  to  pay  the  debt  you  owe 
me  =  You  can  act  according  to  your  convenience  in 
paying  the  debt  you  owe  me.     2.  The  care  of  her 
babe  takes  all  the  mother^ s  time  =  The  care  of  her  babe 
occupies  all  the  mother's  time. 
Take  one  to  do  a  thing,  to  =  To  be  just  the  one 
to  do  a  thing ;  to  do  a  thing  supremely  well,  (c) 


COLLOQUIAL    PHRASES.  B57 

The  boys  went  to  the  concert,  and  they  say,  "  It 
taJces  Miss  Abbot  to  smg  "  =  The  boys  who  went  to  the 
concert  say,  "  Miss  Abbot  can  sing  supremely  well." 
Take  the  law  into  one'§  onm  bands,  to  =  To  ad- 
minister justice,  without  legal  authority,  (a) 
The  Vigilance  Committee  of  San  Francisco  tooh 
the  law  into  their  own  hands  =  The  Vigilance  Commit- 
tee of  San  Francisco  inflicted  punishment  without 
the  forms  of  law.     Sometimes  an  excited  populace 
remove  a  murderer  from  the   jail,  and  hang  him; 
thus  taking  the  law  into  their  own  hands  =  Sometimes 
the   people,  in   their   excitement   and   indignation, 
remove  a  murderer  from  the  jail  and  hang  him; 
thus  administering  justice  without  legal  authority. 
Taking  one  thing  irith  another  =  Considering  all 
things,  (c) 
The  butcher  is  old  and  poor,  has  a  large  family, 
»nd  is  sufi^ering  from  rheumatism;    and  taking  one 
thing  with   another,  he  is  much   to   be   pitied  =  The 
butcher  is  old  and  poor,  has  a  large  family,  and  is 
suffering    from    rheumatism;  and    considering    all 
things,  he  is  much  to  be  pitied. 
Tell   tales,  to  =  To  communicate   information   offi- 
ciously ;  to  tell  what  prudence  should  suppress,  (b) 
The  person  who  goes  about  telling  tales  is  a  mis- 
chievous creature  in  society  =  He  who  goes  about, 
telling  officiously  what  prudence  should  suppress,  is 
a  mischievous  creature  in  society.     Don't  tell  tales 
about  your  neighbors = Don't  tell  idle  or  false  stories 
about  your  neighbors. 
Tell  tales  out  of  school,  to  =  To  betray  secrets; 
to  communicate  information  of  the  private  con- 
cerns of  others,  (c) 
One  of  the  members  of  a  legislative  committee 
has  been  reporting  the  consultations  and  plans  of  the 
committee;  he  ought  not  to  tell  tales  out  of  schools 
One  of  the  members  of  a  legislative  committee  has 
been  reporting  the  consultations  and  plans  of  the 
committee;  he  ought  not  to  make  public,  matters 
which  should  be  kept  private. 
Ten  to  one  =  Most  probably ;  very  likely,  (a) 

The  boy  has  been  eating  green  fruit,  and  ten  to  one 
he  will  be  sick  =  The  boy  has  been  eating  unripe 
fruit,  and  is  very  likely  to  be  sick.  There  are  many 
physicians  in  the  city ;  and  ten  to  one  the  new  one 
will  not  find  practice  =  There  are  many  physicians 
in  the  city,  and  there  are  ten  chances  to  one  against 
the  success  of  the  new  one. 
Thanks  to  =  Owing  to;  on  that  account;  for  that 
reason,  (a) 


358  COLLOQUIAL    PHRASES. 

Thanhs  to  these  gloves,  I  did  not  freeze  my  hands 
=  These  gloves  kept  my  hands  from  freezing.  By 
mistake,  two  trains  were  rushing  toward  each  other ; 
but  thanks  to  the  air-brakes,  a  collision  was  pre- 
vented =  By  mistake,  two  trains  were  rushing  toward 
each  other ;  but  on  account  of  having  air-brakes  on 
the  cars,  there  was  no  colHsion. 

That  far  =  So  far ;  to  so  great  a  distance,  (a) 

It  is  one  mile  to  the  corner ;  I  will  go  thai  far 
with  you  =  It  is  one  mile  to  the  corner;  I  will  go  so 
far  with  you. 

The  coat  fits  =  The  reflection  or  description  applies. 

(«) 

If  the  coat  fits  3^ou,  wear  it=:If  you  feel  that  my 
description  or  remark  applies  to  you,  I  am  willing 
you  should.     The  preacher  discoursed  on  the  sin  and 
folly  of  fretfulness;  but  the  coat  does  not  fit  me  =  The 
preacher  spoke  of  indulgence  in  fretfulness  as  being 
w^rong  and  foolish ;  but  what  he  said  does  not  apply 
to  me  personally,  i.  e.  I  am  not  a  fretful  person. 
The  cloven  foot — This  is  a  symbol  of  w^ickedness 
and  baseness,  (c)     (Satan  is  represented,  in  Christ- 
ian art,  with  the  legs  and  feet  of  a  goat). 
He  showed  the  cloven  fijot  in  that  business  transac- 
tion =  He  manifested  a  knavish  spirit  in  that  business 
transaction. 
The  fat  is  all  in  the  fire  =  All  the  labor  and  pains 
are  lost,  (c) 
The  publishing  house  was  burned  last  night,  and 
the  manuscript  of  Mr.  A.'s  new  book,  was  destroyed, 
and  now  all  the  fat  is  in  the  fire  =  T\\q  publishing 
house  was  burned  last  night,  and  the  manuscript  of 
Mr.  A.'s  new  book  was  destroyed,  and  all  his  labor 
and  pains  are  lost. 
The  like  =  The  counterpart ;  a  thing  similar,  (c) 
Did  you  ever  see  tlie  like  of  that  field  of  corner  Did 
you  ever  see  such  a  field  of  corn. 
The  man  in  the  moon  =  The  fancied  figure  of  the 
human  face  formed  by  the  land  in  the  moon,  (c) 
I  do  not  know  any  more  about  the  matter  than 
the  man  in  the  moon  =  I  do  not  know  any  thing  about 
the  matter. 
There's  the  rub  =  There's  the  difficulty,  trouble,  or 
danger,  (a) 
There^s  the  rub  =iThsit  is  the  difficult  part.     Is  he- 
your  enemy?      ''-4 2/^,  there^s  the  n<5"  =  Is  he  your 
enemy?     Yes,  that  is  what  makes  this  trouble.     He 
would  like  a  government  office;  but  how  to  get  it, 
there'' s  the  rub  =  11q  would  like  a  government  office; 
but  the  difficulty  is,  to  obtain  it. 


COLLOQUIAL    PHRASES.  359 

The  shakes  =  Fever  and  ague;    the  chills.     (Local 
U.  S.)  (a) 
On  going  West  he  had  the  shakes  —  On  going  West 
he  was  attacked  with  fever  and  ague. 
The  ups  and  downs  =  Alternate  states  of  elevation 
and  depression,  or  of  prosperity  and  the  contrary,  (a) 
Every  one  must  take  his  share  of  the  ups  and  downs 
of  life  =vE very  one  must  take  his  share  of  the  vary- 
ing fortunes  of  life. 
The  why  and  w^herefore  =  The  precise  and  full 
reason,  ip) 
I  will  go  to  the  lawyer's  office,  and  know  the  why 
and  wherefore  of  his  refusal  to  take  a  retainer  from 
me  =  I  will  go  the  lawyer's  office,  and  know  the  pre- 
cise and  full  reason  of  his  refusal  to  take  a  retainer 
from  me. 
The  worse  for  liquor,  to  be  =  To  be  more  or  less- 
intoxicated.  (6) 
Wlien  I  last  saw  the  miner,  he  loas  the  worse  for 
Zi*^wor  =  When  I  last  saw  the  miner,  he  was  some- 
what intoxicated. 
Think  aloud,  to  =  To  utter  one's  thoughts  uncon- 
sciously, (a) 
The  editor  often  amused  his  friends,  by  his  habit 
of    thinking  aloud^ThQ   editor   often    amused    his 
friends,  by  his  habit  of  uttering  his  thoughts  uncon- 
sciously. 
Think  hard  of,  to  =  To  judge  harshly ;  to  feel  un- 
pleasantly toward,  (c) 
Mrs.  M.  thinks  hard  of  the  teacher,  for  having  pun- 
ished her  son  =  Mrs.  M.  feels  unpleasantly  toward  the 
teacher,  for  having  punished  her  son. 
Throw  cold  urater  on,  to  =  To  discourage ;  to  deter 
from,  (a) 
Mrs.  G.  threw  cold  water  on  her  husband's  project 
of  building  a  new  houses  Mrs.  G.  discoui-aged  her 
husband  in  his  project  of  building  a  new  house. 
Throw  dust  in  the  eyes,  to=:To  prevent  one  from 
knowing  the  truth  by  giving  false  information;  to 
impose  on ;  to  deceive,  (a) 
The  rail  way -magnate,  not  wishing  to  give  an  in- 
terviewer his  true  reason  for  selling  so  much  stock, 
threw  dust  in  his  eyes^  by  talking  about  a  popular  pre- 
judice against  a  one-family  or  one-man  control  of 
great  corporate  interests  =  The  railway-magnate  im- 
posed on  an  interviewer  by  giving  him  false  reasons 
for  selling  so  much  railroad  stock.     He  is  throwing 
dust  in  your  e?/e5  =  IIe  is  deceiving  you.     I  am  not 
blinded  by  the  dv^t  you  throw  in  my  eyes  =  l  am  not 
deceived  by  all  your  efforts. 


360  COLLOQUIAL    PHRASES. 

Tide  over,  to=:To  carry  past  a  difficulty  or  danger. 

The  money  whicli  the  merchant  has  just  inherited 
will  tide  over  his  business  affairs,  so  that  he  will  not 
fail  =  The  money  which  the  merchant  has  just  in- 
herited will  carry  his  business  affairs  past  the  em- 
barrassment which  threatened  his  failure. 
Tie  the  nuptial  knot,  to  =  To  join  in  marriage,  (c) 
Rev.  Mr.  A.  was  called  upon,  to  tie  the  nuptial  knot 
twice  yesterday  =  Yesterday  Rev.  Mr.  A.  was  called 
upon,  to  marry  two  couples. 
Tig^lit  =  1.  Somewhat  intoxicated,  (c)     2.  Close ;  par- 
simonious, {b) 
1.  He  is  tight ~Hq  is  somewhat  intoxicated.     2. 
He  is  awfully  tight  and  stingy  =  He  is  very  stingy 
and  clings  to  his  money. 
Till  doomsday  =  Till  the  day  of  judgment;  never. 

The  man  said  he  would  not  pay  that  unjust  ac- 
count, till  doomsdays  The  man  said  he  would  not 
pay  that  unjust  account,  till  the  day  of  judgment, 
that  is,  he  would  never  pay  it. 
To  all  appearance  =  So  far  as  can  be  seen;  appa- 
rently, (a) 

This  report  is,  to  all  appearance,  correct  =  As  far  as 
we  can  judge  by  appearances,  this  report  is  correct. 
To  all  appearance,  we  are  to  have  a  rainy  day  =  Ap- 
parently, this  is  to  be  a  rainy  day.  The  invalid  has 
returned  from  his  voyage,  to  all  appearance,  much 
improved  in  health  =  The  invalid  has  returned  from 
his  voyage,  much  improved  in  health,  so  far  as  is 
observable. 
To  be  at  =  To  have  in  view;  to  be  engaged  in.  (h) 

What  are  you  at  now,  in  the  way  of  writing? 2= 
What  have  you  in  view  in  writing,  or  what  are  you 
writing  about  ?  Mr.  F.  has  removed  to  the  city ;  do 
you  know  what  he  is  atf=MY.  F.  has  removed  to 
the  city ;  do  you  know  what  business  he  is  engaged 
in  there? 
Tomboy  =  A  romping  girl;  a  rude,  boisterous  girl. 
(a) 

Mr.  T's  daughter  is  a  veritable  tomboy -M\\  T's 
daughter  is  a  romping  girl,  indeed. 
Too  many,  to  be  =  To  be  too  powerful;  superior,  (c) 

The  thief  attempted  to  escape  from  the  police- 
man, but  the  policeman  was  too  many  for  him  =  The 
thief  attempted  to  escape  from  the  policeman,  but 
the  policeman  was  too  powerful  for  him.  The  law- 
yer was  too  many  for  the  doctor,  in  argument  =  The 
lawyer  vanquished  the  doctor,  in  argument. 


COLLOQUIAL    PHRASES.  '  861 

Too  many,  by  half  =  Twice  the  number,  (c) 

The  farmer  said  that  he  had  too  many  fowls,  hy 
half—  The  farmer  said  that  he  had  twice  the  number 
of  fowls  necessary  or  proper. 
Too  many  iron§  in  the  flre,  to  have  =  To  have 
too  many  occupations,  (a) 
He  is  professor,  author,  and  pamphleteer ;  he  has 
too  many  irons  in  the  fire  —  He  is  professor,  author, 
and  pamphleteer;  he  has  too  much  to  do  or  too 
many  occupations. 
Too  much  of  a  g^ood  things  More  of  a  good  thing 
than  is  for  the  present  agreeable,  (a) 
I  like  warm  weather,  but  with  the  mercury  at  96 
in  the  shade,  it  is  a  little  too  much  of  a  good  thing  =  I 
like  warm  weather,  but  with  the  mercury  at  96,  it  is 
rather  warmer  than  is  agreeable. 
Toss  off,  to  =  To  drink  hastily,  (c) 

He  entered  the  saloon,  and  tossed  off  a  glass  of 
beer  =  He  entered  the  saloon,  and  hastily  drank  a 
glass  of  beer. 
To  the  tune  of=To  the  amount,  extent,  or  meas- 
ure of.  (h) 
By  one  night  of  gambling  he  was  made  poorer,  to 
the  tune  of  ^wo.  hundred  dollars  =  By  one  night  of 
gambling  he  was  impoverished,  to  the  amount  (he 
lost  the  amount)  of  five  hundred  dollars. 
Tough  =  Severe ;    violent;    hard; — applied    also    to 
what  is  trying  to  the  feelings,  or  difficult  to  get 
along  with,  (a) 
This  is  a  tough  job  =  This  is  a  hard  piece  of  work. 
This  is  a  tough  snow-storm  =  This  is  a  violent  snow- 
storm.    It  is  pretty  tough  for  old  Mr.  E.  to  have  all 
his  children  move  out  of  town  =r  It  is  very  trying  to 
the  feelings  of  old  Mr.  E.  to  have  all  his  children 
move  out  of  town. 
Town-talk  =  Subject  of  general  conversation ;  com- 
mon report,  (c) 
The  elopement  of  Mr.  A's  daughter  with  the  doc- 
tor is   the   town-talk  =:T\iQ   elopement   of  Mr.    A's 
daughter  with  the  doctor  is  a  subject    of  general 
conversation. 
Trip  it  on  the  light  fantastic  toe,  to  =  To  dance,  (c) 
After  the  marriage  ceremony,  the  company  tripped 
it  on  the  light  fantastic  toe  =  After  the  marriage  cere- 
mony, the  company  joined  in  a  dance. 
Trucks  Small  commodities;  commodities  appropri- 
ate for  small  trade ; — sometimes,  luggage.  (S) 
He  raises  truck  for  the  market  =  He  raises  vegeta- 
bles for  the  market.     The  room  was 
=  The  room  was  full  of  old  rubbish. 


362  COLLOQUIAL    PHRASES. 

Trump  =  A  jolly,  good-natured  fellow. 

Mr.  F.  is  a  trump  — Mx.  P.  is  a  jolly  good-natured 
fellow. 
Trump  card  =  A  successful  venture  or  enterprise; 
the  best  efibrt.  (a) 
Mr.  C's  investment  in  the  l^evada  mine  was  a 
trump  carc?= Mr.  C's  investment  in  the  Nevada  mine 
was  a  successful  venture.     In  securing  some  of  his 
friends  as  delegates  to  the  convention,  the  politician 
has  played  his  trumj:)  card=lj\  securing  some  of  his 
friends  as  delegates  to  the  convention,  the  politician 
has  made  the  best  and  most  promising  effort  or  ven- 
ture. 
Turn  a  cold  §lioulder,  to  =  To  show  marked  neg- 
lect, (h) 
After  he  became  rich,  he  turned  a  cold  shoulder  to 
some  of  his  former  friends  and  acquaintances^^  After 
becoming  rich,  he  treated  some  of  his  former  friends 
and  acquaintances  with  marked  neglect. 
Turn  and  twist,  to=:To  be  uneasy;  to  make  des- 
perate efforts,  (c) 
The  man  turned  and  twisted  every  way,  to  pay  off 
the  mortgage  on  his  house  =  The  man  made  des- 
perate efforts  to  pay  off  the  mortgage  on  his  house. 
Turn  in,  to  =  To  go  to  bed;  to  retire,  {b) 

It  is  now  ten  o'clock;  I  think  I  will  turn  in  —  1 
will  go  to  bed ,  as  it  is  now  ten  o'clock. 
Turn-out  =  That  which  is  brought  forward  or  exhib- 
ited ;  hence,  an  equipage,  (a) 
He  keeps  a  line  turn-out  =  He  keeps  a  showy  car- 
riage and  horse. 
Turn  tail,  to==To  retreat  ignominiously  or  dishon- 
orably, (c) 
Cowards  turn    tail  when  they  see  the  enemy  = 
Cowards  turn  around  to  run,  when  they  see  the 
enemy.     If  I  go  to  war,  I  will  not  turn  tail  as  long 
as  I  can  stand  =  If  I  go  to  war,  I  will  not  turn  to 
run  away  as  long  as  I  can  stand. 
Turn  up  one's  nose  at,  to  =  To  disdain;  to  treat 
with  contempt,  (c) 
The  boarder  turned  up  his  nose  at  his  dinner,  al- 
though it  was  good  enough  =  The  boarder  disdained 
his  dinner,  although  it  was  good  enough. 
Tweedledum  and  tweedledee — A  phrase  used  to 
signify  a  very  slight  or  unessential  difference,  (c) 
Some  persons  think,  that  the  difference  between 
the  opera  and  theatre  is  the  difference  between  twee- 
dledum and  tiveedledee=  It  is   the   opinion   of  some 
persons,  that  there  is  no  essential  difference  between 
the  opera  and  the  theatre. 


COLLOQUIAL    PHRASES.  863 

TJ. 

to  be  =  To  be  suspected;  to  be 
mistrusted,  (a) 
He  is  under  a  cloud  just  now  =  He  is  under  suspi- 
cion so  that  bis  reputation  is  injured.     He's  only 
under  a  cloud,  from  which  he  will  come  out  brighter 
than  before  =  He  is  only  suspected,  but  his  reputa- 
tion will  be  better  than  before,  when  he  is  found 
innocent.     The  official  -is  under  a  cloud,  by  reason  of 
some   irregularities   in   his  affairs  =  The    official    is 
somewhat  in  disfavor  or  regarded  suspiciously,  be- 
cause of  some  irregularities  in  his  conduct  of  affairs. 
Under  the  §un  =  In  the  world;  on  the  earth;  (hy- 
perbolical for  a  very  great  wonder),  {b) 
When  the  President  of  the  United  States  was  in- 
augurated in  Washington,  every  body  under  the  sun 
was  there  =  When  the  President  of  the  United  States 
was  inaugurated  in  Washington,  every  body  in  the 
world  was  there.     I  have  nothing,  under  the  sun,  to 
do  =  I  have  nothing  to  do,  absolutely  nothing.    Wliat, 
under  the  sun,  are  you  doing  ?  =  What  (I  wonder !)  are 
you  doing? 
Under  the  thumb  of  =  Servilely  obedient  to;  con- 
trolled by.  (c) 

That  politician  has  the  voters  of  his  ward  under 
his  ^Aw7?/6  =  That  politician  controls  the  servile  voters 
of  his  ward. 
Up  and  doing,  to  be  =  To  be  active  and  alert ;  to 
be  busy,  (a) 
The  spring  has  come,  and  it  is  time  for  the  farm- 
ers to  be  up  and  doing  =  The  spring  has  come,  and  it 
is  time  for  the  farmers  to  be  busy. 
Uphill  work  =  Work  attended  with  labor ;  difficult. 

Reading  Chinese  is  uphill  work  for  a  foreigner  = 
Reading  Chinese  is  hard  work  for  a  foreigner.     Get- 
ting well  after  a  typhoid  fever  is  uphill  1^0?-^=:  Re- 
covering after  a  typhoid  fever  is  slow  and  difficult 
Up  to  §nuff=]S'ot  likely  to  be  imposed  upon;  know- 
ing; shrewd,  (c) 

Susy  is  U2^  to  snuff  =  Susy  is  knowing  and  shrewd. 
The  boys  attempted  to  play  a  trick  upon  the  new 
comer  at  school ;  but  he  was  up  to  snuff,  and  they 
failed  =  The  boys  in  school  attempted  a  trick  upon 
the  new  comer ;  but  he  was  not  easily  imposed  up- 
on, and  they  failed. 


364  COLLOQUIAL    PHRASES. 


Y. 

Teng^eance,  \ritli  a  =  With  great  violence;  with 
great  vehemence,  (b) 
She  scolded  her  servant  with  a  vengeance,  for  break- 
ing the  pitcher  =  She  scolded  her  servant  with  great 
violence,  for  breaking  the  pitcher.  He  saw  a  snake 
crossing  the  road,  and  struck  at  it  with  a  vengeance = 
He  saw  a  snake  crossing  the  road,  and  struck  at  it 
vehemently. 

Very  likely ;  most  likely  =  It  is  very  probable,  (c) 
Very  likely  the  cars  will  be  full  of  passengers  re- 
turning from  the  fair = It  is  very  probable  that  the 
cars  will  be  filled  with  passengers  returning  from  the 
fair.  Shall  you  leave  town  this  week  ?  Most  likely 
=  Shall  you  leave  town  this  week  ?  It  is  probable 
that  I  shall. 

w. 

IValking^-papers  =  Papers  containing  an  order  to  de- 
part; dismissal,  (c) 
The  young  man,  who  was  paying  his  addresses  to 
the  young  lady,  has  received  his  walking-papers  = 
The  young  man,  who  was  paying  his  addresses  to 
the  young  lady,  has  received  his  dismissal  from  her. 
The   manufacturer   gave  one  of  his  workmen  his 
walking -pape7's,  for  intemperance  =  The  manufacturer 
dismissed  one  of  his  workmen,  for  intemperance. 
IValk    or  make  off  -with,  to  =  To  depart,  taking 
something  wrongfully,  (a) 

He  made  off  with  $2,000  of  his  employer's  money 
=  He  departed,  having  stolen  $2,000  from  his  em- 
ployer. The  thief  entered  the  hall  and  walked  off 
with  two  overcoats  =  The  thief  entered  the  hall, 
and  departed,  having  taken  two  overcoats. 
IValk  over  the  course,  to=:To  obtain  an  easy 
triumph,  (a) 

The  candidate  for  governor  walked  over  the  course 

=  The  candidate  for  governor  had  no   opponents 

worth  considering.     In  the  competition  for  the  prize 

I   shall    just    walk  over  the  course  =1  shall  triumph 

very  easily  in  the  competition  for  the  prize.     At  the 

races,  the  gray  horse  walked  over  the  course  =  Th.e 

gray  horse  had  no  troublesome  rivals  in  the  race. 

IValk  the  plank,  to=:To  walk  ofif  the  plank  into  the 

water  and  be  drowned ;  figuratively,  to  vacate  an 

office  by  compulsion,  (c) 


COLLOQUIAL    PHKASES.  865 

The  pirates  captured  the  ship,  and  made  their 
captives  walk  the  plank  =  T\\Q  captives  were  com- 
pelled, by  the  pirates,  to  walk  over  the  side  off  the 
vessel  into  the  ocean,  and  suffer  death  by  drowning, 
when  the  ship  was  captured.  The  secretary  of  the 
insurance  company  had  to  walk  the  plank  —  The  sec- 
retary of  the  insurance  company  was  forced  to  va- 
cate his  office. 
irarm  a§  toast  =  Yery  warm,  (a) 

Get  your  feet  warm  as  toast  before  you  go  to  bed 
=  Get  your  feet  very  warm  before  you  go  to  bed. 
"Warrant  you,  I'll  =  I  speak  with  assurance;  there 
is  no  doubt,  (a) 
He  will  come,  Fll  warrant  you  =  He  will  come,  no 
doubt.     The  tea  is  good,  IHl  warrant  you  =  There  is 
no  doubt  the  tea  is  good. 
l¥ear  one'§  heart  upon  one's  sleeve,  to  =  To  be 
artless,  frank,  warm-hearted,  confiding,  (c) 
Mr.  F.  wears  his  heart  upon  his  sleeve  =  M.r.  F.  is. 
artless  and  warm-hearted.     If  he  had  not  worn  his 
heart  upon  his  sleeve,  he  would  not  have  been  taken 
in  by  the  stranger = If  he  had  not  been  so  confiding, 
he  would  not  have  been  deceived  by  the  stranger. 
l^ell  up  =  Considerably  up  or  above,  as  of  the  mouth 
of  a  river,  (c) 
The  village  was  not  at  the  mouth  of  the  river, 
but  ivell  up,  beyond  the  incursions  of  pirates = The 
village  was  not  at  the  mouth  of  the  river,  but  con- 
siderably above  it,  and  beyond  the  inroads  of  pirates. 
"Well  up  =  In  a  commendable  or  praiseworthy  degree 
of  proficiency,  (c) 
John  is  well  up  in  the  ancient  languages,  but  is 
behind  in  mathematics  =  John  is  commendably  pro- 
ficient in  the  ancient  languages,  but   deficient  in 
mathematics. 
"Wet  one's  whistle,  to  =  To  drink,  (c) 

They  stopped  at  the  saloon,  to  wet  their  whistles = 
They  stopped   at   the  saloon,  to  drink  something. 
Wait  till  I  wet  my  whistle  =  Wait  till  I  take  a  drink. 
Whack    auray,    to  =  To    continue    striking    heavy 
blows,  (c) 
He  is  whacking  away  yet,  at  that  knotty  log  =  He 
continues  cutting  that  hard  log. 
What's  the  matter  =  What's  the  trouble,  difficulty, 
&c.  (a) 

You  are  very  silent ;  what  is  the  matter  with  you  ? 
=You  are  very  silent;  what  trouble  are  you  in?  or 
what  is  your  sickness  ?  That  is  luhafs  the  matter = 
That  is  the  difficulty.  We  do  not  receive  any  reply 
to  our  telegram;  I  wonder  whafs  the  matters  We 


866  COLLOQUIAL    PHRASES. 

do  not  receive  any  reply  to  the  telegram  which  we 
sent ;  I  wonder  what  the  hindrance  is  or  what  causes 
the  delay. 
Wliere  the  shoe  pinches  =  Where  the  trouble,  dif- 
ficulty, &c.,  is.  («) 
I  know  where  the  shoe  pinches  with  you  =  I  know 
what  you  are  in  trouble  about.     He  will  not  vote 
for  Mr.  A.  because  he  does  not  like  to  go  against 
his  own  party;   that  is  where    the  shoe  pinches  =  IIg 
will  not  vote  for  Mr.  A.  because  he  is  unwiUing  to 
oppose  his  own  party;  that  is  his  difficulty  or  ob- 
jection. 

Whisper  about,  to  =  To  circulate  as  a  report,  se- 
cretly and  cautiously,  (c) 
It  is  whispered  about,  that  one  of  the  cabinet  min- 
isters will  resign  next   month  =  It  is  secretly  and 
cautiously  circulated  as  a  report,  that  one  of  the 
cabinet  ministers  will  resign  next  month. 
"Wide  of  the  mark  =  Incorrect ;  erroneous;  remote 
from  the  truth,  (a) 
Your  guess  about  the  reason  of  my  late  arrival 
last  night,  is  quite  wide  of   the  mark=  Your   guess 
about  the  reason  of  my  late  arrival  last  night,  is 
quite  incorrect.     You  are  wide  of  the  mark,  in  sup- 
posing Mr.  B.  to  be  seventy  years  old  =  You  are 
much  in  error  (you  mistake  greatly),  in  supposing 
Mr.  B.  to  be  seventy  years  of  age. 
Wipe   off    old   scores,   to  =  To  pay  long-standing 
debts,  (c) 
The  man  who  moved  West  was  in  town  to-day, 
wiping   off  old  scores = The   man  who   moved   West 
was  in  town  to-day,  paying  debts  of  long  standing. 
Within  an  ace  of  =  Almost;  very  nearly,  (b) 

I  was  within  an  ace  of  drowning  =:  I  only  just  es- 
caped drowning.     I  came  within  an  ace  of  getting 
the   situation  =  I    almost    got    the    situation.     The 
merchant  came  within  an  ace  of  losing  his  purse,  by 
dropping  it  in  the  street  car  ==  The  merchant  very 
nearly  lost  his  purse,  by  dropping  it  in  the  street 
car. 
Worlied  up  =  Aroused;  excited  in  feeling;    or  dis- 
appointed, ashamed,  surprised,  angry,  etc.  (a) 
Mrs.  A.  was  very  much  worked  up,  because  she 
did  not  receive  an  invitation  to  Miss  E's  wedding  = 
Mrs.  A.  was  much  surprised  and  disappointed  that 
she  did  not  receive  an  invitation  to  Miss  E's  wed- 
ding. 
Worse  for  wear,  the  =  Impaired  by  use.  (a) 

The  tramp's  clothes  were  the  worse  for  wear  =  The 
tramp's  clothes  were  impaired  by  use. 


COLLOQUIAL    PHRASES.  367 

l¥ringing-wet  =  So  wet  that  water  can  be  wrung 
ont.  (b) 
When  he  came  in  from  school,  his  stockings  were 
wringing-wet  =  Wheii   he   came   in  from  school,  his 
stockings  were  so  wet,  that  water  could  be  wrung 
out. 
"Wrong  sow  by  the  ear,  to  have  or  get  the  = 
To  do  the  wrong  or  unwise  thing;  especially,  to 
come  off  second  best  in  an  encounter  which  one  has 
himself  provoked,  (c) 
When  he  tried  to  beat  me,  he  found  he  had  the 
wrong  sow  by  the  ear  =  When  he  tried  to  beat  me,  he 
found  he  would   better  have   tried   with   another. 
Mr.  A.  provoked  a  political  discussion  with  Mr.  B. ; 
but  soon  found  that  he  had  the  wrong  sow  by  the  ear 
=  Mr.  A.  provoked  a  poUtical  discussion  with  Mr. 
B. ;    but  soon  discovered  that  he  would  be    van- 
quished in  argument. 


j^r 


iif 


SLANG  AND  CANT  PHRASES. 


Slang  means,  in  Gypsy  speech,  the  language  spoken  by  Gypsies.  But  this 
eaning  has  evaporated  from  the  modern  word,  and  now  slang  means  low,  vulgar, 
d  unauthorized  language.  But  the  word  itself  has  come  from  the  Gypsies, 
through  their  strange,  irregular  association  with  English  speaking  people.  The 
Gypsies  are  a  vagabond  race  from  India,  that  came  into  Europe  about  four  hundred 
years  ago,  and  are  now  scattered  over  portious  of  Europe  and  of  the  United  States. 
They  are  said  to  have  made  their  hving  by  fortune-telling,  horse-jockeying,  tinker- 
ing, and  thieving.  Their  speech  is  a  mixture  of  their  language  with  words  from 
all  languages,  which  they  have  picked  up  in  their  wandering  life.  The  gypsy  lan- 
guage is  called  cant  by  us,  and  not  slang. 

The  word  slang  originated  with  the  Gypsies.  But  the  thing  itself  existed 
among  us  before  the  arrival  of  the  Gypsies  in  England.  The  thing  has  its  origin 
in  the  natural,  tendencies  of  the  mind.  Every  people  possess  their  slang.  And 
if  they  become  a  cultivated  people,  they  will  not  be  confined  to  the  use  of  a  select 
and  polished  language,  in  the  expression  of  their  thoughts  and  feelings. 

Moreover  slang  has  one  virtue.  It  is  pointed,  like  a  sting.  And  for  this 
virtue,  it  is  often  seen  in  the  newspapers,  is  heard  in  some  pulpits,  and  is  the 
favorite  language  of  the  streets.  And  so  gradually  a  slang  expression  wins  its  way 
to  universal  recognition  and  use. 

But  beside  the  low  and  vulgar,  there  is  a  department  of  slang  that  is  simply 
unauthorized.  It  is  slang  not  because  it  is  vulgar,  but  it  has  not  received  the 
stamp  of  authority  in  the  writings  of  the  best  authors  and  in  the  speech  of  polite 
society. 

Cant  differs  from  slang  in  being  the  language,  or  phraseology,  or  peculiarities 
of  speech  of  some  particular  class  or  sect.  It  is  the  secret  language  of  Gypsies, 
tho  jargon  of  thieves  and  tramps  and  beggars.  It  is  the  affected  phraseology  of 
religious  hypocrisy.  It  is  the  conventional  language  of  particular  classes  of  men, 
as,  the  cant  of  the  theatre,  the  cant  of  the  turf,  the  cant  of  boatmen,  and  the  cant 
of  the  university. 

I  (371) 


SLANG   AND ''CANT  PHEASES. 


A  bad  ess  =  A  scoundrel  or  rascal,  (c) 

Tlie  man  who  bought  goods  of  us  last  month, 
on  credit,  proves  to  be  a  bad  egg =The  man  who 
bought  goods  of  us  on  credit,  last  month,  proves  to 
be  a  rascal. 
A  black  §heep  =  One  different  from  the  rest  of  the 
family,  and  less  worthy ;  a  disgrace  to  the  family,  (a) 
The  oldest  son  is  a  black  sheep  in  this  family  =  The 
oldest  son  in  this  family  is  dilferent  from  the  rest,, 
and  makes  trouble  or  causes  shame. 
Ab§quatulate,  to  =  To  run  away ;  to  abscond,  (c) 
Go   now!    absqnatulaie /  =  Go    quickly!    ^et   you. 
gone!     He  absquatulated  with,  my  money = He  ran 
away  with  my  money. 
Adam's  ale  =  Water.     (The  Scotch  slang  term   for 
water  is  Adam's  wine),  (c) 
Let  me  offer  you  a  glass  of  A dain's  ale  =  Let  me 
offer  you  a  glass  of  water. 
A  fat  officer  An  office   yielding  abundant  pay  for 
slight  labor,  (a) 
There  are  some  fat  offices  under  almost  every  gov- 
ernment =  There   are,  under  almost  every  govern- 
ment, some  offices  yielding  abundant  pay  for  slight 
labor.     The  senator  procured  his  nephew  a  fat  office, 
by  his  influence  =  The  senator,  by  his  influence,  ob- 
tained for  his  nephew  an  office  which  yielded  large 
pay  for  slight  labor. 
All  (in)  one'§  eye  =  Alljionsense ;  incredible;  fanci- 
ful; improbable,  (c) 
^    What  you  say  about  Mr.  A's  intended  marriage  is 
[all  in  your  e?/e=:  Your  statement  that  Mr.  A.  intends 
marriage  is  improbable.     That  story  of  yours — a/X^ 
my  eye  =  That  story  of  yours — I  don't  believe  a  word  / 
of  it. 
All  one'§  born  days  =  All  one's  life,  (c) 

I  never  saw  the  like  of  it,  in  all  my  born  days  =  I 
never  saw  the  like  of  it,  since  I  was  bom.  That  is 
the  most  foolish  bargain  I  ever  heard  of,  in  all  my 

(373) 


874  SLANG    AND    CANT    PHRASES. 

horn  days  - 1  never,  since  I  was  born,  heard  of  so  fool- 
ish a  bargain. 
All  the  go  -  Any  thing  which  creates  unusnal  inter- 
est or  excitement,  (a) 
The  new  play  at  the  theatre  is  all  the  ^o=The 
new  play  at  the  theatre  creates  great  interest  or  is 
very  fashionable. 
All  to  §masli  =  Bankrupt ;  ruined,  (c) 
'  In  the  decline  of  real  estate,  the  broker  went  all 
to  smash  =  In  the  decline  of  real  estate,  the  banker 
was  iinancially  ruined. 
Almighty  dollar — Tliis  term  describes  the  power  of 
money,  and  the   admiration   in    which   w^ealth   is 
held,  '(a) 
He  obtained  place  in  society  by  means  of  the 
almighty   dollar  — YLe   obtained   place  in   society  by 
means  of  his  wealth. 
A  ^o,  1  =  First  rate ;  the  very  best,  {a) 

This  is  A  No.  1  tea  —  This  is  the  very  best  tea. 
He  is  an  A  No.  1  man  =  He  is  an  excellent  man. 
As  luck  ivould  have  it  =  As  it  chanced;  by  fortune, 
good  or  bad.  ia) 
As  lack  would  have  it^  I  arrived  half  an  hour  too 
late  for  the  steam-boat  =  I  had  the  ill  fortune  to  ar- 
rive Imlf  an  hour  too  late  to  take  the  steam-boat. 
As  luck  ivould  have  it^  my  friend  came  to  visit  me 
while  I  was  away  =:  It  chanced  that  my  friend  came 
to  visit  me  during  my  absence.     As  luck  would  have 
it,  it  snowed  the  day  before  our  pleasure  drive ;  so 
tliat  the  sleighing  was  line  =  By  good  fortune,  there 
was  a  fall  of  snow  the  day  before  our  pleasure  drive; 
so  that  the  sleighing  was  line. 
Awful — A  senseless   expletive,  used  to  intensify  a 
description  of  any  thing,  good  or  bad.  (a) 
Is  n't  this  awfid  nice  ?  —  Is  this  not  very  nice  ?     I'm 
awfid  glad  =  I  am  very  glad.     I'm  in  an  awful  hurry 
=  I  am  in  a  great  hurry. 


B. 

Back  out  or  doii^n,  to  =  To  refuse  to  fulfill  a  prom- 
ise or  engagement ;  to  withdraw,  {a) 
The  builder  who  agreed  to  construct  the  school- 
house  for  a  thousand  dollars  has  hacked  out  of  his 
bargain  =  The  builder  who  agreed  to  construct  the 
school-house  for  a  thousand  dollars  has  withdrawn 
from  his  bargain. 
Bad  =  Hard;  difficult.     ("Word  in  use  among  sport- 
ing men),  (c) 


SLANG   AND    CANT    PHKASES.  375 

This  gray  filly  will  be  had  to  beat  =  It  will  be  dif- 
ficult for  any  horse  to  win  the  race  against  this  gray 
filly.      Pneumonia   is   a   very  had  disease   for  the 
physician    to    treat    successfully  =  It    is    very  difii- 
cult  for  the  physician  to  treat  pneumonia  success- 
fully. 
Bamboozle,  to  =  To  deceive ;  to  fool ;  to  play  low 
tricks  upon,  (a) 
You  can't  hamhoozle  me,  about  the  gold  mines  in 
the  Black-hills  country  =  You  can  not  deceive  me, 
about  the  gold   mines   in  the  Black-hills  country. 
When  he  first  entered  the   school,  he   was   badly 
hamhoozled  by  the  boys  =  He  was  badly  fooled  by  the 
boys  when  he  first  went  to  the  school. 
Banging  =  Great;  thumping,  (h) 

He  had  a  hanging  umbrella  =  He  had  a  very  large 
umbrella.     The  good  woman  gave  the  boy  a  hanging 
piece  of  cake  =  The  good  woman  gave  the  boy  a 
thumping  piece  of  cake. 
Bang-up  =1  First  rate ;  in  the  best  possible  style,  (c) 
He  has  got  a  real  hang-up  new  suit  =  He  has  a 
very  nice  new  suit  of  clothes.     Is  n't  this  a  hang-up 
house ?  =  Is  not  this  a  very  fine  house? 
Bar   or   barring  =  Excepting ; — in  common  use  in 
the  betting  ring.  (6) 
"  Two  to  one,  har  one  "  =  Two  to  one  against  any 
horse,  with  the  exception  of  one. 
Bear  the  bell,  to  =  To  be  the  leader  or  winner,  (c) 
John   E.   hears  the  hell  in   all   athletic   games  at 
school  =  John  E.  is  the  leader  in  all  athletic  games 
at   school.      Among   all    the   sisters   and    cousins, 
Hortensia  hears  the  hell  =  Among  all  the  sisters  and 
cousins,  Hortensia  carries  off  the  palm,  or  is  the 
best. 

Bear  (Stock-Ex.)  =  One  who  contracts  to  sell  stocks, 
which  he  does  not  own,  at  a  future  time  for  a  cer- 
tain price ;  one  interested  to  depress  the  value  of 
stocks,  (a) 
At  the  Stock-Exchange  to-day,  the  hears  were  tri- 
umphant =  At  the  Stock-Exchange  to-day,  the  deal- 
ers who  were  interested  to  depress  the  value   of 
stocks,  in  order  to  buy  cheaply  certain  stocks  which 
they  had  contracted  to  deliver,  were  triumphant  or 
successful. 
Beat  about  the  bush,  to=:To  approach  a  matter 
cautiously   and   indirectly,  as  in   conversation   or 
investigation,  (a) 
The  politician  heat  about  the  hush,  in  order  to  as- 
certain the  political  sentiments  of  the  company  = 
The  politician  cautiously  and  indirectly  introduced 


376  SLANG   AND    CANT    PHRASES. 

political  subjects,  in  order  to  ascertain  the  senti- 
ments of  the  company. 
Beat  (all)  hollow,  to  =  To  out-do  completely,  or 
utterly;  to  far  surpass,  (a) 
This  story  of  the  bear  hunt  heats  the  last  one  all 
hollow  =  T\\\^  story  of  the  bear  hunt  out-does  the 
last  one  completely.     This  circus  heats  the  other  all 
hollow  =  This  circus  wholly  surpasses  the  other. 
Beat  to  a  mummy,  to  =  To  beat  to  an  indiscrimi- 
nate and  senseless  mass,  (c) 
He  was  heaten  to  a  mummy  in  his  last  prize  fight  = 
He  was  beaten  to  a  senseless  mass  or  out  of  shape,  in 
his  last  prize  fight. 
Bitten,  to  be  =  To  be  taken  in,  or  imposed  upon,  {a) 
He   was  badly  hitten  in  the  purchase  of  his  horse 
=  He  was  badly  cheated  in  the  purchase  of  his  horse. 
The  biter  was  hitten  — The  one  who  wished  to  cheat 
another  person,  was  himself  cheated. 
Blackguard  =  A  low  or  dirty  fellow,  capable  of  any 
meanness,  and  accustomed  to  use  jocularly  abusive 
or  scurrilous  language,  (a) 
He  is  a  low  blackguard  =  He  is  a  person  of  low 
character,    accustomed   to    use     jocular     language. 
All  the  hlachguards  in  the  city   attacked  him = He 
was  talked  against  by  all  the  vulgar  defamers  in  the 
city.     We  found  him  at  the  saloon,  sitting  among 
the  hlachguards ^We  found  him  at  the  saloon,  in  the 
company  of  those  who  use  jocularly  abusive  lan- 
guage in  conversation. 
•^Blackleg  =: A  rascal;  a  swindler;  a  notorious   gam- 
bler and  a  cheat,  (a) 
The  last  shipment  to  Botany  Bay  was  a  parcel  of 
blacklegs— The  last  shipment  to  Botany  Bay  was  a 
lot  of  thieves  and  criminals. 
Blarney  (Irish)  =  Flattery  ;  powers  of  persuasion,  (b) 
All  your  blarney  will  not  afi*ect  me  =  I  will  not 
yield  to  your  flattering  talk.     Kone  of  your  blarney  ! 
=:Xone  of  your  soft,  wheedling  speeches ! 
Blast — A  vulgar  term  of  denunciation  or  impreca- 
tion, {b) 
Blast  you  !  =  Curse  you  !     Blast  that  driver !  why 
don't  he  drive  faster?     (A  denunciation  of  the  dri- 
ver for  driving  so  slowly.) 
Blaze,  to  =  To  mark,  as  a  tree,  by  chipping  off"  a 
piece  of  bark.  (U.  S.)  {a) 
I  found  my  way  through  the  woods,  by  the  blazed 
trees  =  I  found  my  way  through  the  woods,  by  the 
trees  that  were  marked  by  chipping  ofif  a  piece  of 
the  bark. 
Bloiir  one  up  sky-high,  to  =  To  scold  severely,  (c) 


SLANG    AND    CANT    PHRASES.  877 

The  keeper  of  the  livery  stable  blew  up  his  stable- 
-boy sky-high,  for  driving  one  of  the  horses  so  hard  = 
The  keeper  of  the  livery  stable  severely  scolded  the 
stable-boy,  for  driving  one  of  the  horses  so  hard. 
Blue-devils  =  1.  The  apparitions  supposed  to  be  seen 
by  habitual  drunkards ;  a  form  of  delirum  tremens, 
(c)     2.  Depression  of  spirits  ;  hypochondria,  (c) 
1.  His  long  continued  drinking  brouglit  on  an  at- 
tack of  the  blue-devils=IL\s  long  continued  drinking 
brought  on  a  form  of  delirum  tremens.      2.  Being 
out  of  health,  he  was  sorely  afflicted  with  the  Z?Zwe- 
devils  =  'Bemg  out  of  health,  he  was  sorely  afflicted 
with  melancholy. 
BIue-no§e  =  A  man  from  Nova  Scotia,  (c) 

He  is  a  blue-nose^He  is  a  Nova  Scotian. 
Bluest  A  fit  of  despondency;  low  spirits,  (a) 

Mr.  A.  is  out  of  work,  and  has  the  toes  =  Mr.  A. 
is  out  of  work,  and  is  desponding. 
Bluff,  to — usually  with  off=To  turn  aside;    to  re- 
pulse rudely,  {a) 
The  governor  tried  to  bluff  the  interviewer  off= 
The  governor  tried  to  turn  the  interviewer  away 
with  an  evasive  answer.     He  was  so  annoying  in 
^  his  request  for  the  loan  of  money,  that  I  was  obliged 
to  bluff  him  offzz  He  was  so  annoying  in  his  requests 
for  the  loan  of  money,  that  I  was  forced  to  repulse 
him  rudely. 
Bog-trotter  =  One  who  lives  in   a  boggy  country; 
satirical  term  for  Irishman,  (c) 
They    are    genuine    bog-trotters  =  They   inhabit    a 
boggy  country.     A  ship  load  of  bog-trotters  has  just 
landed  =  A  ship  load  of  Irishmen  has  just  arrived 
in  the  country. 
Bogus  =  Spurious ;  counterfeit;  false;  fictitious,  (a) 
This  is  a  bogus  silver  coin  =: This  is  a  counterfeit 
silver  coin.     He  made  many  bogus  promises  =  He 
made  ^many  false  promises. 
Bohemian,  a=A  restless  vagabond; — often  applied 
to  an  adventurer  in  art  or  literature,  of  ii'regular 
habits,  questionable  tastes,  or  free  morals,  (b) 
He  was  a  Bohemian,  and  wrote  for  the  city  news- 
paperszzHe  was  a  writer  for  the  city  newspapers; 
a  restless  adventurer,  irregular  in  his  habits,  whose 
taste  and  morals  were  questionable. 
Bonanza  =  A  successful  venture ;  a  source  of  great 
profit.  (U.  S.)  (a) 

This  cold  weather  is  a  bonanza  to  the  coal-dealers 
=  This  cold  weather  will  be  of  great  profit  to  the 
coal-dealers.       I  hope  to  make  a  bonanza  of  this 


378  SLANG    AND    CANT    PHRASES. 

speculation  in  bank  stock  =  I  hope  to  make  a  snc- 
cessfnl  venture  of  this  speculation  in  bank  stock. 
Boniface  =  The  landlord  of  a  tavern,  (b) 

I  stopped  at  an  inn  where  Bom/ace  was  a  large 
and  jolly  fellow  r=  I  stopped  at  an  inn  where  the 
landlord  was  a  large  and  jolly  fellow. 
Bosh  =  Nonsense;  silly,  senseless  talk,  (a) 

That's  all  bosh  /  =  That  is  all  untrue  and  nonsensical. 
All  his  talk  about  having  received  a  government 
office  is  mere  bosh  =  All  that  he  says  about  having 
received  a  government  office  is  mere  silly  talk. 
Bo§s  =  Excellent  (U.  S.).  (a) 

This  is  the  boss  cigar  =r  This  is  the  best  cigar  in 
the  market.     He  is  a  boss  speaker  =  He  is  a  very 
good  public  speaker. 
Bottle-holder  =  One  who  aids  a  boxer ; — ^hence,  one 
who  encourages  and  aids,  (c) 
He  acted  as  bottle-holder  in  the  fight  =  He  was  a 
helper  in  the  iight.     ''  Lord  Palmerston  considered 
himself  the  bottle-holder  of  oppressed  states  "  =  Lord 
Palmerston  regarded  himself  as  one  who  encouraged 
and  aided  oppressed  states. 
Bread-ba§Ret=:  Stomach,  (c) 

He  gave  this  man  a  blow  with  his  fist  in  the  bread- 
basket =Ile  gave  this  man  a  blow  with  his  fist  in  the 
stomach.     My  bread-basket  is  empty,  and  I  am  faint 
for  want  of  food  =  My  stomach  needs  a  fresh  supply 
of  food,  and  I  am  faint  for  the  lack  of  it. 
Bricks  A  jolly  good  fellow;  a  staunch  fellow,  {a) 
Our  new  tutor  is  a  regular  brick  =  Our  new  tutor 
is  very  easy;  he  is  a  jolly  fellow.     You  will  find 
my  friend  a  brick  =  You  will  find  my  friend  to  be  a 
staunch  fellow. 
Brick  in  the  hat  (U.    S.)  =  r)runk;  intoxicated,  (a) 
He  went  home  with  a  brick  in  his  hat  =  l:le  went 
home  drunk. 
Brings  round,  to  =  To  persuade ;  to  induce ;- — some- 
times, to  cause  to  change,  (b) 
How  did  you  bring  him  round  to  sell  his  horse  ?  = 
How  did  you  persuade  him  to  sell  his  horse  ?     He 
does  not  agree  to  the  project,  but  I  hope  to  bring 
him  round=zlIe  does  not  agree  to  the  project,  but  I 
hope  to  induce  him  to  change  his  mind. 
Biid^e,  to  ==  To  move ;  to  stir,  (a) 

He  stands  in  the  door,  in  our  way,  and  will  not 
budge  an  inch  =  He  stands  in  the  door,  in  our  way, 
and  will  not  stir  at  all.  What  are  you  doing  in  my 
garden  ?  Budge  along  =  What  business  have  you  in 
my  garden  ?  Move  ofiT  (go  away). 
Bull   (Stock-Ex.)  =  A  nominal  buyer   of  stocks   for 


SLANG    AND    CANT    PHRASES.  879 

future  delivery;  a  speculator  who  is  interested  to 
raise  the  price  of  stocks,  (a) 
Prices  of  stock  went  up  at  a  bonnd,  and  the  hulls 
were  gleeful  =  Prices  of  stock  went  up  at  a  bound, 
and  those  speculators  who  wished  stock  to  rise  for 
their  benefit  were  happj. 
Bulldose   or   Bulldoze,  to  =  To  terrify  by  threats ; 
to  intimidate,  (a) 
The  negroes  in  some  parts  of  the  Sonth  (U.  S.) 
were  hulldosed  by  the  lawless  whites;  and  did  not 
dare  to  vote = The  negroes  in  some  parts   of  the 
South  were  terrified  by  the  threats,  &c.,  of  the  law- 
less wliites,  so  that  they  did  not  dare  to  vote.     Yon 
may  threaten,  but  I  will  not  be  bulldozed  by  you=rI 
will  not  be  forced  to  give  up  my  rights  by  you,  even 
if  you  do  threaten  and  abuse. 
Bully — Often  applied  in  a  commendable  sense  among 
the  vulgar,  (a) 
You  are  a  bidhj  fellow  =  You   are  a  very  good 
fellow.      Have  you  finished  that  piece  of  work  so 
soon  ?     Bulli/  for  you  =  Have  you  finished  that  piece 
of  work  so  soon  ?     You  are  to  be  commended  (de-  J 
serve  commendation). 
Bummer  =r  An  idle  man,  who  lives  on  other  people  ; 
a  loafer. 
There  are  bummers  in  every  city  =  There  are  in 
every  city  idle  men  who  sponge  on  others  for  their 
living. 
Bumptiou§  =  Arrogant ;  self-sufl[icient.  (b) 

Don't  be  so  bumptious  =  Do  not  be  so  forward  and 
arrogant.     He  is  so  bumptious  that  I  can  not  endure 
him  =  He  is  so  conceited  that  I  can  not  bear  his 
presence. 
Buncombe     or     Bunkum  =  False     sentiments    in 
speaking;  speech-making  for  mere  show,  (U.  S.) 
The  member  of  Congress  from  ^N^orth  Carolina 
made  a  speech  for  Buncombe  =  The  member  of  Con- 
gress from  North  Carolina  talked  merely  to   meet 
the  expectation  of  constituents.     He  made  a  bunkum 
speech  in  or(fer  to  hear  himself  talk  =  He  made  a 
speech  for  mere  show,  or  to  hear  himself  talk. 
Bun^  up,  to=:To  close  up.  as  the  eyes;  to  disfigure;    ^ 
— hence,  to  unfit  for  use.  (a) 
The  pugilist  was  all  bunged  up  =  The  pugilist  was 
beaten  about  the  face  so  that  his  eyes  were  closed 
up. 
Bu§ — An  abbreviation  of  omnibus,  (a) 

I  rode  down  town  in  a  bus  =  l  rode  down  town  in 
an  omnibus.     The  bus  drivers  of  this  city  are  on  a 


380  SLANG    AND    CANT    PHRASES. 

strike  =  The  omnibus-drivers  of  this   city  demand 
higher  pay,  and  refuse  to  work. 
Bu§ter  =  An  extra  size ;  something  great,  (b) 

Is  n't  this  house  a  buster  f  —  Is  not  this  a  very  large 
house  ? 
Buster,  in  for  a  =  Determined  on  an  extensive  frolic 
•-    or  spree,  (c) 

My  hired  man  is  in  for  a  Z)W5fer= My  hired  man  is 
determined  on  an  extensive  spree. 


o. 

Caboodle  =  The  entire  company ;  the  whole  number.* 
(U.  S.)  (c) 
The  police  captured  the  whole  caboodle  of  gam- 
blers =  The  police  captured  the  whole  company  of 
gamblers  present.     The  whole  caboodle  of  the  pirates 
ought  to  be  hanged  =  Every  one  of  the  pirates  ought 
to  be  hanged. 
Cad  =  An  omnibus  conductor. — (Eng.)  (a) 

I  gave  n\y  fare  to  the  cad=l  gave  my  fare  to  the 
om  n  i  bus-con  ductor . 
Carpet-bagger  =  A  term  of  contempt  applied  to  a 
northern  settler  in  the  southern  part  of  the  United 
States,  after  the  close  of  the  civil  war  (1865),  seek- 
ing only  private  gain  or  political  advancement,  (a) 
The  natives  of  the  South  showed  much  dislike  of 
the    carpet-baggers  — TliQ    southern    people    showed 
much  dislike  of  the   commercial  and  political  ad- 
venturers from  the  North. 
Carried  away  =  Delighted;  well  pleased.  (U.  S.)  (a) 
I  was  completely  carried  away  with  the  music  of 
the  opera  =  I  was  very  much  pleased  with  the  music 
of  the  opera. 
Carroty-headed  =  Having  red  hair,  (c) 

There  is  a  lot  of  carroty -headed  boys,  in  the  school 
=  There  is  a  number  of  red-haired  boys,  in  the  school. 
Case  =  A  person  difficult  to  deal  with,  ip) 

The  boy  has  never  .been  governed,  and  is  a  hard 
ca.se  =  The  boy  has  never  been  governed,  and  can  not 
be  managed  or  trained. 
Cateh  a  crab,  to  (Boating  cant)  =  To  fall  backward 
by  missing  a  stroke,  (a) 
It  was  my  misfortune  to  catch  a  crab  in  the  last 
spurt  =  It  w^as  my  misfortune  to  miss  a  stroke  in 
rowing,  and  fall  back,  the  last  spurt. 
Cateli  a  weasel  asleep,  to  =  To  find  a  person  care- 
less, or  off  his  guard,  (a) 


SLANG    AND    CANT    PHRASES.  381 

The  stock  brokers  did  not  corner  Mr.  A.  as  tliey 
purposed ;  you  don't  catch  a  weasel  asleep—  The  stock 
brokers  did  not  corner  Mr.  A.  as  thej  purposed,  for 
it  is  not  easy  to  find  him  off  his  guard. 
CliaflT,  to  =  To  joke,  quiz,  or  praise  ironically ;  to  use 
light,  idle  language  by  way  of  fun  or  ridicule,  (a) 
When  I  came  out  of  the  coal  pit,  they  chaffed  me 
about  my  sooty  looks  =  When  I  came  out  of  the  coal 
pit,  they  joked  me  about  my  sooty  appearance.    His 
companions  chaffed  him,  because  on  his  wedding  trip 
he  took  one  train  of  cars,  and  his  wife  took  another, 
by  mistake  =  His  companions  ridiculed  him,  because 
on  his  wedding  trip  he  blundered  by  taking  one 
train  of  cars,  while  his  wife  took  another. 
Cbap  =  A  man  or  boy ;  a  fellow,  (a) 

When  I  was  a  little  chap^  I  wore  short  trousers  = 
When  I  was  a  small  boy,  I  wore  short  trousers. 
He  is  a  low  chap  —  ^Q  is  a  low  fellow. 
Clicap  John  =  Oratorical  hucksters,  who  put  up  an 
article  at  a  high  price,  and  then  cheapen  it  by  de- 
grees, until  it  becomes  to  all  appearance  a  bargain, 
and  as  such  is  bought  by  one  of  the  crowd,  (c) 
I  bought  the  plaster  image  of  a  dog,  of  a  cheap 
John  =  I  bought  the  plaster  image,  df  a  street  peddler. 
Cheek  =  Impudence  ;  assurance,  (a) 

You  have  got  a  good  deal  of  cheek /=Y on  are 
quite  impudent.     I^ewspaper  interviewers  ask  cheeky 
questions  sometimes  =  Newspaper  interviewers  ask 
saucy  and  impudent  questions  sometimes. 
€hee§e,  the  =  The  right  or  desirable  or  agreeable 
thing;  just  what  is  wanted,  (h) 
Show  me  some  coats. — That's  the  cheese  =  Show  me 
some  coats. — That  is  what  I  want.     The  editorial  in 
the   morning   paper,  on   city  expenses,  is   just  the 
cheese=The  editorial  in  the  morning  paper,  on  city 
expenses,  is  exactly  the  right  thing. 
Chee§e  it,  to  =  To  leave  off;  to  cease,  (b) 
^-  I  am  tired  of  your  talk;  now  cheese  it=l  am  tired 
of  your  talk ;  now  stop. 
Chinks: Money,  (a) 

His  pockets  are  full  of  chink =}Iis  pockets   are 
full  of  money.     I  have  no  chink =1  have  no  itioney. 
Chips  =  Money,  (b) 

Have  you  passed  in  your  chips  to  the  clerk  ?  = 
Plave  you  paid  your  fare  to  the  clerk  ? 
Chisel,  to  =  To  cheat ;  to  take  a  slice  off  any  thing. 

(b) 

I  was  chiseled  out  of  $700  in  real  estate  speculation 
=  1  was  cheated  out  of  $700,  in  real  estate  specula- 
tion.    He  can  chisel  you  out  of  your  eye-teeth = He 


382  SLANG    AND    CANT    PHKASES. 

can  cheat  you,  in  spite  of  your  best  efforts  to  pre- 
vent him. 
Cboke  off,  to  =  To  get  rid  of;  to  stop  one's  talking. 

(«) 

I  choked  off  the  book-agent  by  informing  him  that 
I  had  an  engagement  at  that  hour  =  I  got  rid  of  the 
book-agent  by  informing  him  of  my  engagement  at 
that  hour.  He  was  choked  off  in  the  middle  of  his 
speech  by  the  noisy  demonstration  of  dissents  He 
was  forced  to  cease  speaking  before  he  liad  iinished 
his  speech,  by  reason  of  the  loud  manifestations  of 
disapproval  by  the  audience. 
Choker  =  A  neck-cloth  or  cravat,  (a) 

He  had  on  a  black  choker =ILe  wore  a  black  neck- 
cloth.    There  were  many  gentlemen  in  white  chokers 
and  kids  ==  There  were  many  gentlemen   in   white 
cravats  aftd  kid-gloves. 
€bop§  or  €liap§,  tlie  =  The  jaws;  the  mouth,  (a) 

When  he  had  finished  eating  he  wiped  his  chops 
with  a  silk  handkerchief  =  When  he  had  hnished 
eating  he  wiped  his  mouth  with  a  silk  handkerchief. 
He  actually  licked  his  chaps  in  anticipation  of  a  mug 
of  beer  =:  He  showed  great  delight,  by  passing  his 
tongue  over  his  nlouth,  in  anticipation  of  a  mug  of 
beer. 
Clap  together,  to  =  To  put  together  with  a  quick 
motion,  (b) 

The  carpenter  spread  glue  on  the  two  pieces  of 
board,    and   clapped  them    together  =  The    carpenter 
spread  glue  on  the  two  pieces  of  board,  and  put 
them  together  with  a  quick  motion. 
Claret  (Pugilistic)  =  Blood,  (c) 

In  the  prize  fight,  one  of  the  lighters  drew  claret 

at  the  first  blow  =:  The  first  blow  started  the  blood 

from  one  of  the  prize  fighters.     On  the  third  round 

of  the  fight  the  claret  ran  freely  =  The  blood  of  one 

of  the  fighters  flowed  freely,  in  the  third  round. 

Clean  out,  to  =  To  ruin  or  make  bankrupt  any  one ; 

to  take  all  he  has,  by  purchase,  chicane  or  force. 

{a) 

The  police  cleaned  out  the  gamblers  in  A.  street, 
last  nights  The  police  took  all  the  gamblers'  imple- 
ments in  A.  street,  last  night.  The  thieves  cleaned 
out  his  store = The  thieves  plundered  his  store  of  its 
contents. 
Close  oMt,  to  =  To  sell  all  the  stock  in  store,  (a) 

We  advertise  that  we  shall  close  out  our  whole 
stock  this  week,  to  make  room  for  new  goods  =  We 
advertise  that  we  shall  sell  all  the  stock  in  store  this 
week,  to  make  room  for  new  goods. 


SLANG   AND    CANT    PHRASES.  383 

Cockney  =  A  native  or  resident  of  the  city  of  Lon- 
don;— used  contemptuously,  (a) 
Cockneys  say  'all  for  hall  =  The  uneducated  Lon- 
doners say  'all  for  hall.  The  cockney^  traveling  into 
the  country,  is  surprised  at  many  common  rural 
practices  =  The  Londoner,  traveling  into  the  country, 
is  surprised  at  many  common  rural  practices. 

€ock§ure  =:  Quite  certain ;  certainly,  {h) 

Thank  you  for  the  invitation ;  I  will  come,  cock- 
sure  =  T\\2ink  you  for  the  invitation;  I  will  certainly 
come.  He  is  cocksure  that  it  is  going  to  rain  =  He  is 
quite  certain  or  confident  that  it  will  rain. 

Come  it  §trong^,  to  =  To  exaggerate ;  to  do  any  thing 
vigorously  or  extravagantly;  to  overdo,  (a) 
Aren't  you  coming  it  strong^  in  that  story  of  the 
hunting  adventure  ?  =  Are  you  not  exaggerating,  in 
what  you  say  of  the  hunting  adventure?  He  comes 
it  strong  in  the  matter  of  attending  operas  and  con- 
certs =  He  goes  to  excess  in  the  matter  of  attending 
operas  and  concerts. 

Come  down,  to  =  To  give  money ;  to  pay.  (a)  ' 

When  he  began  business,  his  father  cam^  down 
handsomely  =  When  he  began  business,  his  father 
gave  him  all  the  money  he  wanted.  I  could  not 
make  him  come  down  worth  a  cent  for  the  hospital 
=  1  could  not  make  him  pay  a  cent  for  the  hospital. 

Come  to  grief,  to  =  To  meet  with  an  accident;  to 
be  ruined  or  destroyed,  (a) 
Come  to  the  window,  and  see  how  your  little  girl 
has  come  to  grief.  She  has  tumbled  down  in  the 
mud,  and  is  crying  piteously  =  Come  to  the  window, 
and  see  what  an  accident  your  little  girl  has  met 
with.  She  has  tumbled  down  in  the  mud,  and  is 
crying  piteously.  The  incendiary  has  come  to  grief; 
for  last  night  he  was  discovered  and  arrested  =  The 
incendiary  has  been  unfortunate  or  been  checked  in 
his  career;  for  last  night  he  was  discovered  and 
taken  into  custody. 

Cook  one'§  goo§e,  to=  To  kill  or  ruin  a  person,  (c) 
This  infection  of  yellow  fever  will  cook  his  goose 
for  him  =  This  infection  of  yellow  fever  will  kill 
him.  The  mining  speculation  has  failed ;  your  goose 
is  cooked  =  Yon  are  ruined;  for  your  mining  spec- 
ulation has  failed. 

Cool  one's  heels,  to  =  To  wait,  (c) 

The  senator  will  have  plenty  of  time  to  cool  his 
heels  before  his  bill  passes  the  senate  =  The  senator 
wdll  have  to  wait  awhile  before  his  bill  passes  the 
senate. 

C'tiioerliead  (Amer.)  =  A  northerner  charged  with 


884  SLANG   AND    CANT    PHRASES. 

sympathizing  with  the  South  during  the  civil  war. 

(U-  s.)  («) 

The  copperheads  were  glad,  when  the  confederates 
gained  a  battle  =  The  northern  sympathizers  with 
the  South  were  glad,  when  the  confederates  gained 
a  battle. 
Corned  =  Drunk,  (a) 

He  got  thoroughly  corned— TLq  got  very  drunk. 
It  takes  but  little  liquor  to  get  that  man  corned  — A. 
small  quantity  of  liquor  suffices  to  make  that  man 
drunk. 
Cotton,  to  =  To  like,  adhere  to,  or  agree  with  any 
person,  (c) 
If  there  is  any  genuine  humor  in  a  man,  I  cotton 
to  him  =  If  there  is  any  genuine  humor  in  a  man,  I 
like  him,  or  adhere  to  him. 
Cove  or  covey  =  A  boy  or  man  of  any  age  or  station. 

Your  talk  is  very  strange ;  you  are  a  queer  cove  = 
Your  talk  is  very  strange ;  you  are  a  queer  fellow. 
He  is  a  rum  covey =lle  is  a  man  of  singular  habits, 
or  appearance. 
Cram,  to  —  To  qualify  for  public  examination  or  other 
purposes,  by  previous  preparation,  (a) 
I  am  cramming  for  the  biennial  (college)  examina- 
tion =  I   am   studying  hard   to   fit  myself    for   the 
biennial  examination. 
Curry  favor  with,  to  =  To  seek  to  gain   favor  by 
flattery;   to  seek  favor  by  officious  civilities,  and 
not  by  real  merit,  (c) 
Do  not  cwTy  favor  with  any  one  =  Do  not  seek  the 
favor  of  any  by  flattery.     He  is  currying  favor  with 
the  new  official  =  He  is  seeking  to  gain  the  favor  of 
the  new  official  by  flattery  and  the  like. 
Cut  a  dido,  to  =  To  play  a  trick,  or  prank,  (a) 

When  the  school-boys  were  left  alone,  they  cut 
strange  didos  =  When  the  school-boys  were  left  alone, 
they  played  strange  pranks. 
Cut  and  run,  to=:To  quit  work  or  occupation,  and 
start  off  at  once,  (b) 
When  the  boy  who  was  stealing  melons  saw  the 
owner  coming,  he  cut  and  run  =  Wh.en  the  boy  saw 
the  owner  of  the  melons  coming,  he  quit  picking 
melons,  and  started  off  at  once. 
^Cut  of  tlie  jib  =  The  peculiar  appearance  or  expres- 
sion of  a  person,  (b) 
I  know  he  is  a  minister  by  the  cut  of  his  jib  =  l 
know  that  he  is  a  minister  by  his  appearance.     I 
don't  like  the  cut  of  his  jib  =  I  do  not  like  the  ex- 
pression of  his  face. 


SLANG    AND    CANT    PHRASES.  885 

Cut  one's  eye-teeth,  to  have  =:  To   be   sharp  and 
knowing,  (a) 
You  can  not  cheat  Mr.  C. ;  he  has  cut  his  eye-teeth  = 
You  can  not  cheat  Mr.  C. ;  he  is  sharp  and  knowing. 
Cut  recitation,  or  prayer§,  to  (College  cant)  =  To 
absent  one's  self  from  recitation,  etc.,  without  ex- 
cuse, (a) 
I  did  not  often  cut  recitation(or  prayers') when  in 
college  =  I  did  not  often  absent  myself  from  recita- 
tion or  prayers,  without  excuse. 
Cut  §tick,  to=:To  run  away,  (c) 

He  cut  stick,  and  left  the  country  =  He  ran  away, 
and  left  the  country.     When  the  enemy  heard  our 
guns,  they  cut  stick  =  When  the  enemy  heard  our 
guns,  they  ran  away. 
Cut  up,  to  =  To  play  pranks,  (b) 

Boys  in  college  are  fond  of  cutting  up  w^henever 
they  have  a  good  opportunity  =  Boys  in  college  are 
fond  of  playing  pranks  whenever  they  have  a  good 
opportunity. 
Cut  up,  to  =  l.  To  criticise  severely,  (a)     2.  To  mor- 
tifj.  (a) 
1.  The  new  book  was  terribly  cut  up  by  the  re- 
viewer =  The  new  book  was  severely  criticised  by 
the   reviewer.      2.  He    was   much    cut    up    by   his 
failure  to  obtain  a  government  office  — He  was  much 
mortified  by  his  failure  to  obtain  a  government  of- 
fice. 


D. 

Dark  hor§e  =  In  racing,  a  horse  whose  chances  of 
success  are  not  known,  and  whose  capabilities  have 
not  been  made  the  subject  of  general  comment  or 
wager;  also,  a  person  yet  unthought  of  for  office. 
It  is  yet  very  uncertain  who  will  be  candidates 
for  the  presidency  this  year,  (U.  S.)  whether  some 
distinguished  statesmen  already  talked  of,  or  some 
dark  horse  =  It  is  yet  uncertain  whether  some  states- 
men already  mentioned  favorably  will  be  candidates 
for  the  presidency,  or  some  men  not  yet  thought  of. 
Darky  =  Negro,  (a) 

We  met  and  talked  with  an  aged  darky  =  We  met 
and  talked  w^th  an  old  negro.     The  darkies  are  some- 
times very  good  singers  =  The  negroes  are  sometimes 
very  good  singers. 
Dead  heat  =  Utterly  exhausted;  utterly  "done  up." 
(a) 
^  26 


386  SLANG    AND    CANT    PHRASES. 

He  ran  four  miles,  and  came  back  dead  heat=.Tle. 
ran  four  miles,  and  came  back  completely  exhausted. 
I>ea(l-1>eat,  a=iA  worthless  idler  who  sponges  on 
others,  (a) 
The  stranger  who  lodged  with  us  last  night  proves 
to  be  a  dead-beat— The  stranger  who  lodged  with  us 
last  night  proves  to  be  a  worthless  idler  who  gets 
his  living  by  sponging  on  others. 
I>euce  =  An  evil  spirit ;  the  devil,  (c) 

You  have  been  hanging  about  an  hour ;  what,  the 
deuce,  do  you  want  ?  =  You  have  been  hanging  about 
an  hour;  what  do  you  want?  (an  exclamation  of 
impatience  and  astonishment).     Deuce  take  this  rail- 
road train,  which  obstructs  the  crossing — (a  mild 
imprecation  or  an  expression  of  petulance). 
Deadhead  =  One   who  for  any  reason,   and  excep- 
tionally, enjoys  the  benefit  of  a  public  conveyance, 
entertainment,  feast  and  the  like,  without  charge, 
(a) 
How  many  deadheads  were  there  at  the  concert  last 
night  ?  =  How  many  persons  were  there  at  the  con- 
cert last  night,  who,  for  any  reason,  were  admitted 
free  of  charge  ? 
]>ieken§,  the — A  modified  form  of  the  word  devil, — 
used  in  softened  oaths,  (c)     Oh  the  dickens — An  ex- 
pression of  disgust,  impatience,  or  anger.     Where 
the  dickens  (devil)  have  you  been  ? 
He  ran  like  the  dickens  —  He  ran  very  fast.     You 
look  like  the  dickens,  in  that  costume  =  In  that  style 
of  dress,  you  look  horribly. 
Dig  —  A  hard  blow ;  a  punch,  (h) 

He  gave  me  a  dig  in  the  side  =  He  gave  me  a  hard 
blow  in  the  side.     The  boy  gave  the  cow  a  dig  with 
his  fist,  as  he  passed  through  the  stable  =  The  boy 
punched  the  cow  with  his  fist,  as  he  passed  through 
the  stable. 
Diggings  =  Regions ;     localities;     residence;     apart- 
ments. Q)) 
He  has  left  these  diggings,  and  gone  to  parts  un- 
known =  He  has  gone  away  from  here  to  parts  un- 
known.    The  authorities  do  not  allow  any  rum  in 
these  diggings  =  The   authorities    allow    no    strong 
drink  in  this  place.     He  has  changed  his  diggings  = 
He  has  changed  his  residence. 
Di§h,  to  =  To  frustrate;    to  suppress;   to  cheat;    to 
vanquish,  (c) 
The  failure  of  the  pension  bill  has  dished  the  hopes 
of  the  old  soldiers  =  The  failure  of  the  pension  bill 
has  frustrated  the  hopes  of  the  old  soldiers.     He 
was  dished  out  of  his  inheritance  by  a  flaw  in  the 


SLANG    AND    CANT    PHRASES.  887 

will  =  He  was  cheated  out  of  his  inheritance  by  some 
informality  or  illegality  in  the  will. 
Do,  to  =  l.  To  hoax;  to  cheat,  (c)     2.  To  visit  and 
examine  a  place  of  interest  or  a  country,  as  a  tour- 
ist or  pleasure  seeker,  (a) 
1.  The  peddler  did  the  servant  girl  in  the  false 
jewelry  which  he  sold  her  =  The  peddler  cheated  the 
servant  girl  in  selling  her   false    jewelry.     2.  Mr. 
A.  and  family  are  doing  Europe  this  year  =  Mr.  A. 
and  his  family  are  visiting  the  places  of  interest  in 
Europe  as  tourists,  this  year. 
I>o  brown,  to  =  To  do  well  or  thoroughly,  (c) 
Done  brown  =  Cheated  thoroughly ;  befooled,  (c) 

1.  The  opera  singer  did  it  broivn  last  night  =  The 
opera  singer  sang  well  last  niglit.     2.  He  was  done 
brown  by  the  real  estate  dealer  =  He  was  deceived  or 
defrauded  by  the  dealer  in  real  estate. 
Dodge  =  A  dextrous  device  or  trick  of  any  sort ;  a 
clever  artifice,  (a) 
He  wished  to  find   out  your   secret  plans,  but 
that  answer  of  yours  was  a  good  dodge  =  He  wished 
to  find  out  your  secret  plans,  but  that  answer  of 
yours  was  a  clever  artifice. 
Do  for,  to  =  To  put  an  end  to;  to  ruin;  to  disap- 
point, (b) 
The   secretary  was   caught   mimicking   the  gov- 
ernor, and  now  he  is  done  for  =  The  secretary  was 
caught  mimicking  the  governor,  and  now  his  pros- 
pects of  advancement  are  ruined. 
Dog^-cheap;    dirt-cheap  =  Yery   cheap;    at   a   low 
price,  (c) 
I  am  selling  gloves  dog-cheap  =  I  am  selling  gloves 
very   cheap.      I    bought    the    house    dirt-cheap  =  1 
bought  the  house  at  a  very  low  price. 
Done  over  or  up,  to  be  =  To  be  exceedingly  wea- 
ried, fatigued,  tired,  exhausted,  (c) 
We  are  all  done-up  with  hard  work  =  We  are  all 
tired  out  with  hard  work.     I  was  never  so  done-up 
in  my  life  =  I  was  never  before  so  much  exhausted. 
Before  he  reached  the  house,  he  was  done  over  by 
the  long  walk  =  Before  reaching  the  house,   he  was 
exceedingly  w^earied  by  the  long  walk. 
Do  the  bu§ines§,  to  =  To  accomplish   what   is   de- 
sired, (a) 
The  man  was  very  bilious,  but  a  dose  of  calomel 
did  the  business  =  The  man  was  very  bilious,  but  a 
•  dose   of  calomel   accomplished  the  desired  result, 

(that  is,  cured  him). 
Douse,  to  =  To  put  out.  (c) 


388  SLANG    AND    CANT    PHRASES. 

It  is  time  to  go  to  bed;  douse  that  glim  =  It  is 
time  to  go  to  bed ;  put  out  that  candle. 
Down  on  one's  marrow-bones  =  On  one's  knees, 
as  in  confession — hence,  humble ;  acknowledging  a 
fault,  (c) 
He  has  treated  me  ill ;  but  I'll  bring  him  doivn  on 
his  marrow-hones =11q  has  ill-treated  me;    but   I'll 
make  him  acknowledge  his  fault. 
l>own  with  the  dust  =^  Put  down  the  money,  (c) 
The  boarding-house  keeper  drew  his  pistol  upon 
the  miner  who  ow^ed  him,  and  said,  "  Down  ivith  the 
f??^s^"  =  The  boarding-house  keeper  drew  his  pistol 
upon  the  miner  who  owed  him,  and  said,  put  down 
(pay  me)  the  money. 
Dra^w  it  mild,  to=:To  speak  within  bounds;  not  to 
exaggerate,  ih) 
In  speaking  of  the  assault  upon  him  he  drew  it 
mild=}le  did  not  overstate  the  case  at  all,  in  speak- 
ing of  the  assault  upon  him.     ''Draw  it  TniM^''  said 
the  sailors  to  one  who  was  telling  a  yarn  =  "  Do  not 
exaggerate,"  said  the  sailors  to  one  who  was  telling 
a  story.     The  soldier,  when  narrating  his  experien- 
ces in  the  war,  was  not  wont  to  draw  it  7nz7(/=  When- 
ever the  soldier  narrated  his  experiences  in  the  war, 
he  was  accustomed  to  speak  extravagantly. 
Dress  up,  to  =  To  put  a  false  coloring  on  ;  to  garble ; 
to  embellish,  (a) 
He  dressed  up  his  account  of  his  fight   with   a 
neighbor,  and  gave  it  a  very  plausible  appearance  = 
He  put  a  false  coloring  on  the  fight  with  his  neigh- 
bor, and  gave  it  a  plausible  appearance.     That  nov- 
elist knows  how  to  dress  up  ordinary  characters  and 
incidents,  in  such  a  way  as  to  make  a  very  attractiv^e 
book  =  That  novelist  is  skillful  in  so  embellishing,  by 
stjde  and  imagination,  the  ordinary  personages  and 
incidents  of  life,  as  to  produce  a  book  which  is  very 
attractive. 
Drop  off,  to  =  To  die.  (c) 

The  servant,  who  was  with  him  in  his  last  hours, 
says  that  he  suffered  much  till  near  the  end,  but 
dropped  off  quietly  at  the  last  =  The  servant,  who 
was  with  him  in  his  last  hours,  said  that  he  was  in 
distress  till  near  tlie  end ;  but  died  quietly. 
Dry  up,  to  =  To  stop  talking,  (c) 

I  think  it  is  time  for  that  speaker  to  dry  up^  he  has 
been  talking  an  hour  =  I  think  it  is  time  for  that 
speaker  to  cease  talking;  he  has  been  speaking  an^ 
hour. 


SLANG  AND   CANT   PHRASES.  889 


E. 

EIbo\r-grease  =  Energetic  application  of  force  in 
manual  labor,  (a) 
The  scouring  of  tins,  and  the  polishing  of  brass, 
require  elhoiu-grease  =  The  scouring  of  tins,  and  the 
polishing  of  brass,  require  energetic  application  of 
force.  This  work  of  scouring  knives,  requires  elbow- 
grease  =  This  work  of  scouring  knives,  requires  hard 
use  of  the  arms.  Put  on  more  elbow-grease  on  that 
window  =  Polish  that  window  with  more  vigorous 
rubbing. 


r. 

Fa§t  =  Gay;  extravagant;  unsteady;  thoughtless,  (a) 
The  man  lives  too/a6^=The  man  is  addicted  to 
late  hours,  gaiety,  and  continual  rounds  of  pleasure. 
Do  not  associate  with  a  fast  yoimg  man = Do  not 
associate  with  a  young  man  of  bad  habits. 
Fat  work  (Print.)  =  Page  having  much  blank  space, 
and  requiring  but  little  labor  of  composition ;  and 
therefore  more  profitable  to  the  printer,  (a) 
The  printer  said  that  this  book  was  fat  work  =  The 
printer   said   tliat   a  page   of  this  book  contained 
much  blank  space,  and  was  easily  set  up. 
Fearflil   or  fearfully  =  Yery ;  very  much ;  extreme- 
ly.  (U.  S.)  {b) 
It  is  fearfully  cold  =  It  is  extremely  cold.     I  have 
been  at  work,  and  am  fearfully  tired  =  I  have  been 
working,  and  am  very  tired. 
Feel  eheap,  to  =  To   be  humiliated ;    to   be   made 
ashamed,  {c) 
It  made  the  man  feel  cheap^  to  reflect  that  he  had 
lost  the  lady's  favor  by  getting  disguised  with  liquor 
=  It  humiliated  the  man,  to  think  how  he  had  lost 
the  lady's  regard  by  excess  in  drinking. 
Fiddle,  to  =  To  idle  away  time ;  to  trifle,  (c) 

Go  to  your  work ;  don't  be  fiddling  around  here  = 
Go  to  your  work ;  don't  be  wasting  your  time  here 
in  trifling. 
Fiddler'§  money  =  Small  money,  (c) 

The  grocer  paid  me  fiddUr's  money  for  my  apples 

—  The  grocer  paid  me  small  money  for  my  apples. 

Figlit  shy  of,  to  =  To  avoid ;  to  have  nothing  to  do 

with,  (a) 

My  neighbor  wished  me  to  go  to  the  circus,  but  I 

always  fight  shy  of  2i,  crowd  =  My  neighbor  wished 


\ 


390  SLANG    AND    CANT    PHRASES. 

me  to  visit  the  circus,  but  I  always  avoid  going  into 
a  crowd. 
Fig^bt  the  tiger,  to  =  To  gamble  witH  professionals. 

(*) 

The  young  man  who  was  induced  to  play  cards 
with  some  passengers  in  the  car  soon  found  that  he 
was  fighting  the  tiger— The  young  man  who  was  in- 
duced to  play  cards  with  some  passengers  in  the  car 
soon  discovered  that  he  was  gambhng  with  profes- 
sionals. 
Figure  =  1.  Price;  cost,  (a)     2.  Appearance,  good  or 
indifferent,  (a) 
1.  That's   a   handsome    country    seat    you    have 
bought.     What's  the  figure? —  W\i2ii  is  the  cost  of 
that  handsome  country  seat  w^hich  you  have  bought. 
^--->2.  He  cuts  a  sorry  figure! —  Hq  makes  a  poor  or 
mean  appearance. 
■FiIe  =  A  hard,  mean,  and  exacting  person,  (c) 

He  is  very  penurious,  and  close  in  his  business 
dealings ;  he  is  an  old  file  —  He  is  very  penurious 
and  close  in  his  business  dealings ;  he  is  a  mean  and 
exacting  man. 
Fi§li  up,  to  =  To  discover  or  obtain  by  close  search 
and  sometimes  by  artifice.  Q)) 
In  order  to  defeat  the  candidate  for  senator,  the 
opposing  party  fished  up  an  old  story  about  a  bribe 
=  In  order  to  defeat  the  candidate  for  senator,  the 
opposing  party  searched  out  and  presented  an  old 
story  about  a  bribe,  which  was  to  his  discredit. 
Fix  =  A  position  of  difiiculty  or  embarrassment ;   a 
predicament,  (h) 
The  bridegroom  was  in  a  fix ;  for  his  trunk  did 
not  arrive  till  after  the  hour  of  the  wedding  =  The 
bridegroom  was  in  an  embarrassing  position,  for  his 
trunk  did  not  arrive  till  after  the  hour  appointed  for 
the  wedding. 
Fix,  to  =  To  put  one  in  an  unpleasant  predicament, 
usually  by  way  of  retaliation  or  punishment,  (h) 
That  fox  has  caught  several  of  my  fowls ;  but  I 
will  fix  him  =  That  fox  has  caught  several   of  my 
fowls ;  but  I  will  punish  him — (by  trapping,  shoot- 
ing, or  the  like). 
Fizzle,  a  =  A  failure  or  abortive  effort,  (h) 

The  chemical  experiment  of  the  professor,  this 
afternoon,  was  a  fizzle— "HhQ  chemical  experiment  of 
the  professor,  this  afternoon,  was  a  failure. 
Fizzle  (out,)  to  =  To  fail  of  success  in  an  undertak- 
ing. (6) 
How  the  student  fizzkdm  recitation  to-day  =  How 
the  student  failed  in  reciting  his  lesson  to-day.     The 


SLANG   AND    CANT    PHRASES.  391 

private  school  has  fizzled  out=The  private  school 
has  miserably  or  wholly  failed  of  success. 
Flabbergasted  =  Confounded ;   astonished,  (c) 

I  Was  completely  flabbergasted  by  the  news  of  their 
elopement  =  I  was  greatly  confounded  by  the  news 
of  their  elopement. 
Flash  =  That  which  is  not  what  it  appears  to  be ; 
any  thing  spurious.     A  word  with  various  mean- 
ings, as,  showy ;  spurious ;  smart,  as  in  dress,  (b) 
There  goes  a  flash  gentleman  down  the  street  = 
There  goes  a  man  dressed  smartly,  but  his  clothes 
are  shoddy,  and  his  diamonds,  paste.     That  was  a 
flash  concert  the  other  night  =  The  concert  the  other 
night  was  one  which  made  much  show  and  stir,  but 
had  very  little  merit. 
Flipper  =  Hand,  (c) 

Captain,  I  have  not  seen  you  since  your  last  voyage ; 
give  us  your  flipper  =  l^Qi  me  shake  your  hand,  Cap- 
tain, for  I  have  not  seen  you  since  your  last  voyage. 
Flunk,  to  (College  cant)  =  To  utterly  fail  in  recita- 
tion, (a) 

The  student  flunked  in  mathematics,  this  morning 
=  The  student   utterly  failed  in  his   mathematical 
recitation,  this  morning. 
Fly  off  the  handle,  to  =  To  fly  into  a  passion.*  (c) 
When  I  ordered  the  hired  man  to  harness  the 
horses  in  the  evening,  he  flew  off  the  handle =When 
I  ordered  the  hired  man  to  harness  the  horses  in  the 
\     evening,  he  became  suddenly  angry. 
"^or  a  dead  certainty  =  As  sure  as  death;  a  fixed 
certainty ;  without  a  doubt ;  assuredly,  (c) 
I  will  come  to  the  party,  fjr  a  dead  certainty  —  I 
will  be  absolutely  certain  to  come  to  the  party.     Do 
you  know  that  he  is  sick,  for  a  dead  certainty  ?  =  Are 
you  positively  sure  of  his  illness  ?     It  is  true,  /or  a 
\      dead  certainty— li   is  very  surely  true. 

^ork  out  or  over,  to  =  To  pay ;  to  hand  over,  (c) 
He  forked  out  the  needful  to  you  =  He  paid  the 
money  to  you.     When  the  man  was  threatened  with 
a  suit  for  the  debt,  he  forked  over  the  money  —  When 
the  man  was  threatened  with  a  suit  for  the  debt,  he 
took  out  the  money  and  paid  the  bill. 
Fudge  =  1.  A  made-up   story;    stuff;    nonsense,  (c) 
2.  An  exclamation  of  incredulity  or  contempt.  (5) 
1.  His  book,  "Adventures  of  a  traveler,"  is  all 
fudge  =  His  book,  styled  "  Adventures  of  a  traveler  " 
is  all  a  made-up  story.      2.  Some  say  that  eating 
tomfttoes  produces  cancers — Fudge=Som.e  say  that 
tomatoes,  as  an  article  of  food,  induce  cancers — I 
don't  believe  a  word  of  it. 


392  SLANG    AND    CANT    PHRASES. 


G. 

Gallivanting^  =  Waiting  on  the  ladies ;  showing  them 
attention,  (c) 
He  is  at  home  on  a  furlough  and  is  gallivanting 
around  town  =  He  is  at  home  on  a  furlough  and  is 
waiting  on  the  ladies  around  town. 
Oalore  (only  used  in  some  parts  of  England  and  by 
sailors)  =  Abundance,  (c) 
When  the  ship  gets  into  port,  the  sailors  will  have 
whiskey  ^afore=:  When  the  ship  gets  into  port,  the 
sailors  will  have  plenty  of  whiskey. 
^  Game  =  Courageous,  {h) 

That  boy  is  game ;  he  whipped  a  larger  boy  who 
attacked  him  =  That  boy  is  courageous ;  he  whipped 
'     a  larger  boy  who  attacked  him. 
_lGame  leg=:A  lame  or  wounded  leg.  (c) 

Mr.  R.  can  not  run,  for  he  has  a  game  leg  =  lA.v.  ^.* 
can  not  run,  for  he  has  a  lame  leg. 
^  Gammon  =  A  humbug;  a  false,  ridiculous  story. 

His  learning  is  all  gammon  =  ll\^   learning  is  all 
pretended.     You  are  talking  gammon=You  are  try- 
ing to  Immbug  us. 
Gent — A  contraction  of  gentleman,  (c) 

Well,  gents,  shall  we  put  aside  our  business,  and 
take  a  lunch  ?  =  Well,  gentlemen,  shall  we  suspend 
our  business,  and  go  to  lunch  ? 
Get  on,  (or  go  on)  swimmingly,  to  =  To  be  highly 

prosperous,  (c) 
^   The  young  law^^er  who  moved  to  California,  gets 
on  swimmingly  =  The  young  lawyer  who  moved  to 
California,  is  highly  prosperous. 
Get  one's  dander  up,  to  =  To  rouse  one's  passion ; 
•  to  enrage  one.  (c) 

Mrs.  F.  said  Mrs.  B's  husband  was  lazy;  and  that 
got  Mrs.  B's  dander  up  =  Mrs.  F.  said  Mrs.  B's  hus- 
band was  lazy ;  and  that  enraged  ■  Mrs.  B. 
Get  round,  to  =  To  gain  advantage  over  by  shrewd- 
mess  or  artfulness;  to  circumvent,  {a) 
The  wool  buyers  can  not  get  round  me  =  The  wool 
buyers  can  not  circumvent  me.     His  wife  got  around 
him  in  the  matter  of  house-furnishing  =  His  wife 
persuaded  him  by  some  artful  metliod,  to  do  what 
she  wanted  in  regard  to  furnishing  the  house. 
Gibberish — Originally,  the  language  of  Gipsies.  'Now 
=  Unmeaning  jargon ;  unintelligible  language,  (b) 
Plis  talk  is  perfect  gibberish  =  I  can  not  tell  what 
he  is  saying ;  it  is  unintelligible  to  me. 


SLANG    AND    CANT    PHRASES.  393 

Oilt  of  the  gab  =  Fluency  of  speech  or  natural  tal- 
ent for  speech-making,  (b) 
It  was  coarsely  said  of  a  certain  man,  that  he  did 
not  become  a  minister,  because  he  did  not  have  the 
gift  of  the  gab  —  It  was  coarsely  said  of  a  certain  per- 
son, that  he  did  not  become  a  minister,  because  he 
did  not  possess  a  natural  talent  for  speech-making. 
He  will  make  a  lawyer,  for  he  lias  the  gift  of  the  gab 
to  perfection  =  He  has  a  natural  talent  for  speech- 
making,  and  is  so  far  well  fitted  for  the  profession 
of  law. 
-^  Oill§  =  The  lower  part  of  the  face,  (c) 

In  the  storm  off  San  Francisco,  you  looked  white 
around  the  gills  =  ln  the  storm  off  San  Francisco, 
you  looked  white  around  the  mouth,  t.  e.  afraid. 
Oive  it  to,  to  =  To  scold,  whip,  or  beat  one.  (6) 

He  has  been  very  disobedient,  and  you  must  give 
it  to  liim !  =  He  has  been  very  disobedient,  and  you 
must  thrash  him  well.  He  gave  it  to  me  well,  when 
he  was  intoxicated,  I  assure  you  !  =  He  beat  me  well 
when  he  was  intoxicated,  I  assure  you.  The  man 
gave  it  to  his  coachman  for  grooming  the  horses  care- 
lessly =  The  man  severely  scolded  his  coachman  for 
grooming  the  horses  carelessly. 

Give  one  a  black  eye,  to  =  To  disfigure  one's  eye 

or  face  by  a  blow  with  the  fist,  (c) 

The  policeman  gave  the  rowdy ^  who  attacked  him, 

a  black  eye—  The  policeman  disfigured  the  face  of  the 

rowdy  who  attacked  him,  by  a  blow  with  his  fist. 

Give  one  Jessie,  to  =  To  scold ;  to  give  a  fiogging. 

That  boy  has  left  his  work,  to  see  the  game  of 
ball ;  and  his  father  will  give  him  Jessie  when  he  re- 
turns =  That  boy  has  left  his  work,  in  order  to  see 
the  game  of  ball ;  when  he  returns,  his  father  will 
scold  or  whip  him. 
Glim  =  Candle,  (c) 

Douse  that  glim  !  =  V\i\j  out  that  candle. 
'^o  =  A  circumstance  or  occurrence,  (c) 

Here's  a  go  !  my  horse  has  run  away,  and  left  me 
to  walk  home  =  Here  is  an  occurrence !  my  horse  has 
gone  and  left  me  to  walk  home. 

Go  back  on,  to  :=  To  abandon ;  to  turn  against ;  to 
expose.  ((/) 

He  went  back  on  his  promise  of  loaning  me  money 
=  He  refused  to  fulfill  his  promise  of  loaning  me 
money.  One  of  the  gang  of  counterfeiters  became 
dissatisfied,  and  went  back  on  the  others.  One  of 
the  gang  of  counterfeiters  became  dissatisfied,  and 
exposed  or  betrayed  the  others. 


894  SLANG    AND    CANT    PHRASES. 

Cro  do\rn,  to  =  To  be  accepted  as  true;    to  be  be- 
lieved, (a) 
The  boy  who  ran  away  from  school  yesterday  told 
the  teacher  that  he  was  sick,  but  that  statement 
would ,  not  go  down  =  The  boy  who  ran  away  from 
school  yesterday  told  the  teacher  that  he  was  sick, 
but  the  teacher  would  not  believe  that  statement. 
Go  for,  to  =  To  give  attention  to,  or  pursue  for  the 
purpose  of  attack,  (b) 
The  political  speaker  went  for  the  opposite  party, 
in  the  latter  part  of  his  speech  =  The  political  speak- 
er made,  in  the  latter  part  of  his  speech,  an  attack 
upon  the  opposite  party.     The  dog  discovered  a  boy 
in  his  master's  melon  patch,  and  went  for  him  =  The 
dog  discovered  a  boy  in  his  master's  field  of  melons, 
and  ran  to  attack  him. 
Oo  in  for,  to  =  To  enter  upon ;  to  undertake ;  to  ap- 
ply one's  self  to.  (a) 

Are  you  going  in  for  the  prize  in  composition  at 
school  ?  =  Shall  you  undertake  to  gain  the  prize  for 
composition  at  school  ?     In  building  his  house,  Mr. 
H.  went  in  for  comfort  and  durability ;  not  elegance 
and  show  =  In  building  his  house,  Mr.  H.  had  chief 
regard  to  comfort  and  durability;  not  to  elegance 
and  display. 
Oo  the  -whole  hog,  to  =  To  do  any  thing  with  a 
person's  entire  strength,  not  by  halves,  (b) 
At  first  the  man  thought  to  give  up  the  use  of 
rum  and  brandy  only;  but  afterward  concluded  to 
go  the  whole  hog^  and  discard  wine,  beer,  and  cider, 
also  =  At  first  the  man  thought  to  abandon  the  use 
of  rum  and  brandy  only ;  but  afterward  concluded 
not  to  do  it  by  halves ;  and  discarded  wine,  beer, 
and  cider,  also. 
'^  Oo  to  gra§§  =  Go  away ; — said  to  a  troublesome  or 
inquisitorial  person,  (c) 
Come  and  see  this  beautiful  sunset.     Go  to  grass  / 
I  don't  care  any  thing  about  the  sunset  =  Come  and 
see  this  beautiful  sunset.     Go  away !     I  don't  care 
for  the  sunset. 
""Oo  up,  to  =  To  come  to  an  end ;  to  cease ;  to  fail  in 
business,  (b) 
The  crockery  dealer  on  the  corner  has  gone  up  = 
The  crockery  dealer  on  the  corner  has  failed  in  busi- 
ness.    The  bank,  which  had  his  money,  has  failed ; 
and  he  is  gone  up  =  He  is  ruined ;  for  the  bank  in 
which  he  deposited  his  money,  has  failed. 
iiOrease  the  palm,  to  =  To  bribe,  (c) 

No  doubt  they  greased  his  palm  well,  to  secure 
his  vote  =  No  doubt  they  bribed  him,  in  order  to  get 


SLANG   AND    CANT   PHRASES.  895 

his  vot^.     The  witness  would  have  told  a  different 
story,  if  his  palm  had  not  been  greased  =  T\iQ  witness 
would  have  given  different  testimony  from  what  he 
did  give,  if  he  had  not  been  bribed. 
Orea§er  =  Mexicans  or  South  Americans.     (U.  S.) 
Some  mines  are  worked  by  greasers  —  Some  mines 
are  worked  by  Mexicans  or  South  Americans. 
'^reat  go  =  A  curious  or  remarkable  occurrence,  (c) 
Old  Mr;  A.  is  to  marry  young  Miss  B. — that  is  a 
great  go  —  Old  Mr.  A.  is  to  maiTy  young  Miss  B. — 
that  is  a  curious  occurrence. 
Or  eat  gun  =  A  person  in  authority  or  office ;  a  man 
of  note,  ip) 
The  temperance  people  have  engaged  a  great  gun 
for  their  meeting  to-night  =  The  temperance  people 
have  engaged  a  distinguished  person  to  speak  at 
their  meeting  to-night. 
Oreentaorn  -  An  inexperienced,  simple  person ;  one 
unaccustomed  to  the  ways  of  the  world,  {a) 
He  has  never  been  away  from  his  home,  not  even 
to  school;  and  he  is  a  greenhorn  =  He  is  a  simple, 
ignorant  fellow ;  for  he  has  not  been  aw^-y  from  his 
home,  not  even  to  school. 
Orub  =  Food ;  victuals,  (h) 

I  am  going  to  get  some  grub  =  I  am  going  to  get 
something  to  eat.  I  am  obliged  to  have  my  grub, 
three  times  a  day  =  I  have  to  •eat  three  times  a  day. 


H. 

IIalf-§ea$  over  =  Reeling  drunk,  (a) 

He  is  half-seas  over = He  is  reeling  drunk. 
Handle  =  1.  A   nose.     58.  The  title   appended   to   a 
person's  name. 
1.  He  has  a  large  handle  to  his  face  =  He  has  a 
large  nose.     2.  The  Reverend  Doctor  A.  has  a  long 
handle  to  his  name  =  The  Reverend  Doctor  A.  has 
a  long  title  prefixed  to  his  name. 
Hand  over,  to  =  To  place  in  the  hand ;  to  give ;  to 
disgorge,  (a) 
Hand  over  the  key  =  Give  the  key  to  me  !     I  had 
to  hand  over  the  money  to  the  agent,  before  receiving 
a  passage  ticket  =  I  was  obliged  to  place  the  money 
in  the  hand  of  the  agent,  before  I  could  receive  a 
passage  ticket. 
Hang  out,  to  =  To  reside  or  do  business,  (c) 

Where  do  you  haiig  out  f  =  Where  do  you  live  (or 
do  your  business  V) 


896  SLANG    AND    CANT    PHRASES. 

Hang  round,  to  =  To  loiter  or  lounge  about  a  place, 
without  ostensible  business,  (c) 
For  years  he  used  to  hang  round  the  tavern,  neg- 
lecting his  family,  and  drinking  himself  to  death  = 
For  years  he  used  to  neglect  his  family  and  lounge 
about  the  tavern,  without  any  other  object  than  to 
drink. 
Hard  line§  =  Hardships;  difficulty,  (c) 

These  heavy  taxes  are  hard  lines  on  the  poor  = 
These  heavy  taxes  are  a  great  hardship  to  the  poor. 
This  sickness  of  his  son  is  hard  lines  on  him  =  His 
son's  sickness  is  a  trial  to  him. 
Hard  pan  (Com.)  =  A  basis  of   gold  and  silver;  a 
stable  basis ;  a  foundation,  (a) 
The  prices  of  provisions  have  reached  hard  pan  = 
Prices  of  provisions  are  now  put  upon  a  gold  basis. 
There  has  been  much  fluctuation  in  business  mat- 
ters; but  now  we  seem  to  have  reached  hard  pan  = 
Business  of  all  kinds  has  been  in  a  changing  and 
uncertain  state ;  but  now  matters  appear  to  be  on  a 
stable  foundation, 
•v^  Have   §een   the   elephant,  to=:To  be  up  to   the 
V    latest  move ;  to  be  knowing  and  not  green,  (c)  c  - 
You  can  not  play  any  tricks  upon  him ;  he  has 
seen  the  elephant  — You  can  not  play  any  tricks  upon 
him  ;  he  is  up  to  the  last  new  trick ;  he  is  knowing 
and  not  green. 
Heap  =  A   crowd  ;    a    throng ;    a   cluster ; — said   of 
persons,  (c) 
There  is  a  heap  of  people  here  =  There  is  a  throng 
of  people  here. 
Hide,  to  =  To  beat  or  flog ;  to  whip,  (c) 

Let  me  catch  the  insolent  fellow,  I'll  hide  him  well 
i=If  I  catch  the  insolent  fellow,  I  will  beat  him  se- 
verely.    He  got  a  good  hiding  for  playing  truant  =: 
He  received  a  hard  whipping  for  playing  truant. 
Higg[]edy-pi||^gledy  =  Topsy-turvy  ;  in  confusion ;  all 
together,  ih) 
He  threw  the  books  down  on  the  floor,  higgledy- 
piggledy  —  He  threw  the  books  down  on  the  floor,  in 
confusion. 
Highfaluten  =  Bombastic ;    showy;   affected;    stuck 
up.  (c) 

He  made  a  highfaluten  speech  on  the  fourth  of 
July  =  He  made  a  high-flown  or  bombastic  speech 
on  the  fourth  of  July. 
High  jinks  =  1.  Arrogance;     conceit,  (c)     2.  Jollifi- 
cation, (c) 
1.  Since  he  inherited  some  money,  he  is  on  the 
high  jinks  —  Since  receiving  some  money  by  inherit 


SLANG    AND    CANT    PHRASES.  397 

tance,  he  is  arrogant  in  manners.     2.  Tliej  had  high 
^  jinks  at  the  celebration  of  his  birthdays  They  had  a 
jollification  at  the  celebration  of  his  birthday. 
Hocu§-pocu§  =  A  juggler's  trick;  a  cheat  used  by 
conjurors,  {h) 
He  got  the  pocket-book  out  of  my  pocket,  by 
some  hocus-pocus —  H.Q  got  the  pocket-book  out  of  my 
pocket,  by  some  juggler's  trick. 
Hold  on,  to  =  To  wait;  to  tarry,  (a) 

Hold  on  a  minute,  I  will  overtake  you  and  go 
with  you  =  Wait  a  minute,  I  will  overtake  you  and 
go  with  you. 
IIooflliiin§  (Pacific  coast)  =  Unorganized  gangs   of 
bad,  vicious,  criminal  boys  and  men.  {a) 

The  hoodlums  of  San  Francisco  hate  the  Chinese 
=  The  street  ruffians  in  California  hate  the  Chinese. 
Hook,  to  =  To  steal,  or  rob ;  to  take  without  per- 
mission, ih) 
Some  boys  hooked  apples  from  my  apple  tree= 
Some  boys  stole  apples  from  my  apple  tree. 
IIoo§icr  (IT.    S.) — Cant  term  for  a  native  of  Indiana. 

He  is  a  hoosier  =  'E.Q  is  a  citizen  ol  Indiana. 
Horn  =  A  drink,  especially  of  some  intoxicating  liq- 
uor, (a) 
Come  in  and  take  a  horn  =  ComQ  in  and  take  a 
drink. 
Humbug:,  to  =  To  deceive ;  to  impose  on  ;  to  hoax,  (a) 
He  is  too  shrewd  to  be  humbugged  =lle  is  too 
shrewd  to  be  imposed  on.     The  public  was  hiim- 
bugged  by  a  pretended  account  of  the  discovery  of 
inhabitants  in  the  moon  =  The  public  was  hoaxed  by 
the  pretended  discovery  of  inhabitants  in  the  moon. 


Inexprc§§il>le8  =  Trowsers ;  pantaloons,  (c) 

He  bought  a  new  pair  of  inexpressibles  for  $5.00  := 
He  bought  a  new  pair  of  trousers  for  $5.00. 
In  for  a  thing,  to  be  =  To  be  resolved  or  determined 

upon  it.  Qj) 
He  is  in  for  the  dance  to-night  =  He  is  resolved  to 
participate  in  the  dance  to-night.     The  school-boys 
are  in  for  a  skating  excursion  next  Saturday  —  The 
school-boys  have  determined  upon  going  to  skate 
next  Saturday. 
In  limbo  =  Restrained  ;  confined  ;  imprisoned,  (c) 
The  thief  who  stole  the  countryman's  watch  got 


398  SLANG   AND    CANT    PHRASES. 

into  Umbo  by  the  means  =  The  thief  who  stole  the 
countryman's  watch  got  into  prison  by  the  means. 
Interview,  to=:To  converse  with  and  question  one, 
for  the  purpose  of  obtaining  information  for  publi- 
cation, (a) 
A  reporter  interviewed  the  Secretary  of  War  on 
the  Indian  question  =  A  reporter  conversed  with  and 
questioned  the  Secretary  of  War,  concerning  mat- 
ters relating  to  the  Indians,  for  the  purpose  of  pub- 
lication. 
Ivories  =  Teeth,  (c) 

The  negroes  show  their  ivories  in  laughing  =  The 
negroes  show  their  teeth  in  laughing. 


Jabber,   to  =  To   talk   rapidly,   or   indistinctly;   to 

chatter,  (b) 

The  girls  are  jabbering  all  the  time,  while  at  their 

work  =  The  girls  are  talking  rapidly  and  indistinctly 

while  working.     I  can  not  work,  while  you  jabber  so 

=  1  can  not  work  while  you  chatter  so. 

Javir,  to  =  To  scold ;  to  clamor  abusively ;  to  wrangle. 

He  will  jaw  you  well  for  you  tardiness  =  He  will 
scold  you  well  for  your  tardiness. 
Jeremy  I>iddler  =  An    adept  at  raising   money  on 
false  pretences  or  by  borrowing  without  intending 
to  repay  ;  a  swindler,  (c) 
The  man  who  called  to-day,  with  a  story  of  hav- 
ing lost  his  pocket-book,  was  a  Jeremy  Diddler  —  The 
man  who  called  on  us  to-day,  with  the  story  of  hav- 
ing lost  his  pocket-book,  was  a  swindler. 
Jifty  —  A  moment ;  an  instant ;  a  very  short  time,  (c) 
I  will  be  ready  to  go  with  you,  in  a  jiffy— 1  will 
be  ready,  in  a  moment,  to  go  with  you. 
Jog[-trot  =  A  slow,  regular  pace,  (c) 

The  old  man  passed  the  house  on  horseback,  at  a 
jog-trot— Th.Q  old  man  passed  the  house  on  horseback, 
at  a  slow,  regular  pace. 
Jug  =  Prison  ;  jail,  (c) 

He  is  in  the  jug=^e  is  in  jail.  You  have  been 
drinking,  and  have  made  disturbance,  and  they  will 
put  you  in  the  stone  jug  =  You  have  been  drinking, 
and  have  made  disturbance,  they  will  put  you  in 
jail. 


SLANG   AND    CANT   PHRASES.  899 


K. 

Keep  dark,  to  =  To  keep  secret,  (a) 

The  joung  man  told  me  when  he  was  to  be  mar- 
ried,  and  I  promised  to  keep  it  c?ar^=:  The  young 
man  told  me  wdien  he  was  to  be  married,  and  I 
promised  to  keep  it  secret. 
Kick  the  bucket,  to  =  To  lose  one's  life ;  to  die.  (c) 
The  old  miner  has  kicked  the  bucket  at  last  —  The 
old  miner  is  at  last  dead.     My  horse  was  very  sick, 
and  for  two  days  I  thought  he  wonld  kick  the  bucket 
=My  horse   was   very  sick,  and   for  two   days   I 
thought  he  would  die. 
Kid  =  Infant;  child,  (c) 

Toss  the  kid  a  cent  =  Give  the  child  a  cent. 
Kidney  =  Habit ;  disposition;  sort;  kind,  (c) 

I  did  not  know  that  he  was  a  man  of  that  kidney 
=  1  did  not  know  that  he  was  a  man  of  such  a 
stamp.     He  is  a  sailor  of  the  same  kidney  with  tlie 
rest  of  the  crew  =  He  is  a  sailor  of  the  same  sort 
with  the  rest  of  the  crew. 
Knoiv  on  which  §ide  one'§  bread  i§  buttered, 
to  =  To  understand  what  is  for  one's  own  interest. 
He  knows  on  which  side  his  bread  is  buttered— He  is 
acting  thus  because  he  understands  what  is  for  his 
interest.     This  servant  is  very  careful  to  please  his 
master ;  he  knows  on  which  side  his  bread  is  buttered = 
This  servant  takes  pains  to  please  his  master;   he 
understands  what  is  for  his  advantage. 
Know  the  rope§,  to  =  To  be  familiar  with  a  subject 
or  pursuit,  (a) 
Mr.  A.  will  succeed  in  cotton  manufacturing ;  he 
knows  the  ropes  =  Mr.  A.  will  succeed  in  cotton  man- 
ufacturing ;  he  understands  the  business. 


Lame  duck  (Stock-Exchange)  =  A  stock-jobber  who 
speculates  beyond  his  capital,  and  can  not  pay  his 
losses,  (a) 
When  stocks  fall  suddenly,  there  are  many  lame 
ducks  =  When  stocks  fall  suddenly,  there  are  many 
stock-jobbers  who  can  not  pay  their  losses. 
JLamm,  to  =  To  beat ;  to  whip,  (c) 

The  boy  is  saucy  ;  I  will  lamm  him  soundly  =  The 
boy  is  saucy ;  I  will  beat  him  soundly. 


X 


400  SLANG    AND    CANT    PHRASES. 

Liark  =  A  piece  of  merriment ;  a  sport ;  a  frolic,  (c) 
It  is  a  lark  for  literary  men  of  London,  to  take 
a  fishing  excursion  into  Wales ;  but  for  rude  young 
men,  a  lark  is  something  rude  like  themselves  =  It 
is  sport  for  literary  Londoners  to  take  a  fishing  ex- 
cursion into  Wales ;  but  the  sport  of  rude  young 
men,  is  rude,  like  themselves.  He  is  off,  on  a  lark 
=  He  is  absent,  having  some  kind  of  fun  or  a  spree. 
Larrup,  to  —  To  flog ;  to  beat,  (c) 

The  master  larruped  the  boy  well  for  his  impu- 
dence =  The  master  whipped  the  boy  severely  for  his 
impudence. 
I^ay   or  spread  it  on  thick,  to  =  To  flatter  extrav- 
agantly ;  to  surfeit  with  praise,  {h) 
When  the  workmen  gave  their  superintendent  a 
gold  watch,  the  man  who  made  the  presentation 
speech  laid  it  on  //zzc^=:Wlien  the  workmen  gave 
their  superintendent   a  gold  watch,  the  man  who 
made  the  presentation  speech  extravagantly  praised 
the  superintendent.     In  speaking  of  the  playing  of 
the  actress  at  the  opera-house  last  night,  the  editor 
spread  it  on  thick  =  In  his  notice  of  the  play  at  the 
opera-house  last  night,  the  editor  bestowed  a  surfeit 
of  praise  upon  the  actress. 
L*eacl  toy  the  nose,  to  =  To  lead  blindly;  to  exact 
unreasoning  and  implicit  obedience  from,  {b) 
The  prime  minister  is  self-willed,  and  leads  his 
followers  by  the  nose ^The  prime  minister  is  self- 
willed,  and  exacts  unreasoning  and  implicit  obedi- 
ence from  his  followers. 
L<eather,  to=To  thrash,  as  with  a  leather  strap;  to 
whip,  (c) 
The  shoemaker  caught  the  boy  who  broke  his 
window,    and   leathered  him   well  =  The   shoemaker 
caught  the  boy,  who  broke  his  window,  and  gave 
him  a  good  whipping. 
L<eave  one  alone  for,  to  =  To  trust  one  for.  {b), 
Mr.  F.  will  hire  the  house  for  you  advantageously ; 
leave  him  alone  for  making  a  good  bargain  =  Mr.  F. 
will  hire  the  house  for  you  advantageously;  you 
may  trust  him  to  make  a  good  bargain  (implying 
that  he  is  noted  for  that). 
L.eave  out  in  the  cold,  to  =  To  neglect ;  to  over- 
look ;  to  leave  uninvited,  (b) 
You  must  not  go  oflT  by  yourselves  on  this  excur- 
sion, and  leave  me  out  in  the  cold=Yovi  must  not  go 
off  by  yourselves  on  this  excursion,  and  neglect  me. 
The  rest  of  the  family  were  invited  to  dine,  but  I 
was  left  out  in  the  cold=T\\Q  rest  of  the  family  were 
invited  to  dine,  but  I  was  not. 


SLANG    AND    CANT    PHRASES.  401 

Leg  it,  to  =  To  run  away;  to  make  tracks,  (c) 

He   legged  it  for  home  =  He  ran  towards  home. 
Leg  it  as  fast  as  you  can  =r Run  as  fast  as  you  can. 
ILet  Iter  rip,  to  =  To  let  any  thing  in  motion  go  at 
full  speed ;  to  speak  out ;  to  suffer  a  thing  to  go  its 
own  way.  (c) 
Give  the  mare  rein,  and  let  her  rip /  =  Give  the 
mare  rein,  and  let  her  go  as  slie  will.     I  have  shot 
your  cat,  and  if  you  have  any  thing  to  say,  let  her 
rip  I  -1  have  shot  your  cat,  and  if  you  have  any 
thing  to  say,  speak  out.     My  old  barn  is  on  lire — let 
her  rip  ;  I'm  insured  =  My  old  barn  is  on  fire — let  it 
burn  as  freely  as  it  will ;  I  have  an  insurance  on  it. 
LiCt  on,   to  =  To   give   intimation   of   having   some 
knowledge  of  a  subject,  {h) 
Don't  let  on  about  our  engagement  =  Do  not  give 
any  intimation  that  you  know  of  our  engagement. 
He  was  telling  me  of  the  proposed  pedestrian  tour 
of  the  club,  but  I  did  not  let  on  about  it  =  He  was 
informing  me  of  the  proposed  pedestrian  tour  of  the 
club,  but  I  did  not  intimate  that  I  knew  any  thing 
about  it. 
L«ick  =  l.  A  blow,  {h)     2.  An  exertion,  (c) 

1.  The  horse  was  very  lazy ;  but  I  hit  him  a  licky 
and  he  went  faster  =  The  horse  was  very  lazy ;  but 
I  struck  him  a  blow,  and  he  went  faster.  2.  The 
boy  who  was  hoeing  put  in  his  best  lichs^  in  order  to- 
finish  the  work  before  dinner  =  The  boy  who  was 
hoeing  exerted  himself  vigorously,  in  order  to  finish 
the  work  before  dinner. 
Liicking  =  A  flogging;  a  castigation.  (c) 

He  deserves  a  licking  for  his  bad  conducts  He 
deserves  a  whipping  for  his  bad  conduct.     "  You'll 
get  a  licking  from  tlie  teacher,  if  you  play  truant," 
said  one  boy  to  another  =  "  The  teacher  will   flog 
you,  if  you  play  truant,"  said  one  boy  to  another. 
Liick  into   §]iape,  to  =  To  give  order  or  shape  to 
something  which  is  rude  or  imperfect ;  to  improve ; 
to  revise  ;  to  refashion,  (c) 
The  resolutions,  reported  by  the  committee,  were 
unsatisfactory ;  but  the  convention  licked  them  into 
shape  — T\iQ    resolutions    which    the    committee  re- 
ported to  the  convention  were  not  satisfactory ;  but 
the  convention  revised  them.     The  directors  of  the 
insurance  company  ticked  the  secretary's  report  into 
shape^  before  publishing  it  =  The  directors  of  the  in- 
surance company  refashioned  the  imperfect  report 
of  the  secretary,  before  making  it  public. 
Liike  blaze§  =  Furiously,  (c) 

He  ran,  like  blazes^  when  the  bull  came  at  him  = 
27 


\ 


402  SLANG   AND    CANT    PHRASES. 

He  ran  furiously,  when  tlie  bull  came  at  liim.     It 
snowed  and  blew  like  blazes  =  lt  snowed  and  blew 
furiously. 
Limb  of  the  Iaw=:  A  member  of  the  legal  profes- 
sion ;  a  lawj^er.  (c) 
The  pickpocket  was  defended  by  a  young  limb  of 
the  law,  who  has  recently  opened  an  office  in  town 
=  The  pickpocket  was  defended  by  a  young  lawyer, 
who  has  recently  opened  an  office  in  town. 
Liquor  or  liquor  up,  to  =  To  take  a  dram  ;  to  drink 
liquor.     (U.  S.) 
Let's  liquor  up^Juet  us  take  a  drink.     After  fin- 
ishing the  game  of  cards,  the  gamblers  went  to  a 
saloon,  to  liquor = After  finishing  the  game  of  cards 
the  gamblers  visited  a  saloon,  to  take  a  dram. 
Lioafem  A  lazy  vagabond,  (a) 

The  eastern  part  of  the  city  is  full  of  loafers  =  The 
eastern  part  of  the  city  is  full  of  lazy  vagabonds. 
L.ob§ter  =  Eedcoat ;  English  soldier,  (a) 

There  goes  a  company  of  lobsters  =  There  goes  a 
company  of  English  soldiers. 
IjOg[-roIling   (U.    S.)  =  Mutual  help  among  Congress- 
men, to  pass  each  other's  favorite  measures,  (a) 
There  is  a  great  deal  of  log-rolling  in  Congress  = 
Many  members  of  Congress  vote  for  each  other's  pet 
measures  (just  as  all  the  men  of  a  new  settlement 
work  together  rolling  the  logs  off  their  grounds  by 
turns).     This  railroad  bill  and  this  whiskey  bill  were 
carried  by  log-rolling  in  Congress = This  railroad  bill 
and  this  whiskey  bill  were  carried  by  the  mutual 
co-operation  and  bargaining  of  certain  Congressmen 
to  support  each  other's  favorite  measures. 
LiOpe,  to  =  To  leap ;  to  run  with  a  long  step,  as  a 
dog.  {b) 
He  went  loping  down  the  street  =  He  went  down 
the  street,  running  with  a  long  step. 
l,oucl  =  Flashy ;  showy — said  of  dress  or  manner,  (b) 
He   wore   clothes   of    a   loud  pattern  =  He   wore 
clothes  which  attracted  attention  by  the  showiness 
of  the  material  or  the  style. 
liump,  to  =  To  dislike,  (c) 

I  shall  order  my  boy  to  work  in  the  garden  to- 
morrow ;  and  if  he  does  not  like  it,  he  may  lump  it 
=  1  shall  order  my  boy  to  work  in  the  garden  to- 
morrow ;  and  if  he  does  not  like  it,  let  him  dislike 
it. 
I^ynch,  to  (U.  S.)  =  To  inflict  punishment  without  a 
legal  trial,  as  by  a  mob,  or  by  unauthorized  per- 
sons, (a) 
The  horse  thieves  were  taken  by  the  people  and 


SLANG   AND    CANT    PHRASES.  403 

lynched—  The  people  caught  the  horse  thieves,  and 
inflicted  penalty  upon  them  without  the  form  of  law. 
I^ynch-la^r  ==  Summary   punishment,   without   legal 
trial,  by  private  unauthorized  persons,  (a) 
The  people  applied  lynch-laiv  to  the  murderer  of 
the  aged  couple  =  Some  citizens,  in  their  private  ca- 
pacity, inflicted  summary  punishment,  without  legal 
trial,  upon  the  murderer  of  an  aged  pair. 


M. 

Make  g^ame  of,  to  =  To  hoax ;  to  impose  on  one's 
credulity.  (Z>) 
You  are  making  game  of  me  by  your  stories  about 
the  large  fish  you  caught  =  You  are  hoaxing  me  by 
your  stories  about  the  large  fish  you  caught. 
Make  mince-meat  of,  to  =  To  cut  to  pieces ;  to  de- 
molish, (c) 
The  editor  made  mince-meat  of  the  speaker's  argu- 
ment =  The  editor  demolished  the  speaker's  argu- 
ment. 
Make  no  bone§  of,  to  =  To  make  no  scruple ;  not 
to  hesitate  ;  to  find  no  diflSculty.  (c)  ♦ 

The  mayor  made  no  hones  of  telling  the  treasurer, 
that  the  council  wished  him  to  resign  his  ofiice=: 
The  mayor  did  not  hesitate  to  tell  the  treasurer,  that 
the  council  wished  him  to  resign  his  ofiice.     I  make 
no  hones  of  saying  that  you  are  a  thief  =  I  do  not 
hesitate  to  say  that  you  are  a  thief.     He  made  no 
hones  of  asking  the  governor  for  an  ofiice  =  He  did 
not  hesitate  to  ask  the  governor  for  an  office. 
Make  one'§  self  scarce,  to  =:To  be  off;  to  decamp ; 
to  clear  out ;  to  absent  one's  self,  (c) 
The  thief  made  himself  scarce^  when  he  saw  the 
policeman  coming  =  The  thief  decamped,  on  seeing 
the  policeman  approach.     He  had  offended  them  all, 
and  he  made  himself  scarce  —  He  had  given  offense  to 
all,  and  he  took  himself  off,  or  withdrew  himself 
from  their  company.     You  are  not  wanted   here, 
and  I  wish  you  to  make  yourself  scarce=l  wish  you 
to  keep  out  of  the  way,  for  you  are  not  wanted. 
Make  tracks,  to  =  To  run  away,  (c) 

When  the  boys  were  discovered,  they  made  tracks 
=  When  the  boys  were  discovered,  they  ran  away. 
Mig^hty  =  Greatly  ;  very  excellent ;  fine,  (h) 

I  am  mighty  glad  that  I  can  go  to  Boston  =  I  am 
very  glad  that  I  can  go  to  Boston.  He  looks  mighty 
feeble  =  He  looks  very  feeble. 


404  SLANG   AND    CANT   PHRASES. 

Mill  =  A  set-to ;  a  pugilistic  encounter,  (h) 

The  two  roughs  met  in  a  retired  street  and  had  a 
97227^= The  two  coarse  bullies  met  in  a  retired  street 
and  had  a  pugilistic  encounter. 
■^Mizzle,  to  =  To  take  one's  self  off;   to  go;   to  run 
away,  (c) 
He  staid  half  an  hour,  and  then  mizzled— lie  staid 
a  half-hour,  and  then  took  himself  off.     I  have  fed 
you :  now  mizzle  !  —  1  have  fed  you :  now  be  off !  go 
away ! 
Molly g^rubs    or    mulligrubs  =  1.  Stomach-ache.     2. 
Sullenness.  (c) 
1.  He  has  the  molly  grubs— Tie  has  a  pain  in  the 
bowels.     2.  He  has  had  th^muUigrubs  for  two  days 
,  =  He  has  been  in  a  sullen  mood  for  two  days. 
Moonshine  =  Palaver;  deception;  humbug,  (a) 

His  talk  about  new  gold  mines  is  all  moonshine 
=  His  talk  about  new  gold  mines  is  palaver  and 
humbug.  The  report  that  Mr.  and  Mrs.  A.  have 
separated  is  all  moonshine  =  The  report  that  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  A.  have  separated  is  wholly  fictitious. 
Mug  =  Face;  countenance;  mouth,  (c) 

What  an  ugly  mvgf    have   you  been  fighting? 
=:What  an  ugly  face  1  have  you  been  fighting?     He 
drinks  so  much  whiskey  that  he  carries  a  red  mug= 
He  drinks  so  much  whiskey  that  he  carries  a  red 
countenance. 
Muster    or    musta   (Anglo-Indian)  =  A  pattern;    a 
sample  of  any  kind  of  merchandise,  (a) 
Will  you  send  me  a  muster  of  your  best  tea  ?  = 
Will  you  send  me  a  sample  of  your  best  tea? 
My  uncle  =  A  pawnbroker,  (c) 

My  watch  is  at  my  uncle' s=Mj  watch  is  at  the 
pawnbrokers.  His  uncle  has  his  diamond  pin  =  His 
diamond  pin  is  pawned. 


Nag,  to  =  To  steadily  find  fault ;  to  tease ;  to  annoy,  (c) 
Mrs.  A.  nags  her  servants  =: Mrs.  A.  is  wont  to 
annoy  her  servants  by  fault  finding. 
ligation  =  Yery  or  extremely,  (c) 

That  illumination  was  nation  fine  =  That  illumi- 
nation was  very  fine.     I  was  nation  glad  to  get  home 
=  I  was  very  glad  to  get  home. 
Bfatty  =  Spruce;  neatly  fine;  pretty,  {b) 

He  had  a  natty  little  cane  at  the  circus = He  had  a 
neat  and  pretty  little  cane  at  the  circus.  She  is"  a 
natty  little  woman  =  She  is  a  neat  little  woman. 


SLANG   AND    CANT    PHRASES.  405 

Mncompoop  =  A  blockhead ;    a  trifling  dotard  ;   a 
silly  fool. 

If  joii  believe  what  he  says,  you  are  a  nincompoop 
=  You  are  a  silly  fool  if  you  believe  what  he  says. 
'^'arobby  =  Stylish ;  fashionable,  (often  applied  to  hats). 

(b) 
Isn't  that  a  7iobby  hat?  =  Is  not  that  an  elegant 
hat?     I  bought  a  iiobby  coat  for  $10  =  1  bought  a 
stylish  coat  for  $10. 
No  go  =  'Not  successful ;  a  failure,  (b) 

A  new  literary  club  was  organized  in  that  city 
last  year;  but  it  was  no  go=A  new  literary  club 
was  organized  in  that  city  last  year ;  but  it  did  not 
succeed. 
No  great  8liake§  =  Of  little  consequence  or  worth  ; 
unimportant,  (b) 
I  sent  my  son  to  the  new  boarding-school,  but  the 
teacher  is  no  great  shakes  =  I  sent  my  son  to  the  new 
boarding-school,  but  the  teacher  is  not  a  superior 
one. 
Notion  =  Inclination  ;   intention,  (b) 
■^    xl  have  a  notion  I  will  go  to-morrow = I  intend  to 
go  to-morrow.     He  has  some  notion  of  selling  his 
farm,  and  removing  to  California = He  is  somewhat 
Vv       inclined  to  sell  his  farm,  and  remove  to  California. 
-^^JVotion§  =  Small   articles;    trifling   things;    Yankee 
notions,  (a) 
This  firm  deals  in  notions  =  This  firm  deals  in  vari- 
ous small  wares.     I  must  go  to  the  store  and  get 
some  notions  =  I  must  go  the  store  and  purchase  some 
small  articles  of  daily  use,  such  as,  thread,  needles, 
\  ,   buttons,  laces,  etc. 
^Nuts  =  Something   fortunate,    or   desirable;    a  good 
thing,  (c) 
Mr.  A's  uncle  has  left  him  a  legacy — that's  nuts 
for  him  =  Mr.  A's  uncle  has  left  him  a  legacy — that's 
fortunate  for  him. 
Nuts  on,  to  be  =  To  be  pleased  with  or  fond  of,  a 
person  or  thing,  (c) 
The  boy  is  nuts  on  the  new  teacher  =  The  boy  is 
fond  of  the  new  teacher. 


o. 

Obfuscated  =  Bewildered  with  drink;    confused  by 
intoxication,  (b) 
He  was  slightly  obfuscated =^e  was  somewhat  in- 
toxicated.    He  was  so  obfuscated  that  he  could  not 


^ 


406  SLANG    AND    CANT    PHRASES. 

find  his  way  home  =  He  was  so  confused  from  drink- 
ing, that  he  was  unable  to  find  his  way  home. 
Old  boy  ;  old  nick  =  The  evil  one.  (b) 

He  ran  as  if  the  old  boy  was  after  him  =  He  ran  as 
if  the  evil  one  was  after  him.     He  acts  as  if  the  old 
nick  was  in  him  =  He  acts  as  if  he  was  inhabited  and 
controlled  by  the  spirit  of  evil. 
On  l$liank§'  mare  =  On  foot ;  by  walking,  (c) 

How  did  you  come  to  town  ?     On  Shanks^  mare= 
How  did  you  come  to  town  ?     On  foot.     My  horse 
is  lame,  and  I  shall  be  obliged  to  ride  to  my  ofiice 
on  Shanks^  mare  =  My  horse  is  lame,  and  I  shall  be 
necessitated  to  walk  to  my  ofiice. 
On  the  move ;   on  the  go  =  Moving  or  going,  in 
conformity  to  a  restless  habit  or  disposition,  (a) 
The  settler  who  purchased  the  farm  last  year  has 
sold  out,  and  is  on  the  move  again  =  The  settler  who 
purchased  the  farm  last  year  has  sold  out,  and  is 
moving  again,  as  he  is  wont  to  do.     That  child  is 
continually  on  the  go  =  That  child  is  very  restless, 
constantly  going  somewhere. 
On  the  rampage,  to  he=To  conduct  in  an  excited 
or  violent  manner,  (b) 
Mr.  M.  is  on  the  rampage=M.r.  M.  conducts  in  a 
violent  manner. 

ver  the  left — ^An  affirmation  to  the  contrary ;  an 
exclamation  of  disbelief  in  what  is  being  narrated. 

Is  Dr.  O.  a  skillful  physician  ?     Yes — over  the  left 
=  Is  Dr.  O.  a  skillful  physician  ?     He  is  not. 


P. 

Padding  =  Any  thing  inserted  in  a  publication  or  a 
speech  to  fill  it  out.  (c) 
The  magazine  for  this  month  contains  much  pad- 
ding =ThG  magazine  for  this  month  contains  much 
,    worthless  matter  inserted  to  fill  it  out. 
^- Pan  out,  to  —  To  appear  as  a  result ;  to  develop ;  to 
issue  in.  (c) 
His  manufacture  of  woolen  cloths  did  not  pan  out 
very  well  =  His  manufacture  of  woolen  cloths  did 
not  prove  very  profitable.     I  have  made  a  new  ac- 
quaintance, but  I  can  not  tell  how  he  will  pan  out 
=  1  have  recently  become  acquainted  with  a  man, 
but  I  can  not  tell  how  worthy  and  valuable  a  per- 
son he  will  prove  to  be. 
Paul  Pry  =  An  inquisitive  person,  (c) 


SLANG    AND    CANT    PHKASES.  407 

Macaulay,  the  English  essayist,  calls  Boswell  the 
biographer,  a  ''Paul  Pr2/"  =  Wlien  Macaulay  the 
English  essayist,  calls  Boswell  the  biographer,  a 
Paul  Pry,  he  means  that  Boswell  was  an  inquisitive 
person. 
Peel,  to  =  To  strip  or  disrobe.     (Sporting),  (c) 

Being  insulted,  the  men  peeled  and  went  in  for  a 
fight  =  Being  insulted,  the  men  took  off  their  coats 
and  began  to  fight. 
Peeler  (Eng.)  =  A  policeman ;  an  ofiicer  for  preserv- 
ing order,  (b) 
The  peelers  have  caught  the   thief  =  The  police 
have  arrested  the  thief.     When  the  burglar  saw  the 
peeler^  he  sloped  ==  When  the  burglar  saw  the  police- 
man, he  ran  away. 
Pesky  =  Yexing ;  troublesome,  (h) 

Put  the  pesky  dog  out  =  Put  the  troublesome  dog 
out.     I've  got  a  pesky  cold  in  my  head  =  I  have  an 
annoying  cold  in  my  head. 
Peter  out,  to=  To  run  short ;  to  give  out.  (U.  S.)  (c) 
His  business  was  promising  at  first,  but  has  petered 
out  =  ll\s>  business  was  promising  at  first,  but  has 
come  to  nothing. 
Ptaiz     (short    for     Physiognomy)  =  Face ;    counte- 
nance, {b) 
When  I  met  him,  he  had  a  smile  on  his  phiz  — 
When  I  met  him,  he  had  a  smile  on  his  face.     What 
an  ugly  phiz  that  criminal  has !  =  What  an  ugly  face 
that  criminal  has. 
Pickaninny  =  A  negro  baby  or  small  child.     Colored 
people  at  the  South  call  their  babies,  pickaninnies. 

We  saw  several  pickaninnies  in  front  of  the  cabin 
=  We  saw  several  small  negro  children  in  front  of 
the  cabin. 
Pile  =  A  sum  of  money ;   generally,  the  whole  of  a 
man's  private  means,  (h) 
He  has  made  a  pile  in  silk  manufacturing  ==  He 
has  made  a  great  deal  of  money  in   silk  manufac- 
tures.    I  will  bet  my  pile  on  that  horse  =  I  will  bet 
all  the  money  I  have  got,  on  that  horse. 
Pins  =  Legs,  (c) 

I  was  nearly  knocked  off  my  pins  by  the  butting 

ram  =  I  was  nearly  knocked  down  by  the  butting 

ram.     Glad  to  see  you  on  your  pins  again,  after 

your  illness  =  I  am  glad  to  see  you  on  your  legs,  i.  e. 

well  enough  to  be  up  again,  after  your  illness. 

Played  out=l.  Finished.     2.  Carried  too  far.    (IJ. 

S.)  (J) 

1.  This  has  been  a  hard  day's  work,  and  I  am 


408  SLANG   AND    CANT    PHRASES. 

played  out=l  am  very  tired  with  the  hard  day's 
work.     2.  That  excuse  for  your  tardiness  at  school 
is  played  ow^  =  That  excuse  for   your   tardiness   at 
school  can  not  be  used  any  longer  (it  is  worn  out). 
2.  Stop  now  !  that  fooling  is  played  out  —  Stop  !  you 
have  fooled  enough. 
Pony  (College  cant)  =  A  translation  of  some  author 
studied,  {h) 
Some  students  are  in  the  habit  of  using  'ponies  in 
Greek  or  Latin = Some  students  are  in  the  habit  of 
^      using  translations  of  the  Greek  or  Latin  authors. 
sPony  up,  to  =  To  pay ;  to  settle  an  account.     (U.  S.) 

(*) .  . 

It  is  time  to  pony  up  on  that  bill = It  is  time  to 
\      pay  that  bill. 
>Pop  the  question,  to  =  To  propose  marriage,  (a) 
The  bashful  lover  finds  it  difficult,  to   summon 
courage   to   pop    the    question  — Y^q    bashful    lover 
finds   it   difficult,  to   summon  courage  to   propose 
marriage. 
Posted — often  with  up = Well  acquainted  with  the 
subject  in  question,  (a) 
He  is  well   posted  in   old   and   rare   books = He 
knows  all  about  old  and  rare  books.     I  will  keep 
you  posted  as  to  my  health  =  I  will  keep  you  well- 
informed  as  to  my  health.     I  inquired  of  him  the 
market  price  of  wheat;   but  he  said  he  was  not 
posted=l  asked  him  what  was  the  market  price  of 
wheat;  but  he  said  that  he  had  not  kept  himself 
informed  on  that  matter. 
Po-werful^l.  Great;   uncommon — a  vulgar    west- 
ernism.     2.  Exceedingly  ;  very,  (h) 
1.  There  is  a  powerful  crop  of  com  this  year  = 
There  is  a  large  crop  of  corn  this  year.     2.  He  is  a 
powerful  smart  lawyer = He  is  a  very  able   lawyer. 
2.  The  roads  are  powerful  muddy  =  The  roads  are 
exceedingly  muddy. 
Pre-empt,  to  =  To  settle  on  government  land,  with 
privilege  of  purchasing  it.     (U.  S.)  (a) 
He  has  pre-empted  some  land  in  the  West  =  He 
has  taken  possession  of  some  new  land  in  the  West, 
and  is  therefore  entitled  to  buy  the  land,  of  the 
United  States  government,  at  a  certain  price. 
^  Prog  =  Victuals;  food;  supplies,  (c) 

Come,  let's  have  some  /)ro^=:  Come,  let  us  have 

some  food.     If  we  go  into  the  woods  to  cut  timber, 

we  must  carry  our  ^ro^  =  If  we  go  to  the  forest  to 

cut  timber,  we  shall  need  to  carry  our  food  with  us. 

.„    Pucker = Bother ;  state  of  agitation,  or  perplexity. 


SLANG   AND    CANT    PHRASES.  409 

Well,  I  am  in   a  pucker  now!    the  servant  has 
locked  the  pantrj,  and  gone  out  =  Well,  I  am  in 
perplexity  now  !  the  servant  has  locked  the  pantry, 
and  gone  out.     She  was  all  in  a  pucker,  because  of 
the  chimney's  taking  fire  =  She  was  much  agitated, 
by  reason  of  the  chimney's  taking  fire. 
Pummel,  to  =  To  bruise  by  beating ;  to  beat  as  with 
a  pummel ;  to  thrash,  (h) 
The  pugilists   pummeled   each   other  well  =  The 
pugilists  beat  each  other  well.     If  you  hurt  my  cat, 
I  will  give  you  a  good  pummeling  —  I  will  give  you 
a  hard  beating,  if  you  injure  my  cat. 
Pump,  to  =  To  extract  information  by  artful  ques- 
tioning, {b) 
The  traveler  pumped  his  seat-mate  in  regard  to 
his  political  opinions  =  The  traveler  sought  to  learn 
the  political  opinions  of  his  seat-mate,   by   artful 
questioning. 
Put,  to  =  To  clear  out ;  to  go  away,  (c) 

Put  for  home  as  fast  as  you  can  =  Run  home  as 
fast  as  you  can.     Off  with  you  boys !     Put  I  —  Clear 
out  boys,  run  away  from  here ! 
Put  in  an  appearance,  to  =  To  appear ;  to  present 
one's  self;  to  be  seen,  (c) 
Since  the  day  that  the  law  concerning  them  took 
effect,  the  tramps  have  not  put  in  an  appearance^ 
Since  the  day  the  tramp  law  took  effect,  the  tramps 
have  not  been  seen.     When  the  hour  for  opening 
the  court  arrived,  the  judge  did  not  put  in  an  ap- 
pearance, owing  to  the  detention  of  the  train  =  At 
the  hour  for  opening  the  court,  the  judge  was  not 
present,  owing  to  the  detention  of  the  train. 
Put-up  job,  a=:An  undertaking; — usually  one  of 
bad  or  doubtful  character,  conceived  and  carefully 
arranged  beforehand,  (c) 
That  burglary  was  a  put-up  yoJ  =  That  burglary 
was  carefully  and  minutely  planned  in  advance. 
Put  upon  =  Cheated  ;  victimized ;  oppressed,  (c) 

He  was  put  upon,  by  a  peddler,  in  the  matter  of 
jewelry  —  He  was  cheated,  by  a  peddler,  in  purchas- 
ing jewelry. 


Q. 

Quod  =  Prison;  jail.  (5) 

He's  in  quod  for  stealing  =  He  is  in  prison  for 
stealing.  •  While  he  was  in  quod,  he  was  kept  at 
work  making  baskets  =  While  he  was  in  jail,  the 
employment  of  making  baskets  was  assigned  to  him. 


410  SLANG   AND    CANT    PHRASES. 


E. 

'Rag,'8hag^   or  tag,   and  bobtails  A  miscellaneous 
crowd ;  a  company  of  vagabonds  or  ragamuffins,  (c) 
In  the  rear  of  the  procession  marched  the  rag^ 
shag,   and  bobtail  =  1ji   the   rear   of    the    procession 
marched  a  company  of  vagabonds  or  ill-clad  persons. 
Rapscallion  =  Low  villain  ;  a  rascal ;  a  low,  tattered 
wretch,  (c) 
He  is  a  rapscallion;    he  has   committed  several 
petty  crimes = Pie  is  a  low  villain ;  he  has  committed 
several  petty  crimes. 
Retire,  to  ( U.    S.)=  To  withdraw  to  one's  bed-room ; 
to  go  to  bed.  (a) 
I  am  weary,  and  shall  retire  early  to-night  =  1  am 
weary,  and  shall  go  to  bed  to-night  at  an  early  hour. 
Rib  =  Wife ;  better  half,  (c) 

He  has  gone  out  with  his  rib  =  He  has  gone  out 
with  his  wife. 
Ribbons  =  Harness-lines  ;  reins,  (c) 

He  held  the  ribbons  lightly  in  his  left  hand  =  He 
held  the  reins  lightly  in  his  left  hand.     That  stage- 
driver  handles  the  ribbons  finely  =  That  stage-driver 
guides  his  horses  skillfully. 
Ride  (Shanks'  mare,  to  =  To  go  on  foot,  (b) 

How  did  you  come  to  town?      I  rode  Shanks^ 
mare  =  How  did  you  come  to  town  ?     I  came  on  foot. 
Right  smart  =  Very  w^ell ;  also, — a  good  deal ;  con- 
siderable.    (U.  S.  local.)  (b) 
How  do  you  do?     I'm  right  s7nari  =  JLow  do  you 
do  ?     I  am  quite  well.     There's  right  smart  of  snow 
=r  There  is  a  great  deal  of  snow.     When  I  feel  right 
smart,  I  will  walk  over  and  visit  you  =  When  I  feel 
well  enough  to  do  so,  I  will  walk  over  and  visit  you. 
Mr.  A.  has  right  smart  of  corn  this  year  =  Mr.  A.  has 
a  good  deal  of  corn  this  year. 
Road-agent  =  A    highwayman,    especially    on    the 
stage  routes  of  the  unsettled  western  parts  of  the 
United  States,  (a) 
On  the  western  plains  (U.   S.)  detachments  of 
military  used  sometimes  to  accompany  the  stages 
for  protection  against  road-agents  =  Detachments  of 
military  used  sometimes  to  accompany  the  stages  in 
their  journey  over  the  western  plains  (U.  S.)  as  a 
means  of  protection  against  highwaymen. 
Rocks  =  Money,  (c) 

You  need  not  hesitate  to  furnish  the  boy  with  an 
expensive  suit  of  clothes;  his  father  has  the  rocks  = 


SLANG   AND    CANT    PHRASES.  411 

You  need  not  hesitate  to  supply  the  boy  with  an 
expensive  suit  of  clothes,  for  his  father  has  plenty 
of  money  (is  rich). 
Rotg^ut  =  In  England,  bad  beer  or  deleterious  liquor 
of  any  kind.     In  America,  cheap,  vile  whiskey,  (a) 
He   will   kill   himself   drinking   rotgut=Ii.e   will 
destroy  his  life  by  the  use  of  cheap,  poisonous  liq- 
uors. 
Rough,  a  =  A  rude  swaggerer ;    a  coarse  bully ;  a 
riotous,  turbulent,  fighting  fellow,  (a) 
The  new  recruits  for  this  regiment  contained  a 
few  New  York   roughs =There  were  a  few  coarse 
bullies  from  New  York  among  the  new  recruits  of 
this  regiment.     On  the  day  of  the  circus,  the  train 
was  boarded  by  a  gang  of  roughs  who  were  very  in- 
solent =  On  the  day  of  the  circus,  a  gang  of  riotous, 
fighting  fellows,  who  were  very  insolent,  got    on 
board  the  train. 
Roiigb  on  one,  to  be  =  To  treat  one  rudely,  un- 
kindly, or  in  a  faithless  manner,  (b) 
He  was  rather  rough  on  you  in  reporting  the  in- 
formation you  gave  him,  and  which  you  charged 
him  to  keep  secret  =  He  treated  you  rudely  or  faith- 
lessly, in  giving  currency  to  the  information  which 
you  furnished  him,  and  which  you  requested  him  to 
keep  secret. 
Rowdy  =  A  turbulent  fellow ;  a  lawless  rioter.     (U. 
S.)  (a) 

He  grew  up  in  the  streets,  and  has  become  a 
young  roi67(/2/  =  He  grew  up  in  the  streets,  and  has 
become  a  lawless,  and  turbulent,  young  fellow. 
Rum — Used  of  any  thing  indifi'erent,  bad,  questiona- 
ble, or  queer.     (Provincial  English.)  (b) 
He  is  a  rum  un  !  =  He  is  a  fellow  of  singular  ap- 
pearance.    This  is  a  rum  carriage  =  This  is  an  indif- 
ferent carriage. 
Run,  to=:To  make  teasing  remarks  to;  to  worry; 
to  nag.  (b) 
The  boys  ran  their  companion,  for  having  once 
fallen  asleep  in  the  car,  and  been  carried  past  his 
destination  =  The  boys  teased  their  companion,  be- 
cause he  once  fell  asleep  on  the  cars,  and  suffered 
himself  to  be  carried  past  his  proposed  stopping- 
place. 
Run  one'§  face,  to  =  To   obtain  credit  in  a  bold 
manner,  (a) 
The  man  bought  a  gold  watch,  and  ran  his  face 
for  it,  at  the  jeweler's  ==  The  man  bought  a  gold 
watch  of  the  jeweler,  and  obtained  credit  for  it  in  a 
bold  manner. 


412  SLANG   AND    CANT   PHRASES. 


s. 

Sad  dog  =  A  merry  fellow;  a   joker;  a  "gay"  or 
"fast"  man.  (a) 
Have  you  ever  seen  him  ?  he  is  a  sad  dog  =  Have 
you  ever  seen  him  ?  he  is  a  merry  joker.     What  a 
\sad_dgg-J  he  has  already  spent  a  large  part  of  his 
patrimony  =  What  a  "fast"  fellow!  he  has  already 
spent  a  large  part  of  his  patrimony. 
Save  one's  baeon,  to  =  To  escape  castigation;  to 
escape  loss,  (c) 

The  man  who  took  a  hag  of  apples  from  the  or- 
chard, was  obliged  to  pay  for  them,  in  order  to  save 
his  bacon  =  The  man  who  took  a  bag  of  apples  from 
the  orchard,  was  obliged  to  pay  for  them,  in  order 
to  escape  punishment. 
Sauce  =  Sauciness  ;  impertinence,  (c) 

You  may  go,  I  don't  want  any  of  your  sauce  = 
You  may  go,  I  do  not  want  any  of  your  impertinent 
^    talk. 
^auce,  to  =  To  treat  with  pert  or  impudent  language. 
~^He^  sauced  me  to  my  .  face  =  He  talked   imperti- 
nently to  me.     The  boy  sauced  the  gardener,  who  had 
told  him  not  to  tread  on  the  flower  beds  =  The  boy 
spoke  pertly  and  disrespectfully  to  the  gardener, 
who  had  told  him  not  to  tread  on  the  flower  beds. 
Saivtoones^A  surgeon,  (c) 

His  arm  was  amputated  by  a  young  sawbones  = 
His  arm  was  amputated  by  a  young  surgeon. 
Sawney  =  1.  A  native   of   Scotland;    nickname   for 
Alexander.     2.  A  simple  or  awkward  fellow,  (c) 
1.  There  are  lots  of  Sawneys  in  the  city  =  There 
are  many  Scotchmen  in  the  city.     2.  Do  you  know 
'^^that  sawney  who  is  crossing  the  street  ?  =  Do  you 
know  that  awkward    fellow   who    is    crossing   the 
street  ? 
Scalawag  =  A  miserable  scamp  ;  a  scapegrace.     (U. 
S.)(c) 

He  is  a  regular  scalawag ;  he  has  not  paid  his 
board  bill  =  He  is  a  miserable  scamp,  for  he  has  not 
paid  for  his  board.     You  scalawag^  why  did  you  not 
keep  your  promise  of  coming  to  work  for  me,  in- 
stead of  going  fishing  ?  =  You  faithless  fellow,  why 
did  you  go  fishing,  instead  of  coming  to  work  for 
me  as  you  had  promised  ? 
Scamp  =  A  rogue;  a  rascal;  a  scoundrel;  a  cheat. 
(5) 
What  a  scani'p  he  is !  =  What  a  rascal  he  is !     The 


SLANG    AND    CANT    PHRASES.  413 

scamp  has  run  away  without  repaying  the  money 
which  he  borrowed  of  me  =  The  cheat  has  departed 
without  returning  the  money  which  I  loaned  him. 
Scare  up  =  To  discover;  to  find  by  diligent  search, 
(Low).  (c)_ 
Where  did  you  scare  up  such  an  ill-looking  horse 
as  that  ?=^  Where  did  you  discover  such  an  ill-look- 
ing horse  as  that?     Where  did  you  scare  up  that 
book  ?  =  Where  did  you  find  that  book  ? 
Sconee  =  Head — also  brains  ;  sense ;  discretion,  (c)  -~i 
He  gave  you  a  rap  on  the  sconce  —  He  gave  you  a 
blow  on  the  head.     What  did  you  make  such  a  silly 
speech  for?  haven't  you  any  sconce=:^hy  did  you 
make  such  a  silly  speech  ?  have  you  no  judgment  or 
common  sense. 
Scoot,  to  =  To  run  nimbly.    (U.  S.)  (IS) 

The  boy  5coo/ec? "  down  street  when  he  heard  the 
fire  alarms  The  boy  ran  down  street  as  fast  as  he 
could  when  he  heard  the  alarm  of  fire. 
Screamer = Noteworthy  in   any  respect;    first-rate; 
splendid.     (U.  S.  local  and  vulgar.)  (c) 
Isn't  that  new  locomotive  a  screamer  f  =  Is nh  that 
new  locomotive  imposing,  or  powerful,  or  splendid  ? 
— and  the  like. 
Screw   (College   cant.)  =  A   searching    examination, 
thought  to  be  needlessly  minute  by  the  student ; 
also,  the  instructor  so  examining,  (b) 
The  tutor  gave  me  a  legBlajuScxsn^  this  morning  = 
The  tutor  gave  me  a  needlessly  minute  and  tedious 
examination. 
Scre^v    loose,    a  =  Some  irregularity,   disorder,    or 
neglect ;  something  amiss,  (a) 
There's  a  screw  loose  in  the  family  government  = 
Something  is  out  of  order  in  the  family  govenmient. 
There  is  a  screw  loose  between   these   neighbors  = 
These  neighbors  have   become    cold    and    distant 
towards  each  other.     I  have  not  received  the  usual 
dividend  from  my  silver  mining  stocks;   there's  a 
screw  loose  somewhere = I  have  not  received  the  cus- 
tomary dividend   from  my  silver    mining    stocks; 
something  must  be  amiss. 
Screnred  =  Intoxicated,  (c) 

The  boatmen  all  got  pretty  well  screwed=zThe  ■ 
boatmen  all  got  drunk. 
Scrimmage = A  general  row,  or  disturbance,  {b) 

Tliey  had  a  great  scrimmage,  when  they  came  out 

of  the  theatre = There  was  a  great  row,  when  they 

came  out  of  the  theatre. 

^>  Scrumptious  =  Xice;  particular;  fastidious;  fine,  (c) 

Isn't  that  hat  scrumptious ? —  Is  not  that  hat  nice? 


"^ 


414  SLANG    AND    CANT    PHRASES. 

He  sent  me  a  scrum;ptiQm  bouquet  =  He  sent  me  a 
fine  bouquet. 
See  it  out,  to  =  To  remain  till  the  close;  to  witness 
the  completion,  (h) 
The  play  at  the  theatre  was  very  long,  but  I  was 
determined  to  see  it  out^The,  play  at  the  theatre  was* 
very  long,  but  I  was  determined  to  witness  the  com- 
pletion. 
Sell,  a  =  An  imposition ;  a  trick ;  a  deception  ;  a  dis- 
appointment. 
That  advertisement  of  a  juggler's  show,  was  a  bad 
sell=Th.dX  advertisement  of  a  juggler's  show,  was  a 
sham  or  practical  joke.     The  account  of  the  discov- 
ery of  a  petrified  giant  in  Colorado  was  a  seU=z  The 
account  of  the  discovery  of  a  petrified  giant  in  Col- 
orado was  an  imposition. 
Semi-oceasionally  =  Once  in  a  while;  on  rare  oc- 
casions, (c) 

Do  you  smoke  ?     I  take  a  cigar,  semi-occasionally 
=  Do  you  smoke  'i     Once  in  a  while,  I  take  a  cigar. 
Serve  one  the  §aine  sauce,  to  =  To  retaliate  one 
injury  with  another,  (c) 
It  is  not  well  for  us  to  serve  others  with  the  same 
sauce  which  they  may  give  to  us=It  is  not  well  to 
retaliate  the  injuries  which  we  may  receive. 
Set  up,  to  toe  =  To  show  pride;  to  exhibit  vanity. 
(U.  8.)  {h) 

You  appear  to  be  a  good  deal  set  up  by  your  good 
fortune  =  You  appear  to  be  quite  proud  of  your  good 
fortune.  He  is  greatly  set  up  about  his  success  in 
the  regatta  =  He  is  very  proud  of  his  success  in  the 
regatta. 

Seven-shooter  =  A    pistol    with    seven    barrels    or 
chambers,  (a) 
Since  burglaries  have  become  so  frequent,  I  have 
bought  me  a  seve?2-5Aoofer=:  Since  the  commission  of 
burglary  has  become  so  frequent,  I  have  purchased 
a  pistol  capable  of  firing  seven  shots  in  succession. 
N  Sham  Atoraham,  to  —  To  feign  sickness,  in  order  to 
get  rid  of  work,  (c) 
The  convict  is  shamming  Abraham  =  T\\e,  convict 
is  pretending  to  be  sick,  in  order  to  be  released  from 
work. 
Shanty  =r  A  rude,  temporary  habitation,  (a) 

The  shanties  of  the  laborers  are  very  quickly  built 
=  The  small,  poor,  houses  of  the  laborers  are  very 
quickly  built. 
Sheepskin  =  A  college  diploma;  the  record  of  a  de- 
gree conferred,     (tj.  S.)  ih) 
At  the  close  of  his  course  he  brought  home  his 


SLANG    AND    CANT    PHRASES.  415 

sheepsldn  in  triumph  =  On  finishing  his   course   of 
study  he  brought  home  his  diploma  (or  certificate) 
-v^nth  exultation  or  great  joy. 
Sbell  out,  to  =  To  pay  or  count  out  money,  (a) 

The  note  is  due;  shell  out  right  off* !  =  The  note  is 
due ;  pay  the  money  immediately !     He  shelled  out 
freely  for  political  purposes  =  He  gave  money  for 
political  purposes,  readily  and  generously. 
Shindy  =  A  row  ;  a  disturbance  ;  a  melee,  (c) 

After  the  fire  there  was  a  shindy  in  the  street  = 
After  the  fire  there  was  a  disturbance  or  melee  in 
the  street. 
■4 Short  commons  =  Small  allowance  of  food;  scant 
fare  ;  insufficient  provisions,  (c) 

They  were  kept  on  short  commons  during  the  siege 
=  They  did  not  have  enough  to  eat  during  the  siege. 
Some  of  the  hotel  boarders  think  that  they  have 
rather  short  commons  =  Some  of  the  hotel  boarders 
think  that  there  is  rather  a  small  allowance  of  food 
provided  for  them. 

Show  =  Prospect ;    likelihood ;    ground   of   expecta- 
tion. 

"there's  a  good  show  for  him  in  the  army  =  He  has 
good  prospects  of  success  in  the  army.     Let  us  leave 
this  fishing  ground ;  there  is  no  show  here  =  Let  us 
abandon  this  fishing  place ;  there  is  no  likelihood  of 
catching  fish  here. 
Shut  of,  to  he,  or   to  get  =  To  be  rid  of;   to  es- - 
cape  ;  to  be  delivered  from,  (c) 
Lie  is  not  to  be  trusted  ;  l_iimst  he  shut  of  him  = 
I  must  be  rid  of  him,  for  he  is  not  to  be  trusted.     I 
wish  I  could  get  shut  of  this  cold  =  I  wish  I  could  get 
rid  of  this  cold. 
Shut  up,  to  =  To  cease  talking ;  to  be  silent,  (c) 

Tell  him  to  shut  up=Te[l  him  to  be  silent.     Shut 
up,  and  give  me  a  chance  to  say  something  =  Cease 
talking,  and  allow  me  an  opportunity  of  speaking. 
Shy,  to  =  To  throw  sidewise,  or  with  careless  jerk ; 
to  fiing.  (c) 
He  shied  a  stone  at  me,  and  then  ran  round  the 
corner  =  He  threw  a  stone  at  me,  and  then  ran  round 
the  corner. 
Simon-pure  =  Unadulterated  ;  genuine,  (c) 

This  is  the  real  Simon-pure  article  =  This  is  the 
genuine  thing. 
Sing  out,  to  =  To  call  loudly ;  to  shout,  (c) 

When  you  find  a  good  tree  for  walnuts,  sing  out= 
When  you  find  a  good  tree  for  walnuts,  call  to  me. 
The  farmer  sang  out  to  his  hired  man  at  the  other 


416  SLANG    AND    CANT    PHRASES. 

end  of  the  field,  "Bring  me  a  rake "  =  The  farmer 
shouted  to  his  hired  man  at  the  other  end  of  the 
field,  "  Bring  me  a  rake." 
Skedaddle,  to=:To  go  off  in  a  hurry;  to  retreat; 
to  scamper,  (c) 
When  the  battery  opened,  the  enemy  skedaddled = 
The  enemy  ran  away,  when  the  battery  began  to 
fire.     The  green  troops  w^ill  skedaddle  at  the  first 
sound  of  cannon  =  The  inexperienced  soldiers  will 
run  away,  when  they  hear  cannon. 
ISkin-flint  =  A  miser ;  a  niggard  ;  a  very  penurious 
person,  (c) 
He  is  a  skin-flint ;  he  charged  his  neighbor  for  a 
ride  to  town  with  him  =  lie  is  meanjy  penurious; 
he  made  his  neighbor  pay  for  riding  into  town  in  his 
wagon,  by  his  side. 
Snap  —  Briskness  ;  vigor ;  energy,  (a) 

He  has  not  snap  enough  to  succeed  in  business  = 
He  lacks  the  energy  or  briskness  necessary  to  success 
in  business. 
Soekdologer  =  A  heavy  blow  ;  that  which   finishes 
a  matter ;  that  from  which  there  is  no  escape ;  a 
disastrous  event.  (IT.  S.)  (c) 
In  retaliation  for  his  vile  language,  he  gave  him  a 
sockdohger  between  the  eyes  :=  In  retaliation  for  his 
vile  language,  he  gave  him  a  blow  between  the  eyes 
sufiicient  to  stun  him.     This  letter,  calling  on  him 
to  resign,  will  be  a  sockdohger  for  him  =  This  letter, 
calling  on  him  to  resign,  will  be  disastrous  to  Ijim. 
Soft-soap,  to  =  To  use  flattery  in  a  coarse  manner,  (c) 
Don't  soft-soap  me=Do  not  try  to  influence  me  by 
flattery. 
Soft-soap  =  Coarse  flattery ;  ironical  praise,  (c) 

His  letter  was  full  of  soft-soap  =  His  letter  was  full 
of  coarse  flattery  intended  to  win  my  regard  for  him. 
Sold  =  Imposed  upon;  deceived;  cheated,  {a) 

Mr.  A.  was  badly  sold  in  the  purchase  of  his  new 
horse  =  Mr.  A.  was  greatly  deceived  or  cheated  in 
buying  his  new  horse. 
Some  or  one  of  these  days  =  Hereafter ;  at  some 
future  time,  indefinite;  before  many  days,  {b) 
If  the  bridge  is  not  repaired,  there  will  be  an  ac- 
cident some  of  these  days  =  Unless  the  bridge  is  re- 
paired, it  will  cause  an  accident  at  some  time  in  the 
future.     One  of  these  days,  I  shall  drive  to  your  house 
and  take  you  to  ride  =  At  some  future  day,  not  far 
distant,  I  shall  drive  to  your  house  with  the  inten- 
tion of  taking  you  to  ride. 
Spell  =  1.  A  turn  of  work,  (c)     2.  A  short  period;  a 
brief  time,  {b) 


SLANG    AND    CANT    PHRASES.  417 

1.  When  the  ship  sprang  a  leak,  each  passenger 
took  a  spell  at  the  pumps  =  When   the  ship    com- 
menced  leaking,    each   passenger    worked    at    the 
pumps  in  his  turn.     2.  We  have  just  had  a  spell  of 
very  hot  weather = A  short  period  of  very  hot  weath- 
er has  just  closed. 
Spitfire  =  A  violent,  irascible,  passionate   person,  (c) 
She  is  a  perfect  5/?z{/zre= She  is  a  person  of  pas- 
sionate temper. 
Splice,  to=:To  unite  in  marriage,  (c) 

The  mate  and  his  bride  were  spliced  yesterday  = 

The  mate  and  his  bride  were  married  yesterday. 

Spooney  =  A  weak-minded,  or  silly  person;  weakly 

or  foolishly  fond,  {h) 

He  is  spooney  on  the  girls  =  He  manifests  a  foolish 

fondness  fur  young  ladies.     Mr.  A.  was  the  greatest 

.  spooney  in   our   ckvss   at   college  =  Mr.   A.  was  the 

silliest  member  of  our  college  class. 
Spoon§  =  The   condition   of   two  persons    who    are 

deeply  in  love,  (c) 
"^     Itjs  a  case  of  spoons\w\i\\  that  young  man  and 
young  woman  =  That  young  man  and  young  woman 
are  deeply  in  love. 
Sport,  to=iTo  exhibit,  or  bring  out  in  public,  (h) 
He  is  sporting  a  new  hat  to-day  =  He  wears  a  new 
hat  to-day.     Don't  sport  your  learning  here = Do  not 
exhibit  your  learning  here. 
Spout,  to  =  To  utter  a  speech ; — said  somewhat  dis- 
paragingly, (c) 
Several  members  of  the  school  are  spouting  in  the 
chapel,  preparatory  to  declamation  for  prizes  =  Sev- 
eral members  of  the  school  are  uttering  speeches  in 
the  chapel,  preparatory  to  the  declamation  for  prizes. 
Spry = Nimble;  active;  vigorous;  having  great  power 
of  leaping  or  running,  (a) 
You  are  as  spry  as  a  boy  in  climbing  that  tree= 
You  are  as  lively  as  a  boy  in  climbing  that  tree 
Be  spry  now  !=Now  be  quick  !     At  the  age  of  sixty 
he  was  spry  enough  to  overtake  the  horse-cars = At 
the  age  of  sixty  he  could  run  so  fast  as  to  overtake 
the  horse-cars. 
Spunk = An  inflammable  temper;  spirit;  pluck,  (a) 

He  hasn't  spunk  enough  to  defend  himself  when 
he  is  attacked  =  He  has  not  spirit,  or  fire,  enough  to 
defend  himself  when  he  is  attacked.  Now  don't  get 
your  spunk  up  =  Now  don't  get  angry.  He  showed 
a  great  deal  of  spunk  when  he  was  treated  discour- 
teously  =  He  manifested  much  spirit  or  indignation 
when  he  was  treated  with  incivility. 

28 


418  SLANG   AND    CANT    PHRASES. 

~Stage  wlii§per  =  A  whisper  loud  enough  to  be  heard. 

(c) 
At  the  table,  the  man  addressed  the  person  next 
him  in  a  stage  whisper  =  At  the  table,  the  man  ad- 
dressed the  person  seated  next  him,  in  a  whisper 
loud  enough  to  be  heard. 
IStick — A  derogatory  expression  for  "person."  (b) 
■— ^He's  a  poor  stick  — lie^s,  an  inefficient,  good-for- 
nothing  person.     He's  an  odd  stick ;  he  never  wears 
a  collar  =  He  is  an  eccentric  person  ;  he  never  wears 
a  collar. 
Stick  in  one's  crop  or  g^izzard,  to=:To  rankle  in 
one's  heart ;  to  annoy  one.  (c) 
It  sticJcs  in  Mr.  G'^s  crop  that  he  was  not  nominated 
for  governor  =  Mr.  G.  is  annoyed  by  his  failure  to 
receive  the  nomination  for  governor.     Mr.  A's  re- 
fusal to  lend  Mr.  B.  money  when  he  was  straitened, 
sticks  in  Mr.  B's  gizzard=Mr.  A's  refusal  to  lend  Mr. 
B.  money  when  he  was  in  need  of  it,  is  remembered 
and  cherished  as  a  grievance  by  Mr.  B. 
Stick  out,  to  =  To  be  prominent,  (c) 

The  author's  vanity  sticks  out  on  every  page  of  his 
book  =  The  author's  vanity  is  prominent  on  every 
page  of  his  book. 
Stir  your  stumps— Be  active;   step  briskly;  keep 
moving,  (c) 
The  farmer  said  to  his  idle  workman,  ^'  jStir  your 
stumps,  and  put  the  hay  in  the  bam  before  the  rain 
falls  "  =  The  farmer  said  to  his  idle  workman,  ^"  Be 
active,  and  put  the  hay  in  the  barn  before  the  rain 
falls." 
;Story=:A  falsehood,  {b) 

That's  a  story /  =  Thsit  is  a  falsehood.  I  fear  that 
you  are  telling  me  a  story  as  to  the  reason  of  your 
absence  from  school  yesterday  =  I  fear  you  are  not 
giving  me  the  true  reason  of  your  absence  from 
school  yesterday. 
Streak  it,  to  z=  To  run  swiftly ;  to  make  off.  (c) 

The  boys  pulled  his  door   bell,   and   then   they 
streaked  it  for  home = The  boys  pulled  his  door  bell, 
and  then  they  ran  home.     Streak  it,  there  is  a  thun- 
der shower  coming  upI^Bun  as  fast  as  you  can, 
there  is  a  thunder  shower  coming  up. 
Street  Arabs  =  Gamins;  neglected  and  unruly  ooys 
who  frequent  the  streets,  (c) 
It  is  not  so  common  now  as  formerly,  to  see  dirty 
street    Arabs  =  lt    is    not   so   common    now   as   for- 
merly, to  see  dirty  and  unruly  boys  frequenting  the 
streets. 
Strike  oil,  to  =  To  find  petroleum,  when  boring  for 


SLANG   AND    CANT    PHRASES.  419 

it;  Lence,  figuratively,  to  make  a  lucky  hit,  es- 
pecially financially.     (U.  S.)  (c) 
Mr.  So  and  So,  who  shipped  a  cargo  of  wheat  to 
England  recently,  has  struck  oU^M-Y.  So  and  So,  who 
shipped  a  cargo  of  wheat  recently  to  England,  has 
made  a  lucky  hit. 
Struck  all  of  a  heap,  to  be  =  To  be  astounded;  to 

be  completely  surprised,  (c) 
.":*    I  cm  struck  all  of  a  heap  by  their  sudden  marriage 
"=I  am  completely' surprised  at  their  sudden  mar- 
riage.    The  war  news  struck  him  all  of  a  heap  =  The 
news  from  the  war  astounded  him. 
Stuck-up  =  Purse-proud;  pretentious,  (b) 

He  is  dreadfully  stuck-up  since  his  good  fortune = 
He  is  very  purse-proud  since  he  came  into  his  es- 
tate.    When  I  called  on  him  in  his  new  house,  he 
appeared  stuck-up  =  When  I  called  on  him  at  his  new 
house,  he  had  a  pretentious  air. 
Stuff,  to  =  To  make  false  but  plausible  statements; 
to  make  game  of  a  person ;  to  praise  ironically,  (c) 
They  stuffed  him   with   pretended    admiration  = 
They  made  game  of  him,  by  pretending  to  admire 
him.     The  boys  stuffed  the  new  scholar  with  stories 
of  the  terrible  punishments  inflicted  in  the  school  = 
The  boys  told  the  new  scholar  false  but  plausible 
stories  of  terrible  punishments  inflicted  in  the  school. 
Stunner  =  Something  which  overpowers  by  astonish- 
ment ;  a  first  rate  person  or  article,  (c) 
His  house  is  a  stunner  =  His  house  is  very  large 
and  fine.     That  tunnel  through  the  mountain,  seven 
miles  in  length,  is  a  stunner  =  That  tunnel,  seven 
miles  long,  through  the  mountain,  fairly  overpowers 
one  with  astonishment. 
Stunning  =  First  rate ;  very  good;  astonishing;  strik- 
ing, (c) 
The  horse  Parole  won  a  stunning  victory  at  the 
races  in  England  =  The  horse   Parole   won   an   as- 
tounding victory  at  the  races  in  England.     I  met 
Miss  A.   at  a  party ;  and  she  is  a  stunning  girl  =  I 
met  Miss  A.  at  a  party ;  and  she  is  a  girl  of  striking 
appearance,  or  a  captivating  girl,  or  one  who  elicits 
admiration. 
Sub  =  A  subordinate  in  office;  one  lower  in  rank,  (b) 
The  chief  editor  is  taking  a  vacation,  and  the 
paper  is  in  charge  of  one  of  the  subs  =  'Durmg  the 
absence  of  the  chief  editor,  for  a  vacation,  the  news- 
paper is  in  charge  of  one  of  his  subordinates  in 
office. 
S^irag  =  A  lot  of  any  thing ;  a  portion  or  division  of 
property,  {b) 


420  SLANG    AND    CANT   PHRASES. 

They  picked  twenty  pockets,  and  divided  the 
swag=Thej  picked  twenty  pockets,  and  divided 
tlieir  pj under,  i.  e.,  what  they  had  stolen. 

Swell  =  A  showy,  dashing,  boastful  person,  (b) 

Do  you  see  that  fellow,  with  his  gold  chain,  dia- 
monds and  cane?  what  a  swell/  =Do  you  see  that 
fellow  with  his  gold  chain,  diamonds  and  cane? 
What  a  showy,  dashing  person!  We  saw  many 
swells  on  the  street  in  London  =:  In  London,  we  saw 
many  showily  dressed  persons  on  the  street. 

S-wig  =  A  large  draught ;  a  greedy  drink,  {b) 

Take  a  swig ?  =  Will  you  have  a  drink?  He  took 
a  good  swig  of  whiskey  before  going  to  his  work  = 
He  drank  a  large  draught  of  whiskey  before  going 
to  his  work. 


i  Take  it  out,  to  =  To  be  compensated ;  to  be  satis- 
fied, (c) 
The   laborer  has   worked    for    the    merchant    a 
month,  and  now  he  will  take  it  out  in  articles  from 
the  store  =  The  laborer  has  worked  for  the  merchant 
a  month,   and  now  he  will  be  compensated   with 
articles  from  the  store. 
Take  one'§  §elf  off,  to  =  To  withdraw ;  to  go  away. 

(c) 
The  tramp  has  been  in  the  yard  an  hour,  but  at 
last  he  has  taken  himself  off=  The  tramp  has  been  in 
the  yard  an  hour,  but  at  last  he  has  gone  away. 
Take  stock  In,  to  =  To  accept  as  a  tact  or  truth ;  to 
feel  confidence  in.    (U.  S.)  (c) 
The  miners  told  the  colporteur  that  they  did  not 
take  much  stock  in  his  tracts  and  books = The  miners 
told  the  man  who  was'selling  religious  publications, 
that  they  did  not  have  much  confidence  in  his  tracts 
and  books. 
Take  the  §]ilne  off,  to  =  To  excel ;  to  surpass,  (c) 
The  comic  actor  at  the  theatre  last  night,  took  the 
^  shine  off  from  the  actor  of  last  week  =  The  actor  at 
the  theatre  last  night,  surpassed  the  actor  of  last 
week.     My  book  takes  the  shine  all  off  from  yours  = 
My  book  makes  yours  appear  worthless  in  compari- 
son.    This  dinner  takes  the  shine  off  from  yesterday's 
=  This  dinner  is  much  better  than  yesterday's. 
Tall  =  Remarkable ;  excessive,  (b) 

The  traveler  had  but  fifteen  minutes  in  which  to 
reach  the  cars,  and  he  did  some  tall  walking  in  that 


SLANG   AND    CANT    PHRASES.  421 

time = The  traveler  had  but  fifteen  minutes  in  which 
to  reach  the  cars,  and  he  walked  very  rapidly  during 
that  time. 
Tan,  to  =  To  beat ;  to  thrash,  (c) 

If  I  catch  you  in  my  melon-patch  again,  Tlltan 
your  hide !  =  If  I   catch    you    in    my  melon-patch 
again,  I  will  give  you  a  beating ! 
Tantrums  =  High  airs  or  freaks;  bursts  of  passion 
or  ill  humor,  (c) 

The  servant  vexes  me;  he  has  the  tantrums  this 
mornings  The  servant  vexes  me;  he  has  one  of  his 
freaks  or  bursts  of  ill  humor. 
Teetotally  =  Absolutely ;    completely;   wholly,  (am- 
plification of  totally),  (c) 
The  report  of  his  marriage  is  teefMally  false  =  The 
report  of  his  marriage  is  totally  false.     I'm  teetotally 
used-up  by  my  long  walk = I  am  very  tired  by  my 
long  walk. 
The  dust  =: Money;  cash;  specie,  (c) 

Here  is  your  bill;  down  with  tJie  c?w5^/  =  Ihave 
your  bill  here ;  will  you  pay  me  the  money  ? 
The  fair  sex=:The  female  sex;  women,  (c) 

The  newspaper  reporter  said,  "E^umbers  of  the  fair 

sex  graced  the  occasion  with  their  presence"  ^  The 

reporter  of  the  newspaper  said,  "  There  were  many 

ladies  present  on  the  occasion." 

The  light-fingered  gentry  =  Thieves  or  pickpockets 

with  the  air  of  gentlemen,  (c) 

At  the  races  tJie  light-fingered  gentry  were  plentiful 
=  At  the  races  there  were  many  thieves  with  the  air 
of  gentlemen. 
The  ready = Money;  cash,  (c) 

He  was  short  of  the  ready  before  his  journey  was 
ended  =  He  had  not  enough  money  to  complete  his 
journey.  It  requires  much  of  the  ready  to  keep  a 
carriage  and  servants  =  It  requires  much  money  to 
maintain  an  establishment  with  servants  and  horses. 
The  weed  =  Tobacco,  (c) 

I  don't  use  the  weed  at  all=I  do  not  use  tobacco 
in  any  form. 
Thick  =  Intimate ;  very  friendly ;  familiar,  (a) 

He  is  very  thick  with  the  governor  =  He  is  very 
intimate  with  the  governor.  They  are  very  thick 
together = They  are  very  intimate. 
Thin  =  Flimsy ;  without  reason  or  plausibility,  (c) 
Some  people  thought  his  reason  for  resigning  the 
office  too  ^7im=:Some  were  not  satisfied  with  the 
reason  he  gave  for  resigning  office — did  not  believe 
him.  What  you  said  is  too  thin=W\mt  you  said 
has  little  plausibility. 


422  SLANG    AND    CANT    PHRASES. 

~^hree  §heet8  in  the  wind  =:  Unsteady  from  drink. 
A  man  passed  down  the  street,  who  was  three 
sheets  in  the  wmd=A  man  passed  down  the  street, 
who  was  unsteady  from  drink. 
Throw  up  the  sponge,  to  =  To  submit ;  to  abandon 
the  struggle,  (c) 
The  man  who  was  contesting  the  seat  in  the  Leg- 
islature has  throivn  up  the  sponge=T\\e  man  who  was 
contesting  the  seat  in  the  Legislature  has  abandoned 
the  contest. 
Thundering  =  Large ;  extra-sized,  (c) 

He   brought   a   thundering  book   with    him  =  He 
brought  an  enormously  large  book  with  him.     We 
heard  a  thundering  knock  at  the  door  =  We  heard  a 
very  loud  knock  at  the  .door. 
Tiger = A  kind  of  growl  or  screech  after  cheering;  a 
superlative  yell.  (6) 
Before  separating,  after  the  picnic,  the  boys  gave 
three  cheers  and  a  %er=z  Before  separating,  at  the 
close  of  the  picnic,  the  boys  gave  three  cheers  fol- 
lowed by  a  screech  or  yell. 
<<Tile=:A  hat;  a  co veering  for  the  head,  (c) 

He  had  on  a  new  tile  —  HQ  had  on  a  new  hat. 
Please  brush  up  my  tile  -  Please  brush  my  hat  well. 
Tin  =  Silver  coin ;  hence,  money,  (c) 

They  say  he  has  plenty  of  tin  =  They  say  he  has 
plenty  of  money.     Tin  is  scarce  with  us,  on  account 
of  the  hard  times  =  Money  is  scarce  with  us,  on  ac- 
count of  the  hard  times. 
^Tip  one's  fin,  to  =  To  give  one  the  hand. 

A  returned  convict,  meeting  an  old  pal,  said.  Tip 
us  your  Jin  =  A  returned  convict,  meeting  an  old 
comrade,  said.  Give  me  your  hand. 
y  Tip  the  wink,  to  =  To  direct  a  wink,  or  to  wink  to 
another  for  notice ;  to  make  a  signal  to  another  by 
a  wink. 
One  of  the  actors,  an  acquaintance,  tipped  me  a 
wink  from  the  stage  =  One  of  the  actors  made  a 
signal  to  me,  by  winking. 
^Tip  the  double,  to=:To  "bolt,"  or  run  away. 

The  truant  was  tied,  for  he  had  been  heard  to  say, 
he  should  tip  the  double  =  The  truant  was  tied,  for  he 
had  been  heard  to  say  that  he  should  run  away. 
Tip-top  =  First  rate;    very  excellent;    of    the   best 
kind,  (a) 
Our  landlady  gives  us  tip-top  food  =  Our  landlady 
gives  us  excellent  food.     He's  a  tip-top  writer  =  He 
is  a  first-rate  writer. 
Toad-eater  =  A  fawning,  obsequious  person ;  a  mean 
sycophant ;  a  cringing  dependent,  (c) 


SLANG    AND    CANT    PHRASES.  423 

These  officials  are  all  toad-eaters  —  These  officials  are 
all  servile  seekers  after  the  favor  of  their  superiors. 
Toad-eating  is    not  to  my  taste=I  do  not  wish  to 
flatter,  in  order  to  gain  the  favor  of  those  above  me. 
The  governor  will  not  allow  any  toad-eaters  about 
him  =  The   governor  -will  not  suffer   any  fawning, 
obsequious  persons  to  surround  him. 
To-do  =  Bustle ;  commotion;  disturbance;  fuss,  (a) 
What's  all  this  to-do  about,  children  ?  =  What  is  all 
this   stir  about,  children?     He  made  a  great  to-do 
about  the  loss  of  a  few  fowls  =  He  made  a  great  fuss 
about  the  loss  of  a  few  fowls.     There  is  a  great  to-dx) 
on  our  street  to-day;  nearly  one  half  the  families 
are  moving = There  is  much  bustle  on  our  street  to- 
day, occasioned  by  the  changing  of  residence  of 
nearly  one  half  the  families. 
Together  by  tlie  ear§=: Quarreling;  exercising  ill- 
will,  (c) 
Mr.  A.  and  his  neighbor  are  always  together  hy  the 
ears  -  Mr.  A.  and  his  neighbor  are  in  a  quarrel  much 
of  the  time.     By  her  gossip  she  set  half  a  dozen 
families  together  by  the  ears  =  By  her  gossip  she  in- 
troduced ill-will  and  contention  into  half  a  dozen 
families. 
Tog§    or   toggery  =  Clothes ;   garments;  articles  of 
dress,  (c) 
Put   on    your   Sunday   togs  —  Vwi   on    your  best 
clotlies.     I  will  put  on  my  Ashing  toggery  to  work 
in,  this  rainy  day  =  I  will  put  on,  in  doing  my  work 
this  rainy  day,  the  clothes  which  I  wear  when  tish- 
,  ing. 

Touter=:One  who  seeks  customers,  as  for  an  inn,  a 
store,  &c.  {h) 
A.  B.  &  Co.,  ready-made  clothing  merchants,  em- 
ploy a  good  many  touters^K.  B.  &  Co.,  dealers  in 
ready-made  clothing,  employ  a  good  many  men  to 
seek  for  customers. 
Topsy-turvy  =  In   an    inverted    posture;    with    the 
bottom  upwards ;  in  a  state  of  much  confusion  and 
disorder,  (a) 
The  buggy  was  turned  topsy-turvy  by  driving  off" 
the  bank  =  The  buggy  was  turned  completely  over 
from  driving  off  the  bank.     The  children  have  been 
playing   in   this   room,   and   it  is   topsy-turvy  =  The 
children  have  been  playing  in  this  room,  and  it  is  in 
a  state  of  great  confusion  and  disorder. 
Tote  =  To  carry  or  bear ; — used  especially  by  negroes 
in  the  South,  (c) 
I  can't  tote  so  many  bundles  =  I  can  not  carry  so 
many  bundles.     He  picked  the  drunken  man  up  out 


424  SLANG   AND    CANT    PHRASES. 

of  the  gutter,  and  toted  liim  home  =  He  picked  the 
drunken  man  up  out  of  the  gutter,  and  carried  him 
home. 
Tran§mogrify,  to  =  To  change  into  a  different  shape ; 
to  transform,  (c) 
You  are  completely  transmogrified^  by  this  dress 
and  wig = You  are  completely  changed  in  appear- 
ance, by  this  dress  and  wig.     He  is  transmogrifying 
the  old  house  so  much  that  you  would  not  recognize 
it=:He  is  so  thoroughly  transforming  the  old  house, 
that  you  would  not  recognize  it. 
Trap§  =  Goods  and  chattels  of  any  kind ;  especially, 
luggage  and  personal  effects,  (c) 
How  will  you  get  your  traps  to  the  depot  ?= How 
will  your  luggage  be  carried  to  the  depot  ? 
Trot  out,  to  ==  To  bring  forward,  as  for  exhibition ; 
to  lead  out.  (c) 
I  trotted  out  all  my  best  china  =  I  brought  out  into 
view  all  my  best  china.     Il6  trotted  out  all  his  learn- 
ing at  the  dinner  party = He  made  an  exhibition  of 
his  learning  at  the  dinner  party. 
Try  it  on,  to  =  To  make  the  attempt,  or  experiment. 

(«) 

He  has  never  taught  school,  but  he  intends  to  try 
it  on  next  year  =  He  has  never  taught  school,  but  he 
intends  to  make  the  experiment  next  year. 
Tuckered    out  =  Excessively  tired;  fatigued;  very 
weary,  (c)     (U.  S.) 
I  w^as  tuckered  out  by  the  day's  work  =  I  was  very 
tired  in  consequence  of  the  day's  work. 
Turn  tail,  to  =  To  run  aw^ay ;  to  flee,  (c) 

At  the  first  approach  of  danger,  the  troops  turned 
tail = At  the  first  approach  of  danger,  the   troops 
turned  and  fled. 
Tu§§Ie,  a  =  A  struggle ;  a  conflict ;  a  scufile.  (b) 

A  burglar  broke  into  his  house  last  night,  and  he 
had  a  tussle  with  him=:A  burglar  broke  into  his 
house  last  night,  and  he  had  a  struggle  or  scufile 
with  him.  The  cat  and  the  rat  had  a  tussle  in  the 
barn  =  The  cat  and  the  rat  engaged  in  conflict  in  the 
barn. 


Ugly  customer  =  One  who  is  difficult  to  deal  with  or 

manage,  (b) 

The  policeman  found  the  tramp  armed  with  a 

pistol  and  a  club,  and  ready  to  fight ;  and  altogether 

an  ugly  customer  =  The  policeman  found  the  tramp 


SLANG   AND    CANT    PHKASES.  425 

armed,  and  ready  to  fight ;  and  altogether  difiicult 
to   manage.      The  railroad  company  wish  to  run 
their  track  through  a  comer  of  Mr.  E's  farm ;  but 
they  find  him  an  ugly  customed' =T1\iq  railroad  com- 
pany wish  to  run  their  track  through  a  corner  of 
Mr.  E's  farm ;  but  they  find  him  disposed  to  obstruct 
them,  or  unreasonable  and  ill-tempered  to  deal  with. 
IJnder-g^round     railroad    (U.   S.)  =  Organized  ar- 
rangements,  in   the   days   of    slavery,   for   aiding 
negro  slaves  escaping  from  slavery,  in  their  passage 
through  the  free  states. 
Before  the  civil  war,  a  number  of  slaves  went 
from  the  South  to  Canada  by  the  under-ground  rail- 
roac?=  Before  the  civil  war,  a  number  of  negro  slaves 
escaped  from  the  South  into  Canada,  being  aided  in 
their  passage  through  the  free  states,  by  arrange- 
ments organized  by  certain  persons  or  parties. 
Under  one's  nose  =  In  plain  sight;  in  full  view,  {b) 
There  the  book  is,  under  your  nose,  and  you  did 
not  see  it  =  There  the  book  is,  in  full  view,  and   you 
did  not  see  it.     I  can  not  find  my  spelling-book; 
where  is  it?     Why,  there  it  is,  under  your  nose= 
Where  is  my  spelling-book,  I  can  not  find  it  ?    Why, 
there  it  is,  in  plain  sight.     He  is  so  near-sighted 
that  he  can  not  see  a  thing  when  it  is  right  wider  his 
nose=lle  is  so  near-sighted  that  an  object  which  is 
close  at  hand,  or  in  very  plain  view,  escapes  his  vis- 
ion. 
Unload,  to  (Stock  Ex.)  =  To  sell  out,  as  stock,  (a) 
Mr.  Y.  unloaded  several  millions  of  the  stock  of 
the  railroad  of  which  he  was  presidents  Mr.  Y.  sold 
out  several  million  dollars  worth  of  the  stock  of  the 
railroad  of  which  he  was  president. 
Upper  story  =  A  person's  head  considered  as  the  seat 
of  the  brain,  the  organ  of  the  mind,  (c) 
He  has  a  room  to  let  in  the  upper  story  =  lli8  head 
is  empty — he  has  not  much  intellect  or  learning. 
He  is  weak  in  the  upper  story  =  He  has  but  little 
mental  power.     She  is  wrong  in  the  upper  story  = 
She  is  deranged  or  weakened  in  mind. 
Upper  ten  =  The  upper  class  in  society ;  the  aristoc- 
racy ;  the  fashionables,  (c) 
He  is  one  of  the  upper  ten  =  He  is  one  of  the  upper 
ten  thousand;  or  the  class  who  think  themselves 
raised  above  others  by  the  possession  of  wealth.     I 
am  told  that  this  fine  house  is  building  for  one  of 
the  upper  ten  =  l  am  told  that  this  fine  house  is  being 
erected  by  a  wealthy  and  fashionable  citizen. 
Up  the  spout = Pawned ;  given  in  pledge,  as  security 
for  borrowed  money,  (c) 


426  SLANG   AND    CANT    PHRASES. 

He  put  his  watch  up  the  spout='KQ  pawned  his 
watch.     His  jewelry  is  all  up  the  spowi=His  jewelfy 
^     is  all  pawned. 

\up  to  §nuff=r]Srot  likely  to  be  imposed  upon;  know- 
ing; acute;  alert,  (c) 
He  is  not  dull ;  he  is  up  to  snuff  =  He  is  not  dull ; 
he  will  not  be  easily  imposed  upon. 
Up  to  the  hub  =  As  far  as  possible,  or  to  the  utmost ; 
deeply  involved,  (p) 
That  business-firm  is  up  to  the  hub,  in  financial 
trouble  =:  That  business-firm  is  deeply  involved   in 
financial  trouble.     He  has  invested  in  mining  stocks 
up  to  the  hvh  =  He  has  invested  in  mining  stocks  ex- 
tensively or  to  the  extent  of  his  means. 


Tamose,  to  =  To  depart,  or  go  off  quickly,  (c) 

The  quack  doctor  vamosed  without  paying  his 
bills  =  The  quack  doctor  ran  away  without  paying 
his  bills.  I  got  tired  of  the  town  and  vamosed 
=  1  grew  discontented  with  the  town,  and  left 
it.  I  threatened  to  set  my  dog  on  the  tramp,  and 
he  vamosed  =1  threatened  the  tramp  with  sending 
my  dog  after  him,  and  he  suddenly  departed. 

Yarinint  (corruption  of  vermin) = A  noxious  person; 
a  thievish  Indian,  (c) 
Come  here,  you  young  varmint/  why  did  you 
throw  that  stone  at  the  house  ?= Come  here,  you 
young  rascal !  why  did  you  throw  that  stone  at  the 
house  ?  The  red  varmints  have  stolen  my  horse  = 
The  thievish  Indians  have  stolen  my  horse. 

Vim  =  Spirit ;  activity  ;  energy,  (c) 

That  young  man  will  succeed  in  business  because 
he  has  so  much  mm = That  young  man  will  be  likely 
to  succeed  in  business  because  he  has  so  much  en- 
ergy and  enthusiasm.  The  preacher  spoke  with  a 
great  deal  of  vim  =  The  preacher  spoke  very  forci- 
bly, and  with  much  spirit. 


w. 

IVabble,  to  =  To  revolve  in  a  vibrating  plane ;    to 
move  with  an  unsteady  or  sidewise  motion,  (b) 
The  top  wabbles  sometimes,  when  it  is  not  skill- 


SLANG   AND    CANT    PHRASES.  427 

fully  thrown  =  Sometimes  the  top  moves  unsteadily 
from  side  to  side,  when  not  skillfully  thrown.     The 
wagon  is  old,  and  the  wheels  wabbIe=Th.e  wagon  is 
old,  and  the  wheels  revolve  with  an  unsteady,  side- 
wise  motion. 
YTalk  into,  to  =  To  enter  upon  vigorously;   to  de- 
molish, {b) 
The  hungry  man   walked  into   the   dinner = The 
hungry  man  eagerly  consumed  the  dinner.     I  have 
taken  my  exercise ;  now  I  will  walk  into  my  lesson  = 
I  have  taken  my  exercise;  now  I  will  vigorously 
apply  myself  to  study. 
IValk  tlie  cbalk,  to  =  To  be  dismissed ;  to  be  turned 
away,  (c) 
He  was  unfaithful  to  his  master's  interests  and 
had  to  walk  the  chalk  =  He  was  unfaithful   to   his 
master's  interests  and  was  turned  away,  or  dismissed. 
YTallop,  to  =  To  beat  soundly;  to  flog;  to  thrash,  (c) 
He  walloped  his  horse  like  mad  =  He  whipped  his 
horse  very  hard.     He'll  wallop  you,  if  he  catches 
you  =  He  will  give  you  a  beating,  if  he  catches  you. 
Water,  to  =  To  increase,  in  apparent  bulk,  without 
adding  to  the  real  value ; — said  principally  of  capital 
stocks,  (a) 
That  railroad  company  has  watered  its   stock  = 
That  railroad  company  has  increased  the  amount  of 
its  stock,  without  adding  any  real  capital,  by  issuing 
new  stock,  on  the  pretense  that  accumulated  or  an- 
ticipated profits  warrant  such  increase. 
"Wet   a§  a  drowned   rat = Wet   to   the   skin   and 
dripping,  (c) 
Her  Spitz  dog  fell  into  the  water,  and  after  some 
time  was  taken  out,  wet  as  a  drowned  ra^=Her  Spitz 
dog  fell  into  the  water,  and  after  some  time  was 
taken  out,  wet  to  the  skin  and  dripping. 
iniacking  =  Large ;  fine;  strong,  (c) 

That's  a  whacking  lie  =  That  is  a  great  lie.     The 
gate,  swinging  back,  gave  me  a  whacking  blow  =  The 
gate,  swinging  back,  gave  me  a  very  hard  blow. 
What  a  whacki7ig  lump  of  gold  he  has  brought  from 
the  mines  !  =  What  a  large  lump,  of  gold  he  has 
brought  from  the  mines ! 
Wliite-livered  =  Cowardly ;  pusillanimous,  (c) 
yl     Several  ivhite-livered  fellows  ran  away  at  the  be- 
/   ginning  of  tlie  battle  =  Several  cowardly  fellows  ran 
away  at  the  beginning  of  the  battle.     If  he  had  not 
been  so  whii£-livered^  he  would  have  resented  the  in- 
sult =  If  he  had  not  been  so  pusillanimous,  he  would 
have  resented  the  insult. 
Uliiteivasli,  to  =  1.  To  clear  from  debt  by  means  of 


428  SLANG    AND    CANT    PHRASES. 

the  insolvent  act,  or  by  compromise  (Eng.)     2.  To 
exculpate  from  blame  by  undue  favor  or  leniency ; 
to  soften  or  gloss  over  a  fault.     (U.  S.)  {b) 
1.  There  goes  a  whitewashed  man  =  Tliere  goes  a 
man  who  has  been  cleared  of  debt  by  going  into 
insolvency  or  by  compromising  with  his  creditors. 
2.  The  committee  brought  in  a  whitewashing  report, 
in  the  case  of  the  senator  who  was  charged  with 
bribery  =  The  committee,  in  this  report,  glossed  over 
the   fault  of  the   senator   who  was   charged  with 
bribery. 
Whole   team  =  Complete  in  itself;  powerful;  able, 
&c.     (U.  S.)  (c) 
He  is  the  leader  of  his  party ;  he's  a  whole  team= 
He  is  the  leader  of  his  party ;  he  is  a  man  of  great 
ability  and  influence,  or,  in  a  lower  sense,  he  is  a 
smart  fellow.     Mr.  A's  boy  is  a  whole  team  =  Mr.  A's 
boy  is  a  wide-awake,  self-reliant,  capable  boy. 
"Whopper  =  Any    thing    uncommonly    large    of   its 
kind ; — especially,  a  monstrous  lie. 
He  told  a  whopper  =  He  told  a  great  lie. 
Whopping  =  Yery  great ;  big.  {b) 

He  gave  me  a  whopping  apple  =  He  gave  me  a 
very  large  apple.     She  has  a  whopping  baby  =  She 
has  a  large  baby. 
Wipe,  a  =  A  blow ;  a  stroke ;  a  hit.  (c) 

He  fetched  me  a  wipe  over  the  knuckles  =  He 
struck  me  on  the  knuckles.  The  boy  hit  the  ball 
a  wipe,  and  sent  it  over  the  roof  of  the  house  = 
The  boy  struck  the  ball  a  blow  which  caused  it  to 
go  over  the  roof  of  the  house. 


T. 

Yarn  =  A  story  or  tale; — especially  a  sailor's  story 
for  the  amusement  of  others,  (c) 
During  their  leisure  the   sailors   were   spinning 
yarns  =  When  they   were    unoccupied,   the    sailors 
were  telling  stories.      When  we  were  riding  in  the 
carriage  he  told  a  long  yarn  about  himself  =  During 
our  carriage  ride  he  told  a  long  story  about  himself. 
That  was  a  tough  yarn  about  his  shipwreck  =  That 
story  of  his  shipwreck  was  diiScult  to  believe. 
Yellow  Jack  =  The  yellow  fever,  (c) 

The  second  year  of  his  residing  in  the  West 
Indies,  Yellow  Jack  got  hold  of  him  =  The  second 
year  of  his  residing  in  the  West  Indies,  he  was 
attacked  with  yellow  fever. 


VARIOUS  OTHER  PHRASES  AND  WORDS. 


Besides  the  phrases  in  the  preceding  lists,  there  are  many  expressions,  which 
do  not  admit  of  easy  classification  with  them.  They  nevertheless  need  some 
illustration  for  the  use  of  the  student  who  is  acquiring  the  English  language. 
They  do  not  always  readily  explain  themselves.  They  are  more  or  less  in  common 
use.  Some  are  commercial  terms  or  phrases.  Some  are  legal,  and  some  military 
or  naval.     Others  are  common  expressions,  used  in  speaking  or  writing. 

There  is  such  a  variety,  that  it  would  be  difficult  to  divide  them  into  classes. 
They  are  therefore  put  together  into  one  list  under  the  title  of  "  Various  other 
Phrases  and  Words,"  to  distinguish  them  from  the  preceding  lists.  And  being 
established  expressions  with  a  fixed  meaning,  they  are  treated  (with  some  excep- 
tions), for  the  aid  of  the  student,  in  the  same  way  with  the  phrases  already  given. 

(431) 


YAEIOITS    OTHEK 
PHRASES    AND    WOEDS. 


A  bed  of  dourn    or  ro§e8  =  An  easy,  comfortable 
situation,  (c) 
A  king  does  not  always  repose  on  a  hed  of  down — 
A  king  does  not  always  have  an  easy,  comfortable 
situation.     I  found  my  friend  enjoying  health,  riches 
and  honor;  in  fact,  he  was  on  a  bed  of  roses  — \  found 
my  friend  in  the  enjoyment  of  health,  riches  and 
honor;  in  truth,  he  was  delightfully  and  luxuriously 
situated. 
A  be§etting  §ln  =  A  sin  which  is  habitual,  or  into 
which  one  easily  falls,  (a) 
Intemperance  is  Mr.  H's  besetting  sm  =  Intemper- 
ance is  a  sin  into  which  Mr.  11.  easily  falls. 
A  bevel  ang^le  =  Any  angle  other  than  one  of  45  or 
90  degrees,  (c) 
The  window-stool  is   cut  to  a   bevel  angle  =  ThQ 
window-stool  is  not  level,  but  cut  to  an  angle  which 
is  not  equal  to  45*^. 
A  bleeding  heart  =  A  state  of  sympathy  or  pity,  (c) 
Americans  liear  of  the  suffering  from  famine  in 
India,  with  bleeding  Aearfe= Americans  hear  of  the 
suffering  from  famine  in  India,  with  much  pity. 
A  bold  stroke  =  A  bold  effort  suddenly  or  unexpect- 
edly produced,  (a) 
By  a  series  of  bold  strokes  the  country  was  wrested 
from  the  enemy  =  By  a  series  of  bold  and  unexpected 
efforts,  the  country  was  wrested  from  the  enemy. 
Above  all = More  than  all;  chiefly;  pre-eminently. 

(«) 

•The  gulf  states  of  America  are  distinguished  for 
their  crops,  above  all  for  those  staple  products,  sugar 
and  cotton  =  The  gulf  states  of  America  are  distin- 
guished for  their  crops,  chiefly  for  those  staple 
products,  sugar  and  cotton.  A  man  may  be  rich  in 
goods,  and  eminent ;  but  above  all  he  should  be  rich 
in  friends  =  A  man  may  be  rich  in  goods,  and 
eminent;  but  more  than  all  he  should  be  rich  in 
friends. 

29  (433) 


484        VARIOUS    OTHER  PHRASES  AND  WO±iL»&. 

Above   or   beyond    all  praise  =  Admirable ;   supe- 
rior; very  praiseworthy,  (c) 
The  conduct  of  the  fourth  regiment,  in  the  battle, 
was   above   all  praise  =  ^\iQ   conduct   of  the   fourth 
regiment,  during  the  battle,  was  superior  and  very 
praiseworthy. 
A  broken  heart  =  Great  sorrow  or  despair,  (a) 

The  woman  whose  son  was  sent  to  state  prison 
a  year  ago  died  yesterday,  of  a  hrohen  heart— T\\q 
woman  whose  son  was  sent  to  the  state  prison  a 
year  ago  died  yesterday,  of  excessive  grief. 
Abstract  idea  {Metaph.)  —  An  idea  separated  from  a 
complex  object,  or  from  other  ideas  which  naturally 
accompany  it.  (a) 
The  abstract  idea  of  justice,  viz.,  that  every  person 
should  be  treated  according  to  his  deserts,  can  not  be 
carried  out  in  human   governments  =  Justice  as  a 
mere  principle  or  theory  of  rendering  his  deserts 
to  each  one,  can  not  be  perfectly  secured  in  human 
governments. 
Abstract  of  title  (Law)  =  An  epitome  of  the  evi- 
dences of  ownership. 
An  abstract  of  title  to  real  estate  in  Chicago  (U.  S.), 
would  be  a  list  of  deeds  of  transfer  from  the  original 
deed  of  the  U.  S.  government  to  the  present  time  = 
An  epitome  of  the  evidences  of  ownership  of  real 
estate  in  Chicago  w^ould  be  a  list  of  transfer  deeds 
from  the  lirst  one  by  the  U.  S.  to  the  present  time. 
Abstract  terms  or  fvords  =:  Terms  or  words  which 
express   abstract  ideas;   words   which  signify  the 
mode  or  quality  of  a  being,  without  any  regard 
to  the  subject  in  which  it  is.  {a) 
Roundness  is  an  abstract  term^  so  long  as  one  con- 
siders it  by  itself  and  separated  from  any  object  that 
is   round  =  Roundness   is   a    term   which   expresses 
an  abstract  idea,  when  one  thinks  of  it,  by  itself, 
or  separated  from  any  thing  that  is  round. 
Accessary   after  the  fact  {Law)  =  A   person  who, 
knowing  of  the  crime,  assists  or  conceals  the  crimi- 
nal. 
At  the  trial  for  the  robbery  of  the  store,  Mr.  A. 
was   proven   to   be  an  accessary  after  the  fact  =  Mr. 
A.  was  proven  to  have  rendered  assistance  or  con- 
cealment to  the  thief  after  he  had  robbed  the  store. 
Accessary  before  the  fact  {Law)  =  A  person  who, 
though  not  present  at  the  commission  of  a  crime, 
yet  counsels  or  commands  another  to  commit  it. 

In  the  case  of  incendiarism  which  occurred  last 
week,  a  man  was  arrested  for  being  an  accessary 
before  the  fact =In  the   case   of  incendiarism  which 


I 


VARIOUS  OTHER   PHRASES    AND   WORDS.         435 

occurred  last  week,  a  man  was  arrested,  charged 
with  having   counseled   the  incendiary  to  commit 
the   crime,  though  not  present  at  the  time  of  its 
commission. 
Accommodation  bill   or   note  {Com.)  =  A.   bill  of 
exchange  or  note,  given  not  for  property  transfer- 
red, but  for  the  bearer  to  use  as  a  means  of  raising 
money,  and  thus  virtually  a  loan. 

Mr.  A's  brother  gave  him  an  accommodation  hill 
=  Mr.  A's  brother,  for  the  purpose  of  accommodat- 
ing him,  furnished  him  a  bill  of  exchange  not  for 
property  transferred,  but  for  Mr.  A  to  raise  money 
upon. 
Accommodation  coach  or  train  =  A  coach  or  train 
designed   to   accommodate  way  passengers,  as   to 
time  and   stoppages,"  and   usually  stopping  at  all 
stations. 
There  are  ten  passenger  trains  between  Hartford 
and  Springfield,  daily;  and  six  of  them  are  accom- 
modation  trains  =  Six  of  the  ten  passenger  trains  be- 
tween Hartford  and  Springfield  are  designed  to  ac- 
commodate way  passengers,  as  to  time  and  stop- 
pages ;  and  they  stop  at  all  stations. 
According  to  all  account§  =  All  statements  agree ; 
every  one  says,  (a) 
According  to  all  accounts,  the  picnic  was  an  unus- 
ually pleasant  entertainment  =  All  statements  agree 
that  the  picnic  was  an  unusually  pleasant  affair. 
According   to   circum§tance§  =  As    circumstances 
indicate  or  demand,  (a) 
I  am  prepared  to  go  or  stay,  according  to  circum- 
stances =1   am  prepared  to  go  or  stay,  as  circum- 
stances indicate  to  be  proper  or  necessary.      I  shall 
go  to  Liverpool  by  steamer,  and  visit  some  parts 
of  England  with  the  party ;  and  shall  make  the  tour 
of  the  continent   with   them   or    not,    according   to 
circumstances  =  1  shall  accompany  the  party  in  going 
to  Liverpool  by  steamer,  and  in  visiting  some  parts 
of  England ;  and  in  the  tour  of  the  continent  I  shall 
accompany  them  or  not,  as  circumstances  then  indi- 
cate to  be  necessary  or  expedient. 
According  to   cn§tom    or  usage  =  As  the  custom 
or  usage  is ;  customary  or  usual,  (a) 
According  to  custom  in  America,  the  young  man 
made   calls   on   New  Year's   day  =  As  the   custom 
in  America  is,  the  young  man  made  calls  on  Kew 
Year's  day. 
According  to  reasonable  expectation  =  There  is 
reason  to  expect,  (c) 
According  to  reasonable  expectation,  there  will   be 


436        VARIOUS  OTHER  PHRASES  AND    WORDS. 

sale   for  all  the  grain  grown   this  year  =  There  is 
reason  to  expect  that  there  will  be  sale  for  all  the 
grain  grown  this  year. 
According    to    rule  =  Agreeably   to    a    prescribed 
method;  properly,  (a) 
The  merchant  conducts  his  business  according  to 
rule  =  The  merchant  conducts  his  business  agreeably 
to  the  prescribed  or  customary  method. 
Account  current  =  A  running  or  continued  account 
between  two  or  more  parties. 
Tliose  two  neighbors  have  an  account  current  with 
one  another = Those  two  neighbors  have  a  running 
account  with  one  another. 
Acknowledgement  money  (Eng.)  =  A  sum  paid  by 
copyhold  tenants,  on  the  death  of  their  landlords, 
as  an  acknowledgment  of  their  new  landlords. 
He  paid  a  large  sum  as  acknowledgment  money  z^ 
He  paid  a  large  sum  of  money,  on  the  death  of  his 
landlord,  as  an  acknowledgment  of  his  new  land- 
lord. 
Acting^  secretary  (or  other  officer)  =  One  who  tem- 
porarily performs  the  duties  of  the  office,  though 
not  elected  or  appointed  to  it. 
Since  the  death  of  the  secretary  of  the  insurance 
company,  Mr.  E.,the  chief  clerk,  is  acting  secretary  = 
Since  the  death   of  the   secretary  of  the  insurance 
company,  Mr.  E.,  the  chief  clerk,  performs  the  du- 
ties of  secretary,  though  not  elected  to  the  office. 
Active  commerce  =  The  commerce  which  a  nation 
carries  on  in  its  own  sliips. 
"  It  may  be  the  interest  of  foreign  nations  to  de- 
prive us,  as  far  as  possible,  of  an  active  comm^erceP 
[Hamilton]  =  It  may  benefit  foreign  nations  to  de- 
prive us,  as  far  as  possible,  of  carrying  on  commerce 
in  our  own  vessels. 
Active  voice   ( (zram.)  =:  That  form   of  the  verb  by 
w^hich  its  subject  is  represented   as  the  agent   or 
doer  of  the  action  expressed  by  it. 
In   the  sentence,  John  struck    William^  the  verb 
struck  is  in  the  active  voice— In  the  sentence,  John 
struck  William,  the  word  struck  is  that  form  of  the 
verb  which  represents  the  subject  as  the  agent  or 
doer  of  the  action  expressed  by  it. 
Act   of  Ood  (Zaw)  =  Any  unavoidable  accident   or 
event  which  takes  place  without  human  interven- 
tion, or  which  can  not  be  referred  to  any  specific 
cause. 

Senator  Conkling  said  that  nothing  but  an  act  of 
Ood  could  prevent  the  nomination  of  Gen.  Grant  for 
the  presidency  (1880)= Senator  Conkling  said  that 


VARIOUS  OTHER  PHRASES    AND  WORDS.        437 

the  nomination  of  Gen.  Grant   for  the  presidency 
could  be  prevented  by  nothing  but  some  accident 
which  should  occur  without  human  intervention,  or 
which  could  not  be  referred  to  any  specific  cause. 
Active    capital  =  Money,  or  property  that  may  be 
readily  converted  into  money,  and  used  in   com- 
merce, or  other  employment  for  profit,  (c) 
One-half  of  my  wealth  is  active  capital  —  One-half 
of  my  wealth  is  money,  or  property  that  may  be  read- 
ily converted  into  money,  and  used  in  commerce. 
A  dead  §liot  =  A  skilled  marksman;  one  sure  to  kill. 

It  would  not  be  safe  to  break  into  the  house  of 
the  druggist,  for   he  has   the  reputation  of  being 
a  dead  shot  =  it  would  not  be  safe  to  break  into  the 
house  of  the  druggist,  for  he  has  the  reputation  of 
being  a  skilled  marksman. 
Adjutant-Oeneral  =  The  principal  staff  officer  of  the 
U.  S.  army ;  also  the  principal  staff  officer  of  the 
governor  of  a  state. 
Mr.  Arthur,  the  republican  candidate  for  Yice- 
President  of  the  IJ.  S.  (1880)  was  Adjutant- General^ 
of  New  York  during  the  war  =  Mr.  Arthur,  the  re- 
publican candidate  for  Vice-President,  was  the  chief 
staff-officer  of  the  Governor  of  New  York,  during 
the  civil  war. 
Adiniiii§tration  \¥ith  the  "will  annexed  (Law)  = 
Administration  granted  in  cases  where  the  testator 
has  appointed  no  executor,  or  where  the  executors 
named  in  the  will  have  died,  or  refused  to  serve,  or 
are  incompetent. 
Mr.  A.  has  taken  out  letters  of  administration  with 
the  will  annexed^  on  the  estate  of  his  neighbor,  who 
made  a  will  but  did  not  appoint  an  executory  Mr. 
A.  has  been  legally  authorized  to  settle  the  estate  of 
his  neighbor,  who  made  a  will,  but  did  not  appoint 
an  executor. 
Advance  §heet8= Pages  of  a  forthcoming  volume, 
received  in  advance  of  the  time  of  publication,  (a) 
Hai-pers'  Monthly  sometimes  has  an  article  made 
up    from   advance   sheets'  of  some   work  =  Harpers' 
Monthly  sometimes  contains  an  article,  furnished 
by  pages  of  a  forthcoming  book,  received  in  advance 
of  the  time  of  publication. 
Adver§e  po8§e§8ion  {Law)  =  T\i2X   kind  of  occupa- 
tion and  continued  enjoyment  of  real  estate,  which 
indicates  an  assertion  of  right  on  the  part  of  the 
person  maintaining  it. 

The  man  has  been  ordered  to  yield  up  the  farm, 
but  he  maintains  adverse  possession  of  it  =  The  man 


438        VAKIOUS    OTHER  PHRASES  AND   WORDS. 

has  been  ordered  to  relinquish  the  farm,  but  he  con- 
tinues to  occupy  it,  in  a  way  which  indicates  that 
he  claims  some  right  to  it. 

A  fair  field  and  no  favor  =  Opportunity  and  im- 
partiality, (c) 
The  boy  said  that  if  he  could  have  a  fair  field  and 
no  favor,  he  would  take  the  first  rank  in  his  class = 
The  boy  said  that  if  he  could  have  opportunity  and 
impartiality,  he  would*  take  the  first  rank  in  his 
class. 

Affiliated  societies  =  Local  auxiliary  societies,  con- 
nected with  a  central  society  or  with  each  other,  {b) 
Various  Bible  societies  in  Connecticut,  are  affiliated 
societies  =  Various  Bible  societies  in  Connecticut,  are 
auxiliary  societies,  connected  with  the  American 
Bible  Society  of  New  York  city.  The  various 
lodges  of  Freemasons  tliroughout  the  world,  are 
affdiated  societies  =:  The  different  lodges  of  Freemasons 
throughout  the  world  are  connected  with  a  central 
society,  and  with  each  other. 

A  ft*iend  in  need  =  One  who  befriends  in  an  exi- 

.     gency.  (c) 

When  Mr.  A's  three  children  were  sick  with 
small-pox,  Mr.  G.  was  a  friend  in  7ieed=^ hen  Mr. 
A's  three  children  were  sick  with  small-pox,  Mr.  G. 
befriended  him  in  his  strait. 

After  all  =  Notwithstanding ;  nevertheless,  (a) 

The  senator  in  debate  said  many  severe  things  of 
his  opponent,  but  after  all,  they  are  good  friends  = 
The  senator  in  debate  said  many  harsh  things  of 
his  opponent,  but  notwithstanding,  they  are  good 
friends. 

After  one's  fancy  =  As  suits  one's  fancy,  (c) 

Mr.  F.  has  at  last  found  a  horse  after  his  fancy = 
Mr.  F.  has  at  last  found  such  a  horse  as  pleases  his 
taste. 

Ag^ain  and  again  =  Repeatedly ;  many  times,  (a) 
The  gardener  planted  his  corn,  but  the  hens 
scratched  it  up,  again  and  again  =  The  gardener 
planted  his  corn,  but  the  hens  scratched  it  out  of  the 
ground,  many  times.  I  have  exhorted  him,  again 
and  again,  to  abandon  his  vicious  courses = I  have 
often,  or  with  frequent  repetition,  exhorted  him  to 
abandon  his  vicious  courses. 

Against  the  stream  =  Contrary  to  the  established 
course  or  tendency;  in  opposition;  struggling,  (a) 
Those  in  America  who  advocate  female  suffrage^ 
go  against  the  stream=ThoQe  in  America  who  advo- 
cate female  suffrage,  are  in  opposition  to  the  estab- 
lished practice  and  the  prevailing  opinion. 


VAEIOUS    OTHER  PHRASES  AND  WORDS.        439 

Against  the  time  =  In  provision  for ;  in  preparation 

for  the  time,  (c) 
The  mother  of  the  large  family  keeps  a  case  of 
medicines  in  the  house,  against  the  time  of  sickness = 
The  mother  of  the  large  family  keeps  a  case  of  medi- 
cines in  the  house,  in  preparation  for  the  time  of 
sickness. 
Age  of  discretion  =  The  age  at  which  minors  may 
choose  their  guardians,  (a) 
In  Western  countries  the  legal  age  of  discretion  is 
fourteen,  in  both  sexes  ==  In  Western  countries  the 
legal  age  at  which  minors  may  choose  their  guardi- 
ans is  fourteen,  in  botli  sexes. 
A  gentle  §lope  =  A  slight  declivity,  (c) 

The  garden  is  situated  on  a  gentle  sZope^The  gar- 
den is  situated  on  a  slight  declivity  of  ground. 
A  good  hit  =  A  peculiarly  apt  expression;  a  happy 
conception,  (a) 
It  was  a  good  hit  which  some  one  made,  who  called 
cider  the  Spirit  of  the  Press  =  It  was  a  peculiarly  apt 
expression  which  some  one  made,  who  called  cider 
the  Spirit  of  the  Press. 
A  great  deal  =  A  large  portion  or  part ;  much,  (a) 
The  first  settlers  of  this  country  owned  a  great  deal 
of  land  =  The  first  settlers  of  this  country  owned 
large  tracts  of  land.     The  preparation  of  this  book 
has  cost  a  great  deal  of  time  and  labor  =  The  prepa- 
ration of  tliis  book  has  cost  much  time  and  labor. 
A  great  many  =  A  large  number,  (a)* 

The  pear-tree  in  the  yard  bore  a  great  many  pears 
=  The  pear-tree  in  the  yard  bore  a  large  number  of 
pears. 
A  great  way  off.     A  long  w^ay  off=:Yery  distant. 

Before  the  introduction  of  railroads  and  steam- 
ships, China  seemed  to  Americans  a  great  way  off= 
Before  the  introduction  of  railroads  and  steam-ships, 
China  seemed  to  Americans  very  distant. 
A  liair's  breadth  =  A  very  small  distance,  (a) 

The  tomahawk,  thrown  by  the  Indians  at  the 
white  men,  would  sometimes  miss  them  by  only  a 
hair^s  breadth  =  The  tomahawk,  thrown  by  the  Indians 
at  the  white  men,  would  sometimes  miss  them  by 
only  a  very  slight  distance. 
A  hard  knock  =  A  forcible  blow,  {a) 

The   boy  hit   the   ball   a  hard  knock  =  The  boy 
struck  the  ball  a  forcible  blow. 
A  heart  of  stone  =  An  unfeeling,  cruel  disposition. 

(«) 

The  Indians  who  captured   and   ill-treated   the 


440        VARIOUS    OTHER  PHRASES  AND  WORDS. 

agent's  family,  had  hearts  of  s/o??e=The  Indians  who 
captured  and  ill-treated  the  agent's  family,  had  nn- 
'  feeling  disiDositions. 

A  heavy   or   §evere  affliction  =  Any  thing  which 
causes  great  grief,  (a) 
The  woman  whose  husband  was  lost  at  sea,  has 
experienced  a  severe  affliction  =  The  woman   whose 
husband  was  lost  at  sea,  has  cause  for  great  grief. 
A  heavy  heart  =  Sadness  or  despondency,  (a) 

The  patriot  who  was  banished  for  political  offenses, 
left   his  country   with   a   heavy    heart  =  The  patriot 
who  was  banished  for  political  offenses,  left  his  coun- 
try with  sadness. 
A  lame  excuse  or  apolog^y  =  An  excuse  or  apology 
which  is  not  good  or  sufficient,  (a) 
The  boy  had  a  lame  excuse  for  being   tardy  at 
school  =  The  boy  had  an  insufficient  excuse  for  being 
tardy  at  school. 
Alas  the  day — An  exclamation  expressive  of  grief  or 
concern,  (c) 
Alas  the  day  when  my  husband  began  to  smoke 
opium  !  =  I  grieve  over  the  day  when  my  husband 
began  to  smoke  opium. 
A  living  soul  =  A  human  being ;  a  person,  (b) 

Some  villages  in  Shan  Se  province  of  China  were 
depopulated  by  the  recent  famine,  and  there  was  not 
a  living  soul  left  =  Some  Chinese  villages  in  Shan  Se 
province  were  so  completely   depopulated  by  the 
recent  famine,  that  there  was  not  a  human  being 
left  alive. 
All  about  =  Over  the  whole  place;   in  every  direc- 
tion, (a) 
There  is  complaint  of  the  discipline  of  the  schools, 
all  about  town  =  There  is  complaint  of  the  discipline 
of  the  schools,  over  the  whole  town. 
All    along  =  Throughout ;     continually;    regularly; 
for  some  time  past,  (a) 
The  grocer  has  failed ;  I  have  known,  all  along, 
that  he  was  embarrassed  in  business  =  The  grocer 
has  failed ;  I  have  been  aware,  for  some  time  past, 
that  he  was  embarrassed  in  business.     The  servant 
girl  has  been  saving  money  all  along,  to  pay  her 
sister's  passage  to  America = The  servant  girl  has 
been  regularly  saving  money,  with  which  to  pay  her 
sister's  passage  to  America. 
All  at  once  =  Suddenly ;  unexpectedly,  (a) 

While  the  boat  was  gliding  down  stream,  all  at 
once  it  struck  a  snag,  and  gave  all  on  board  a  fright 
=As  the  boat  was  gliding  down  the  stream,  sud- 


VARIOUS    OTHER  PHRASES  AND  WORDS.        441 

denly  it  struck  a  snag,  and  gave  all  on  board  a 
fright. 
All  for  the  best  =  All  events  are  well  aftd  wisely 
arranged  of  God ;  every  thing  comes  to  pass  in  the 
best  manner — an  expression  of  confidence  in  God 
and  his  government,  used  in  times  of  sorrow   or 
disappointment,  (a) 
Mr.  A.  does  not  understand  why  his  young  wife 
should  be  taken  from  him  by  death ;  but  says  that  it 
is  all  for  the  hest^Mr.  A.  does  not  understand  the 
reason,  on  God's  part,  of  his  wife's  death;  but  says 
that  God  had  some  good  purpose  in  permitting  the 
affliction.    The  good  man,  under  great  affliction,  says, 
all  is  for  the  hest=T\\Q  good  man,  under  great  afflic- 
tion, expresses  his  confidence  in  the  goodness  and 
wisdom  of  God. 
Allied  to  =  Closely  related  to.  (a) 

The  tomato  plant  is  allied  to  the  potato  in  struct- 
ure =  The  tomato  and  the  potato  are  closely  related 
botanically. 
All  manner  of  =  All  kinds  of;  many  sorts,  (a) 

His   garden   contains   all  manner  of  herbs  =  His 
garden  contains  herbs  of  every  kind.     I   saw    all 
manner  of  birds  in  the  forest  =  I  saw  many  sorts  of 
birds  in  the  forest. 
Allotment  §y8tem  (Eng.)  =  A  system  of  assigning 
small  portions  of  the  landlord's  land  to  be  culti- 
vated by  day  laborers,  after  their  ordinary  day's 
work. 
On  English  estates  there  is  what  is  called  an  allot- 
ment system  =  On  English  estates  there  is  a  system 
of  assigning  small  portions  of  the  landlord's  land,  to 
be  cultivated  by  day  laborers,  after  their  ordinary 
day's  work. 
All  over  =  Completely ;  in  every  part,  (a) 

The  electric  light  was  seen  all  over  the  town  =  The 
electric  light  was  seen  in  every  part  of  the  town. 
All  round   or  around  =  Over  the  whole  place;  in 
every  direction,  (a) 
I  have  looked  all  round  for  the  missing  book  =  I 
have  looked  over  the  whole  place  for  the  missing 
book.     I  visited  the  city,  and  went  all  around  on 
foot  =  I  visited  the  city,  and  went  in  every  direction 
on  foot. 
All  that — Signifies  a  collection  of  similar  things  or 
occurrences,  (a) 
He  sells  fruits,  candies,  toys,  cigars,  and  all  that  = 
He  keeps  for  sale  fruits,  candies,  toys,  cigars  and 
similar  articles.     The  bride's  new  house  is  beauti- 
fully located,  well-furnished,  easily  accessible,  near 


442        VARIOUS    OTHER  PHRASES  AND  WORDS. 

to  her  father's;  and  all  that  =  T]ie  new  house  of  the 
bride  is  beautifully  situated,  well-furnished,  easily 
accessible,  near  to  her  father's;  with  other  similar 
advantages  or  attractive  features. 

All  the  day  long  =  Through  the  whole  day.  (a) 

All  the  day  long  the  wife  sat  at  the  window,  watch- 
ing for  the  vessel  in  which  she  expected  her  husband 
=  The  wife  sat  at  the  window  through  the  whole 
day,  watching  for  the  vessel  in  which  her  husband 
was  expected  to  arrive. 

All   the   while = All   the  time;    during  the  whole 
period,  (a) 
It  rained  all  the  while  we  were  down  town  =  It 
rained  all  the  time  we  were  absent  down  town. 

All  the  world  over  =  In  every  part  of  the  world. 

(«)    . 

Hospitable  people  are  found,  all  the  world  over  = 
Hospitable  people  are  found  in  every  part  of  the 
world. 
All  the  year  round  =  Throughout  the  whole  year, 
(a) 
In  the  high  latitudes,  snow  and  ice  remain  all  the 
year  round— In  the  high  latitudes,  snow  and  ice  re- 
main throughout  the  whole  year. 
A  baker's  dozen  ;  a  long  dozen  =  Thirteen,  (c) 
The  grocer  of  whom  I  bought  these  oranges  gave 
me  a  haker''s  dozen  —  The  grocer  of  whom  I  bought 
these  oranges  counted  thirteen  as  a  dozen. 
A  long  pull,  a  strong  pull,  and  a  pull  altogether 
=  K.  united,  vigorous,  and  continued  effort,  (c) 
The  speaker  said  that,  in  order  to  carry  the  state, 
the  republicans  must  make  a  long  pull,  a  strong  pull, 
and  a  pull  altogether  =  The  speaker  said  that,  in  order 
to  win  in  the  state  election,  the  republicans  must 
make  a  united,  vigorous,  and  continued  effort. 
A  long  time = An  extended  period;    an  indefinite 
period,  (a) 
The  rocks  of  the  earth  must  have  been  a  long  time 
in  forming  =  The  formation  of  the  rocks  of  the  earth 
must  have  required  an  extended  period.     The  boy 
has  been  a  long  time  doing  the  errands: The  boy  has 
consumed  much  time  in  doing  the  errand. 
Along  with  =  Together  with ;  accompanying,  [a) 
In  the  mines  of  Pennsylvania,  the  coal  is  found 
along  with  slate  =  In  the  mines  of  Pennsylvania,  the 
coal  is  found  accompanying  slate. 
A  losing  game  =  An  unprofitable  enterprise,  (c) 

Mr.  A.  has  returned  from  Australia,  and  says,  that 
his  going  there  to  dig  gold  was  a  losing  game=Mr. 
A.  has  returned  from  Australia,  and  says  that  his 


VARIOUS    OTHER  PHRASES  AND  WORDS.        443 

going  there  to  dig  gold  was  an  unprofitable  enter- 
prise. 
Alter  one's  course,  to  =  To  make  some  change  in 
direction  or  conduct,  (b) 
If  the  dissipated  young  man  does  not  alter  his 
course,  he  will  be  ruined  =  If  the  dissipated  young 
man  does  not  change  his  conduct,  he  will  be  ruined. 
A  man  of  business  =  A  man  skilled  and  successful 
in  doing  business,  (a) 
Mr.  F.  is  a  man  of  business ='M.y.  F.  is  a  man 
skilled  and  successful  in  doing  business. 
A  man  of  taste  =  A  man  of  nice  perception,  and  a 
cntical  judgment  of  what  is  beautiful  and  fitting; 
particularly  in  the  fine  arts,  and  belles  lettres.  (c) 
An  artist  must  be  a  man  of  taste= An  artist  must 
have  a  nice  perception  of  the  beautiful,  particularly 
in  the  fine  arts. 
A  martyr  to  disease  =  One  who  suffers  much  from 
disease,  (c) 
For  many  years  Mr.  C.  has  been  a  martyr  to  rheu- 
matism =  For  many  years  Mr.  C.  has  suflered  much 
from  rheumatism. 
A  mere  form  =  Simply  a  formality ;  a  conventional 
rule  only,  (c) 
The  use  of  the  phrase  Dear  Sir,  in  commencing 
a  letter,  is  a  mere  form  =  The  phrase  Dear  Sir,  is 
made  use  of  in  commencing  a  letter,  simply  as  a 
formality,  or  a  convenient  and  conventional  expres- 
sion. 
Amicable  action  (Law)  —  An  action  commenced  and 
prosecuted  according  to  a  mutual  understanding, 
for  the  purpose  of  obtaining  a  decision  of  the  courts 
.     on  some  matter  of  law  involved  in  it. 

The  case  of  Jones  vs.  Smith  in  the  Superior  court 
was  an  amicable  action  =  The  case  of  Jones  vs.  Smith 
was  an  action  begun  and  prosecuted  with  a  mutual 
imderstanding,  that  it  was  tried  simply  to  obtain  a 
decision  of  the  court  on  a  matter  of  law. 
A  moral  certainty  =  Sufticiently  certain  to  be  be- 
lieved and  acted  upon ;  probable,  (a) 
The  man  ill  of  consumption  ought  to  make  his 
will  before  leaving  for  Italy,  for  it  is  a  moral  certainty 
that  he  will  never  return  =  The  man  ill  of  consump- 
tion ought  to  make  his  will  before  leaving  for  Italy, 
for  it  is  probable  that  he  will  never  return. 
And  all  =  Completely;  wholly;  in  entirety,  (b) 

The  family  has  gone  to  the  sea-side;  parents, 
children,  grandmother,  servants,  and  all  =  The  entire 
family  has  gone  to  the  sea-side ;  parents,  children, 
grandmother  and  servants. 


444        VARIOUS  OTHER   PHRASES  AND    WORDS. 

And  also  =  And  in  addition,  (a) 

Gen.  Washington  was  the  first  (1789),  and  also 
one  of  the  most  respected  of  American  presidents  = 
Gen.  Washington  was  the  first  (1T89),  and  in  addi- 
tion, one  of  the  most  respected  of  American  presi- 
dents. 
Anglo-American  =: A  descendant  from  English  an- 
cestors, born  in  America,  or  the  United  States. 
Many  inhabitants   of  the  United  States  are   not 
Anglo- American  =  M.2iTij  inhabitants   of  the   United 
States  are  not  descendants  from  English  ancestors. 
Anglo-Saxon  =  Pertaining  to  the  Saxons  who  settled 
in  England. 
The  Anglo-Saxon  race  is  distinguished  for  energy 
and  intellectual  vigors  The  descendants  of  the  Sax- 
ons who  settled  in  England,  are  distinguished  for 
energy  and  intellectual  vigor. 
A  niche  in  the  temple  of«fame  =  Permanent  honor 
or  renown,  {a) 
Washington  has  a  nkhe  in  the  temple  of  fame  ^  as 
a  general   and   rulers: Washington   has   permanent 
honor  as  a  general  and  ruler. 
Ancillary  administration  {Law)  =  One  subordinate 
to  the  original  administration,  taken   out  in   the 
country  where  assets  are  locally  situate. 
Much  of  the  property  of  the  man  who  died  con- 
sists of  real  estate  in  Canada,  so  that  it  was  necessary 
to  take  out  letters  of  ancillary  administration  there 
=  The  man  who  died  had  much  real  estate  in  Can- 
ada, so   that  it   was  necessary  to  take   out  letters 
of  administration  subordinate  to  the  original  ones,  in 
the  country  where  such  property  is  situated. 
Animated  nature  =  The  animal  creation ;  the  whole 
class  of  beings  endowed  with  animal  life. 
The   English    writer    Goldsmith   wrote    a    book 
called  Animated  Nature  —  Goldsmith  wrote  a  book  on 
the  animal  creation,  and  called  it,  Animated  Nature. 
The  earth  teems  with  animated  nature^  and  is  made 
lively   and  joyous    by   it  =  The   earth    abounds   in 
beings  endowed  with  animal  life,  and  they  give  it 
an  aspect  of  activity  and  joyousness. 
Animal   kingdom  =  The  whole  class  of  beings  en- 
dowed with  animal  life. 
The  animal  kingdom  is  divided  into  five  sub-king- 
doms;— 1.  Vertebrates.      2.  Articulates.      3.  Mol- 
lusks.      4.  Radiates.      5.  Protozoans  =  The    whole 
class  of  beings  endowed  with  animal  life  is  divided 
,   into  ^YQ  sub-kingdoms. 

Note — 1.  Animals  having  an  internal  bony  skel- 
eton, and  a  backbone,  as  man,  birds,  fishes,  &c.     2. 


VARIOUS  OTHER  PHRASES    AND  WORDS.        445 

Animals  whose  bodies   are   composed   of  rings   or 
joints,  as  insects  and  worms.    3,  Those  having  a  soft 
body  without  bones  or  rings,  as  snails,  clams,  &c. 
4.  Those  whose  organs  are  arranged  aronnd  a  cen- 
ter,   radiately,    as     star-fishes.     5.  Animals  of  the 
lowest  order,  having  no  proper  mouth  and  no  mem- 
bers, as  sponges. 
Ansvi^er   tlie  purpose,  to  =  To   meet  the   require- 
ment, or  necessity;  to  be  satisfactory;  to  suffice,  (a) 
It  will  answer  the  purpose,  if  the  man  who  wishes 
to  draw   money  from  the   bank,  arrives   there   ten 
minutes  before  it  is  closed  =  It  will  sufiice,  if  the  man 
who  wishes  to  draw  money  from  the  bank,  arrives 
there  ten  minutes  before  it  is  closed. 
A  number  of  time§  =  More  than  once ;  many  times. 
(a) 
The  American  saw  the  Emperor  of  Germany  a 
number  of  times  =  The  American  saw  the  Emperor  of 
Germany  many  times. 
An  unvarnished  tale  =  A  story  not  artfully  embel- 
lished ;  a  plain  and  simple  statement  of  facts,  (c) 
The  traveler  told  an  unvarnished  tale  of  his  diffi- 
culties and  hardships  among  the  mountains  =  The 
traveler  made  a  plain  and  simple  statement  of  fiicts, 
concerning  his  difficulties  and  hardships  among  the 
mountains. 
Any  one  =  Any  person  or  thing,  (a) 

May  any  one  walk  in  this  park  ?  =  Is  any  person  at 
liberty  to  walk  in  this  park  ? 
A  paper  w^ar  =  A  discussion  or  controversy  carried 
on  in  newspapers  or  pamphlets,  (c) 
The  cabinet   minister  and  the   college   professor 
have  been  carrying  on  a  paper  war,  on  the  subject  of 
the  tariffs  The  cabinet  minister  and  the  college  pro- 
fessor have  been  discussing  the  tariff,  through  the 
newspapers. 
Apart  from  =  Aside  from ;  separate  from  ;  not  taking 
into  account ;  not  considering,  (b) 
Apart  from  all  others,  by  himself,  he  stood  through- 
out   the    performance  =  He   stood    by   himself  and 
aside   from  all  others  throughout  the  performance. 
Apart  from  the  disgrace  of  being  sent  to  prison,  the 
life  there  is  very  monotonous  and  toilsome  =  Prison 
life  is  very  monotonous  and  toilsome,  not  consider- 
ing tlie  disgrace  of  being  sent  there. 
Apostolie  vicar  {Rom.  Cath.  Church)  =  An  officer  of 
high  standing,  who  has  received  power,  from  the 
pope,  to  decide  in  certain  cases  without  instruc- 
tions. 
Apostolical  succession  (T^ieol.)  =  The  regular  and 


446        VARIOUS  OTHER    PHRASES    AND  WORDS. 

■uninterrupted  transmission  of  ministerial  authority 
by  a  succession  of  bishops  from  the  apostles. 
The  doctrine  of  Apostolical  Succession  is  held  by 
all  Roman  Catholic  divines,  and  by  some,  but  not 
by  all,  Episcopalian  theologians  =  The  doctrine  that 
ministerial  authority  is  derived  only  through  an  un- 
interrupted succession  of  bishops  from  the  time  of 
the  apostles,  is  held  by  all  Roman  Catholic  divines, 
but  is  denied  by  some  Episcopalian  theologians. 
A   power,    letter    or    ^varrant    of  attorney  =  A 
written   authority   from  one   person,   empowering 
another  to  transact  business  for  him. 
I  gave  him  a  power  of  attorney  to  sell  some  real  es- 
tate for  me.=I  gave  him  a  written  authority  em- 
powering him  to  sell  some  real  estate  for  me. 
A  prey  to  griefs  S^zed  and  consumed  by  grief,  as 
by  a  beast  of  prey ;  continually  suffering  from  grief. 

.  (=) 

The    man  whose  wife  became    insane,  and   was 
carried  to  the  lunatic  asylum,  is  a  prey  to  grief  zz  Th6 
man  whose  wife  became  insane,  and  was  carried  to 
the  lunatic   asylum,  is   continually  suffering   from 
grief. 
A  piou§   frauds  A  deception  practiced  under  the 
pretense  of  religion,  (a) 
The  man  borrowed  money  by  a  pious  fraud -Th^ 
man  borrowed  money,  which  people  loaned  him  be- 
cause he  pretended  that  it  was  to  be  used  for  pious 
purposes. 
Argus-eyed =Yigilant;  watchful,  (See  Argus  in  Dic- 
tionary), (c) 
There   were  many  Argus-eyed  policemen   on  the 
grounds,  at  the  Centennial  Exposition  =  There  were 
many   vigilant   policemen    on  the  grounds,    at   the 
Centennial  Exposition. 
Armed  at  all  points  =  Fully  prepared,  (c) 

In  the  trial  for  murder,  the  lawyer  sought  to  con- 
fuse the  principal  witness,  but  he  was  armed  at  all 
points  =  ln  the  trial  for  murder,  the  lawyer  sought 
to  confuse  the  principal  witness,  but  he  was  fully 
prepared. 
Armed  force  =  A  body  of  soldiers,  (a) 

The   United   States   sometimes   keeps   an   armed 
force  on   the  Mexican  frontier  =  The  United  States 
sometimes  keeps  a  body  of  soldiers  on  the  Mexican 
border. 
Armed  neutrality  =  The  condition  of  a  neutral  pow- 
er, which  holds  itself  ready  to  resist  by  force  any 
aggression  of  either  belligerent,  between  which  it 
is  neutral,  (a) 


VARIOUS  OTHER  PHRASES    AND  WORDS.        4A7 

The  first  armed  neutrality  was  set  on  foot  in  1780, 
by  Russia,  Denmark,  Sweden,  and  other  European 
powers,  to  escape  from  the  severe  way  of  dealing 
with  neutrals,  which  Great    Britain    enforced  =  In 
1780,  Russia,  Denmark,  Sw^eden,  and  other  Euro- 
pean powers,  set  on  foot  an  armed  coalition,  to  resist 
by  force  the  severe  w^ay  of  dealing  with  neutrals, 
which  Great  Britain,  then  at  war  with  France,  en- 
forced. 
Armed  ship  =  A  private  ship  taken  into  the  service 
of  the  government  in  time  of  war,  and  armed  and 
equipped  like  a  ship  of  war.     (Eng.) 
In  the  sudden  emergency  of  war,  government  is 
sometimes   obliged    to   employ   armed  ships   in   its 
navy  =  In    the   sudden   emergency  of  war,  govern- 
ment is  sometimes  obliged  to  take  private  ships  into 
its  service,  and  arm  and  equip  them  like  ships  of 
war. 
Armed  with  patience  =  Furnished  with  patience; 
possessed  of  patience,  (c) 
He  who  teaches   the   deaf  and   dumb   must  be 
armed  with  patience  =  116  who  teaches  the  deaf  and 
dumb  must  be  possessed  of  patience. 
Arrange  in  a  §erie§,  to  =  To  place  in  orderly  suc- 
cession, (a) 
The  astronomer  arranged  in  a  series  his  observa- 
tions on  the  moon  =  The  astronomer  placed  in  or- 
derly succession,  his  observations  on  the  moon. 
Arre§t  of  Judgement  (Laiv)  —  T\\e,  staying  or  stop- 
ping of  a  judgment,  after  verdict,  for  legal  cause. 
In  the  late  trial  for  murder  before  the  superior 
court,  a  motion  in  arrest  of  judgment  w^as  made  by 
the   counsel  for  the  accused  =  In  the  late  trial   for 
murder,  before  the  superior  court,  the  counsel  for 
the  accused  made  a  motion  to  stay  the  judgment  of 
the  court,  after  the  jury  had  returned  a  verdict  of 
guilty. 
Art  and  part  {Law)  —  An  accessary  before  and  after 
the  fact ;  one  who  both  instigates  and  participates 
in  a  crime. 
He  was  art  and  part  of  the  bank   robbery  =  He 
both  instigated  and  participated  in  the  robbery  of 
the  bank. 
Articles  of  impeachment  =  An  instrument  which, 
in  cases  of  impeachment,  performs  the  same  office 
which  an  indictment  does  in  a  common  criminal 
case. 
Articles   of  impeachment  were    presented,   by  the 
House    of    Commons,    in    1787,    against    Warren 
Hastings  for  official  misconduct  in  the  East  India 


448        VAKIOUS  OTHER   PHRASES    AND   WORDS. 

government  =  An  instrument,  corresponding  to  an 
indictment,  was  presented  by  the  House  of  Com- 
mons, in  1787,  against  Warren  Hastings,  for  official 
misconduct  in  tlie  East  Indies. 
Artillery    park,    or    park    of    artillery  =  1.  The 
camp  of  one   or  more  field  batteries.     2.  The  in- 
closure  where,  during  a  siege,  the  general  camp  of 
foot  artillery,  and  depots   of  guns,   etc.,    are   col- 
lected. 
1.  On  account  of  a  mutinous  disposition   among 
the  infantry  soldiers,  tlie  artillery  park  was  formed 
on  an  elevation  commanding  the   camp  of  the  in- 
fantry =  On    account     of    a    mutinous    disposition 
among  the  infantry  soldiers,  the  camp  of  the  field 
batteries  was  formed  on  an  elevation,  which  com- 
manded the  camp  of  tlie  infantry.     2.  Kansas  city, 
expecting  a  siege,  formed   an  artillery  park  on  the 
highest   ground   in  the  city  =  In   expectation  of  an 
attack  and  siege,  the  citizens  of  Kansas  city  estab- 
lished an  artillery  camp  and  depot  of  arms  on  the 
highest  ground  in  the  city. 
Artillery  train  =  A  number  of  pieces  of  heavy  guns, 
mounted  on  carriages,  with  all  their  furniture,  fit 
for  marching. 
In  the  march  of  the  Federal  army  to  Gettysburg 
(U.  S.,  1863)   the   infantry   marched    through   the 
fields,  and  left  the  roads  unobstructed,  for  the  use  of 
the   artillery   train  =  \j\.   the   march   of  the   Federal 
army  to  Gettysburg,  the  infantry  marched  through 
the  fields,  and  left  the  roads  unobstructed,  for  the 
use  of  the  train  of  carriages  carrying  the  heavy  guns, 
&c. 
Arts  of  design  =  Those  arts  into  which  the  designing 
of  artistic  forms  and  figures  enters  as  a  principal 
part,  (a) 
Architecture,  painting,  engraving,  and  sculpture 
are  arts  of  cZes/^Tz  =  Architecture,  painting,   engrav- 
ing, and  sculpture  are  arts  into  which  the  designing 
of  artistic  forms   and  figures  enters  as  a  principal 
part. 
As  good  as  a  play  =  Yery  interesting  or  amusing. 

The  discussion  of  the  liquor  bill  in  the  Legisla- 
ture to-day  was  as  good  as  a  play  =The  discussion  of 
the  liquor  bill  in  the  Legislature  to-day  was  very 
entertaining. 
A  sealed  book  =  Something  unknown;    something 
not  disclosed,  (c) 
The  future  of  our  lives  is  a  sealed  book  =  The  fu- 
ture of  our  lives  is  unknown  to  us. 


VARIOUS   OTHER   PHRASES    AND   WORDS.         449 

A  slieet  of  \irater  =  A  broad  expanse  of  water.  («) 
Lake  Constance  (Switzerland)  is  a  beautiful  sheet 
of  water  —  Lake  Constance  is  a   beautiful  broad  ex- 
panse of  water. 
A  shining  light  =  A  person  who  is  eminent  in  some 
department  or  in  certain  circles,  (c) 
Mr.  Darwin,  the  English  naturalist,  is  a  shining 
light  among  the  scientists  =  Mr.  Darwin,  the  English 
naturalist,  is  eminent  in  scientific  circles. 
Aside  from  =  Apart  from;  besides;  in  addition,  (a) 
Aside  from  the  rapidity  of  traveling  by  rail,  it  is  a 
more  comfortable  mode  of  conveyance  than  a  car- 
riage affords  =  Besides  the  rapidity  of  traveling  by 
rail,  it  is  a  more  comfortable  mode  of  conveyance 
than  a  carriage  affords. 
As  is  the  case  =  Which  is  true;  which  is  the  real 
condition  of  matters,  {a) 
If,  as  is  the  case^  the  cold  weather  affects  you  un- 
favorably, you  would  do  well  to  spend  the  winter  in 
a  warmer  climate  =  If  the  cold  weather  is  unfavor- 
able to  your  health,  which  is  true,  it  would  be  well 
for  you  to  spend  the  winter  in  a  warmer  region. 
As  it  may  =  However  it  may  ;  what  it  may.  {a) 

It  bids  fair  to  storm  to-day ;  but  I  must  go  out 
this  afternoon,  be  the  weather  as  it  may  -  There  is 
prospect  of  a  storm  to-day ;  but  I  must  go  out  this 
afternoon,  whatever  the  weather  may  be. 
As  it  may  chance  =  As  it  may  happen  without  de- 
sign or  expectation,  (c) 
Our  friends  will  come  by  rail  or  by  boat,  as  it  may 
chance  =0\ir  friends  will  come  by  rail  or  by  boat,  as 
it  may  happen. 
As  it  may  happen  or  turn  out  =  As  it  may  chance 
to  be.  (ft) 
There  will  be  frost  early  in  the  autumn  or  not,  as 
it  may   happe7i=TherG    will  be   frost   early  in   the 
autunm  or  not,  as  it  may  chance  to  be. 
As  little  as  may  be  =  The  least  that  is  possible  or 
consistent,  (a) 
The  professor's  eyes  are  weak,  and  he  uses  them 
as  little  as  may  be  — The  professor's  eyes  are  weak, 
and  he  uses  them  the  least  that  is  possible  in  the 
performance  of  his  duties. 
As  much  again  =  Twice  as  much,  (a) 

The  farmer  cut  as  much  again  hay  as  his  stock 
could  consume  =  The  farmer  cut  twice  the  quantity 
of  hay  that  his  stock  could  consume. 
As  one  man  =  With  unity  of  purpose  and  act.  (a) 
When  the  enemy  fired  upon  the  flag  of  the  coun- 
try, the  people  rose  up  as  one  man  to  defend  it  = 

30 


450        VAEIOUS    OTHER  PHRASES  AND  WORDb. 

Wlien  the  enemy  fired  upon  the  flag  of  the  country, 
the  people  rose  up  with  unity  of  purpose  and  act  to 
defend  it. 
A§  opposite  a§  black  and  \rhite,  or  as  light  and 

darkness  =  The  greatest  possible  difference  or  op- 
position, (b) 
The  principles  of  these  two  parties  are  as  opposite 
as  black  and  whiter  The  two  parties  are  directly  op- 
posed in  their  principles.     The  dispositions  of  the 
two  brothers  are  as  opposite  as  light  and  darkness  = 
The  brothers'  dispositions  are  as  unlike  as  possible. 
Associated    Press  =  A    combination    of   newspaper 
publishers,  for  professional  ends. 
The  news  came  by  telegraphic  dispatches  to  the 
associated  press  =  The  news  came  by  telegraphic  dis- 
patches to  the  combination  of  newspaper  publishers, 
formed  for  the  purpose  of  receiving  news  by  tele- 
graph in  common. 
As  soon  as  =  Immediately  at  or  after  another  event. 

(")  ... 

As  soon  as  I  arrived  home,  I  made  inquiry  about 
the  behavior  of  the  children  in  my  absence  =  Imme- 
diately on  my  arrival  home,  I  inquired  about  the 
behavior  of  the  children  during  my  absence. 
As  tlioug[li  =  As  if.  (c) 

The  portrait  of  his  wife  seemed,  for  the  moment, 
as  though  it  was  real  flesh  and  blood  =  The  portrait 
of  his  wife  seemed  for  the  moment,  as  if  it  were  a 
real  person. 
A  stand  of  arms  =  A  complete  set  for  one  soldier, 
as  a  musket,  bayonet,  cartridge-box,  and  belt,  (a) 
Every  new  recruit  is  furnished  with  a  stand  of 
arms  =  Every  new  soldier  is  furnished  with  a  mus- 
ket, bayonet,  cartridge-box,  &c. 
A  stand-up  fight  =  A  vigorous  and  determined  con- 
test, (c) 
The  temperance  people  had  a  stand-up  fight  with 
the  liquor  sellers,  at  the  last  term  of  the  court.  = 
The  temperance  people  had  a  vigorous  and  determ- 
ined legal  contest  with  the  liquor  sellers,  at  the  last 
terra  of  the  court. 
As  the  case  may  he  =  As  the  state  of  affairs  makes 
proper;  according  to  circumstances,  (a) 
The  soldiers  will  be  paid  in  coin  or  greenbacks, 
as  the  case  may  be  =  The  soldiers  will  be  paid  in  coin 
or  greenbacks,  as  the  state  of  the  treasury  shall 
make  proper. 
As  the  day  is  long  =  All  the  day ;  continually,  (c) 
He  is  happy  05  the  day  is  long  =110  is  happy  all 
the  day. 


VARIOUS    OTHER   PHRASES  AND  WORDS.        451 

As  the  matter  stands  =  In  the  present  state  of  the 
affair,  (a) 
As  the  matter  stands,  I  shall  have  nothing  to  do 
with  it=:In  the  present  state  of  the  affair,  I  shall 
have  nothing  to  do  with  it. 
As  the  sands  on  the  sea-shore  =  Very  numerous ; 
past  counting,  (c) 
The  persons  who  have  perished  •  by  war,  since  the 
world  began,  are  as  the  sands  on  the  sea-shore  =  More 
persons  than  can  be  reckoned,  have  perished  by  war, 
since  the  beginning  of  the  world. 
As  the  saying  is  =  To  express  the  idea  in  a  common 
phrase;  to  use  a  common  form  of  speech,  {b) 
The  man  in  debt  ran  away  between  two  days,  as 
the  saying  is  =  The  man  in  debt  ran  away  between 
two  days,  to  use  a  common  form  of  speech,  that  is,  he 
departed  in  the  night. 
1.  As  things  are.   2.  Sueh  being  the  ease.    3.  That 
being  so  =  In  the  present  condition  of  affairs,  (a) 
1.  ^5  things  are,  I  shall  not  invest  any  money  in 
the  coal  mine  =  In  the  present  condition  of  affairs,  I 
shall   not  invest  any  money  in  the  coal  mine.     2. 
The  roads  are  bad,  and  such  heing  the  case,  the  driver 
must  drive  slowly  =  In  th«  present  bad  condition  of 
the  roads,  slow  driving  is  necessary.     3.  My  boy  has 
been  taken  ill,  and  that  being  so,  1  shall  go  home  di- 
rectly =  In  the  present  sudden  illness  of  my  boy,  I 
shall  go  home  directly. 
As  this  is  the  case  =  This  being  so;    affairs  being 
thus,  (a) 
My  wife  does  not  like  living  in  New  England ;  and, 
as  this  is  the  case,  I  propose  to  remove  to  California  =: 
My  wife  does  not  enjoy  living  in  New  England; 
and  this  being  so,  I  purpose  to  remove  to  California. 
A  stitch  of  \i^ork  =  The  least  amount  of  work ;  any 
work,  (c) 
The  housekeeper  said  she  should  not  do  a  stitch 
of   work    after    dark  ==  The    housekeeper    said    she 
should  not  do  any  work  after  it  became  dark. 
1.  As  to.     As  for.  (a)  2.  With  relation  to.  (a) 

3.  Relating  to.  (a)  4.  With  respect  to.  (c) 

5.  Respecting,  (a)  6.  W^ith    regard    to.  (a) 

•7.  With  reference  to.  (a)  =  Concerning;  pertain- 
ing to ;  about,  &c. 
1.  He  inquired  as  to  my  healths  He  inquired  con- 
cerning my  health.  1.  As  for  myself  I  will  say, 
that  I  prefer  tea  to  coffee  =  Concerning  myself  I 
will  say,  that  I  prefer  tea  to  coffee.  2.  With  relation 
to  the  coming  harvest  it  may  be  said,  that  it  will  be 
bounteous  =  Concerning  the  coming  harvest  it  may 


452        VAKIOUS    OTHER   PHRASES  AND  WORDS. 

be  said,  that  it  will  be  bounteous.  3.  The  stranger 
asked  me  many  questions  .relating  to  my  country  = 
The  stranger  asked  me  man}^  questions  concerning 
my  country.  4.  With  respect  to  the  charges  of  fraud, 
we  know  that  lie  was  innocent = With  reference  to 
the  charges  of  fraud,  we  know  that  he  was  innocent. 
5.  I  shall  talk  with  the  drunkard  respecting  his  habits 
=  I  shall  talk  with  the  drunkard  concerning  his  hab- 
its. 6.  Now,  with  regard  to  your  expenses,  let  me 
say  =  Now,  with  respect  to  or  respecting  your  ex- 
penses, let  me  say.  7.  I  consulted  the  lawyer  with 
reference  to  my  claim  =  I  conversed  with  the  lawyer 
on  matters  pertaining  to  my  claim. 

A  §tone'§  tliroiv  =  The  distance  to  which  a  stone 
can  be  thrown ;  a  short  distance,  (a) 
The  hunters  passed  within  a  stone's  throw  of  the 
bear's  den  =  The  hunters  passed  within  a  short  dis- 
tance of  the  bear's  den.  How  far  is  it  from  your 
store  to  the  post-office  ?  It  is  only  a  stone^s  throw  = 
How  far  is  it  from  your  store  to  the  post-office  ?  It 
is  only  a  short  distance. 

A  §toriii  brenringr  =  Difficulties,  or  dangers,  or  con- 
tentions arising,  (c) 
A  storm  is  brewing  in  the  political  horizon,  con- 
cerning the  violation  of  the  treaty  =  Political  com- 
plications or  dangers  are  arising,  growing  out  of  the 
violation  of  tlie  treaty. 

A  strong  hand — A  phrase  expressive  of  firmness 
and  force,  (c) 
William  the  Conqueror  (1066-1087)  ruled  Eng- 
land with  a  strong  Aanc?  =  William   the  Conqueror 
(1066-1087)  ruled  England  firmly  and  effectively. 

A  stubborn  fact  =  A  truth  or  occurrence  that  can 
not  be  denied  or  disproved ;  a  fixed  fact,  (c) 
It  is  a  stubborn  fact,  that  most  of  the  Indian  wars 
have  arisen  from  the  ill  treatment  of  the  Indians  by 
the  whites  =  It  is  a  fact  which  can  not  be  denied, 
that  most  of  the  Indian  wars  have  arisen  from  the 
ill  treatment  of  the  Indians  by  the  whites. 

As  usual  =  As  is  customary,  or  frequent,  {a) 

The  minister  was  late  at  church,  as  usual=  The 
minister  was  late  at  church,  as  is  customary  with 
him. 

As  well = Also;  too;  besides;  in  addition,  (a) 

The  good  son  loves  his  father,  and  honors  him  as 
?^eZ^=The  good  son  loves  his  father,  and  also  honors 
him.  My  garden  affords  me  healthy  exercise,  and 
supplies  my  table  with  vegetables  as  well—'Kj 
garden  is  a  means  of  healthy  exercise  to  me,  and 
supplies  my  table  with  vegetables  besides.     She  is 


VARIOUS    OTHER   PHRASES  AND   WORDS.        458 

not  only  a  fine  singer,  but  a  good  player  as  well— 
She  not  only  sings  finely,  but  in   addition,  she  is 
skilled  in  instrumental  music. 
As  yet  =  Until  now ;  up  to  the  present  time ;  hitherto. 

He  has  some  money  invested  in  mining  stocks ; 
but  as  yet^  they  have  paid  him  no  dividend  =  He  has 
some  money  invested  in  mining  stocks,  but  up  to 
the  present  time,  he  has  received  no  return  for  the 
investment.  The  laborer  has  a  large  family;  and 
as  yet^  he  has  been  able  to  support  them  comfortably 
by  his  labor  =  The  laborer  has  a  large  family;  and 
hitherto  the  avails  of  his  labor  have  sufficed  to  fur- 
nish them  a  comfortable  support.  As  yet^  Congress 
has  not  adjourned  =  Congress  has  not  yet  adjourned. 

At  all  hazards  or  risks  =  Whatever  the  hazards  or 
risks  may  be.  (a) 
Mr.  A.  will  have  his  diseased  limb  removed,  at 
all  hazards  =  'M.r.  A.  will  have  his  diseased  limb  re- 
moved, whatever  the  hazard  may  be. 

At  a  snail's  pace  =  Yery  slowly,  (a) 

The  work  on  the  new  post-office  proceeds  at  a 
snaiVs  ^ace  =  The  work  on  the  new  post-office  pro- 
ceeds very  slowly.  The  boy  set  out  for  school  at  a 
snaiVs  joace  =  The  boy  started  to  go  to  school  at  a 
slow  gait.  Legislation  in  the  Senate  is  proceeding 
at  a  snaiVs  jDace  =  The  legislative  business  of  the 
Senate  proceeds  very  slowly. 

At  any  cost  =  Whatever  may  be  requisite  to  secure 

the  object,  (a.) 

The  father  was  determined  that  his  son  should  be 

educated,  at  any  co5^  =  The  father  was  determined 

that  his  son  should  be  educated,  whatever  might  be 

requisite  to  secure  the  object. 

At  a  venture  —  Not  foreseeing  the  end ;  at  hazard. 

The  purchase  of  mining  stock  was  made  at  a  ven- 
ture =  The  purchase  of  mining  stock  was  made,  not 
knowing  whether  or  not  it  would  prove  profitable. 
At  call  (Stock  exchange)  =  Subject  to  a  demand  for 
delivery  within  a  specified  time,  (a) 
The  stock  was  sold  at  call  =The  stock  was  sold, 
subject  to  a  demand  for  delivery  within  a  certain 
time  agreed  upon.     I  have  deposited  money  in  the 
Second  l^ational  Bank,  and,  can  have  it  at  call  (or  on 
cair)  =  l  have  deposited  money  in  the  Second  Na- 
tional Bank,  which  will  be  returned  to  me  whenever 
I  ask  for  it. 
At  cost  =  For  what  a  thing  cost,  or  was  paid  for  it. 
(a) 


454        VARIOUS    OTHER  PHRASES  AND   WORDS. 

I  will  sell  this  remnant  to  you,  at  cost  — J.  will  sell 
this  remnant  to  you,  for  what  I  paid  for  it. 
At  fir§t,  at  the  first  =  At  the  beginning  or  origin,  (a) 
At  first,  the  apprentice  was  very  slow  and  awk- 
ward in  the  use  of  tools,  but  he  has  improved  rap- 
idly =  At  the  beginning,  the  apprentice  was  very  slow 
and  awkward  in  using  tools,  but  he  has  improved 
rapidly.     I  thought,  at  first,  that  I  could  accept  your 
invitation  to  visit  you ;  but  I  now  find  that  it  will 
be  impracticable  =  I  thought,  when  I  received  your 
invitation   to   pay    you   a   visit,    that  I  should    be 
able  to  accept  it ;  but  I  now  find  that  it  will  not  be 
practicable. 
At  first  sight  =  On  the  first  seeing,  (a) 

At  first  sight,  my  impressions  of  him  were  favora- 
ble =  On  the  first  se^ng  of  him,  my  impressions  were 
favorable. 
At  intervals  =  Having  a  period  or  space  between; 
interruptedly,  (a) 
The  street  cars  run  at  intervals  of  half  an  hour  = 
The  street  cars  run  having  a  period  of  half  an  hour 
between  the  times.     There  were  mud  holes  in  the 
road,  at  intervals  =  At  different  places  along  the  road, 
were  mud  holes. 
At  its  height  =  At  the  highest  point,  {a) 

The  storm  was  at  its  height,  about  midnight  =  The 
storm  was  severest,  near  midnight. 
At  length  =  1.  At  or  in  the  full  extent,  {a)     2.  At 
last ;  at  the  end  or  conclusion,  (a) 
1.  I  will  write  to  you  at  length  to-morrow  =  I  will 
write  you  a  long  letter  to-morrow.     2.  He  tried  hard 
and  at  length  succeeded  in  learning  to  WTite  =  He 
tried  earnestly,  and  after  a  long  time  so  spent,  he 
succeeded,  in  learning  to  write.     ^,  At  length  I  have 
obtained  permission  to  visit  the  palace  =  After  long 
waiting,  I  have  obtained  permission   to  visit  the 
palace. 
At  no  periods  On  no  occasion;  at  no  particular 
time;  never,  {a) 
At  no  'period  in  the  American  Revolution,  did  the 
cause  of  the  colonists  look  darker,  than  during  that 
winter  at  Yalley  Forge  =  At  no  time  in  the  Ameri- 
can Revolution,  did  the  cause  of  the  colonists  appear 
more  hopeless,  than  during  that  winter  at  Yalley 
Forge. 
At  once  =  Immediately ;  without  delay,  (a) 

^The  insurance  policy  which  has  expired,  should 
be  renewed  at  once  —  The  insurance  policy  which  has 
expired,  should  be  renewed  without  delay. 
At  one  sTvoop  =  At  one  stroke,  (c) 


VAEIOUS    OTHER  PHRASES  AND   WORDS.        455 

The  Indians  surprised  the  town  of  Deerfield,  in 
Massachusetts,  at  night,  burned  it  and  carried  off 
women  and  children,  at  one  fell  st(;oop  =  The  Indians 
surprised  the  town   of  Deerfield,  in  Massachusetts, 
by  night,  burned  it,  and  carried  off  women   and 
children,  at  one  stroke.     The  hawk  descended,  and 
carried  off  two  half-grown  chickens  at  one  swoop  = 
The  hawk  descended,  and  bj  a  single  seizure  carried 
off  two  half-grown  chickens. 
At  oiie'§  earliest  convenience  =  As  soon  as   con- 
venient, {a) 
The  president  sent  a  note  to  the  ambassador,  re- 
questing him  to  call  at  his  earliest  convenience,  as  he 
had  something  to  say  to  him  =  The  president  sent  a 
note  to  the  ambassador,  requesting  him  to  call  upon 
him  as  soon  as  convenient,  as  he  wished  to  confer 
with  him. 
At  one'§  pleasure  =  As  it  pleases  one.  (b) 

The  lawyer  comes  to  town  by  cars  or  in  his  own 
carriage,  at  Ms  pleasure  =  The  lawyer  comes  to  town 
by  cars  or  in  his  own  carriage,  at  it  pleases  him. 
At  one's  request = According  to,  or  because  of  one's 
request,  (a) 
At  your  requ£st,  I  will  call  upon  your  friend  in  New 
York=:I  will  call  upon  your  friend  in  New  York, 
because  you  have  requested  me  to  do  so. 
At  present = At  the  present  time;  now.  (a) 

I  am  so  occupied  that  I  can  not  go  at  present=I 
am  so  occupied  that  I  can  not  go  now. 
Attending^  physician   or  surgeon  =  The  physician 
or  surgeon  who  has  principal  charge  of  the  case,  (a) 
Dr.    S.  was   the   attending  physician   during   my 
brother-in-law's  illness  ==  Dr.   S.   was  the   physician 
who  had  charge  of  my  brother-in-law  during  his  ill- 
ness. 
At  the  breast  =  Un weaned ; — said  of  a  child,  {a) 
John  Eogers,  an  English  martyr  who  was  burned 
at  the  stake  in  the  reign  of  Queen  Mary,  left  nine 
children   and  one   at  the  breast— ^ohn  Rogers,  an 
English  martyr  who  was  burned  at  the  stake  in  the 
reign  of  Queen  Mary,  left  nine  children  and   one 
nursing  babe. 
At  the  door = Near,  (a) 

Summer  is  at  the  (ioom:  Summer  is  near. 
At  the  thresholds  At  the  entrance,  beginning,  or 
outset. 
The  counsel  fainted  at  the  very  threshold  of  his 
argument  =  The  counsel  fainted  at  the  outset  of  his 
argument. 
At  the  top  of  one's  voice  =  As  loudly  as  possible,  (a) 


456        VARIOUS   OTHER    PHRASES  AND   WORDS. 

When  the  man  passing  the  house,  saw  that  it  was 
on  fire,  he   cried  'Tire!"  at  the  top   of  his   voices 
When  the  man  passing  saw  that  the  house  was  on 
fire,  he  cried,  "  Fire !"  as  loudly  as  possible. 
Athivart  §hips   (A'ait^.)  =  Reaching   across  the  ship 
from  side  to  side,  or  in  that  direction,  (a) 
The  shot  of  the  enemy  came  whizzing  athwart  the 
ships  =The  shot  of  the  enemy  came  whizzing  across 
the  ship  from  side  to  side. 
Athirart   the  fore   foot   (iVaw^.)  =  Across   a   ship's 
course,  ahead.  (6) 
The  privateer  fired  a  cannon  ball  athwart  the  fore 
foot  of  the  merchantman,  to  cause  her  to  stop  =  The 
privateer  fired  a  cannon  shot  across  the  course  of  the 
merchantman,  ahead,  to  make  her  bring  to. 
Atmosplierie  pressure  =  The  weight  by  which  the 
atmosphere  presses  upon  objects  immersed  in  it. 
At    the   earth's    surface,    atmospheric  pressure    is 
equivalent   to   about    14i    pounds   upon   a    square 
inch  =  At  the  earth's  surface,  the  weight  by  which 
the  atmosphere  presses  upon  a  square  inch  is  about 
14i  pounds. 
At  rig^ht  angles  =  So  situated  as  to  form  an  angle  of 
90°,  or  one  marked  by  a  quarter  circle. 
The   streets   in   Philadelphia   (U.  S.)  cross   each 
other  at  right  avgles  =  The  streets  in  Philadelphia 
(U.  S.)  cross  each  other  in  such  a  manner  that  an 
angle  of  ninety  degrees  is  formed  by  the  two.      The 
walls  of  the  room  are  at  right  angles  with  the  floors 
The  walls  of  the  room  form  an  angle  of  ninety  de- 
grees with  the  floor. 
At   regular  intervals  =  Having  uniform  spaces  of 
time  or  distance  intervening,  (a) 
The  pulse  of  a  person  in  health  beats  at  regular 
intervals  =  The  pulse  of  a  person  in  health  has  uni- 
form spaces  of  time  between  the  beats. 
At  tlie  end  of  one's  tether — Said  of  one  who  has 
exhausted  his  resources,  or  powers,  or  has  reached 
a  limit,  (c) 
The  burglar  is  at  the  end  of  his  tether ,  for  the  police- 
man has  caught  him  =  The  burglar  has  reached  the 
limits  of  his  burglaries,  for  he  has  been  caught. 
At  the  top  of  one's  speeds  At  the  fastest  speed 
one  is  capable  of.  (c). 

The  frightened  horse  ran  down  the  street,  at  the 

top  of  his  speeds  The  frightened  horse  ran  down  the 

street,  at  the  fastest  speed  he  was  capable  of. 

At  the  top  of  the  scale  =  The  highest  in  a  series ; 

pre-eminent,  (c) 

The  merchant  in  the  brick  store  stands  at  the  top 


VARIOUS  OTHER  PHRASES    AND   WORDS.        457 

of  the  scale^  for  honesty  =  The  merchant  in  the  brick 
store  is  pre-eminent  for  honesty. 
At  the  wor§t=:In  the  most  mifavorable  view,  con- 
dition, or  event,  (a) 
I  will  take  the  cars  to  Mansfield,  hoping  to  meet 
the  stage  there ;  but  at  the  worst,  I  shall  have  only 
two  miles  to  walk  before  reaching  home  =  I  will  take 
the   cars   to  Mansfield,  hoping   to  meet  the  stage 
there ;  but  in  the  worst  event,  I  shall  have  only  two 
miles  to  walk  before  reaching  home. 
Attraction  of  g^ravitation  =  That  species  of  attrac- 
tion or  force,  by  which  all  bodies,  or  particles  of 
matter,  in  the  universe,  tend  towards  each  other. 
It  is  by  the  attraction  of  gravitation  that  an  apple 
falls  from  the  tree  to  the  ground  =  An  apple  falls 
from  the  tree  to  the  ground,  because  of  that  species 
of  attraction   by  which  all  bodies  in  the   universe 
tend  towards  each  other. 
A  t'wice-told  tale  =  A   story  or  incident  often  re- 
peated; something  familiar,  (c) 
The  account  of  the  landing  of  the   Pilgrims   in 
New  England  (1620)  is  a  twice-told  tah^The,  account 
of  the  landing   of  the  Pilgrims  in  New  England 
(1620)  is  a  story  often  repeated,  or  familiar  to  every 
one. 
A  u§ual  thing  =  Something  customary  or  common; 
something  frequent,  {a) 
It  is  a  usual  thing  with  Mr.  P.  to  take  a  nap  after 
dinner  =  Mr.  P.  is  accustomed  to  take  a  short  sleep 
after  dinner. 
Avail  one'§  self  of  the  opportunity,  to  =  To  take 
advantage  of.  (a) 
The  professor  is  going  to  Europe,  and  I  shall  avail 
myself  of  the  opportunity  to  send  my  son  to  Germany 
=  The  professor  is  going  to  Europe,  and  I  shall  take 
advantage   of  this  opportunity  to  send   my  son  to 
Germany. 
Average  bond  =  A   deed   executed   by  the   parties 
liable  to  a  general  average,  empowering  an  arbitra- 
tor to  ascertain  the  value  of  the  property  lost,  and 
decide  what  proportion  of  the  loss  belongs  to  each 
proprietor. 
In  order  to  ascertain  the  proportionate  loss,  the 
owners  of  the  sea  adventure  executed   an   average 
bond— To  find  out  what  proportion  of  the  loss  each 
one  must  pay,  the  owners  executed  a  bond  empow- 
ering an  arbitrator  to  ascertain  the  loss,  and  appor- 
tion it  to  the  several  proprietors. 
A  wolf  in  sheep's  clothing  =  A  deceiver ;  a  hypo- 
crite, (c) 


458        VARIOUS  OTHER   PHRASES    AND  WORDS. 

One  who  teaches  morality  and  practices  immoral- 
ity, is  a  wolf  in  sheep^s  clothing  =  A  teacher  of  moral- 
ity, who  is  himself  an  immoral  person,  is  a  deceiver 
and  hypocrite.  He  proved  to  be  a  wolf  in  sheeph 
clothing  —  He  proved  to  be  a  deceiver  who  professed 
to  be  other  and  better  than  he  really  was. 


B. 

Baffling^  i^ind    {Naut.)  —  A.    wind    that    frequently 
shifts  from  one  point  to  another. 
On   my  return   from   England,  the  voyage   was 
lengthened  by  baffling  winds  =  On  my  return  from 
England,  the  voyage  was  lengthened  by  frequently 
shifting  winds. 
Ball-and-socket  joints  A  joint  in  which   a   ball 
moves  within  a  socket,  so  as  to  admit  of  motion 
in  every  direction. 
The  shoulder  and  the  hip  furnish  examples  of  the 
ball-and-socket  /om^  =  Examples  of  a  joint  in  which  a 
ball  moves  within  a  socket,  are  furnished  by  the  hip 
and  the  shoulder. 
Balloon   frame   {Carp.)  =  A   frame  for   a   building 
constructed  of  slender  studding,  mostly  secured  by 
nails. 
The  house  that  was  blown  down  by  the  wind  was 
a  balloon  frame  =  The  house,  blown  down  by  the 
wind,  was  made  of  slender  studding  and  mostly  se- 
cured by  nails. 
Barg^ain  and  sale  (Law)  =  A  species  of  conveyance 
by  which,  for   a  valuable  consideration,  the  bar- 
gainer contracts  to  convey  the  lands  to  the  bar- 
gainee, who  then    is   entitled  to  use  and  possess- 
ion. 
His  title  to  the  farm  rests  on  a  contract  of  bargain 
and  sale  =  llis,  ownership  in  the  farm  is  assured  by 
that  species  of  conveyance  called  bargain  and  sale, 
or  a  contract  to  convey  the   property  to  the  bar- 
gainee, which  contract  gives  the  purchaser  possession 
and  use. 
^  Batten  dourn,  to  =  To  fasten  down  with  battens,  (a) 
During  the  storm  in  the  passage  to  Yokohama, 
the  hatches  of  the  ship  were  battened  do7.un  =  During 
the  storm  in  the  passage  to  Yokohama,  the  hatches, 
or  opening  into  the  hold,  were  closed,  and  fastened 
down,  with  battens,  to  keep  out  the  storm. 
Battle  §rround  =  The  spot  or  region  where  a  contest 
takes  place,  (a) 


VARIOUS  OTHER    PHRASES  AND   WORDS.        459 

From  1776  to  1783,  America  was  the  hatth  ground 
of  Independence  =  From  1776  to  1783,  America  was 
a  place  of  contest  for  independence. 
Bear  a  cbarmed  life,  to  =  To  have  one's  hfe  forti- 
fied against  possible  harm,  by  supernatural  influ- 
ences, (c) 
In  one  of  his  plays,  Shakespeare  puts  these  words 
into  the  mouth  of  Macbeth; — "I  hear  a  charmed  life'''' 
=  In  one  of  his  plays,  Shakespeare  represents  Mac- 
beth  as  saying.   My  life  is   protected   against   any 
harm  by  supernatural  influences. 
Beast  of  burden  =  An  animal  employed  in  labor  or 
carrying  bundens.  {b) 
The  camel  is  a  beast  of  burden  =  The  camel  is  em- 
ployed in  carrying  burdens.     Horses  and  oxen  are 
beasts  of  burden  =  Horses  and  oxen  are  animals  em- 
ployed in  labor. 
Beat  of  drum  {Mil)  =  A  succession  of  strokes,  va- 
ried for  particular  purposes,  (b) 
At  the  beat  of  the  drum,  the  soldiers  fell  into  line, 
to  begin  the  day's  march  =  The  succession  of  strokes 
upon  the  drum  was  the  signal  for  the  soldiers  to  fall 
into  line,  in  order  to  start  upon  the  day's  march. 
Before  long  =  Soon  ;  without  much  delay,  (a) 

The  train  will  arrive  before  bng  =  The  train  will 
soon  arrive. 
Before  now  =  Previous  to  the  present  time,  (a) 

Before  now,  experiments  have  been  made  in  apply- 
ing electrical  light  to  practical  uses = Previous  to 
the  present  time,  experiments  have  been  made  in 
applying  electrical  light  to  practical  uses. 
Before  one's  eyes  =  In  one's  presence  or  sight,  (a) 
You  ought  to  have  seen  your  child's  disrespect 
to  his  grandfather,  for  it  was  committed  before  your 
eyes=You  ought  to  have  seen  your  child's  miscon- 
duct, for  it  was  in  your  presence  that  he  was  guilty 
of  it.  The  North  American  Indians  used  to  dash 
out  the  brains  of  captured  infants,  before  the  eyes  of 
the  mother  =  The  North  American  Indians  were 
accustomed  to  dash  out  the  brains  of  captured  in- 
fants, in  the  sight  of  the  mother. 

Before  one's  time  =  Earlier  than  the  period  in  which 
one  lived,  or,  in  which  a  sovereign  reigned,  (c) 
The  English  revolution  of  1688  was  before  the  time 
of  Queen   Anne  =The   English   revolution   of  1688 
occurred  before  the  period  in  which  Queen  Anne 
reigned. 
Beg  leave,  to  =  To  ask,  or  request,  permission, — (a 
phrase  of  courtesy),  (a) 
The  merchant  "  begs  leave  " — as  the  advertisements 


460        VARIOUS  OTHER  PHRASES    AND    WORDS. 

are  worded — to  inform  his  patrons  that  he  has  just 
received  a  new  stock  of  goods = The  merchant  re- 
spectfully informs — this  is  the  meaning  of  the  ad- 
vertising phrase — his  patrons,  that  he  has  just 
received  a  new  stock  of  goods.  Have  you  paid  for 
the  four  seats  which  yourself  and  bags  are  occupy- 
ing in  this  crowded  car,  and  .which  you  refuse  to 
give  up,  I  heg  leave  to  ask?  =  I  should  like  to  know  if 
you  have  paid  for  the  four  seats  which  are  occupied 
by  yourself  and  your  baggage  in  this  crowded  car, 
and  which  you  refuse  to  yield  to  others. 

Beg  one'§  bread,  to  —  To  live  by  asking  alms,  (a) 
]N'o  one  who  is  able  to  work,  should  be  allowed  to 
heg  his  bread  =  ^^0  one  who  is  able  to  work,  should  be 
allowed  to  live  by  asking  alms. 

1.  Be  good  enough.  2.  Be  so  kind,  or  good, 
as  =  Please,  (a) 
1.  Be  good  enough  to  call  at  the  post-office,  on  your 
way  down  town,  and  see  if  I  have  a  letter  =  Please 
call  at  the  post-office,  as  you  go  down  town,  and  as- 
certain if  I  have  a  letter.  2.  Will  you  be  so  kind  as 
to  allow  me  to  drive  past  you  ?  my  horse  is  restive 
when  following  =  Will  you  please  to  permit  my 
horse  to  pass  yours,  as  he  is  restive  when  following 
another  horse  ? 

Be  it  so=:Let  it  be  so.  (c) 

The  Indian  said,  "  Our  hunting  grounds  are 
being  taken  from  us.  Be  it  so;  we  shall  not  need 
them  long,  for  we  shall  soon  be  an  extinct  race "  = 
The  Indian  said,  "  Our  hunting  grounds  are  being 
taken  from  us.  Let  it  be  so;  we  shall  not  need 
them  long,  for  we  shall  soon  be  an  extinct  race." 

Below  stairs  =  In  the  basement  or  lower  part  of  the 
house,  (b) 
In  that  house,  the  kitchen  is   below  stair^s =The 
kitchen  in  that  house  is  in  the  basement. 

Bend   forivard,  to  =  To  incline  toward  the  front. 

We  bend  forward  in  runnings  We  incline  the  body 
to  the  front  in  running. 
Bend  one's  steps   or  course,  to  =  To  direct  one's 
steps  or  course,  (b) 
The   man   alighted   from   the   cars,  and  bent  his 
steps  homeward  =  The  man  alighted  from  the  cars, 
and  went  homeward. 
Beneath  notice  =  Paltry ;  contemptible,  (a) 

The  article  in  the  newspaper,  attacking  a  distin- 
guished citizen,  is  beneath  notice  =  The  newspaper 
article,  attacking  a  distinguished  citizen,  ia  con- 
temptible. 


VARIOUS   OTHER    PHRASES    AND   WORDS.         461 

Be   or  form,  part  of,  to  =  To  belong  to ;  to  aid  in 
forming,  (a) 
An  attack  at  midnight  2vas  part  of  the  general's 
plan  for  subduing  tlie  enemy  =  An  attack  at  mid- 
night belonged  to  the  general's  plan  for  subduing 
the  enemy. 
Bereft  of  rea§on  =  Insane,  (a) 

It  is  sad  to  see  a  person  bereft  of  reason  =  It  is  sad 
to  see  a  person  insane. 
Be§ide  the    question  =  Aside   from    the    question; 
not  pertaining  to  the  questign.  (c) 
What  you  say  is  beside  the  question  under  consider- 
ation =  What  you  say  is  aside  from,  and  not  perti- 
nent to,  the  subject  we  are  talking  about. 
Best  part,  the  =  The  greater  part,  {b) 

The  convention  spent  the  best  part  of  the  morning 
in  organizing  =  The   convention  spent   the  greater 
part  of  the  morning,  in  appointing  officers  and  ar- 
ranging for  the  orderly  transaction  of  business. 
Be  the  eause  of,  to  =  To  cause,  (a) 

Eating  unripe  pears  was  the  cause  of  the  boy's 
illness  =  Eating   unripe  pears  caused  the   boy's   ill- 
ness. 
Between  wind  and  water  {Naut.)z=ln  that  part  of 
the  ship's  side  which  is  frequently  brought  above 
the  water  by  the  roUing  of  the  ship,  or  fluctuation 
of  the  water's  surface,  (a) 
One  shot  from  the  enemy's  guns  struck  the  ship 
between  wind  and  water —  Owq  shot  struck  the  side  of 
the  ship,  where  it  is  frequently  brought  above  water 
by  the  rolling  of  the  ship. 
Beyond  conception  =  Inconceivable  ;  not  to  be  un- 
derstood, (c) 
The  lady   said  that  it  was  beyond  her   conception, 
how  any  one   could   enjoy   the  life   of  a   soldier  == 
The  lady  said  that  she  could  not  understand  how 
any  one  could  enjoy  being  a  soldier. 
Beyond    controls  Can    not   be    managed    or    re- 
strained, (a) 
If  a  boat   enters   the    rapids  in  the  river  above 
Kiagara  Falls,  it  is  beyond  control  — li  a  boat  enters 
tlie  rapids  in  the  river  above  JS'iagara  Falls,  it  can 
not  be  managed. 
Beyond  measure  =  More  than  can  be  measured  or 
expressed ;  excessively,  (a) 
The   settler   in  California  was   delighted,  beyond 
measure,   with   the  climate  and   productions  of  the 
country  =  The  settler  in  California  was  exceedingly 
delighted,  with  the  climate  and  productions  of  the 
country. 


462        VARIOUS    OTHER  PHRASES  AND  WORDS. 

Beyond  the  mark  =  Beyond  the  limit  or  purpose ; 
excessive,  (c) 
A  man  attempted  suicide  by  swallowing  laudanum, 
and  went  beyond  the  mark  in  taking  so  much  that  he 
vomited,   and  was  thus  saved  =i  A  man  attempted 
suicide  by  laudanum,  but  exceeded  the  limit  or  his 
purpose,  by  taking  so  much  as  to  produce  vomiting, 
and  thus  expel  the  poison  from  his  system. 
Beyond  tlie  §ea   or  sea§  (Statute  of  Limitations)  = 
Out  of  the  state,  territory,  realm,  or  country. 
Action  in  the  case  of  A.  vs.  B.  was  barred  by  the 
statute  of  limitations,  because  of  B's  prolonged  ab- 
sence heyond  the  seas  =  Action  in  the  case  of  A.  vs. 
B.  was  prevented  by  the  statute  of  limitations,  be- 
cause of  B's  prolonged  absence  out  of  the  realm. 
Bid  God  §peed,  to  =:  To  favor ;  to  wish  success,  (a) 
Mr.  M.  said  that  he  was  not  able  to  subscribe  any 
thing  to  the  fund  for  disabled  sailors,  but  he  hade 
Ood  speed  to  the  enterprise  =  Mr.  M.  said  that  he 
was  not  able  to  subscribe  any  thing  to  the  fund  for 
disabled  sailors,  but  he  wished  success  to  the  enter- 
prise. 
Bill  of  adventure = A  writing  signed  by  a  person 
who  takes  goods  on  board  of  his  ship,  wholly  at 
the  risk  of  the  owner. 
I  shipped  my  tea  from  China  to  California,  and 
took  a  hill  of  adventure  =  I  shipped  my  tea  from  China 
to  California,  and  took  a  receipt  from  the  agent  of 
the  vessel,  stating  that  the  tea  was  wholly  at  my 
own  risk. 
Bill  of  co§t8  =  A  statement  of  the  items  which  form 
the  total  amount  of  the  costs  of  a  party  to  a  suit  or 
action. 
In  the  suit  of  A.  vs.  B.  for  damages  on  account 
of  libel,  the  trial  was  prolonged,  and  the  hill  of  costs 
heavy  =  In  the  case  of  A.  versus  B.  for  libel,  the- 
trial  was  prolonged,  and  the  total  amount  of  costs 
was  large. 
Bill  of  credit  =  A  paper  issued  by  a  state,  on  the 
mere  faith  and  credit  of  the  state,  and  designed  to 
circulate  as  money. 
The  constitution  of  the  United  States  contains 
this  clause  ''l^To  State  shall  emit  hills  of  crec?2^"  =  The 
constitution  of  the  United  States  contains  a  clause 
prohibiting  a  state  from  issuing  paper  on  its  own 
faith  and  credit,  designed  for  circulation  as  money. 
Bill  of  entry  =  A  written  account  of  goods  entered 
at  the  custom-house,  whether  imported  or  intended 
for  exportation. 
My  hill  of  entry  contains  a  full  list  of  all  goods  I 


VARIOUS    OTHER   PHRASES   AND   WORDS.         463 

have   sent   by  this   steamer = My  written   account, 
entered  at  the  custom-house,  contains  a  full  list  of 
all  goods  I  have  sent  by  this  steamer. 
Bill  of  exceptions  {Law)  =  A  statement  of  objec- 
tions to  the  decision,  or  instructions  of  the  judge 
in  the  trial  of  a  cause,  made  for  the  purpose  of 
putting  the  points  decided  on  record  so  as  to  bring 
them  before  a  superior  court  or  the  full  bench  for 
review. 
In  the  first  trial  of  the  man  charged  with  murder, 
who  was  found  guilty,  his  counsel  filed  a  hill  of  ex- 
ceptions —  In  the  first  trial  of  the  murderer,  his  coun- 
sel filed  a  statement  of  objections  to  the  instructions 
of  the  judge,  so  as  to  bring  them  before  a  higher 
court  for  review. 
Bill  of  exchange  [Com.)  — A  written  order  or  re- 
quest from  one  person  to  another,  desiring  the  latter 
to  pay  to  some  person  named  a  certain  sum  of 
money  therein  mentioned. 
I  paid  for  the  goods  sent  me  from  Liverpool  by  a 
hill  of  exchange  or  draft  on  a  mercantile  firm  in  Lon- 
don, which  was  owing  nie  =  I  paid  my  creditor  in 
Liverpool  for  the  goods  which  he  sent  me,  by  a 
written  order  on  a  London  mercantile  firm  which 
was  indebted  to  me,  directing  them  to  pay  my  cred- 
itor in  Liverpool  a  specified  sum. 
Bill  of  fare  ==  A  list  of  the  articles  of  food  provided 
at  a  meal. 
The  hill  of  fare  for  dinner,  at  the  hotel,  includes  sev- 
eral courses  =  The  list  of  the  articles  of  food  provided 
for  dinner,  at  the  hotel,  includes  several  courses. 
Bill  of  healths  A  certificate  from  the  proper  au- 
thorities as  to  the  state  of  health  of  a  ship's  com- 
pany at  the  time  of  her  leaving  port. 

The  ship  left  Charleston  with  a  clean  hill  of  health 
=  The  ship  left  Charleston  with  a  good  certificate 
from  the  proper  authorities  respecting  the  health  of 
the  ship's  company. 
Bill  of  lading  =  A  written  account  of  goods  shipped, 
by  any  person,  on  board  of  a  vessel,  signed  by  the 
owner  or  agent  of  the  vessel,  who  acknowledges  the 
receipt  of  the  goods,  and  promises  to  deliver  them 
safe  at  the  place  directed,  dangers  of  the  sea  ex- 
cepted. 
The  hill  of  lading^  forwarded  to  the   consignee, 
did  not  reach  him  =  The  written  list  of  the  goods 
shipped,  did  not  reach  the  person  to  whom   they 
were  shipped. 
Bill  of  mortality  =:  The  account  of  the  number  of 
deaths  in  a  place  in  a  given  time. 


464        VARIOUS    OTHER   PHRASES   AND   WORDS. 

When  the  yellow  fever  prevails  in  the  South  (U. 
S.)  the  weekly  hills  of  mortality  in  the  cities  are  very 
large  =  During  the  prevalence  of  the  yellow  fever  in 
the  South  (U.  S.)  the  weekly  account  of  the  number 
of  deaths  in  the  cities  is  very  large. 
Bill  of  parcels  =  An  account  given  by  the  seller  to 
the  buyer,  containing   the   kinds,   quantities,   and 
prices  of  the  goods  sold. 
After  making  extensive  purchases  at  a  dry  goods 
store,  Mrs.  G.  requested  a  hill  of  parcels  =  After  mak- 
ing extensive  purchases  at  a  dry  goods  store,  Mrs. 
G.  asked  for  a  written  statement  of  the  kinds,  quan- 
tities, and  prices  of  the  articles  purchased. 
Bill    of  particulars  {Law)  — A  detailed   statement 
of  the  items  of  a  plaintiff's  demand  in  an  action,  or 
of  the  defendant's  set-oif. 
The  defendant's  counsel  asked  for  a  hill  of  particu- 
lars =T\\q  counsel  for   the   defendant   asked   for   a 
detailed  statement  of  the  items  of  the  plaintiif's 
demand,  in  the  action  which  he  brought. 
Bill  of  rig^hts  =  A  summary  of  rights  and  privileges 
claimed  by  a  people. 
In  America  a  hill  of  rights  is  prefixed  to  most  of 
the  constitutions  of  the  several  states  =  In  America 
a  summary  of  the  rights  and  privileges  claimed  by 
the  people,  is  prefixed  to  most  of  the  constitutions 
of  the  several  states. 
Bill  of  sight  nz  A  form  of  entry  at  the  custom-house, 
by  which  goods,  respecting  w^hich  the  importer  is 
not  possessed  of  full  information,  may  be  provision- 
ally landed  for  examination. 
The  consignment  from  Canton  to  Messrs.  A.  &  B. 
of  New  York  was  entered  at  the  custom-house  by  a 
hill  of  sights  Since  Messrs.  A.  &  B.  did  not  have 
full  information  about  their  consignment  from  Can- 
ton, it  was  entered  at  the  custom-house  in  such  a 
manner,  as  allowed  it  to  be  landed  provisionally  for 
examination. 
Bill    of  store  =  A  license  granted  at  the  custom- 
house to  merchants,  to  carry  such  stores  and  pro- 
visions as  are  necessary  for  a  voyage,  custom  free. 
The  owners  of  the  packet  "Delia,"  bound  for 
London,  received  a  hill  of  store  for  supplies  designed 
for  use  on  board  the  ship  =  The  owmers  of  the  packet 
received  from  the  custom-house  a  license  to  take, 
custom   free,   such   stores   and   provisions   as   were 
necessary  for  the  voyage.     The  excursion  steam-ship, 
from  New  York  bound  to  Canton  via  London,  Mal- 
ta and  Calcutta,  took  out  a  hill  of  store  from  the  cus- 
tom house,  in  New  York  =  The  excursion  steam-ship 


VARIOUS    OTHER   PHRASES   AND   WORDS.         465 

from  ISTew  York,  bound  for  Canton,  via  London, 
Malta,  and    Calcutta,  took   out  a  license  to  carrj, 
custom  free,  such  stores  and  provisions  as  are  neces- 
sary for  the  voyage. 
Bird  of  ill  omen  —  One  who  always  predicts  evil  or 
calamity,  (c) 
It  is  unpleasant  to  hear  Mr.  D.  speak  on  national 
topics,  for  he  is  a  bird  of  M  omen-=\t  is  unpleasant 
to  hear  Mr.  D.  speak  on  national  topics,  for  he  is 
alwaj's  predicting  evil. 
Bird  of  pa§§age=:  A  migratory  bird,  (a) 

The  wild  pigeon  is  a  bird  of  passage  =  The  wild 
pigeon  is  a  migratory  bird. 
Bit  by  bit  =  In  small  pieces;  piecemeal,  (c) 

The  sculptor  cuts  away  the  marble  bit  by  bit =The 

sculptor  cuts  away  the  marble  in  small  pieces.     The 

post  of  the  house  decayed  bit  by  bit  =  The  post  of  the 

house  decayed  piecemeal. 

Black  and  blue  =  The  dark  color  of  a  bruise  in  the 

flesh,  (a) 

My  finger  was  caught  in  the  crack  of  the  door, 
and   got   pinched   black  and  blue=Mj   finger   was 
caught  in  the  joint  of  the  door,  and  was  pinched,  so 
that  the  flesh  was  bruised,  and  much  discolored. 
Black  A*o§t  =  Cold  so  intense  as  to  freeze  vegetation 
and  cause  it  to  turn  black,  without  the  formation 
of  white  or  hoar  frost. 
In  this  latitude,  Connecticut,  (United  States,  41°), 
black  frost  usually  comes  first  in  October = In  this 
latitude,  Connecticut,  (United  states,  41°)  the  first 
cold  that  freezes  vegetation  and  makes  it  turn  black, 
usually  comes  in  October. 
Black   list  =  A  list  of  persons  suspected  of  insolv- 
ency. 
Black  lists  are   for  the  private  guidance   of  the 
mercantile  community  =  Lists  of  persons  suspected 
of  insolvency,  are  prepared  for  the  guidance  of  the 
mercantile  community. 
Black  vomit  {Med.)  — A.  copious  vomiting  of  dark- 
colored  matter,  resembling  coflee-grounds. 
Black  vomit  is  one  of  the  most  fatal  attendants  of 
the  yellow  fevers  One  of  the  most  fatal  attendants 
of  the  yellow  fever,  is  a  copious  vomiting  of  dark- 
colored  matter. 
Blank  bar  =  A  plea,  in  an  action  of  trespass,  put  in 
to  oblige  the  plaintifi*  to  assign  the  certain  place 
where  the  trespass  was  committed. 
In   the   action   for   trespass  brought  by  Mr.  A. 
against  his  neighbor,  the  neighbor  put  in  a  plea  of 
blank  bar  =  In  the  action  for  trespass  which  Mr.  A. 
31 


4:66        VARIOUS    OTHER   PHRASES   AND   WORDS. 

brought  against  his  neighbor,  the  neighbor  put  in  a 
plea  to  oblige  Mr.  A.  to  assign  the  certain  place 
where  the  trespass  was  committed. 
Blank   deed,  mortgage,  \rrit,  &c.=3The  custom- 
ary form  of  such  documents,  generally  in  print, 
with  spaces  left  to  be  filled  by  names,  dates,  amounts, 
&c,. 
B.  &  G.  booksellers,  keep  for  sale  blank  deeds  and 
other  legal  documents  r=B.  &  G.  booksellers,  keep 
for  sale  legal  documents,  printed  in  the  customary 
form,  with  vacant  spaces  for  the  insertion  of  names, 
dates,  and  the  like,  to  suit  particular  cases. 
Blank  indorsement  =  An  indorsement  which  omits 
the  name  of  the  person  in  whose  favor  it  is  made. 
This  bill  of  exchange  .has  a  blank  indorsement  on 
the  back  =  This  bill  of  exchange  has  the  name  of  the 
indorser  written  on  the  back,  but  does  not  mention 
any  person  to  whom  the  bill  is  to  be  paid. 
Bloek   up,  to=:l.  To   obstruct,  (a)     2.  To  support 
by  means  of  blocks,  (a) 
1.  The  way  was  blocked  up  by  a  procession  rr:  The 
way  was  obstructed  by  a  procession.     2.  The  build- 
ing fell  and  injured  some  of  the  workmen,  because 
it  was  not  properly   blocked  up  =  The  building  fell 
and  injured  some  of  the  workmen,  because  it  was 
not  properly  supported  by  blocks. 
Blood  lieat  =  The  natural  temperature  of  the  human 
body. 
On  Fahrenheit's  thermometer  blood  heat  is  marked 
at  98°  =  Fahrenheit's  thermometer  marks  the  natural 
temperature  of  the  human  body  at  98  degrees. 
Board   of  health  =  A  body  of  men  appointed  to 
have  charge  of  the  sanitary  condition   or  public 
health  of  a  town  or  city. 
The  board  of  health  forbade  the  family  in  which 
was  a  case  of   small-pox,  to  go  on  the  street  =  The 
body  of  men,  appointed  to  attend  to  matters  of  pub- 
lic health,  forbade  the  family  in  which  was  a  case  of 
small-pox,  to  go  upon  the  street. 
Body   political.  The  collective  body  of  a  nation 
or  state  as  politically  organized,  or  as  exercising 
political   functions.     2.  Body  politic  is  also  applied 
to  corporations. 
1.  "The  persons  who   compose   the  body  politic, 
or  associate  themselves,  take  collectively  the  name 
of  people  or  nation."  [Bouvier]  =  The  persons  who 
compose   the   collective   body  of  a  nation  or  state 
as  politically  organized,  or   as  exercising   political 
functions,  take  collectively  the  name  of  people  or 
nation.  • 


VARIOUS    OTHER  PHRASES  AND  WORDS.        467 

Bonded  goods  =  Goods  left  in  charge  of  the  officers 
of  customs,  for  the  duties  on  which,  bonds  are 
given  at  the  custom-house. 
Bonded  goods  are  stored  in  a  bonded  warehouse  = 
Imported  goods,  on  which  the  duties  have  not  been 
paid,  are  stored  in  a  bonded  warehouse. 
Border  upon,  to  =  To  come  near  to.  (a) 

The  wit  of  some  writers  borders  upon  vulgarity  = 
The  wit  of  some  writers  comes  near  to  vulgarity. 
Borrowed    plunie§  =  Something    which    a    person 
wears  or  puts  forward  as  his  own,  but  which  is  not. 

In  the  address  which  the  man  gave  at  the  agri- 
cultural fair,  he  appeared  in  borrowed  plumes  —  The 
address  which  the  man  gave  at  the  agricultural  fair, 
was  not  his  own  production. 
Both  the  one  and  the  other — This  phrase  indi- 
cates that  some  statement  is  applicable  to  each  of 
two  things  mentioned,  (c) 
Electrotyping  and  printing,  both  the  one  and  the 
other ^  are  more  expensive  at  Cambridge,  Mass.,  than 
at  Hartford,  Conn.  =  Electrotyping  and  printing  are 
each  more  expensive  at  Cambridge,  Mass.,  than  at 
Hartford,  Conn. 
Bottomless  pit  =  Hell ;  the  abode  of  evil  spirits. 
The  enraged  man  used  such  language,  as  might 
have  come  from  the  bottomless  ^2'^=  The  enraged  man 
used  such  language,  as  one  would  expect  to  hear  in 
the  abode  of  evil  spirits. 
Bound  baek,  to  =  To  spring  back;  to  rebound,  (a) 
The  ball  bounds  back^  when  it  is  thrown  on  the 
pavements  The  ball  rebounds,  when  it  is  thrown  on 
the  pavement. 
Bound  hand  and  foot  =  Having  the  feet  and  the 
hands  tied  or  confined,  (c) 
The  murderer  was  taken  to  prison,  bound  hand 
and  foot  =  The  murderer  was  taken  to  prison,  having 
his  feet  and  hands  confined. 
Bound  in  honor  =  Obliged,   as  a  matter  of  honor. 
(a) 
A  person  is  bound  in  honor,  not  to  reveal  a  secret 
which   has   been   intrusted   to   him  =  A    pe^on    is 
obliged,  if  he  would  be  honorable,  to  keep  a  secret 
which  has  been  intrusted  to  him. 
Breakers   ahead  =  Dangers  or  difficulties  in  pros- 
pect, (c) 
The  man  withdrew  from  the  business  firm,  be- 
cause he  saw  breakers  ahead  =  The   man   withdrew 
from  the  business  firm,  because  there  were  difficulties 
in  prospect. 


468        VARIOUS   OTHER    PHRASES  AND  WORDS. 

Break  one's  spirit,  to  —  To  dishearten  ;  to  discour- 
age, (a) 

The  ill  treatment  of  the  father  hrohe  the  sori^s  spirit 
=  The  ill  treatment  of  the  father  disheartened  the  son. 
Breathe  one's  last,  to  =  To  die.  (a) 

His  son  arrived  just  after  the  father  had  breathed 
his  last=Iie  arrived  just  after  his  father  had  died. 
Broaeh   a  subject,  to  =  To  mention  first  or  make 
public  a  matter,  (a) 
As  we  were  riding  together,  Mr.  A.  broached  the 
subject  of  establishing  a  young  ladies'  seminary  in 
our  town  =  As  we  were  riding  together,  Mr.  A.  first 
mentioned  the  matter  of  establishing  a  young  ladies' 
seminary  in  our  town. 
Broad    day  light  =  Daylight    everywhere    difi'used; 
full  daylight,  (a) 
It  is  time  to  get  up ;  it  is  broad  daylight=lt  is 
time  to  rise ;  it  is  full  daylight. 
Broken  fortunes  =  Financial  reverses;  losses,  (c) 
At  the  opening  of  the  California  gold  mines  in 
1848,  many  people  went  there  hoping  to  repair  their 
broken  fortunes  =z  At  the  opening   of  the    California 
gold  mines  in  1848,  many  people  went  there  hoping 
to  repair  the  losses  which  they  had  sustained. 
Bronze   Age=:A   supposed  prehistoric  age   of  the 
world  which  followed  the  Stone  Age. 
The  supposed  Bronze  Age  was  characterized  by  the 
use  of  implements  and   ornaments  of  copper   and 
brass  =  The   supposed  prehistoric  age  of  the  world 
which  followed  the  Stone  Age,  was  characterized  by 
the  use  of  implements,  &c.,  of  copper  and  brass. 
Burial  service  =  The  religious  service  performed  at 
the  interment  of  the  dead. 
The  burial  service  of  the  Church  of  England  is  very 
solemn  and  impressive=The  religious  service  per- 
formed at  the  interment  of  the  dead  by  clergymen 
of  the  Church  of  England,  is  very  solemn  and  im- 
pressive. 
Buried   or  sunk  in    oblivion = Wholly  past;    en- 
tirely forgotten,  (b) 
Many  ancient  cities  are  buried  in  oblivion  =  Many 
ancient  cities  are  entirely  forgotten. 
Burn  to  a  cinder,  to  =  To  burn  so  much,  as  to  re- 
semble a  cinder,  (a) 
The  beef  was  left  in  the  oven,  forgotten,  till  it 
was   burned   to   a  cinder  =  ThG   beef  was   forgotten, 
and  left  in  the  oven,  till  it  was  burned  so  that  it 
looked  like  a  cinder. 
Burst  forth,  to  =  To  escape  by  a  sudden  or  violent 
removal  of  obstacles,  (a) 


VARIOUS  OTHER  PHRASES  AND    WORDS.        469 

The  banks  of  the  reservoir  gave  way,  and  the  wa- 
ters hurst  forth  with  frightful  volume  and  velocity  = 
The  waters  of  the  reservoir  broke  loose  and  escaped, 
tearing  away  the  embankment  with  frightful  volume 
and  velocity. 
But   ju§t=That   and   no   more;    barely;    scarcely. 

(«) 

There  are  hut  just  five  pounds  of  flour  in  the  house 
=:  There  are  fi.YQ  pounds,  and  no  more,  of  flour  in 
the  house. 
Button  ear  (in  dogs)  =  An  ear  which  falls  in  front 
and  completely  hides  the  inside. 
The  Cuban  blood-hound   has   a  hutton  ear  =:  The 
Cuban  blood-hound  has  an  ear  which  falls  in  front 
and  hides  the  inside. 
By — The  preposition  %,  often  has  the  sense  of  accord- 
ing to.  (a) 
He  does  every  thing  hy  rule  —  Whatever  he  does  is 
done   according  to  rule.     It  is   ten  o'clock   hy  my 
tt;ateA  =  According   to   my  watch,   the  hour  is  ten 
o'clock.     A   carpenter,   Jones    hy  name,   built    my 
house  =  A  carpenter,  whose  name  is  Jones,  built  my 
house. 
By  =  As  soon  as ;  not  later  than ;  between  now  and ; 
— used  in  expression  of  time,  (a) 
He  will  be  here  hy  two  o'cZocA;  =  He  will   arrive 
here  not  later  than  two  o'clock.     He  was  detained 
from  breakfast  till  nine  o'clock ;  and  hy  that  time  he 
was    faint   with   hunger = He   was    detained    from 
breakfast  till  nine  o'clock ;  and  when  that  hour  ar- 
rived, he  was  faint  with  hunger.     I  shall  start  on 
my  journey  at  sunrise;  and  hy  the  time  you  break- 
fast, I  shall  be   many  miles  on   my  way  =  I   shall 
begin  my  journey  at  sunrise;  and  between  that  hour 
and  the  hour  of  your  taking  breakfast,  I  shall  have 
passed  over  many  miles. 
By  accident  =  Unexpectedly,  (c) 

When  I  was  in  London,  I  met  an  old  school-mate 
from  America  hy  accident  =  When  I  was  in  London,  I 
unexpectedly  met  an  old  school-mate  from  America. 
By  all  niean§  =  Certainly  ;  without  fail,  (a) 

When  you  visit  Europe,  hy  all  means  go  to  Rome 
=  When  you  visit  Europe,  go  to  Rome  without  fail. 
By  any  niean§  =  In  any  way ;  possibly ;  at  all.  {a) 
If  you  can  hy  any  means  do  it,  get  me  a  commis- 
sion in  the  army  =  If  you  can  possibly  do  it,  get  me 
a  commission  in  the  army. 
By   degrees  =  Step  by   step;   by  little   and    little; 
gradually,  (a) 
I  withdrew  from  business  hy  degrees  =  1  withdrew 


470        VAKIOUS   OTHER    PHRASES  AND  WORDS. 

from  business  little  by  little.     His   deafness  came 
upon  him  hy  degrees  =  He  became  deaf  gradually. 
By  it§elf  =  Alone ;  separately,  (a) 

The  house  where  the  poet  was  born   stands   hy 
itself^  in  a  turn  of  the  road  =  The  house  where  the 
poet  was  born  stands  alone,  at  a  point  where  the 
road  changes  direction. 
By-law  =  A  law  or  regulation  made  by  a  society  or 
corporation  for  its  own  government. 
The  by-laws  of  this  railroad  forbid  the  issuing  of 
passes  (free  tickets)  to  the  employes  of  the  road=: 
The  regulations  made  by  this  railroad  corporation, 
to  guide  its  own  action,  forbid  giving  free  tickets  to 
the  employes  of  the  road. 
By  order  =  According  to  the  direction,  or  the  com- 
mand, (a) 
By  order  of  the  mayor,  the  shops  were  closed  on 
the  streets  through  which  the  procession  was  to  pass 
=  According   to   the   direction   of  the   mayor,   the 
shops  on  the  streets  through  which  the  procession 
was  to  pass  were  closed.     The  first  regiment  of  mili- 
tia was  called  out  by  order  of  the  governor  to  main- 
tain the  peace  =  The  first  regiment  of  militia   was 
called  out  by  command  of  the  governor  to  preserve 
the  peace. 
By  rail  =  By  railroad  or  railway,  (b) 

We  go  to  'New  York  by  rail  to-night  =  It  is   our 
plan  to  go  to  'New  York  by  railway  to-night. 
By  rea§on  of=By  means  of;  on  account  of.  (a) 
The  price  of  com  has  risen,  by  reason  of  the  for- 
eign demands  The  price  of  corn  has  risen,  on  ac- 
count of  the  foreign  demand. 
By  slow  degrees = Not   fast;  by  slow  movements; 
very  gradually,  (a) 
The  hour  hand  of  the  clock  moves  round  the  dial 
by  slow  degrees  =  Tlie  hour  hand  of  the  clock  does  not 
move  round  the   dial  rapidly,  but   by  slow  move- 
ments.    The  water  of  the  cataract  wears  away  the 
rock  on  which  it  falls,  by  slow  degrees  —  The  rock,  on 
which  the  water  of  the  cataract  falls,  is  worn  away 
very  gradually. 
By  snatches  =  Hastily,  and  in  small   portions  at  a 
time,  (a) 
The  lawyer  was  so  busy  that  he  could  only  read 
the  book  by  snatches  =zThe  lawyer  was  so  busy  that 
he  could  only  read  the  book  hastily,  and  in  small 
portions  at  a  time. 
By  stealth  =  Secretly ;  slily ;  in  a  secret  or  clandes- 
tine manner,  (a) 
The  thief  entered  the  hall  of  the  house  by  stealth, 


VARIOUS   OTHER  PHRASES   AND  WORDS.        471 

and  took  two  overcoats  =  The  thief  entered  the  hall 
of  the  house  slily,  and  took  two  overcoats. 

By  tlie  pound,  yard,  dozen,  etc.=:At  the  rate  of; 
according  to  the  rate  or  proportion  of.  (a) 
We  buy  sugar  hi/  the  pound,  cloth  by  the  yard,  and 
eggs  by  the  dozen  =  We  purchase  sugar  at  a  certain 
sum  for  a  pound ;  cloth,  at  a  given  price  for  a  yard ; 
and  eggs,  according  to  a  fixed  price  for  each  dozen. 
The  day  laborer  works  for  the  farmer  by  the  day,  and 
his  hired  man,  by  the  month  =  The  farmer  employs 
the  day  laborer  at  a  certain  sum  for  each  day ;  and 
the  hired  man,  at  a  fixed  sum  for  each  month. 

By  the  side  of  =  Close  at  hand ;  near  to ;  adjoining. 

(«)    . 

The  little  boy  was  by  my  side  all  the  time  the  pro- 
cession was  passing =Tlie  little  boy  was  near  to  me 
all  the  time  the  procession  was  passing.  The  farm- 
er's house  stands  by  the  side  of  the  wood  =  The  farm- 
er's house  stands  near  the  wood. 
By  what  mode  =  How ;  in  what  manner ;  by  what 
method,  (c) 

By  what  mode  of  conveyance  did  Mr.  A.  come  to 
town  =  By  what  method  of  conveyance  did  Mr.  A. 
come  to  town. 


o. 

Cadet  Hidshipman  =  A  young  man  passing  a  course 
of  study  at  the  Naval  Academy,  Annapolis,  Md. 
(U.  S.) 
The  studies  of  a  Cadet  Midshipman  are  severe  = 
The  course  of  study  required  of  tlie  young   men 
pursuing  a  course  at  the  I*^aval  Academy  in  prepa- 
ration for  seamanship,  is  a  strict  course. 
Cadet  Engineers  A  young  man  in  process  of  edu- 
cation for  a  naval  constructor  and  engineer. 
The  number  of  Cadet  Engineers  annually  appointed 
in  the  United  States  is  twenty-five = Tlie  number  of 
young  men  annually  appointed  in  the  United  States 
to  be  educated  as  naval  constructors  and  engineers 
is  twenty-five. 
Calculated  to,  or  for,  to  be  =  To  be  fitted  to;  suit- 
ed to ;  adapted  to.  (a) 
The  system  of  competitive  examinations  for  gov- 
ernment   offices,   is  calculated  to   secure   competent 
officers  =  The  system  of  competitive  examinations  for 
government   offices,  is   fitted  to   secure   competent 
officers. 


472        VARIOUS   OTHER    PHRASES   AND  WORDS. 

Call  a  bond,  to  =  To  give  notice  that  the  amount  of 

a  bond  will  be  paid. 
Call  attention  to,  to  =  To  invite,  lead,  or  direct  to. 
the  act  of  attending  or  heeding ;  to  point  out.  (a) 
In  an  advertisement  in  the  morning  paper,  Mr. 
D.  calls  public  attejition  to  his  new  stock  of  goods  =  In 
an   advertisement   in   the   morning   paper,  Mr.  D. 
invites  the  public  to  take  notice  that  he  has  a  new 
stock  of  goods.      An  asterisk  (star)  on  the  page  of  a 
book  calls  the  reader's  attention  to  a  note  on  the  bot- 
tom of  the  page  =  An  asterisk  (star)  on  the  page  of 
a  book  leads  the  reader  to  observe  the  note  at  the 
bottom  of  the  page.     As  we  were  riding  along,  my 
companion  called  my  attention  to  the  ruins  of  an  old 
fort  =:  As    we   were   riding    along,   my   companion 
pointed  out  the  ruins  of  an  old  fort. 
Call   heaven   to   \vitne§s,    to  =  To   take   oath ;    to 
swear  by  heaven,  (c) 
The  man  who  was  accused  of  theft  called  heaven  to 
witness^  that  he  had  never  taken  any  thing  which  was 
not  his  owh=:The  man  who  was  accused  of  theft 
swore  by  heaven,  that  he  had  never  taken  any  thing 
which  was  not  his  own. 
Calumet  of  peaeei=The  pipe  of  peace.      The  calu- 
met is  used  by  North  American  Indians  as  a  sym- 
bol of  peace  and  war.     To  accept  the  calumet  is  to 
agree  to  the  terms  of  peace,  and  to  refuse  it  is  to 
reject  them.     See  calumet  in  Dictionary. 
Canned  goods  =  A  general  name  for  fruit,  vegeta- 
bles, meat,  or  fish,  preserved  in  air-tight  cans. 
The  use  of  canned  goods  has  become  extensive  = 
The  use  of  fruit,  meat,  &c.,  preserved  in  air-tight 
cans  has  become  extensive. 
Canva§§ing^  agent  =  A   person    who   is  engaged  in 
soliciting  subscribers  to  a  book,  or  periodical,  or 
newspaper. 
Mr.  B.,  the  publisher,  has  many  canvassing  agents 
in  the  fields  Mr.  B.,  the  publisher,  has  many  per- 
sons employed  in  seeking  purchasers  for  the  books 
which  he  publishes. 
Capillary  attraction  =r  The  attraction  which  causes 
a  liquid  to  rise  in  capillary  tubes,  or  interstices, 
above  its  level  outside. 
A  sponge  sucks  up  water  by  capillary  attraction^ 
A  sponge  sucks  up  water  by  that  force,  which  causes 
a  liquid  to  rise  in  very  minute  tubes,  or  interstices, 
above  its  level  outside. 
Capital    letter    {Print.)  =  A   letter    usually    distin- 
guished by  its  form  and  greater  size  from  those  in 
which  the  body  of  a  page  is  printed. 


VARIOUS  OTHER    PHRASES  AND  WORDS.        473 

Carbonic  acid,  or  choke  damp  (Chem.)  =  A  heavy- 
gas,  totally  unfit  for  respiration. 
Carbonic  acid  is  discharged  into   the   air,  by  the 
breathing  of  animals,  and  other  means;   and  it  is 
taken  out  of  the  air  by  the  leaves  of  plants  =  Ani- 
mals, in  breathing,  discharge  into  the  air  a  heavy 
gas,  unfit  for  respiration ;  and  this  gas  is  taken  up 
by  the  leaves  of  plants. 
Cardinal  points  =  The  four  intersections  of  the  hori- 
zon with  the  meridian,  and  the  prime  vertical  circle. 
The  four  cardinal  points  are  called  nortli,  south, 
east,  and  west = The  four  intersections  of  the  hori- 
zon with  the  meridian  and  the  prime  vertical  circle, 
are  called  north,  south,  east,  and  west. 
Carrying  trade  =  The  trade  which  consists   in  the 
transportation  of  goods,  by  water,  from  one  country 
or  place  to  another. 
Much  of  American  shipping  is  engaged  in   the 
carrying  trade  ='M.UGh.  of  American  shipping  is  en- 
gaged in  the  transportation  of  goods,  from  one  coun- 
try, or  place,  to  another. 
Ca§e  in  point,  a  =  A  fitting   illustration;  an  illus- 
trated example,  (a) 
The  career  of  Abraham  Lincoln  is  a  case  in  point, 
showing  that  a  man  may   rise   from  the  humblest 
station  to  the  highest  =  The  career  of  Abraham  Lin- 
coln is  a  fitting  illustration  of  the  truth,  that  a  man 
may  rise  from  the  humblest  station  to  the  highest. 
Ca§e  stated  or  agreed  on=:  A  statement  in  writing 
of  facts  agreed  upon,  and  submitted  to  the  courts 
for  a  decision  of  the  legal  points  arising  on  them. 
Cash  balance  (Book-keeping)  =  The  account  stand- 
ing on  the  debtor  side  of  the  cash  account. 
My  cash  book  shows  a  cash  balance  of  $500   to- 
nights My  cash  account  to-night  indicates  that  five 
hundred  dollars  have  been  received  more  than  have 
been  paid  out. 
Cash  prices  The  price  at  which  an  article  will  be 
sold  for  immediate  payment. 
Sometimes  sellers  of  goods  make  a  difierence  be- 
tween the  cash  price,  and  the  pricQ  asked  if  the  goods 
are  sold  on  credits  In   some   cases,  a  difference  is 
made  between  the  price  at  which  an  article  will  be 
sold  for  immediate  payment,  and  the  price  if  sold  on 
credit. 
Cash  sales  =  Sales  made  for  ready  money,  in  dis- 
tinction from  those  on  which  credit  is  given. 
The  merchant's  cash  sales  for  the  day  were  $200  = 
The  amount  of  sales  made  by  the  merchant  in  one 
day,  for  ready  money,  was  $200. 


474        VARIOUS   OTHER    PHRASES  AND   WORDS. 

Ca§t  anchor,  to  =  To  let  go  an  anchor  to  keep  a 
ship  at  rest,  (a) 

The  sailors  cast  anchor  in  the  bay  of  San  Francisco 
=:The  sailors  anchored  in  the  bay  of  San  Francisco. 
Cast  ill  the  §ame   mold  =  Alike   in  natural   traits 
of  character,  (c) 
These  two  men  were  cast  in  the  same  mo?c?=  These 
two  men  are  alike  in  native  qualities  of  mind  and 
heart. 
Cast,  or  throw,  into  prison,  to  =  To  imprison,  {a) 
In  the  days  of  American  slavery,  some  persons 
who  aided  slaves  to  escape,  were  thrown  into  prison  — 
In  tlie  days  of  American  slavery,  some  persons  who 
aided  slaves  to  escape,  were  imprisoned. 
Cast  of  the  eye  =  Squint. 

President   Buchanan,   (U.   S.   1856-1860)  had   a 
very  noticeable  cast  of  one  e^/e^r  President   Buchanan 
had  a  very  noticeable  squint. 
Cat-of-nine-tails  =  An    instrument    of    punishment 
used  to  flog  offenders  on  board  of  ships,  consisting 
of  nine  pieces  of  line  or  cord  fastened  to  a  piece  of 
thick  rope,  and  having  three  knots  at  intervals. 
Flogging  by  the  cat-of -nine-tails^  has  been  abolished 
in  the  British  navy  =  Flogging,  by  a  whip  with  nine 
lashes,  with  knots,  has  been  abolished  in  the  British 
navy. 
Cental  system  =  The  method  of  buying  and  selling 

by  the  hundred  w^eight. 
Center  in,  to  =  To  have  its  center  or  principal  point ; 
to  be  concentrated  in.  {a) 
The  opposition  to  education  centers  in  the  ignorant 
class  =  The  opposition  to  education  is  concentrated 
in  the  ignorant  class.     Since  the  loss  of  her  other 
children,  the  aims  and  hopes  of  the  fond  mother  are 
centered  in  her  remaining  child  =  Since  the  loss  of 
her  otlier  children,  the  aims  and  hopes  of  the  fond 
mother  are  concentrated  in  her  remaining  child. 
Centrifui^al  force  (ifa^/i.)  =  That  force  by  which  a 
body  moving  in  a  curve,  tends  to  fly  off  from  the 
axis  of  motion,  in  a  tangent  to  the  periphery  of  the 
curve. 
The  centrifugal  force  is  held  in  check  by  the  force 
of  gravity  =  That  force,  by  which  the  heavenly  bod- 
ies tend  to  fly  off  from  the  axis   of  motion,  is  held 
in  check,  by  the  force  of  gravity. 
Centripetal  force  (i/a/A.)  =  That  force  which  draws 
a  body  towards  some  body  as  a  center. 
The  contrifugal  and  the  centripetal  forces^  counter- 
acting each  other,  keep  the  earth  in  its  orbit  of  rev- 


VARIOUS  OTHER    PHRASES  AND  WORDS.        475 

olution  around  the  sun  =  That  force  which  tends  to 
make  the  earth  fly  off  from  its  orbit  away  from  the 
sun,  and  that  force  which  draws  the  earth  towards 
the  sun,  counteracting  one  another,  keep  the  earth 
in  its  orbit  of  revolution  about  the  sun. 
Certified    checks  A   bank   check,  the  validity  of 
which  is  certified  by  the  bank  on  which  it  is  drawn. 
The  traveler  took  several  certified  checks  for  use  in 
his   journey=Tlie  traveler  carried   for   use   in   his 
journey  several  bank  checks,  the  validity  of  which 
was  attested  in  writing,  by  the  bank  on  which  they 
were  drawn. 
€es§ation  of  arms  (i/z7.):=An  armistice,  or  truce, 
agreed  to  by  the  commanders  of  armies,  to  give 
time  for  a  capitulation,  or  for  other  purposes. 
The  commanding  generals  of  both  armies  agreed 
to  a  cessation  of  arms,  for  the  burial  of  the  dead  = 
The  commanding  generals  of  both  armies  agreed  to 
an  armistice,  for  the  burial  of  the  dead. 
Cliainber  of  commerce  ==  A   committee  appointed 
to  take  cognizance  of  matters  affecting  the  general 
or  special  interests  of  trade,  to  memorialize  govern- 
ment, to  diffuse  useful  information,  &c. 
The  chamber  of  commerce  is  a  committee  of  mer- 
chants, or  influential  manufacturers,  or  traders,  in  a 
port  or  inland  town  =  The  committee  appointed  to 
take  cognizance  of  matters  affecting  the  general  or 
special  interests  of  trade,  to  memorialize  govern- 
ment, and  to  diffuse  useful  information,  is  a  com- 
mittee composed  of  merchants,  or  influential  man- 
ufacturers, or  traders,  in  a  port  or  inland  town. 
Chancellor  of  the  exchequer  =  A  member  of  the 
British  cabinet  upon  whom  devolves  the  charge  of 
the  public  income  and  expenditure. 
The  chancellor  of  the  exchequer  is  the  highest  finance 
minister  of  the  British  governments  That  member 
of  the  British  cabinet,  w^io  has  charge  of  the  public 
income   and    expenditure,   is    the    highest    finance 
minister  of  the  government. 
Change  one'§  quarters,  to  =  To  take  another  tem- 
porary residence,  (a) 
The  death  of  the  printer  made  it  necessary  for  his 
family  to  change  their  quarters —  ^he,  death   of  the 
printer  made  it  necessary  for  the  family  to   take 
another  residence. 
Chance  of  survivorship  =  The  chance  that  one  in- 
dividual of  a  given  age  [as,  20  years]  has  of  sur- 
viving another  of  a  given  age  [as,  60  years]. 
The  tontine  is  founded  on  the  chance  of  survivor- 
ship—T\iq  tontine  is  founded  on  the  chance  that  one 


476        VARIOUS    OTHER  PHRASES  AND  WORDS. 

individual  of  a  given  age  has  of  surviving  others  of 
a  given  age. 
Chapter  of  accidents,  a  =  A  list  or  record  of  acci- 
dents, (c) 
Their  journey  to  the  seaside  vras  quite  a  chapter 
of  accidents  =  Theiv  journey  to  the  seaside  produced 
quite  a  list  of  accidents  (or  unforeseen  events). 
Chattels  (Zaif)  =  Every  kind  of  property  except  the 
freehold. 
Most  of  his  chattels  are  mortgaged  =  Much  of  his 
movable  property,  as,  cattle,   implements   of  hus- 
bandry, &c.,  is  mortgaged. 
Child  of  fortiane  ==  One  peculiarly  prosperous  and 
successful. 
The  successful  candidate  for  the  office  is  a  child  of 
fortune  in  his  birth,  his  early  advantages,  and  his  uni- 
form attainment  of  the  honors  which  he  has  sought 
=  The  successful  candidate  for  the  office  is  one  un- 
usually prosperous  and  successful  in  respect  to  his 
birth,  his  early  advantages,  and  his  uniform  attain- 
ment of  the  honors  v^hich  he  has  sought. 
Clinical  lecture  {Med.)  — A.  discourse  delivered  at 
the  bedside  of  the  sick  by  a  physican,  for  the  pur- 
pose of  instruction  in  the  healing  art. 
Clinical  lectures  are  given  at  Bellevue  Hospital, 
New,  York,  by  the  medical  professors = In  Bellevue 
Hospital,  New  York,  lectures  are  given  by  the  med- 
ical professors,  at  the  bedside  of  the  sick,  with  a 
view  to  the  instruction  of  the  medical  students. 
Chronic  disease  =  A  disease  which  is  inveterate  or 
of  long  continuance. 
Consumption  is  generally  a  chronic  disease =Con- 
sumption  is  generally  a  disease  of  long  continuance. 
Church   session  (Presbyterian)  =  A  body  of  elders 
elected  by  the  members  of  a  particular  church,  and 
having  the  care  of  matters  pertaining  to  the  relig- 
ious interests  of  that  church,  as  the  admission  and 
dismission  of  members,  discipline,  &c. 
The  pastor  of  the  church  is  always  a  member  of  the 
church  session  of  that  church  =  The  pastor  of  a  church 
is  always  a  member  of  the  body  of  elders  chosen  by  a 
church  to  care  for  the  religious  interests  of  that  church. 
Church  triumphant  =  The  church  in  heaven,  enjoy- 
ing a  state  of  triumph,  her  warfare  being  over. 
The  church  triumphant  is  distinguished  from  the 
church  militant,  which  is  still  engaged  in  warfare  on 
earth  =  The  church  in  triumph  in  heaven  is  distin> 
guished  from  the  church  which  is  still  in  conflict 
with  evil  on  earth. 
Circle,   preceded  by  official,  family,  missionary. 


VARIOUS    OTHER   PHRASES  AND  WORDS.         477 

business,  and  tlie  like  =  A  company  having  sim- 
ilar interests  or  pursuits ;  persons  bound  by  a  com- 
mon tie. 
In  official  circles  there  is  much  discussion  of  the 
President's  message  =  Among  the  government   offi- 
cials and  those  who  associate  with  them,  there  is 
much  discussion  of  the  President's  message.     The 
young  ladies  of  the  Center  church  have   formed   a 
missionary  circle^TliQ  young  ladies  of   the  Center 
church  have  formed  a  society  for  missionary  purposes. 
Clreulating^  medium  =  That  which  is  commonly  re- 
ceived as  the  representative  of  the  value  of  articles 
bought  and  sold,  and  is  used  in  making  exchanges ; 
coin  and  bank-notes  or  other  paper  convertible  into 
coin  on  demand ;  currency. 
The  circulating   medium    of    the    United    States, 
(1879),  is  gold,  silver,  and  bank-notes  =  Gold,  silver, 
and  bank-notes  constitute  the  currency  of  the  United 
States,  (1879). 
Cireumstantial     evidence     (Zatt;)  =  Evidence     ob- 
tained  from   circumstances   which    necessarily    or 
usually  attend  facts  of  a  particular  nature;    evi- 
dence not  direct  and  positive. 
The  murderer  was  convicted  on  circumstantial  evi- 
dence—T\\q  murderer  was   convicted   on   evidence, 
derived  from  the  circumstances  of  the  case.     The 
crime  of  murder  is  generally  ])roven  by  circumstantial 
evidence  —  The  crime  of  murder  is  generally  proven 
by  evidence  not  direct  and  positive. 
Cite  a  case,  to  =  To  name  a  case  or  event,  in  illus- 
tration. (^) 
The  physician  cited  the  case  of  the  man  shot  in  the 
bowels  and  recovering,  in  proof  that  such  wound  is 
not  always  fatal  =  The  physician  named  the  case  of 
the  man  shot  in  the  bowels  and  recovering,  in  proof 
that  such  wound  is  not  always  fatal. 
CiTil  action,  or  suit  {Law)  =  A  legal  process  or  suit 
to  recover  property  or  to  obtain  damages  and  the 
like — ^distinguished  from  criminal  action. 
The  man  who  was  injured  by  the.  collision  of  the 
cars  has  brought  a  civil  suit  against  the  railroad  com- 
pany for  damages  for  injuries  =  The  man  who  was 
injured  by  the  collision  of  the  cars,  has  begun  legal 
proceedings  against   the  railroad    company,  in  or- 
der to  recover  damages  for   injurie*  which   he   re- 
ceived. 
Civil  authorities  =  The  persons  who  exercise  power 
in  a  state  or  nation ;  the  officers  of  government. 

Law-breakers  stand  in  fear  of  the  civil  authorities 
= Law-breakers  fear  the  officers  of  government. 


478        VARIOUS    OTHER  PHRASES  AND  WORDS. 

Civil  laiv  =  The  ancient  Horn  an  law,  with  the  modi- 
fications thereof  which  have  been  made  in  the  dif- 
ferent countries  into  which  that  law  has  been  in- 
troduced. 
The  civil  law  is  still  in  force  in  many  states  of 
modern  Europe,  and  is  referred  to  as  authority  or 
written  reason  =  The  ancient  Eoman  law,  with  mod- 
ifications, is  still  in  force  in  many  states  of  modern 
Europe,  and  is  referred  to  as  authority  or  written 
reason. 
Civil  list  (Great  Britain  and  U.  S.)  =  l.  The  civil  of- 
ficers of  governments,  as  judges,  embassadors,  sec- 
retaries, &c.     2.  Hence  the  appropriations  of  pub- 
lic money  for  the  support  of  civil  ofticers.     More 
recently  in  England  the  civil  list  embraces  only  the 
expenses  of  the  reigning  monarch's  household. 
1.  I  notice  that  the  name  of  Mr.  X.  is  on  the  civil 
Iist=l  notice  the  name  of  Mr.  X.  on  the  list  of  civil 
ofiicers  of  the  government.     2.  The  civil  list  requires 
a  large  sum  of  moneys  The  appropriations  for  the 
support  of  government  officers,  or  for  the  expenses  of 
the  royal  household,  require  a  large  sum  of  money. 
Civil   powers  Civil   government;    government    by 
law,  and  according  to  the  constitution  as  distin- 
guished from  military  government. 
The  King  has  sought  to  render  the  military  inde- 
pendent of  the  civil  poiuer  =  The  King  has  sought  to 
render  the  military  independent  of  the  civil  govern- 
ment. 
Civil   war  =  A   war  between   different   sections    or 
parties  of  the  same  country. 
There  were  civil  wars  in  England,  (1640-1645), 
and  in  China,  (1850-1863),  and  in  the  United  States, 
(1861-1865)= Wars    between    different   sections    or 
parties  have  been  waged  in  England,  and  in  China, 
and  in  the  United  States. 
Civil  year  =  The  year  which  any  nation  has  adopted 
for  the  computation  of  time. 
In  Western  nations  the  civil  year  consists  of  365 
days,  with  an  additional  day  in  leap  year  =  The  year 
adopted  by  the  Western  nations  consists  of  365  days, 
with  an  additional  day  for  leap  year. 
Classical  tripos    e^^aininatioii  (Cambridge  Univer- 
sity, England)  =  The  final  university  examinations 
for  classical  hcftors. 
The  classical  tripos  examination  is  optional  to  all 
who  have  taken  the  mathematical  honors  =  The  final 
university  examination  for  classical  honors  is  optional 
to  all  who  have  taken  the  mathematical  honors. 
Clear  as  day  or  as  noonday  =  Yery  evident,  (c) 


VARIOUS    OTHER  PHRASES  AND  WORDS.        479 

It  is  clear  as  noonday^  that  the  burglary  was  com- 
mitted by  some  one  familiar  with  tlie  house  =  It  is 
very  evident,  that  the  burglary  was  committed  by 
some  one  who  was  familiar  with  the  house. 
Clear  of  =  Rid  of;  free  from,  (a) 

The  city  is  now  clear  of  indebtedness  =  The  city  is 
now  free  from  debt. 
Cleft-graltiiig  =  A  method  of  grafting  in  which  the 
scion  is  placed  in  a  cleft  or  slit  in  the  stock  or 
stump,  made  by  sawing  oiF  a  branch,  usually  in 
such  a  manner  that  the  bark  of  the  scion  evenly 
joins  that  of  the  stock. 

Cleft-grafting  is   the   common   mode    of   grafting 
apple-trees  =  In  the  case  of  apple-trees,  grafting  is 
commonly  performed,  by  placing  the  scion  in  a  cleft 
in  the  stock,  in  such  way  that  the  bark  of  the  scion 
evenly  joins  that  of  the  stock. 
Clinch   an    arg^ument,  to=:To    establish  an  argu- 
ment; to  make  it  conclusive,  (a) 
The  speaker  clinched  his  argument  for  the  control 
of  the  Indians  by  the  war  department,  by  referring 
to  the  murders  committed  by  the  Ute  Indians  = 
The  speaker  made  conclusive  his  argument  for  giv- 
ing the  war  department  control  of  the  Indians,  by 
referring  to  the   murders   committed   by   the   Ute 
Indians. 
Clo§e  at  hand  =  Near,  (in  time  or  distance).  (6) 

The  winter  is  close  at  Aanc?=  The  winter  is  near. 
Close  breeding  =  Breeding  between  animals  nearly 
akin. 
Good  stock  raisers  do  not  recommend  close  hreed- 
17?^  =  Experienced  and  successful  raisers  of  stock  do 
not  recommend  the  practice  of  breeding  from  ani- 
mals that  are  nearly  akin. 
Close  to  =  Adjoining ;  near,  (a) 

A  flower  sprang  up,  chse  to  the  waller  A  flower 
sprang  up  near  the  wall. 
Close  upon  =  Following  soon ;  directly  after,  (c) 
Close  upon  the  famine  came  the  pestilence  =  Soon, 
following  the  famine,  came  the  pestilence. 
Cloth  measure  =  The  measure  of  length  and  surface 
by  which  cloth   is  measured  and   sold.     For   this 
object  the  standard  yard  is  usually  divided  into 
quarters  and  nails. 
Coasting  trade  =  Trade  which  is  carried  on  between 
diiferent   ports    of  the   same    country,   as   distin- 
guished from  foreign  trade. 

There  is  a  large  coasting  trade  in  the  United  States 
=  There  is  a  large  trade  between  diflferent  ports  in 
the  United  States. 


480         VARIOUS   OTHER   PHRASES  AND    WORDS. 

Coasting  vessels  =  Vessels  engaged  in  tlie  coasting 

trade. 
Cohesive  attraction  =  Attraction  between  ultimate 
particles  of  matter,  causing  simply  a  union  of  those 
particles. 
Cohesive   attraction   holds    gases   and    charcoal   in 
union  =  Charcoal  and  the  gases  absorbed  by  it  ar^ 
held   together  by   an   attraction   between   ultimate 
particles  of  matter,  which  simply  causes  a  union. 
Collateral  security  =  Security  for  the  performance 
of  covenants,  or  the   payment  of  money,  besides 
the  principal  security. 
Mr.    A.  will  not   lend   money   without   collateral 
security -Mx.  A.  will  not  lend  money  without  some 
security,  in  addition  to  the  principal  security. 
Color-piece  =r  A   piece   of  bric-a-brac,    intended   to 

produce  an  effect  in  a  room  by  its  peculiar  color. 
Come  forth,  to  =  To  come  out  from  a  state  of  con- 
finement, non-development,  and  the  like,  (a) 
In  the  spring-time,  the  chipmunk  comes  forth  from 
its  hole  =  In  the  spring,  the  striped  squirrel  comes 
out  of  its  winter  quarters  underneath  the  ground. 

In  its  second  period  of  life,  the  caterpillar  of  the 
butterfly  remains  inactive  from  nine  to  fifteen  days. 
After  this,  it  comes  forth^  transformed  into  a  winged 
insect  -  In  its  second  stage  of  life,  the  caterpillar  of 
the  butterfly  remains  inactive  several  days.  After 
this  it  comes  out  of  this  state  of  non-development, 
in  the  shape  of  a  winged  insect. 
Come  forward,  to  =  To  make  progress;  to  advance. 

The  grass  is  coming  forward  fast,  this  spring  =  This 
spring,  the  grass  is  growing  fast. 
Come  in  sight,  to  =  To  come  into  view,  {b) 

After  we  had  been  on  the  ocean  ten  days,  land 
came  in  52^A^  =  Land  came  into  view  after  we   had 
been  on  the  ocean  ten  days. 
Come  into  collision,  to  =  To  run  into  with  force,  (a) 
The  freight  train  came  into  collision  with  the  pas- 
senger train,  in  going  round  a  curve  =  The  freight 
train  ran  violently  into  the  passenger  train,  in  going 
round  a  curve. 
Come  to  an  understanding,  to  =  Mutually  to  un- 
derstand or  agree  upon,  (a) 
The  city  officers  and  the  railroad  company  have 
come  to  an  understanding,  in  regard  to  the  Main  street 
crossings  The   city   government   and    the   railroad 
company  have  agreed  upon  some  plan  for  the  Main 
street  crossing. 


VARIOUS   OTHER   PHRASES    AND   WORDS.         481 

Come   to    tlie   gallows,    to  =  To   be   executed    for 
crime,  (a) 
If  that  bad  boy  does  not  mend  his  ways,  he  will 
be  likely  to  come  to  the  galloivs  —  \i  that  bad  boy  does 
not  improve  his  conduct,  he  will  very  likely  be  ex- 
ecuted for  crime. 
Come  to  the  rescue,  to  =  To  aid;  to  help,  (a) 

The  boy   was  being   teased  by  liis   companions, 

when  his  elder  brother  came  to  the  resc^fe  —  ^yh(il\  the 

boy  was  being  teased  by  his  companions,  his  elder 

brother  aided  him. 

Commercial  note-paper  =  A  small  size  of  writing 

paper,  usually  about  5  by  7i  or  8  inches. 
Commercial  ^vorld  =  Tlie  people  engaged  in  com- 
merce, or  the  exchange  of  merchandise  on  a  large 
scale,  between  different  places  or  communities. 
"We  are  indebted  to  the  commercial  world  for  the 
products  and  fabrics  of  other  countries  =  We  are  in- 
debted to  the  persons  engaged  in  commerce  and  the 
exchange  of  merchandise,  for  the  products  and  fabrics 
of  other  countries. 
Commissioned  officer  (Mil.)  =  An  officer  who  has  a 
commission,  that  is,  one  who  receives  his  appoint- 
ment and  authority  from  the  civil  power,  as  the 
president  or  governor, — in  distinction  from  a  war- 
rant officer  who  receives  his  appointment  and  au- 
thority from  a  commissioned  officer. 
All  military  men  above  the  rank  of  lieutenant,  in- 
clusive, are  commissioned  officers ;  the  rest  are  warrant 
officers  =  The  lieutenant,  and  all  above  him  in  rank, 
receive  their   appointment  and  authority  from  the 
civil  power ;  other  and  inferior  officers  receive  theirs 
from  the  commissioned  officers. 
Committee    on   ways    and   means  =  Persons    ap- 
pointed in  a  legislative  body  to  provide  means  for 
raising  money. 
The  tax  bill  was  referred  to  the  committee  on  ways 
and  means  =  T\ie  tax  bill  was  given  for  consideration 
to  the  persons  appointed  to  provide  means  for  rais- 
ing money. 
Commit  to  the   hands  of,  to  =  To   intrust  to;    to 
give  in  charge,  (c) 
The  professor  wrote  a  letter  to  his  brother,  and 
committed  it  to  the  hands  of  a  friend  who  was  going  to 
his  brother's  houses  The  professor  wrote  a  letter  to 
his  brother,  and  intrusted  it  to  a  friend  who  was 
going  to  his  brother's  house. 
Common  carrier  (Z«K;):=One  who  undertakes,  for 
hire,  to  transport  goods  from  one  place  to  another. 
32 


482        VARIOUS  OTHER    PHRASES   AND  WORDS. 

A  common  carrier  is  liable  for  all  losses  and  in- 
juries to  goods,  except  those  wliicli  have  happened 
in  consequence  of  the  act  of  God,  or  of  the  enemies 
of  the  country,  oi*  of  the  owner  of  the  property  him- 
self=One  who  undertakes  for  hire  to  transport 
goods,  is  liable  for  all  losses  and  injuries  to  goods, 
except  those  which  have  happened  in  consequence 
of  the  act  of  God,  or  of  the  enemies  of  the  country, 
or  of  the  owner  of  the  property  himself. 
Common  con§ent=  General  agreement,  {a) 

By  common  consent  the  birds  on  the  park  are  not 
molested  =  By  general  agreement  the  birds  on  the 
park  are  not  molested. 
Common   law  =: The  unwritten   law;   that  body  of 
rights,  rules  and  maxims  concerning  persons  and 
property  which  have  authority  by  reason  of  long 
usage  and  universal  reception, — in  distinction  from 
the  written  or  statute  law. 
Murder  is  an  offense  against  the  common  law  = 
Murder  is  an  offense  against  society  or  against  those 
rights  of  men  and  rules  of  society  which  have  been 
long  and  universally  recognized  so  that  it  may  be 
prosecuted  and  punished,  even  in  the  absence  of  a 
statute. 
Common  please  One  of  the  three  superior   courts 
of  common   law   at   Westminster    (Eng.),   whose 
jurisdiction  is  confined  to  civil  matters.     Courts  of 
this  name  exist  in  several  of  the  United  States,  with 
both  civil  and  criminal  jurisdiction. 
Common    prayer  — The   liturgy  of  the   Protestant 
Episcopal  church. 
All  the  clergy  of  the  Protestant  Episcopal  church 
are  enjoined,  under  a  penalty,  to  use  the   common 
prayer = AW.  the  clergy  of  the  Protestant  Episcopal 
church  are  enjoined,  under  penalty,  to  use  the  lit- 
urgy of  the  church. 
Common  scbool  =  A  school  maintained  at  the  pub- 
lic expense,  and  open  to  all. 
The  system  of  comm,on  schools  is  necessary  to  the 
well-being  of  a  state  =  The  system  of  schools,  main- 
tained  at  the  public   expense,  and   open  to  all,   is 
necessary  to  the  well-being  of  a  state. 
Common  sense  =  1.  Such  ordinary  supply  of  intel- 
ligence, that  if  a  person  be  deficient  therein,  he  is 
considered    foolish.      2.  ]S"ative   practical    intelli- 
gence, (emphasizing  the  noun). 
The  children  of  that  family  are  deficient  in  com- 
mon sense ;  they  can  not  learn  to  read  =  The  children 
of  tliat   family  lack   ordinary  natural  intelligence; 
they  can  not  learn  to  read.     2.  He  has  the  remarkable 


VARIOUS  OTHER  PHRASES    AND  WORDS.         483 

combination  of  great  learning  and  excellent  common 
sense  —  He  has  the  rare  combination  of  great  learning 
and  native  practical  intelligence,  &c. 
Common   time    {Mil.)  =  The   time  of  marching,  in 
which  ninety  steps,  each  of  twentj-eight   inches, 
are  taken  in  one  minute. 
CommjOn  time  is  the  ordinary  time  of  marching  = 
Ninety  steps,  of  twenty-eight  inches  each,  per  min- 
ute, is  the  ordinary  time  of  marching. 
Complimentary    ticket,    concert,    dinner,    ball, 
&c.  =  One  given  as  an  expression  of  regard,  cour- 
tesy, or  praise. 
The  committee  gave  me  a  complimentary  ticket  to 
the  course  of  lectures = The  committee  gave  me  a 
ticket  to  the  course  of  lectures,  as  an  expression  of 
courtesy.     The  orchestra  gave  the  eminent  violinist 
a  complimentary  concert^  just  before  his  departure  for 
Europe  =  Just  before  his  departure  for  Europe,  the 
orchestra  gave  a  concert,  which  was  intended  as  an 
expression  of  esteem  for  the  eminent  violinist,  and 
as  a  recognition  of  his  fame. 
Component  part  =  One  of  the  parts  of  which  any 
thing  is  composed. 
Quartz  is  a  com.ponent  part  of  granite  =  Quartz  is 
one  of  the  materials  of  which  granite  is  composed. 
Compound    intere§t  =:  That   interest    which    arises 
from  the  principal  with  the  interest  added ;  interest 
on  interest. 
The  compound  interest  of  $100,  for  two  years,  at  6 
per  cent.,  is    twelve   tt  dollars  =  The    interest  on 
interest  of  $100,  for  two  years,  at  6  per  cent.,  is 
twelve  1^0  dollars. 
Condemned  out  of  one'§  ou^n  moutli  =  Testifying 
against   one's  self;  having  said  or  admitted  some- 
thing which  shows  one  to  be  guilty  or  wrong,  (c) 
By  admitting  that  opium  smoking  is  injurious  and 
wrong,  the  man  who  indulged  in  the  practice  was 
condemned  out  of  his  own  mouth  =  By  admitting  the 
injurious   nature   and   the   wrongfulness   of  opium 
smoking,  the  man  who  indulged  in  the  practice  tes- 
tified against  himself 
Condition,  to  =  To  require  to  pass  a  new  examina- 
tion, as  a  condition  of  remaining  in  the   class  or 
college,  (a) 
Henry  was  absent  from  college  several  weeks  on 
account  of  weak  eyes,  and  being  unable  to  pass  the 
examination  at  the  end  of  the  year,  he  was  condi- 
tioned =}lenrj  was  absent  from  college  on  account 
of  weak  eyes,  and  being  unable  to  pass  the  examina- 
tion, he  was  required  to  pass  a  new  examination  at 


484        VARIOUS   OTHER    PHRASES   AND    WORDS. 

the  end  of  the  year,  as  a  condition  of  remaining  in 
the  class. 
€ondttion§  of  sale  =  The  terms  on  which  it  is  pro- 
posed to  sell  property  at  auction. 
The  conditions  of  sale  of  this  property  require  the 
cash  to  be  paid  down  =  The  terms,  on  which  it  is 
proposed  to  sell  this  property  at  auction,  require  the 
cash  to  be  paid  down. 
Confidential    eommunication  =  A    statement     or 
matter    of   information    furnished    to    another   in 
confidence  or  secrecy,  and  not  to  be  disclosed; — 
especially  a  statement  made  to,  one's  professional 
adviser,  as  a  lawyer,  physician,  &c. 
Before  his  trial,  the  bank  robber  made  a  confiden- 
tial communication   to    his   lawyer    concerning    the 
crime = Before  trial  the  bank  robber -inparted  to  his 
lawyer   some    private   information    concerning    his 
guilt. 
Conflieting    evidence  =  Evidence  opposing  or  con- 
trary to  that  previously  given. 
There  was  so  much  conflicting  evidence^  that   the 
jury  disagreed = The  evidence  of  the  parties  was  so 
contradictory,  as  to  cause  the  jury  to  disagree. 
Congressional    district  =  A   political    division  of  a 
state,   entitled   to    a    representation   in    Con2:;ress. 
(U.  S.) 
Conservative  party  {Eng.)  -  One  ol  the  two  great 
political  parties,  distinguishisd  for  its  adherence  to 
established  institutions  and  prerogatives. 
The  conservative  party  has  recently  gone  out   of 
power  =  The   party  which   is   distinguished   for  its 
adherence  to  established  institutions  and  preroga- 
tives, has  lately  gone  out  of  power. 
Consistently  with  —  Agreeably  to.  (a) 

The  drunkard  does  not  live  consistently  with  the 
laws  of  healths  The  drunkard  does  not  live  agree- 
ably to  the  laws  of  health. 
Consul-general  =  A    consul    having  jurisdiction   in 
several  places,  or  over  several  consuls. 

A  Chinese  consul-general  passed  through  Hartford 
(U.  S.  A.),  October,  1879,  on  his  way  to  Havana, 
Cuba  =  A  Chinese  consul,  having  jurisdiction  over 
several  consuls,  passed  through   Hartford,  October 
1879,  on  his  way  to  Havana. 
Consulting  physician  (ifed)  =  A  physician  who  con- 
sults with  the  attending  practitioner  regarding  any 
case  of  disease. 
In  cases  of  severe  sickness,  a  consulting  physician  is 
often  called  in=:In  severe  sickness,  a  physician  is 
often  called  in  to  consult  with  the  attending  practi- 


VARIOUS   OTHER   PHRASES    AND   WORDS.         485 

tioner.     Eminent  and  experienced  doctors  are  often 
called  as  consulting  physicians  in  difficult  or  danger- 
ous  cases  =:Ph3^sicians   who   have    reputation    and 
experience,  are  often  summoned  to  advise  and  visit 
with  the  physician  who  has  charge  of  the  patient, 
especially  in  cases  of  severe  and  dangerous  illness. 
€ontent§  of  the  larder,  the  =:  The  articles  of  food 
which  one  has  in  the  house. 
The  contents  of  the  larder  would  not  allow  the  cap- 
tain to  invite  the  colonel  to  dine  with  him  after  the 
parade  =  The  articles  of  food  which  the  captain  had 
in  the  house,  were  not  such  as  to  allow  him  to  invite 
the  colonel  to  dine  with  him,  after  the  parade. 
Contingent  u§e  =  A  use  made  dependent  on  a  future 
event. 
By  his  will,  his  wife  has  the  immediate  use  of  the 
house  and  furniture,  and  the  contingent  use  of  certain 
bank  stock  =  By  his  will,  his  wife  has  the  immediate 
use  of  the  house  and  furniture,  and  also  certain  bank 
stock,  provided  the  bank  proves  to  be  solvent. 
Contraband    of  war  =  Goods   which    neutrals   are 
prohibited  from  carrying  during  war  to  the  bellig- 
erent parties,  or  which  a  belligerent  has,  by  the  law 
of  nations,  the  right  of  preventing  a  neutral  from 
furnishing  to  an  enemy,  and  which  are  liable  to 
seizure  and  confiscation. 

Warlike  munitions  are  naturally  contraband  of  war 
=  Neutral    nations    are,  naturally,  prohibited  from 
carrying  to  belligerent  parties,  warlike  munitions; 
and  such  munitions  are  liable  to  seizure  and  confis- 
cation. 
Contrary  to  all  expectation  =  Different  from  what 
was  universally  expected  or  contrary  to  it.  (a) 
Contrary  to   all  expectation^    the   crop   of  tobacco 
proved  to   be  very  large   this  year  =  The   crop   of 
tobacco  this  year  proved  to  be  very  large,  which  was 
different  from  the  general  expectation. 
Convertible  term§=:  Words  or  forms  of  expressions 
that  may  be  interchanged. 
Dictionary  and  Lexicon  are  convertible  i{erm5  =  Dic- 
tionary and  Lexicon  are  words  that  may  be  used  in- 
terchangeably. 
ConTul§e  with  laug^hter,  to=:To  cause  to   laugh 
immoderately,  {a) 
The  lecturer  convulsed  his  audience  with  laughter^ 
by  his  stories  and  witticisms  =  The  lecturer  caused 
his  audience  to  laugh  immoderately,  by  his  stories 
and  witticisms. 
Cool  oif,  to  =  To  lose  the  heat  of  excitement  or  pas- 
sion ;  to  become  more  moderate,  (a) 


486        VARIOUS    OTHER  PHRASES  AND  WORDS. 

In  a  fit  of  displeasure,  the  cabinet  officer  resigned, 
bnt  after  lie  had  cooled  off  he  regretted  his  hasty 
action— In  a  fit  of  displeasure,  the  cabinet  officer 
resigned,  but  after  his  anger  had  abated,  he  regretted 
having  acted  so  hastily. 
Co-operative  store  =  A  store  established  by  opera- 
tives on  the  principle  of  joint-stock   associations. 
The  members  or  stockholders  make  their  family 
purchases  at  the  store  and  participate  in  the  profits. 
Co-operative  stores  were    started  to  escape  paying 
exorbitant  commissions  to  middle-men  =  Stores  con- 
ducted on  the  principle  of  joint-stock  associations 
were  established   to   avoid    paying  the  exorbitant 
prices  charged  by  middle-men. 
Corresponding  month  =  The  month  occupying  the 
same  place  in  the  year;   the  month  of  the  same 
name. 
The  corresponding  month  of  last  year,  was  much 
colder  than  this  =  The  month  of  the  same  name  last 
year,  was  much  colder  than  this. 
Cotton-lord  =  A  rich  cotton-manufacturer. 

The  man  who  addressed  the  crowd  of  workmen  at 
the  time  of  the  strike,  had  much  to  say  of  the  pride 
and  luxury  of  the  cotton-lords  =  The  man  who  ad- 
dressed the  crowd  of  workmen  at  the  time  of  the 
strike,  said  much  about  the  pride  and  luxury  of  the 
rich  cotton-mg,nufacturers. 
Council  of  war  =  An  assembly  of  officers  called  to 
consult  with  the  commander-in-chief,  in  regard  to 
measures  of  importance. 
It  is   customary,   in   emergencies,   for   the   com- 
mander-in-chief to  call  a  council  of  war  =lt  is  cus- 
tomary, in  emergencies,  for  the  commander-in-chief 
to  call  an  assembly  of  officers,  to  consult  in  regard 
to  measures  of  importance. 
Course  of  events  =  Orderly  progress  of  events ;  cus- 
tomary or  established  sequence  of  events,  (a) 
"  When,  in  the  course  of  human  events,  it  becomes 
necessary  for  one  people  to  dissolve  the  political 
bands  which  have  connected  them  with  another,  re- 
spect to  the  opinions  of  mankind  requires  that  they 
should  declare  the  causes  which  impel  them  to  the 
separation."  (Declaration  of  Independence,  U.  S.  of 
America) = When,  in  the  orderly  progress  of  events, 
it  becomes  necessary  for  one  nation  to  dissolve  the 
political  bands  which  have  connected  them  with  an- 
other, respect  to  the  opinions  of  mankind  requires  a 
declaration  of  the  causes. 
Course   of  things  =  The  condition  of  things;    the 
movement  and  direction  which  affairs  have,  (c) 


VAKIOUS    OTHER  PHRASES  AND  WORDS.        487 

The  course  of  things  in  the  mpney  market  indi- 
cates, that  interest  will  soon  be  reduced  —  The  con- 
dition of  affairs  in  the  money  market  indicates,  that 
interest  will  soon  be  reduced. 
Court  of  record  {Law)  —  A  court  whose  acts  and 
judicial  proceedings  are  enrolled  on  parchment  or 
in  books  for  a  perpetual  memorial. 
Most  of  the  courts  in  the  United  States  are  now 
courts  of  record— ^o^i  of  the  courts  in  the  United 
States  now  belong  to  that  class  which  enrolls  its  acts 
and  judicial  proceedings  for  permanent   preserva- 
tion. 
Courts  of  admiralty  =  Courts  having  cognizance  of 
questions  arising  out  of  maritime  affairs,  and  of 
crimes  committed  on  the  high  seas.     In  England, 
these  courts  are  held  before  the  Lord  High  Admiral 
or  his  deputy.     In  America,  there  is  no  admiralty 
court  distinct  from  others,  but  the  cognizance  of  all 
cases  of  admiralty  and  maritime    jurisdiction  is 
vested  in  the  district  courts  of  the  United  States. 
Cousins  german  =  Cousins  having  the  same  grand- 
father; cousins. 
Mary  and  Willie  are  cousins  german  =  Msirj  and 
Willie  are  cousins  who  have  the  same  grandfather. 
Crazy  bone  =  The  prominent  bone,  at  the  end  of  the 
elbow. 
A  slight  knock  on  the  crazy  bone  causes  intense 
pain  =  A  slight  knock  on  the  bone  at  the  end  of  the 
elbow  causes  intense  pain. 
Cream  of  the  je§t  or  §toryi=:The  best  part  of  the 
jest  or  story. 

The  cream  of  the  jest  was,  that  the  grocer  bought 
his  own  chickens  of  the  man,  who  had  stolen  them 
from  him  =  The  best  part  of  the  jest  was,  that  the 
grocer  bought  his  own  chickens  of  the  man,  who 
had  stolen  them  from  him. 
Creature  comforts  =  Those  things  which  contribute 
to  our  bodily  comfort  and  enjoyment. 
Creature  comforts  have  much  to  do  with  our  happi- 
ness =:  The  things  which  contribute  to  our   bodily 
comfort  and  enjoyment,  have  much  to  do  with  our 
happiness. 
Criminal  action   or  suit  (Law)  —  A  prosecution  for 
the  commission  of  a  crime. 
The  district  attorney  instituted  a  criminal  action 
against  the  murderer  =  The  prosecuting  attorney  of 
the  district  began  legal  proceedings  against  the  man, 
for  the  commission  of  murder. 
Crowned   nith    success  =  Successfully   completed; 
resulting  in  success,  (c)  » 


488        VARIOUS    OTHER  PHRASES   AND  WORDS. 

The  inventor  of  rubber  goods  worked  many  years 
to  perfect  the  process  of  manufacture ;  and  at  last, 
his  labors  were  crowned  with  success  =Th.Q  inventor 
of  rubber  goods  worked  many  years  to  perfect  the 
process  of  manufacture;  and  at  last,  his  labors  re- 
sulted in  success. 
Cry  wolf,  to  =  To  give  false  alarm  ;  to  warn  of  dan- 
ger, where  there  is  none,  (c) 
That  politician   cries    wolf,  in    every  speech    he 
makes  =  That  politician  gives  false  alarm  of  danger, 
in  every  speech  he  makes. 
Culminating^  point  =  Highest  point;  crisis. 

The  sun  in  its  daily  circuit  reaches  the  culminating 
point  at  noon  =  The  sun  in  its  daily  circuit  reaches 
its  highest  point  at  noon.     The  papacy  reached  its 
culminating  point  in  the  reign  of  Pope  Hildebrand, 
(1073-1085)  =  The  papacy  reached  its  highest  point 
of  power  in  the  reign  of  Pope  Hildebrand,  (1073- 
1085.) 
Curb-§tone  broker  =  An  operator  in  stocks,  (not  a 
member  of  the  stock  exchange),  who  executes  or- 
ders by  running  from  office  to  office,  or  by  transact- 
ions in  the  street.     (U.  S.) 
Current  of  events  =  The  general  course  of  events ; 
the  ordinary  procedure;  the  progressive  and  con- 
nected movement  of  those  things  which  come  to  pass. 
In  our  quiet  country  village  the  current  of  events 
moves   in   an  even,  unbroken  course,  without  any 
startling  thing  to  disturb  us  =  In  our  quiet  village, 
the  general  course  of  events  moves  in  an  even  cur- 
rent, without  anything  to  excite  us. 
Custom  of  mercliants  =  The  branch  of  law  which 
comprises  the  rules  relating  to  bills  of  exchange, 
partnership,  and  other  mercantile  matters. 
Custom  of  merchants  is  divided  into  '' general  cus- 
toms,^'' which  extend  over  a  state  or  kingdom,  and 
"'particular  customs,''^  which  are  limited  to  a  city  or 
district  =  That  branch  of  law  which  comprises  rules 
relating  to  bills  of  exchange,  partnership,  and  other 
mercantile  matters  is  divided  into  "  general  customs  " 
which  extend  over  a  state  or  kingdom,  and  "partic- 
ular customs,"  which  are  limited  to  a  city  or  district. 
Customs,  general  =  Those  which  extend  over  a  state 

or  kingdom. 
Customs,  particular  =  Those  which  are  limited  to  a 

city  or  district. 
Custom-liouse    brokers  An    agent    who    acts    for 
merchants  in  the  business  of  entering  and  clearing 
goods  and  vessels,  and  in  the  transaction  of  general 
business  at  the  custom-house. 


VARIOUS    OTHER  PHRASES  AND   WORDS.         489 

The  librarian  of  the  Jenkinson  Library,  employed 
a  custom-house  broker  to  get  a  lot  of  foreign  books 
passed  through  the  custom-house  in  New  York  = 
The  librarian  of  the  Jenkinson  Library  employed 
an  agent,  who  acts  in  the  business  of  entering  and 
clearing  goods,  for  other  parties,  at  the  custom-house, 
to  get  a  lot  of  foreign  books  through  the  custom- 
house. 

Cut  a  passag^e  through,  to  =  To  make  a  passage 

through  by  means  of   some  cutting  instrument,  (a) 

The  emigrant  cut  a  passage  for  his  team,  through 

the  forest  with  his  axe  =  The  emigrant  made  a  road 

for  his  team  to  pass  through  the   woods,  with  an 

axe. 

Cut  the  knot,  to^To  solve  the  difficulty,  (c) 

The  teacher  could  not  decide  which  of  his  two 
best  scholars  was  the  more  entitled  to  the  prize,  so 
he  cut  the  knot,  by  giving  tliem  eacli  a  prize = The 
teacher  could  not  decide  which  of  his  two  best 
scholars  was  the  most  entitled  to  the  prize,  so  he 
solved  the  difficulty  by  giving  them  each  a  prize. 


D. 

'^Damn  \¥ith  faint  praise,"  to  =  To  praise,  but  so 
stintedly  that  it  is  understood  to  mean  disparage- 
ment, or  blame. 
"  Damn  with  faint  praise,  assent  with  civil  leer, 
And  without  sneering  teach  the  rest  to  sneer." 
Darlc  as  midnight  =  Yery  dark,  (c) 

When  we  returned  from  the  theatre,  it  was  dark 
as  midmght= When  we  returned  from  the  theatre,  it 
was  very  dark. 
Darlc  as  pitch  =  Extraordinarily  dark,  (c) 

Tlie  clouds  are  very  thick,  there  is  no  moon,  and 
it  is  dark  as  pitch  to-night  =  On  account  of  the  heavy 
clouds  and  the  absence  of  the  moon,  it  is  extraordi- 
narily dark. 
Dark  as  a  pocket  =  Yery  dark ;  admitting  little  or 
no  light,  (c) 
This  cellar  is  as  dark  as  a  pocket  =There  is  very 
little  or  no  light  in  this  cellar. 
Dark    lantern  =;  A  lantern  with   a  single  opening, 
which  may  be  closed  so  as  to  conceal  the  light. 
Policemen  sometimes  carry  a  dark  lantern ^zVolice- 
men  sometimes  carry  a  lantern  which  can  be   so 
closed  as  to  conceal  the  light. 
Day  after  day  =  One  day  after  another ;  each  day  in 
succession. 


490        VAEIOUS    OTHER   PHRASES  AND   WORDS. 

Day  after  day^  the  caravan  of  pilgrims  wearily 
trod  the  sands  of  the  desert  =  One  day  after  another, 
the   caravan    of  pilgrims   wearily   trod   the   desert 
sands. 
Deadly  or  mortal  §ins  (Rom.  Cath.  Church)  =  Will- 
ful and  deliberate  transgressions,  which  take  away 
or  weaken  divine  grace ;  sins  which  are  heinous  and 
regarded  as  more  difficult  of  forgiveness — distin- 
guished from  venial  sins. 
The  Roman  Catholic  Church  calls  the  following 
deadly  sins ;  viz.,  murder,  lust,  covetousness,  gluttony, 
pride,   envy,    and   idleness  =  The   Roman    Catholic 
Church  regards  murder,  lust,  covetousness,  gluttony, 
pride,  envy  and  idleness  as  sins  which  take  away  or 
weaken  divine  grace;  as  being  especially  heinous, 
and  more  difficult  of  pardon  than  those  which  it 
calls  venial  sins. 
I>ead-reckoningp  (Naut.)  =  The  method  of  determin- 
ing the  place  of  a  ship  from  the  record  of  the  log- 
book, without  the  aid  of  celestial  observations. 
On    the   voyage,   the   weather    was   cloudy   and 
stormy  for  a  week  together,  and  the  captain  was 
obliged  to  calculate  our  position  by  dead-reckoning = 
On  the  voyage,  the  weather  was.  cloudy  and  stormy 
for  a  whole  week ;  and  the  captain  was  compelled 
to  determine  the  place  of  our  ship  from  the  record 
of  the  log-book  alone,  without  the  aid  of  observa- 
tions of  the  heavenly  bodies. 
]>ebt  of  honors  A  debt,  the  payment  of  which  can 
not  be  enforced  by  law,  but  must  depend  on  the 
good  faith  or  honor  of  the  debtor;    a   debt   for 
which  no  security  is  given,  (c) 
The  debts  contracted  by  gambling,  are  sometimes 
called  debts  of  honor =T}ie  debts  contracted  by  gam- 
bling,  are   debts   the   payment   of  which   depends 
solely  on  the  good  faith  of  the  debtor. 
Debt  of  records:  A  debt  which  appears  to  be  due, 
by  the  evidence  of  a  court  of  record,  as  upon  a 
judgment  or  a  cognizance. 

The  executor  has  discovered  a  debt  of  record  for  a 
large  sum,  which  is  due  to  the  estate  =  The  executor 
has  discovered  a  large  debt  shown  by  the  evidence 
of  the  court  of  record,  to  be  due  the  estate. 
Declaration  of  Independence  (Amer.  Hist.)  ==  The 
solemn  declaration  of  the  Congress  of  the  United 
States  of  America,  July  4,  1776,  by  which  they 
formally  renounced  their  subjection  to  the  govern- 
ment of  Great  Britain. 
Accordingly  the  Fourth  of  July  is  observed,  with 
various  ceremonies,  as  a  national   holiday,  to  com- 


VAKIOUS    OTHER  PHRASES  AND  WORDS.        491 

memorate  the  declaration  of  independence =The  Fourth 
of  July  is  made  a  national  holiday,  to  commemorate 
the  solemn  declaration  of  the  Congress  of  the  United 
States  of  America,  by  which  they  renounced  their 
subjection  to  Great  Britain. 
Decoration  clay  =  A  day,  (May  30),  appointed  for 
the  decoration,  with  flowers,  of  the  graves  of  the 
soldiers  and  sailors  who  fell  in  the  late  civil  war. 
(U.  S.) 
Delirium  tremen§  =  A  violent  delirium. 

Delirium  tremens  is  induced,  by  the  excessive  use 
of  intoxicating  liquors  =  A  violent  wandering  of  mind 
is  brought  on,  by  excessive  use  of  intoxicating  liquors. 
Demand  note§= Notes  payable  on  demand  or  pre- 
sentation without  grace,  and  bearing  legal  interest, 
after  a  demand  has  been  made,  if  not  so  written. 
He  borrowed  one  hundred  dollars,  and  gave  a 
demand  note  =  HQ,  borrowed  a  hundred  dollars,  and 
gave  a  note  payable  on  demand,  and  bearing  legal 
interest,  after  a  demand  has  been  made,  if  not  so 
written. 
Democratic    party  =  One  of   the  principal  parties 
in  the  United  States,  distinguished,  among  other 
things,  for  its  advocacy  of  state  rights,  or  limita- 
tion of  the  powers  of  the  general  government ;  and 
for  opposition,  more  or  less,  to   the    principle  of 
protection  of  home   manufactures  by  means   of  a 
tariff. 
Thomas  Jefferson,  the  third  president  of  the  Uni- 
ted States  (1801-1809)  was  a  distinguished  member 
of  the  Democratic  party  =Thom.Rs,  Jefferson,  the  third 
president  of  the  United  States  (1801-1809)  was  a 
distinguished  member  of  the  party  which  has  gen- 
erally advocated  the  limitation  of  the  powers  of  the 
general  government,  and  little  or  no  protective  tariff. 
Demurrer  to  evidence  (Law)  =  An  exception  taken 
by  a  party  to  the  evidence  offered  by  the  opposite 
party,  and  an  objection  to  proceed  further,  with  a  ■ 
reference  to  the  court. 
A  demurrer  to  evidence  is  made,  on  the  allegation 
that  such  evidence  is  not  sufiicient  in  law  to  main- 
tain the  issue  =  An  exception  to  the  evidence  offered 
by  the  opposite  party,  and  an  objection  to  proceed 
further,  with  a  reference  to  the  court,  is  taken,  on 
the  allegation  that  such  evidence  is  not  sufiicient  in 
law  to  maintain  the  issue. 
Depend  upon  it  =  You  may  be  certain,  (c) 

The  school  boy  is  very  idle  and  heedless  now ;  but 
depend  upon  it,  he  will  some  day  regret  his  idleness 
=  The  school  boy  is  very  idle  and  heedless  now ;  but 


492         VARIOUS   OTHER   PHRASES   AND    WORDS. 

you  may  be  certain  that  lie  will  some  day  regret  his 
idleness. 
Descend  to  particulars,  to  =  To  treat  specially  and 
minutely,  (a) 
The  historian  descends  to  particulars^  in  relating  the 
story  of  the  queen's  courtship  and  marriage  =  The 
historian  treats  in  a  special  and  minute  manner,  the 
incidents  of  the  queen's  courtship  and  marriage. 
Diametrically    opposed  —  Directly    opposite,   like 
the  two  ends  of  a  diameter,  (c) 
His  opinion  on  the  subject  is  diametrically  opposed 
to  mine  =:  His  opinion  is  directly  opposite  to  mine. 
Dime  novel  =  A  novel  which  is  sold  for  a  dime  or 
ten   cents.     It   is   usually  trashy;    and  hence  the 
term  is  sometimes  used  in  general  to  denote  sensa- 
tional literature. 
Dime   novels  are    generally   considered    injurious 
reading  for  young  people  =  The  trashy,  sensational 
story  books,  called  dime  novels,  are  considered  inju- 
rious reading  for  young  people. 
Diplomatic  body  or   corps  =  The  whole  company 
of  foreign  ministers,  envoys,  ambassadors  and  the 
like,  resident  at  the  court  or  capital  of  a  nation. 
Most  of  the  diplomatic  body  were  present,  in  full 
dress,  at  the  president's  reception  =i  Nearly  all  the 
foreign  ministers,  envoys,  and  the  like,  attended  the 
president's   reception,    dressed  in    appropriate   and 
customary  costume. 
Direct  tax  =  A  tax  assessed  directly  on  possessions, 
incomes,  or  polls,  as   distinguished  from  taxes  on 
merchandise,  or  customs,  and  from  excise. 
In  the  United  States,  the  expenses  of  the  towns 
are  largely  met  by  direct  tax  —  In  the  United  States, 
the  expenses  of  the  towns  are  largely  met  by  taxes 
assessed  directly  on  persons  and  property. 
Distant  relation,  a  =  One  remotely  connected  with 
us  by  birth  or  marriage. 
I  have  a  great  many  distant  relations =T\\qvq  are 
many  persons  remotely  connected  with  me  by  birth 
or  marriage. 
Dolly  shop  =  A  shop  where  rags  and  refuse  are  sold, 
distinguished  by  the  sign  of  a  black  doll.     (Eng.) 
The  dolly  shop   is   usually   an   unlicensed   pawn- 
broker's shop  =  The  shop  where  rags  and  refuse  are 
sold,  and  whose  sign  is  a  black  doll,  is  usually  an 
unlicensed  pawnbroker's  shop. 
Dominical  letter  =  The  letter  which,  in   almanacs, 
denotes   the  Sabbath,  or  dies  Domini^  the   Lord's 
day. 
The  first  seven  letters  of  the  alphabet  are  used  for 


VARIOUS   OTHER   PHRASES    AND   WORDS.         493 

dominical  letters^  the  same  letter  standing  for  Sunday 
during  a  whole  year  —  The  first  seven  letters  of  the 
alphabet  are  used,  in  almanacs,  to  denote  tlie  Sab- 
bath, the  same  letter  standing  for  a  Sunday  during 
a  whole  year. 
Donation  party  ==  A  party  assembled  at  the  house 
of  some  one,  as  a  clergyman,   each  one  bringing 
some  present.     (U.  S.) 
Donation  parties  w^ere  once  common  in  Kew"  Eng- 
land parishes  ;  and  now^  survive  in  the  rural  districts 
=  Parties,  where  each  one  brought  a  present  to  the 
clergyman,  were  once  common  in  Kew^  England,  and 
now  survive  in  the  rural  districts. 
I>o   one's  biddings,  to  =  To  obey;  to  comply  with 
one's  orders  or  requests,  {h) 
The  child  who  does  not  do  the  bidding  of  his  parent 
is  liable  to  punishment  =  The   child   who  does  not 
obey  his  parent  is  liable  to  punishment. 
Do  one's  heart  good,  to  =  To  please  one ;  to  refresh 
one.  {a) 
It  does  one-s  heart  good,  to  see  how  the  poor  cliil- 
dren  enjoy  the  dinner,  provided  for  them  on  Christ- 
mas day  =  It  pleases  one  to  see  how  the  poor  children 
enjoy  the  dinner,  which   is   provided  for  them  on 
Christmas  day. 
Draconian  la^rs  =  A  code  made  by  Draco.     These 
laws  were  so  severe  that  they  were  said  to  be  writ- 
ten in  letters  of  blood  ; — hence,  any  laws  of  excessive 
rigor. 
The  English  statutes  of  the  last  century  may  be 
fitly  called  Draconian  laws,  on  account  of  the  great 
number   of    offenses   punishable   with    deaths  The 
English  statutes  of  the  last  century  may  be   pro- 
nounced excessive  in  their  rigor,  on  account  of  the 
number  of  offenses  punishable  with  death. 
Drag  its  slo\r  length  along,  to  =  To  move  slowly 
and  w-earily.  (c) 
The  summer  dragged  its  slow  length  along,  while  the 
slave  toiled  at  his  hard  task  =  The  summer  moved 
slowly  and  wearily  for  the  slave  who  toiled  at  his 
hard  task. 
Drain  the  cup,  to=:To  empty  the  drinking  vessel. 

(c) 

The  admiral  drained  his  cup  in  honor  of  the  queen, 

at  a  banquet  given  on  her  birthdays  The  admiral 

completely  emptied  his  glass  in  honor  of  the  queen, 

at  a  banquet  given  on  her  birthday. 

Draw  a  line,  to  =  To  discriminate;   to  distinguish. 

^') 

The  law  in  America  draws  a  line  between  murder 


494        VARIOUS  OTHER   PHRASES    AND  WORDS. 

and  manslaughter  =  The  law  in  America  makes  a 
distinction  between  murder  and  manslaughter. 
Draiv  off,  to  =  l.  To  take  away  from.     2.  To  write 
in  due  form,  (a) 

1,  The  brewer  drew  off  the  liquor  from  the  cask 
=  The  brewer  took  away  the  liquor  from  the  cask. 
2.  The  merchant  dreiv  off  the  tailor's  account  =  The 
merchant  wrote  the  tailor's  account  in  the  form  of  a 
bill. 
Dre§s  circle  =  The  lowest  gallery  in  a  theatre,  con- 
taining the  prominent  and  most  expensive  seats. 
I>ruiii  Majors  The  first   drummer   in   a  regiment, 

who  has  authority  over  the  other  drummers. 
Dumb  creatures  =  Creatures  destitute  of  the  power 
of  speech. 
She  was  very  kind-hearted;  and  even  the  dumb 
creatures  did  not  appeal  to  her  sympathy  in  vain  = 
She  was  very  kind-hearted ;  and  the  creatures  desti- 
tute of  the  power  of  speech,  did  not  appeal  to  her  in 
vain. 


E. 

Each  other  =  Each  the  other,  (a) 

The  men  at  work  in  the  field  assisted  each  other = 
Each  man  at  work  in  the  field  assisted  the  other; 
Eat  of,  to  =  To  eat  a  portion  of;  to  partake  of.  (a) 
At  dinner  yesterday,  I  ate  freely  of  rice  =  At  din- 
ner yesterday  I  partook  freely  of  rice. 
Electoral  college  =  The  number  of  men,  equal  in 
each  state  to  the  number  of  senators  and  represent- 
atives in  Congress  from  that  state,  who  are  elected 
by  popular  vote,  and  who  meet  in  their  respective 
states  to  vote  for  a  president  of  the  United  States. 
By  the  constitutional  machinery,  the  people  vote 
for  presidential  electors  who  constitute  the  Electoral 
College,  and  these  electors  vote  for  a  president  =  By 
the  constitutional  method,  the  people  elect  a  given 
number  of  men  in  each  state,  and  these  men  meet 
on  a  given  day,  and  cast  their  ballots  for  president 
and  vice-president. 
Elector§.at-largre  (U.  S.)  =  Electors  chosen  to  repre- 
sent the  whole  of  a  state,  in  distinction  from  those 
chosen  to  represent  one  of  the  congressional  dis- 
tricts of  a  state,  as  in  a  presidential  election. 
The   electoral  college  of  each  state  has  two  elec- 
tor s-at-large,  in  addition  to  those  chosen  to  represent 
the  congressional  districts  =  The  electoral  college  of 


VARIOUS  OTHER  PHRASES    AND  WORDS.        495 

each  state  has  two  electors  chosen  to  represent  the 
whole   of  the  state,  in  distinction  from  those  who 
represent  the  several  congressional  districts. 
Electrical  attraction  =  Attraction  occasioned  by,  or 
derived  from,  electricity. 
It  is  electrical  attraction^  which  draws  the  lightning 
from  the  clouds  to  lightning  rods  =  It  is  attraction, 
derived    from    electricity,    which    draws   lightning 
from  clouds  to  lightning  rods.      Electrical  attraction., 
like  the  attraction  of  gravitation,  is  exerted  at  sensi- 
ble distances  =  The  attraction,  which  is   occasioned 
by  electricity,  like  the  attraction  of  gravitation,  is 
exerted  at  sensible  distances. 
Elevated   railroad  =  A  railroad  which  is  made  to 
run  higli  above  the  streets  of  a  city,  by  being  sup- 
ported on  pillars, — with  stations  at  convenient  in- 
tervals, which  are  reached  by  flights  of  stairs  from 
the  streets. 
In  New  York,  an  elevated  railroad  extends  from  the 
Battery  to  Harlem  River  =  In  New  York  a  railroad 
which  is  raised  high  above  the  streets  by  being  laid 
on  pillars  extends  from  the  Battery  to  Harlem  Eiver. 
Elevation  of  the  host  (Rom.  Cath.  Church)  =  That 
part  of  the  mass  (celebration  of  the  Lord's  supper) 
in  which  the  priest  raises  the  host  (the  bread  repre-' 
senting  Christ's  body)  above  his  head,  for  the  people 
to  adore. 
Many  strangers  went  to  the  cathedral,  to  witness 
the  elevation  of  the  Ao5^=Many  strangers  went  to  the 
cathedral,  to  witness  that  part  of  the  sacramental 
service  in  which  the  priest  raises  the   consecrated 
bread  which  respresents  the  body  of  Christ,  above  his 
head  for  the  people  to  adore. 
Ember  day§  (Rom.  Cath.  Church)  =  Certain  days  set 
apart  for  fasting  and  prayer  in  each  of  the  four 
seasons  of  the  year. 
Empty  one'§  grla8§,  to=:To  drink  the  contents  of  the 
drinking-glass.  (c) 

The  guest  emptied  his  glass  three  times,  at  dinner 
=:At  dinner,  the  guest  thrice  drank  the  contents  of 
his  drinking-glass. 
End§  of  the  earth  =  Distant  regions;  the  remotest 
parts  of  the  earth. 
Many   articles   of    convenience   and    luxury    are 
brought  to  us,  from   the  ends  of  the   earth  =  M.2inj 
articles  of  convenience  and  luxury  are  brought  to 
us,  from  the  remotest  parts  of  the  earth. 
Engag^e  in  conversation,  to  =  To  take  part  in  con- 
versation; to  converse,  (a) 


496        VARIOUS    OTHER  PHRASES  AND  WORDS. 

The  King  and  the  prime  minister  engaged  in  con- 
versation concerning  the  revenue  =  The  King  and  the 
prime  minister  conversed  concerning  the  revenue. 
Enlarged  view§  —  Comprehensive  ideas ;  broad  and 
tolerant  opinions,  {h) 
The  senator  has  enlarged  views  upon  the  Chinese 
question  =  The  senator  has  broad  and  tolerant  opin- 
ions on  the  question  of  Chinese  emigration. 
£noug[h  and  to  sparer  More  than  sufficient,  {a) 
It  was  feared  there  would  not  be  food  for  all  the 
old  soldiers  on  the  day  of  the  celebration,  but  there 
was  enough  and  to  spare  — It  was  feared  there  would 
not  be  food  for  all  the  old  soldiers  on  the  day  of  the 
celebration,  but  there  was  more  than  sufficient. 
Epidemic  di§ease=:  A  disease  which,  arising  from  a 
wide-spread  cause,  acts  upon  numbers  of  people  at 
the  same  time. 
Influenza  often  occurs  as  an  epidemic  disease  —  In- 
fluenza often  acts  upon  numbers  of  people  at  the 
same  time. 
Equity  of  redemption  {Law)  —  The  advantage,  al- 
lowed to  a  mortgageor,  of  a  certain  or  reasonable 
time  to  redeem  lands  mortgaged,  after  they  have 
^  been  forfeited  at  law,  by  the  non-payment  of  the 
sum  of  money  due  on  the  mortgage  at  the  appoint- 
ed time. 
Equity  of  redemption  is  a  measure  of  relief,  to  rem- 
edy a  defect  in  the  equitable  administration  of  the 
law  of  mortgage=:The  redemption,  defined  above, 
is  a  measure  of  relief,  to  remedy  a  defect  in  the 
equitable  administration  of  the  law  of  mortgage. 
Ere  long  =  Before  long ;  in  no  very  long  time. 

Ere  long  J  the  suburbs  of  the  city  will  be  thickly 
settled  =  In  no  very  long  time,  the  suburbs  of  the 
city  will  be  thickly  settled. 
Ere  now  =  Before  this  time. 

If  it  was  3^our  uncle's  intention  to  visit  you  to- 
day, he  would  have  been  here  ere  now  =  lf  it  was 
your  uncle's  intention  to  visit  you  to-day,  he  would 
have  arrived  before  this  time. 
Escape  the  lip§,  to=To  be  uttered — (usually  un- 
intentionally), (c) 
Do  not  let  a  word  of  information  concerning  the 
gold  mine  we  have  discovered,  escape  your  lips  =  T>o 
not  utter  a  word  of  information,  concerning   the 
gold  mine  we  have  discovered. 
Espouse  the  cause,  to=:To  take  up,  or  adopt,  the 
cause,  {a) 
In  the  war  of  the  Revolution,  France  espoused  the 


VARIOUS    OTHER   PHRASES   AND   WORDS.         497 

cause  of  America  =  In  the  war  of  the  Revolution, 
France  favored  the  American  cause. 
Es§ciitial  part,  the  =  The  necessary  part ;  the  most 
important  part. 
The   speaker  failed  to  present   the   essential  part 
of  the   argument  —  The  speaker   failed    to    present 
that  part  of  the  argument  which  is  most  import- 
ant. 
Estate  in  expectancy  (Xa?^)  =  An  estate,  the  pos- 
session of  which   a  person  is  entitled  to  have  at 
some  future  time,  either  as  a  remainder  or  rever- 
sion, or  on  the  death  of  some  one. 
Estate  in  severalty  {Law)  =  An   estate   which   the 
tenant  holds  in  his  own  right,  without  being  joined 
in  interest  with  any  other  person. 
The  elder  brother  bought  the  portions  of  the  es- 
tate, which  had  been  bequeathed  to  his  younger  bro- 
thers, and  now  holds  tlie  estate  in  severalty  =  The  elder 
brother  bought  the  portions  of  the  estate,  which  had 
been  bequeathed  to  his  younger  brothers,  and  now 
holds  the  entire  estate  in  his  own  right. 
Estate  in  tail  =  A  limited,  abridged,  or  reduced  fee; 
an  estate  limited  to  certain  heirs,  and  from  which 
the  other  heirs  are  precluded. 
English  law  allows  of  estate  in  toz7=  English  law 
allows  of  the  limitation  of  estates  to  certain  heirs, 
to  the  exclusion  of  others. 
Even  no>v  =  Already ;  at  this  very  time. 

The  leaves  will  soon  fall  from  the  trees ;  even  noio 
they  are  beginning  to  change  color  =  The  leaves  will 
soon  fall  from  the  trees ;  already  they  are  beginning 
to  change  color. 
Even  so  =  Truly  so ;  precisely  so ;  just  in  the  same 
manner. 
Because  of  the  delay  of  intelligence,  the  King  fear- 
ed that  some  disaster  had  befallen  the  army;   and 
it  was  even  so  =  Because  of  the  delay  of  intelligence, 
the  King  feared  that  some  disaster  had  befallen  the 
army ;  and  it  proved  to  be  indeed  so.     As  the  sun- 
shine brightens    the  earth,  even  so  a  cheerful,  sunny 
disposition   brightens    a    home  =  As    the    sunshine 
brightens  the  earth,  in  the  same  manner  the  cheer- 
ful, sunny  disposition  brightens  a  home. 
Even  tenor = Uniform  course  or  character. 

The  visit  of  the  children  from  the  city  disturbed 

the  even  tenor  of  the  family  life  =  The  visit  of  the 

children  from  the  city  disturbed  the  uniform  course 

of  the  family  life. 

Ever  recurring  =  Continually  returning ;  periodical. 

33 


498         VARIOUS    OTHER   PHRASES   AND   WOKDB. 

The  need  of  taking  food  is  ever  recurring —Tho, 
necessity  for  taking  food  is  periodical. 
Ever  since  =  The  whole  period  from  some  specified 
time. 
Mr.  B.  has  been  ill  ever  since  his  return  from  Cali- 
fornia =  Mr.  B.  has  been  ill  the  whole  period  from 
his  return  from  California. 
Every   one  =  All,  separately  considered ;    every  in- 
dividual. 
Every  one  of  the  family  carries  a  watch  =  Every 
individual  of  the  family  carries  a  watch. 
Examination  papers  A  paper,  submitted  to  stu- 
dents for  a  written  examination,  and  containing  a 
list  of  questions  and  subjects  to  be  answered  in 
writing,  at  a  single  session. 
Great  pains  are  taken  to  prevent  students  from 
getting  sight  of  the  examination  papers,  before  the 
hour  of  examinations  Great  pains  are  taken  to  pre- 
vent students  from  seeing  the  lists  of  questions  and 
subjects  to  be  answered  in  writing,  before  the  hour 
of  examination. 
Exchequer  bills  (Eng.)  =  Bills  for  money,  or  promis- 
sory bills,  issued  from  the  exchequer,  by  authority 
of  Parliament. 
Exchequer  bills  are  a  species  of  paper  currency, 
emitted   under   authority  of    the   government,    and 
bearing  interests  Promissory  bills,  issued  from  the 
exchequer,  by  authority  of  Parliament,  are  a  species 
of  paper  currency,  bearing  interest. 
Executive    committee  =  A    body   of    persons   ap- 
pointed to  manage  the   affairs  or  carry  out   the 
wishes  and  objects  of  a  society  or  an  organization. 
The  executive  committee  of  the  Young  People's  Lit- 
erary Association  have   arranged  for  a  course  of 
lectures,  this  winter  =  The  persons  appointed  by  the 
members  of  Young  People's  Literary  Association  to 
manage  its  affairs  and  carry  out  its  designs,  have 
arranged  for  the  delivery  of  a  course  of  lectures, 
this  winter. 
Executive  council  =  A  body  of  men  elected  as  ad- 
visers of  the  chief  magistrate,  whether  of  a  state 
or  the  nation.     (U.  S.) 
The  executive  council  of  the  president  (U.   S.)  is 
called  the  cabinet  =  The  advisers  of  the  president 
constitute  a  body  which  is  known  as  the  cabinet. 
Exempt  from  =  Free  in  respect  to  that  which  binds 
others,  as  a  tax,  a  duty,  an  evil ;  not  subject  to.  (a) 
The  temperate  man  is  exempt  from  many  ills  and 
evils,  which  weigh  upon  the  intemperate  man  =  The 
temperate  man  is  not  subject  to  many  ills  and  evils, 


VARIOUS    OTHER   PHRASES  AND  WORDS.        499 

whicli   bear  heavily   upon    the    intemperate    man. 
After  the  age  of  forty-iive  years,  men  are  exempt 
from  military  duty,  in  the  United  States  =  After  the 
age  of  forty-five  years,  men  are  free  from  the  obli- 
gation to  do  military  duty,  in  the  United  states. 
i:x-parte  hearings  or  evidence  (Zaz^)  =  That  which 
is  had  or  taken  by  one  side,  in  the  absence  of  the 
other. 
Hearings  before  grand  juries  are  &T-parte= Hear- 
ings before  grand  juries  are  such  as  are  had  by  one 
side,  in  the  absence  of  the  other. 
c:xpo§ed  to  =  Liable  to;  in  danger  of;  obnoxious  to. 

(«) 

Children  are  exposed  to  many  diseases  =  Children 
are  liable  to  many  diseases.     The  early  settlers  of 
America  were  often  exposed  to  attack  by  the  Indians 
=  The  early  settlers  of  America  were  often  in  dan- 
ger of  being  attacked  by  the  Indians. 
Ex  po§t  facto  law  =  A  law  which  operates  by  after 
enactment ; — as  employed  in  American  law,  it  re- 
lates only  to  crimes. 
By  the  constitution  of  the  United  States  the  states 
are  prohibited  from  passing  ex  post  facto  laws  =  'By 
the  constitution  of  the  United  States,  the  states  are 
prohibited  from  passing  laws  which  retroact,  by  way 
of  criminal  punishment,  upon  that  which  was  not  a 
crime  before  its  passage,  or  which  raise  the  grade  of 
an  offense,  or  render  an  act  punishable  in  a  more 
severe  manner  than  it  was  when  committed. 
Expre8§  train  =  A  train  running  at  a  greater  speed, 
and  making  fewer  stops  than  ordinary  or  accom- 
modation trains. 
The  president  and  his  party  will  arrive  on  the 
express    tram  =  The   president    and    his    party    will 
arrive  on  the  fast  train. 
Expurg^atory  in<lex  =  A  catalogue  of  books  forbid- 
den by  the  Rom.   Cath.   Church  to  ^  be   read,  as 
teaching  things  contrary  to  its  creed  or  principles. 
The  expurgatory  index  is  published  at  Rome  by  the 
Congregation  of  the  Index,  whose  president  is  a 
Cardinal  =  The  catalogue  of  books,  forbidden  to  be 
read  by  the  Roman  Catholic  Church,  is  published  at 
Rome,  by  the  Congregation  of  the  Index,  which  is 
presided  over  by  a  Cardinal. 
Extendingrto  =  Continuing  as  far  as ;  stretching  to.  (a) 
The  road  is  long,  extending  to  the  river=The  road 
is  long,  continuing  as  far  as  the  river. 
Extenuating^  circuni§tance§  =  Circumstances  which 
lessen  or  palliate  a  fault  or  a  crime. 
The  judge  gave  the  young  man  a  light  sentence. 


500        VAKIOUS    OTHER  PHRASES  AND  WORDS. 

saying  that  his  youth  and  inexperience  were  exten- 
uating  circumstances  =  The    judge   gave   the   young 
man  a  light  sentence,  saying  that  his  youth  and  in- 
experience palliated  his  crime. 
External  taxe§  =  Duties  or  imposts  laid  on  goods 
imported  into  a  country. 
The  external  taxes,  received  at  the  custom-house  in 
'New  York,  form  an  important  part  of  the  revenue 
of  the  country  =  The  duties  laid  on  goods  imported 
through    the  custom-house  in  New  York,  form  an 
important  part  of  the  revenue  of  the  country. 
Extreme  unction  (Rom.  Cath.  Church)  =  The  anoint- 
ing of  a  sick  person  with  oil,  just  before  death. 
Extreme  unction  is  one  of  the  seven  sacraments  in 
the  Roman  Catholic  Church  =  The  anointing  of  a 
sick  person  with  oil,  just  before  death,  is  one  of  the 
seven  sacraments  in  the  Roman  Catholic  Church. 


F. 

Face  about,  to  =  To  turn  the  face  in  an  opposite 
direction,  (a) 
In  drill  the  captain  ordered  his  company  to  face 
about  =  In  drill  the  captain  ordered  his  company  to 
turn  their  faces  in  an  opposite  direction. 
Face  to  face  =  Directly  fronting  each  other,  (a) 
The  two  armies  met  face  to  face  on  the  battle  field 
=  The  two  armies  met  directly  fronting  each  other, 
on  the  field  of  battle. 
Facial  ang^le  =  The  angle  formed,  in  a  profile  view 
of  the  face,  by  two  straight  lines,  one  of  which  is 
drawn  from  the  middle  of  the  external  entrance  of 
the  ear  to  the  base  of  the  nose,  and  the  other  from 
the  prominent  center  of  the  forehead  to  the  most 
prominent  part  of  the  upper  jaw-bone. 
The  facial  angle  of  a  race  is  an  index  of  its  mental 
powers  The  angle  formed  by  the  two  lines  above 
described,  marking  the  size  of  the  anterior  portion  of 
the  brain,  is  an  index  of  the  mental  power  of  a  race. 
Falirenlieit'§  thermometer  =  A  thermometer,  the 
scale  of  which  has  its  zero  at  32°  below  the  freez- 
ing point  of  water,  and  contains  180  such  degrees 
between  the  freezing  and  boiling  points. 
Failings  sight  =  A  lessening  of  the  power  to  see. 
At  about  fifty  years  of  age  man  begins  to  suflTer 
with  failing  sight  =  At  about  fifty  years  of  age  man 
begins  to  suffer  a  diminution  of  the  power  of  seeing. 


VARIOUS    OTHER  PHRASES  AND  WORDS.         501 

Fair  chance  =  Unobstructed  opportunity. 

Mr.  A.  is  the  only  druggist   on  that  street,   so 
that  he  has  a  fair  chance  to  earn  a  livings  Mr.  A.  is 
the  only  druggist  on  that  street,  and  therefore  he 
has  an  unobstructed  opportunity  to  earn  a  living. 
Fair  question  —  A  reasonable  or  proper  inquiry,  or 
subject  of  investigation. 
It  is  a  fair  question^  whether  free  trade  would  not, 
in  the  end,  benefit  the  nation  more  than  a  tariff  =  It 
is  a  proper  subject  of  inquiry,  whether  free  trade 
would  not,  in  the  end,  benefit  the  nation  more  than 
a  tariff. 
Fall  dead,  to  =  To  fall  down,  with  life  suddenly  ex- 
tinct, (c) 
The  bullet  went  through  his  heart,  and  he  fell 
dead  on  the  spot  =  The   bullet    went    through    his 
heart,  and  he  fell  down  on  the  spot,  a  dead  man. 
Fall  into  decay,  to=:To  gradually  fail  or  be  im- 
"  paired,  (c) 

After  the  church  ceased  to  be  occupied,  it  fell  into 
decay  =  After  the  church  ceased  to  be  occupied,  it 
was  gradually  impaired. 
False  imprisonment  (Law)  =  The  arrest  and  impris- 
onment of  a  person   contrary   to  law;   unlawful 
detention  in  custody. 
The  man  obtained   damages    against   the  officer 
ior  fahe  imprisonments  The  man  obtained  damages 
against  the  officer,  for  arresting  him  or  detaining 
him  in  custody  contrary  to  law. 
Family   connection  =  One   connected  by  birth   or 
marriage. 
His  family  connections  are  respectable  =  Those  con- 
nected with  him  by  birth  or  marriage,  are  respecta- 
ble persons. 
Family  tie  =  The  bond  of  union  and  affection  be- 
tween members  of  the  same  family. 
The  family  ^ie  is  stronger  than  any  other = Mem- 
bers of  the  same  family  are  nearer  and  dearer  to 
each  other  than   to  other  persons. 
Fancy  fair  =  A  special  sale  of  fancy  articles. 

Fancy  fairs  are  usually  conducted  by  ladies  for  the 
benefit  of  some  charity  =  Special  sales  of  fancy  arti- 
cles are  often  conducted  by  ladies  for  the  benefit  of 
some  charity. 
Fancy  goods  =  Fabrics  of  various  colors,  patterns, 
&c.,  as  ribbons,  silks,  satins  and  the  like,  in  dis- 
tinction from  those  of  a  simple  or  plain  color. 
Fancy  stocks = A  species  of  shares  in  joint-stock 
companies  which  have  no  intrinsic  value,  and  the 
fluctuations  in  whose  prices  are  chiefly  artificial. 


502        VARIOUS    OTHER  PHRASES  AND   WORDS. 

Fancy  stocks  afford  great  opportunities  for  gam- 
blings Shares  which  have  no  intrinsic  value,  and 
the  fluctuations  in  whose  prices  are  chiefly  artificial, 
afford  great  opportunities  for  gambling. 
Fancy  store  =  One  where  articles  of  fancy  or  orna- 
ments are  sold. 
Far  advanced  In  life    or  in  years  =  Far  along  in 
years;  aged,  (a) 
When  people  are  far  advanced  in  life,  their  strength 
fails  =  When  people  are  aged,  their  strength  fails. 
Far  and  near  =  Distant  and  near  at  hand,  (a) 

The  people  far  and  near  came  to  the  political  con- 
vention =  The  distant  people  and  the  neighboring 
ones  came  to  the  political  convention. 
Far  and  wide  =  To  a  great  distance ;  over  a  large 
space,  (a) 

The  news  of  the  victory  soon  spread  far  and  wide 
=  The  news  of  the  victory  soon  went  in  all  direc- 
tions, and  to  a  great  distance.  The  news  of  the 
treaty  of  peace  spread  far  and  wide  =  T\\e,  news  of 
the  treaty  of  peace  spread  to  a  great  distance. 
Far  away  =  At  a  great  distance,  (a) 

The  noise  of  the  battle  was  heard  far  away  —  The 
noise  of  the  battle  was  heard  at  a  great  distance. 
Far  be  it  from  me  =  I  would  not  willingly  do  it ;  it 
is  not  my  wish  or  pui'pose.  (c) 
Far  he  it  from  me  to  hurt  your  feelings  —  I  would 
not  willingly  hurt  your  feelings. 
Far  ft*om  it  =  It  is  very  difierent.  (c) 

The  case  is  not  as  you  represent ;  far  from  it^ — it 
is  almost  the  reverse  =  The  case  is  not  as  you  repre- 
sent ;  it  is  very  different, — almost  the  reverse. 
Far  off;  afar  off =:  Distant ;  in  the  distance,  {a) 
As  we  sailed  along,  we  could  see  the  light-house 
afar  off—  As  we  sailed  along,  we  could  see  the  light- 
house in  the  distance. 
Farew^ell    audience  ==  Reception  to   an   interview, 
given  by  the  head  of  a  government  to  a  retiring 
ambassador. 
The  Queen  has  named  a  time  for  a  farewell  audi- 
ence to  the  Russian  ambassador  =  The  Queen  has 
named  a  day  for  reception  to  an  interview,  on  the 
occasion  of  the  recall  of  the  Russian  ambassador. 
Feast  of  reason  and  flow  of  souls  A  season  of 
intellectual  and  social  enjoyment. 
At  their  annual  meeting,  the   members   of  the 
scientiflc  club  had  a  feast  of  reason  and  flow  of  soul 
=  A.i  their  annual  meeting,  the  members   of  the 
scientific  club  had  a  season  of  social  and  intellectual 
enjoyment. 


VARIOUS    OTHER  PHRASES  AND  WORDS.        603 

Fellow-feeling  =  Sympathy ;  like  feeling. 

I  have  met  with  the  same  loss,  and  I  have  a  fellow- 
feeling  for  you  =  I  sympathize  with  yon,  for  I  have 
had  a  similar  affliction.     The  defeated  candidates 
for  Congress  have  a  fellowfeeling  for  each  others 
The  candidates  for  election  to  Congress,  who  were 
defeated,  understand  each  other's  feelings,  and  sym- 
pathize with  each  other. 
Few  and  far  between  =  Few  and  infrequent,  (c) 
The  visits  of  my  friends  are  few  and  far  heiween  = 
The  visits  of  my  friends  are  few  and  infrequent. 
Find  a  clew  (or  clue)  to,  to==To    discover  that 
which  will  lead  to  the  desired  knowledge  or  expla- 
nation of  something  hidden  or  intricate,  (a) 
The  policeman  found  a  clew  to  the  burglary  com- 
mitted last  month,  in  some  silver  ware  which  was 
ofiered  for  sale  at  the  pawnbroker's  =  The  policeman 
discovered  something  which  may  lead  to  the  detec- 
tion of  the  burglars  of  last  month,  in  some  silver 
ware  which  was  offered  for  sale  at  tlie  pawnbroker's. 
Find  a  market,  to  =  To  have  an  opportunity  of 
selling ;  to  meet  with  a  purchaser,  {a) 
Mr.  C.  found  a  market  for  his  wool,  by  going  to 
the  city  =  Mr.  C.  had  an  opportunity  of  selling  his 
wool,  by  going  to  the  city.     Have  you  found  a  mar- 
ket for  your  wheat  =  Have  you  met  with  any  one 
who  desires  to  purchase  your  wheat  ? 
Fine  art§  =  Those  arts  in  which  the  powers  of  imi- 
tation or  invention  are  exerted,  and  which  influence 
us  through  the  eye,  chiefly  with  a  view  to  the  pro- 
duction  of   pleasure,   as   painting,   sculpture,   en- 
graving, and  architecture. 
My  friend  is  a  connoisseur  in  the  fine  arts—'M.y 
friend  is  a  critical  judge  in  painting,  sculpture,  en- 
graving, and  architecture. 
Fini§liing[  §troke  =  The  stroke  which  finishes;  the 
final  act  or  work. 
The  workmen  are  giving  the  finishing  stroke  to  the 
dome  of  the  capitol  of  Connecticut,  by  gilding  the 
exterior  =  The  workmen  are  doing  tlie  final  work  on 
the  dome  of  the  capitol  of  Connecticut,  by  gilding 
the  exterior.     The  capture  of  Richmond  gave  the 
finishing  stroke  to   the   rebellion  =  The   capture    of 
Richmond  put  an  end  to  the  rebellion. 
Fire-proof  =  Proof  against  fire;  incombustible. 

The  new  hotel  is  constructed  largely  of  brick  and 
iron,  and  is  intended  to  be  fire-proof- The  new  hotel 
is  constructed  largely  of  brick  and  iron ;  and  is  in- 
tended to  be  proof  against  fire. 


504        VARIOUS    OTHER  PHRASES   AND   WORDS. 

Fir§t    and    foremo§t  =  As  the   first    and    principal 
thing,  (c) 
He  who  would  be  a  good  surgeon  must,  first  and 
foremost,  acquaint  himself  with  anatomy  =  He  wlio 
would  be  a  good  surgeon  must,  as  the  first   and 
principal  thing,  become  familiar  with  anatomy. 
Fir§t  of  all  =  Before  any  thing  else ;  at  the  outset. 
If  you  would  learn  to  sing  correctly,  you  must 
first  of  all,  become  familiar  with  the  musical '  scale  = 
If  you  would  learn  to  sing  correctly,  you  must,  at 
the  outset,  become  familiar  with  the  sounds  of  the 
musical  scale. 
Fiscal  or   financial  year  =  The  year  by  which  ac- 
counts are  reckoned,  or  the  year  between  one  an- 
nual time  of  settlement,  or  balancing  accounts,  and 
another. 
The  fiscal  year  of  the  United  States  government 
begins  July  1  —  The  year  by  which  the  accounts  of 
the  United  States  government  are  reckoned,  begins 
on  the  first  day  of  July. 
Flag  of  truce  (M7.)  =  A  white  flag  exhibited  by  one 
of  the  hostile  parties,  as  an  invitation  to  conference, 
during  the  flying  of  which  hostilities  are  suspended. 
The  batteries  made  a  breach  in  the  walls  of  the 
fort,  and  then  the  besieged  ran  up  a  flag  of  truce = 
The  batteries  made  a  breach  in  the  walls,  and  then 
the  besieged  ran  up  a  white  flag,  as  an  invitation  to 
conference ;  and  hostilities  were  suspended. 
Flaw  in  an  argument  =  A  fault  or  imperfection  in 
the  argument,  which  renders  it  inconclusive. 
There  was  a  flaw  in  the  lawyer's  argument  —  There 
was  a  defect  in  the  lawyer's  argument,  which  ren- 
dered it  inconclusive. 
Flight  of  §tairs  ;  pair  of  stair§  =  The  stairs  which 
make  the  wliole  ascent  of  a  story. 
Our  rooms   are   up   three  flights  of  stairs  =  Our 
rooms  are  in  the  fourth  story. 
Flight  of  time,  the  =  The  swift  passage  of  time. 
77ie  flight  of  time  brings  old  age  upon  us,  before 
we  are  aware  =  The  swift  passage  of  time  brings  old 
age  upon  us,  before  we  recognize  or  are   sensible 
of  it. 
Flowing  periods  =  Sentences  which  sound  smoothly 
to  the  ear.  (c) 
Macaulay,  the  English  historian  and  essayist,  is 
noted  for  his  flowing  periods  =  Macaulay,  the  English 
historian   and    essayist,  is  noted    for    his   smooth- 
sounding  sentences. 
Flush    deck  =  A   deck   with   a   continued  floor  un- 
broken from  stem  to  stern. 


VARIOUS    OTHER  PHRASES  AND  WORDS.         505 

This  vessel  is  built  with  a  flush  deck  —  This  vessel 
is  built  with  a  deck  having  a  continued  floor  from 
stem  to  stern. 
Fly  back,  to  =  To  rebound  suddenly ;  to  quickly  re- 
turn to  a  former  position,  (a) 
The  branch  of  the  tree  was  bent  down  to  pick  the 
apples ;  but  it  fl^w  hack  as  soon  as  it  was  released  =: 
The  branch  of  the  tree  was  bent  down  to  pick  the 
apples ;  but  it  quickly  returned  to  its  place  when  it 
was  released. 
Follow  the  dictates  of,  to  =  To  observe  the  rules, 
commands,  or  principles  of.  (a) 
Because  the  clerk  in  the  store  did  not  folloio  the 
dictates  of  conscience,  he  lost  his  situation  =  Because 
the  clerk  in  the  store  did  not  heed  the  commands  of 
conscience,  he  lost  his  situation. 
Follow  the  multitude,  to  =  To  believe  or  act  as 
the  mass  of  people  do.  (c) 
It  is  not  always  wise  to  follow  the  multitude  =  It  is 
not  always  wise  to  do  as  otlier  people  do. 
Forag^ing  party  =  A  party  sent  out  for  forage. 

When  General  Sherman  set  out  from  Atlanta, 
Ga.,  for  the  sea-coast  (1864),  he  cut  himself  off  from 
his  base  of  supplies  in  the  re^r,  and  sent  out  foraging 
'parties   every   day  =  In   General   Sherman's    march 
through  Georgia  to  the  sea  (1864),  he  cut  himself 
off  from  his  base  of  supplies,  and  sent  out  parties 
every  day,  for  hay,  corn,  and  oats. 
For  a  time    or  season  =  Temporarily ;  for  a  certain 
period,  (a) 
The  professor  of  mathematics  is  staying  at  the 
seaside  for  a  time  —  The  professor  of  mathematics  is 
staying   temporarily  at   the   seaside.     The  butcher 
and  the  baker  formed  a  partnership,  and  for  a  time^ 
all  went  well  =  The  butcher  and  the  baker  formed  a 
partnership,  and  for  a  certain  period,  their  affairs 
prospered. 
Forced  march,  a  =  A  march  in  which  the  army  is 
urged  forward  to  the  utmost. 
By   making   a  forced  marc\  the   reinforcements 
reached  the  main  body  of  troops,  in  season  to  be  of 
great  service  =  By   making   a   march   of    excessive 
rapidity  or  length,  the  reinforcements  reached  the 
main  body  of  troops,  in  time  to  be  very  serviceable. 
Fore  and  aft  =  From  one  end  of  the  vessel  to  the 
other ;  lengthwise  of  a  vessel,  (a) 
The  guns  of  the  enemy  raked  the  vessel  fore  and 
q/^=The   guns  of  the  enemy   sent  their  shot  the 
whole  length  of  the  ship. 
Foreign  attachment  {Law)  —  Tlh.Q  attachment,  for 


506        VARIOUS    OTHER  PHRASES  AND  WORDS. 

the   satisfaction   of  a   debt,   of  the  property  of  a 
debtor,  who  is  not  in  the  jurisdiction  within  which 
the  property  is  found. 
He  secured  his  debt  by  2^.  foreign  attachment=II.e 
secured  the  debt  due  to  him   by  attaching   some 
property  belonging  to  the  debtor,  which  was  not  in 
the  same  jurisdiction  as  the  residence  of  the  debtor. 
Foreign  Mil  of  exchange  =  A  bill  drawn  in  one 
country  or  state,  and  payable  in  another. 
I  shall  pay  my  board  in  London  with  a  foreign  hill 
of  exchange  — 1  shall  pay  my  board  in  London  with  a 
bill  of  exchange  drawn  in  this  country,  upon  a  per- 
son or  firm  in  England. 
Foreign  plea  (Law)  — A  plea  objecting  to  a  judge  as 
not  having  jurisdiction  over  the  matter  in  hand. 
In  the  suit  against  him,  the  defendant  put  in  a 
foreign  plea  =  ln  the  suit  against  him,  the  defendant 
put  in  a  plea,  objecting  to  the  judge  as  not  having 
jurisdiction  over  such  cases. 
Forever  and  ever  =  Eternally,  (c) 

The  body  of  man  decays  in  the  grave ;  but  his 
soul  will  exist  forever  and  ever  =  The  body  of  man 
decays  in  the  grave ;  but  his  soul  will  exist  eternally. 
Foregone    concln§ion  r=  A    conclusion    which     has 
preceded    argument    or    examination;     one    pre- 
determined. 
The  marriage  of  the  young  couple  was  a  foregone 
conclusion,  when  the  consent  of  parents  was  asked  = 
The  marriage  of  the  young  couple  was  already  de- 
cided upon,  when  consent  of  the  parents  was  asked. 
Foreign  to  the  purpose  =  Not  belonging  to  a  mat- 
ter or  plan,  (a) 
It  is  foreign  to  the  purpose  of  this  book,  to  treat  of 
French  idioms  =  It  does  not  belong  to  the  plan  of 
this  book,  to  illustrate  the  idioms  of  the  Frenoh 
language. 
For  example  =  To  give  an  example,  (a) 

If  a  bad  habit  is  not  checked  early,  it  is  likely  to 
be  permanent, — for  example,  how  few  users  of  to- 
bacco or  opium  ever  abandon  the  habit = If  a  bad 
habit  is  not  checked  early  it  is  likely  to  be  perma- 
nent. To  give  an  example;  how  few  users  of  to- 
bacco or  opium  ever  abandon  the  habit. 
For  instance  rr: By  way  of  example  or  illustration,  (a) 
Republican  governments,  as  for  instance,  the  L^ni- 
ted  States  of  America,  are  representative  =  Republi- 
can governments,  as  by  way  of  example,  the  United 
States  of  America,  are  representative.  The  feats  of 
showmen  with  trained  wild  beasts  are  hazardous; 
for  instance,  Yan  Amburgh  put  his  head  in  his  lion's 


VARIOUS  OTHER  PHRASES   AND   WORDS.         507 

mouth,  and  the  head  was  bitten  off^The  feats  of 
sliowmen  with  trained  wild  beasts  are  hazardous  ;  by 
way  of  example,  Yan  Amburgh  put  his  head  in  the 
lion's  mouth,  and  the  head  was  bitten  off. 
For  love  or  money  =  For  any  consideration  ;  at  any 
price  or  cost,  (a) 
At  the  time  of  the  state  fair,  no  lodgings  were  to 
be  had  for  love  or  moiiey = Ai  the  time  of  the  state 
fair,  it  was  impossible  to  procure  lodgings. 
For  many  a  long  day  =  Through  many  days,  each 
one  of  which  seemed  long,  (c) 
For  many  a  long  day  did  the  parents  await  the  re- 
turn of  their  son,  who  ran  away  from  home  =  The 
parents  awaited    the   return  of  their  son  who  ran 
away  from  home,  through  many  days,  each  one  of 
which  seemed  long. 
Former  time§  =  Earlier  periods. 

The  history  oi  former  times  is  always  interesting  = 
The  history  of  earlier  periods  is  always  interesting. 
For  shame  !  =  You  should   be  ashamed;   shame  on 
you !  (a)  ^ 
Fy !  children,  for  shame !   how  could  you  get  so 
angry ?=Fy!  children;  you  should  be  ashamed  for 
getting  so  angry. 
For  shortness  sake  =  In  order  to  make  more  brief  or 
concise,  (c) 
For  shortness''  sake,  we  write  the  word  Doctor,  thus, 
— Dr.  =  In  order  to  make  it  more  brief,  we  write  the 
word  Doctor,  thus, — Dr. 
For  the  better  =  Resulting  in  a  better  condition  of 
affairs  ;  with  improvement,  advantage,  or  profit,  (a) 
The  doctor  has  exchanged  horses, /or  the  better = 
The  doctor  has  exchanged  horses,  with  the  result  of 
getting  a  better  one. 
For   the  worse  =  Resulting  in  a  worse  condition; 
with  deterioration,  harm,  or  loss,  (a) 
The  invalid  took  a  long  sea- voyage,  but  onlyybr 
the  worse =T\\e,  invalid  made  an  extended  journey  by 
sea,  but  it   only  resulted  in  a  worse   state   of  his 
health. 
For  the  most  part  =  Commonly ;  generally,  {a) 

The  farmers  of  America  are, /or  the  most  part,  the 
owners  of  the  land  which  they  till  =  The  farmers  of 
America  are  generally  the  owners  of  the  land  which 
they  cultivate. 
For  the  nonce  =  For  the  present  time  or  purpose  ; 
for  this  single  occasion  or  exigency,  (c) 
This  is  a  very  poor  pen,  but  it  will  answer /or  the 
nonce  —  This  is  a  very  poor  pen,  but  it  will  suffice  for 
the  present  purpose. 


508         VARIOUS   OTHER    PHRASES   AND   WORDS. 

For  the  purpo§e  of  =  In  order  that ;  with  the  view  •' 

to.  {a)  ' 

I  went  to  [N^ew  York  foi-  the  purpose  of  seeing  my 
friend  =  I  went  to  New  York  with  the  view  to  see 
my  friend. 
For  the  §ake  of  =  Because  of ;  on  account  of.  (a) 
The  man  who  was  brought  before  the  court  for  in- 
toxication, was  leniently  dealt  with,  for  the  sake  of  his 
father,  who  is  a  prominent  citizen  =  The  man  who 
was  brought  before  the  court  for  intoxication,  was 
leniently  dealt  with,  on  account  of  his  father,  who  is 
a  prominent  citizen. 
For  the  time  being  —  For  the  present ;  for  an  inde- 
terminate time,  (a) 
The  boy  whose  parents  died,  is  staying  with  his 
grand   parents  for  the  time   being  =:The   boy  whose 
parents  died  is  staying  with  his  grand  parents  for 
the  present. 
Fo\vl  of  the  air  =  Birds. 

"  Let  man  have  dominion  over  the  fish  of  the  sea, 
and  the  fowl  of  the  air  "  =  Let  man  have  dominion 
over  the  fish  of  tlie  sea,  and  over  birds. 
Fox  and  geese  =  1,  A  boy's  game  in  which  one  boy 
tries  to  catch  others,  as  they  run  from  one  goal  to 
another.     2.  A  game  with  checkers,  in  which  from 
one  end  of  the  board  a  single  checker  (the  fox),  and 
from  the  other  end  four  in  line  (the  geese)  advance ; 
the  fox   endeavors  to   break   through   the  line  of 
geese,  and  the  geese  to  pen  up  the  fox. 
1.  The  game  fox  and  geese  is  very  popular  with 
boys  =  The  boys'  game,  in  which  one  tries  to  catch 
others,  as  they  run  from  one  goal  to  another,  is  very 
popular.    2.  Jane  and  Paul  are  playing  yba;  and  geese  in 
the  library  =  Jane  and  Paul  are  in  the  library  play- 
ing a  game  with  checkers,  called  the  game  of  fox 
and  geese. 
Fractional  currency  =  Small  coins,  or  paper  notes, 
in  circulation,  of  less  value  than  the  monetary  unit. 
Since  resumption  of  specie  payment  (U.  S.,  Jan. 
1,  1S79),  fractional  specie  currency  has  taken  the  place 
of  fractional   paper    currency  =  Since  resumption  of 
specie  payments,  (U.  S.,  Jan.   1,  1879),  small  coin 
has  taken  the  place  of  paper  notes  of  less  value  than 
a  dollar. 
Frame  house  (Carp.)  =  A  house,  the  frame  of  which 
is  of  squared  timber. 
Most  of  the  houses  on  the  hill  are  brick  houses. 
But  Mr.  F.  is  building  o,  frame  house  in  the  next  lot 
=Mr.  F.  is  building  in  the  next  lot  a  house,  framed 
with  squared  timber,  and  covered  with  boards. 


VARIOUS  OTHER  PHRASES  AND    WORDS.        509 

Free  agency  =  The  state  or  the  power  of  choosing 
or  acting  freely,  or  without  necessity  or  constraint 
upon  the  will. 
Our  free  agency  and   God's  sovereignty  are  both 
undeniable  truths,  however  little  we  may  be  able  to 
reconcile  them  =:  Our  power  to  choose  or  act  freely, 
and  God's  sovereignty  are  undeniable  truths,  how- 
ever little  we  may  be  able  to  reconcile  them.     In  the 
exercise  of  his  free  agency^  the  burglar  decided  to  rob 
the  bank  =  Exercising  his  power  of  choosing  and  act- 
ing freely,  or  without  constraint,  the  burglar  decided 
to  rob  the  bank. 
Free  from  —  Exempt  from  ;  released  from ;  not  com- 
bined or  mingled,  (a) 
If  one  party  to  a  treaty  violate  its  conditions,  the 
other  party  \%  free  from  obligation  =  If  one  party  to  a 
treaty  violate  its  conditions,  the  other  party  is  re- 
leased from  obli<2:ation.     The  wine  which  the  kinoj 
gave  the  ambassador  was  free  from  impurities  =  The 
wine  which  the  king  gave  the  ambassador,  was  not 
mingled  with  impurities. 
Free  Ii8t=:l.  List  of  articles  admitted  to  a  country 
free  of  duty.     2.  List  of  persons  admitted  to  any  en- 
tertainment, as  an  opera,  without  payment. 
1.  A  resolution  has  just  been  offered  in  congress 
to  put  salt  on  the  free  list = A  resolution  to  put  salt  on 
the  list  of  articles  admitted  free  of  duty,  has  just 
been   offered   in  congress.     2.  The  free   list  at  the 
opera,  last  night,  was  quite  larger  The  number  of 
persons  admitted  to  the  opera,  last  night,  without 
charge,  was  quite  large. 
Free  port  =  A  harbor  where  the  ships  of  all  nations 
may  enter  on  payment  of  a  moderate  toll,  and  load 
and  unload. 

Free  ports  form  depots,  where  goods  are  stored  at 
first  without  paying  duties.     Tliese  goods  may  either 
be  reshipped  for  export  on  paying  a  mere  transit 
duty,  or   may  pay  the  usual  full  customs  of   the 
country,  and  be  admitted  for  home  consumptions 
Harbors,  where  the  ships  of  all  nations  may  enter  on 
payment  of  a  moderate  toll,  and  load  and  unload, 
form  depots,  where  goods  are  stored  at  first  without 
paying  duties.  -  These  goods  may  either  be  reship- 
ped for  export  on  paying  a  mere  transit  duty,  or 
may  pay  the  usual  full  customs  of  the  country,  and 
be  admitted  for  home  consumption. 
Free  wind  {Naut.)  =  A  wind  which  is  propitious  to 
the  navigator,  and  gives  a  fair  progress  to  his  ship. 
We  sailed  all  day  with  a  free  wind=We  sailed  all 


610        VARIOUS   OTHER    PHRASES  AND  WORDS. 

day  with  a  wind  which  was  favorable  to  iis,  and  which 
caused  our  vessel  to  progress. 
Fre§hinan  class  =  The  youngest  of  the  four  classes 
in  an  American  college. 
The  freshman  class  is  usually  the  largest  =  The 
youngest  of  the  four  classes  in  American  colleges  is 
usually  the  largest. 
From  age  to  age  =  From  one  age  to  another  :  as  the 
ages  pass. 

The  world  grows  wiser  from  age  to  age  =  The  world 
grows  wiser  from  one  age  to  another. 
From  among  z=  Out  of ;  from  ;  from  the  midst  of  (a) 
The    milkman    selected   the  spotted   cows,  from 
among  a  herd  of  two  hundred  =  The  milkman  select- 
ed the  spotted  cows,  out  of  a  herd  of  two  hundred. 
From    beginning    to    end  =  Through    the   whole 
length  ;  throughout. 
The  book  of  travels  was  interesting /?'c»w  beginning 
to  e7id=T\iQ  book  of  travels  was  interesting  through- 
out. 

The  sailor's  narrative  was  a  pitiful  story  of  hard- 
ships/rom  beginning  to  end  =The  sailor's  narrative 
was  a  pitiful  story  of  hardships,  through  the  whole 
length. 
From  first  to  last  =  During  the  whole  time ;  through- 
out, (a) 
Mr.  D.  has  been  a  representative  in  Congress  for 
five  terms  (10  years) ;  and  from  first  to  last,  he  has 
been  a  faithful  public  servants  Mr.  D.  has  represent- 
ed his  district  in  Congress  for  five  terms  (10  years)  ; 
and  during  the  whole  period  he  has  been  a  faithful 
public  servant. 
From  hand  to  hand  =  From  one  person  to  another, 
(a) 
The  book  passed  from  hand  to  hand^  till  all  the 
people  on  the  street  had  read  it  —  The  book  passed 
from  one  person  to  another,  til]  all  the  people  on  the 
street  had  read  it. 
From  stem  to  sterna  From  one  end  of  the  ship  to 
the  other,  or  through  the  whole  length  of  it. 
The  length  of  the  clipper /?^077i  stem  to  stern  is  thirty- 
six  feet  =  The  dimensions  of  the  clipper  from  one  end 
to  the  other  are  thirty-six  feet. 
From  the  bottom  of  one's  heart  —  Heartily  ;  sin- 
cerely, (a) 
I  wish  you  success  in  business  from  the  bottom  of 
my  heart  —  I  heartily  wish  you  success  in  business. 
From  tlie  first;  from  the  beginnings: Ever  since 
the  first  mention  or  act. 
.Frorn  the  beginning^  the  father  has  been  opposed  to 


VAEIOUS   OTHER    PHRASES    AND   WORDS.         511 

the  son's  purpose  of  becoming  a  sailor = Ever  since 
the  first  mention,  the  fatlier  has  been  opposed  to  the 
son's  purpose  of  becoming  a  sailor. 
From  this  time  =  After  this  time  ;  henceforth,  (a) 
Heretofore  the  merchant  has  sold  goods  on  credit, 
hut  from  this  time  he  will  sell  only  for   cash  =  Hereto- 
fore the  merchant  has  sold  goods  on  credit,  but  after 
this  time  he  will  sell  only  for  cash. 
Fulliie§§    of   the   heart  =  Abundance  of  feeling ; 
strong  feeling,  (c) 
When  the  orator  denounced  the  tyranny  of  the 
government,  he  spoke  out  of  the  fullness  of  his  heart 
=  When  the  orator  denounced  the  tyranny  of  the 
government,  he  spoke  because  of  his  abundance  of 
feeling. 
Funeral  rite,  or  ceremony  =  The  customary  relig- 
ious services  at  the  time  of  burial. 
Different  funeral  ceremonies  are  observed   among 
different  nations  =  Different  religious  services,  at  the 
time  of  burial,  are  observed  among  different  nations. 
Future  exi§tence  =  Continuance  in  being  after  this 
life. 
We  do  not  believe  that  there  is  no  future  existence 
for  us^We  do  not  believe  that  there  is  no  continu- 
ance in  being  for  us  after  this  life. 
Future  state  =  The  future  life;   the  life  after  this 
present  one. 
We  ought  to  be   daily  preparing  for  the  future 
state  — Wq  ought  to  be  daily  preparing  for  the  life 
that  is  after  this  present  one. 


G. 

Gag-law  =  A  law  enforcing  silence. 

The  motion  that   O'Donnell   be  not   allowed  to 
speak,  (Eng.  Parliament,  June  1880,)  is  described  as 
being  an  attempt  to  put  the  gag -law  into  operation 
for  the  first  time  in  two  hundred  years  =  The  motion 
that  O'Donnell  be  not  allowed  to  speak,  is  described 
as  being  an  attempt  put  into  effect  for  the  first  time 
in  two  hundred  years,  a  law  enforcing  silence. 
Oala  day  =  A  day  of  mirth  and  festivity;  a  holiday. 
Thanksgiving  in  the  United  States  is  partly  a  re- 
ligious festival,  and  partly  a  (/a ?a  c?a?/  =  Thanksgiving 
in  the  United  States  is  partly  a  religious  festival,  and 
partly  a  day  of  mirth  and  festivity. 
Oall  and  -wormwood  =  Something  very  disagreea- 
ble or  painful. 
It  was  gall  and  wormwood  to  Mr.  B.  to  see  the  man 


512         VAEIOUS   OTHER  PHRASES    AND    WORDS. 

who  had  defrauded  him,  living  luxuriously  on  the 
money  =  It  was  very  painful  to  Mr.   B.  to  see  the 
man  who  had  defrauded  him,  living  luxuriously  on 
the  money. 
Oame  of  chance  =  A  game  the  result  of  which  de- 
pends on  chance  and  not  on  skill. 
Games  of  chance  2lyq  forbidden  in  most  schools  = 
Games  whose  result  depends  on  chance,  are  forbid- 
den in  most  schools. 
Oeneral  agents  A  person  who   has   oversight    of 
another's  business,  often  with  subordinate   agents 
subject  to  his  control. 
Mr.  A.  is  general  agent  of  the  P.  Insurance  compa- 
ny, for  the  state  of  M.,  =  Mr.  A.  has  a  general  over- 
sight  of  the  business  of  the  P.  Insurance  company 
for  the   state   of  M*;  and  has   several   subordinate 
agents  subject  to  his  direction. 
Oeneral  average  —  A  contribution  made  by  all  par- 
ties concerned  in  a  sea  adventure,  toward  a  loss, 
which  results  from  the  voluntary  sacrifice  of  the 
property  of  some  of  the  parties  in  interest,  for  the 
benefit  of  all. 
A   general  average  was  made  to  recompense  the 
owner  of  some  indigo,  which  was  thrown  off  the  deck 
of  a  steamer  in  a  hurricane,  between  Shanghai  and 
Hong  Kong  =  A  contribution  was  made  by  all  the 
owners  of  cargo,  to  recompense  the  owner  of  some 
indigo,  which  was    thrown  overboard  to  save   the 
the  steamer,  in  a  hurricane. 
Oeneral  order§  =  The  commands  or  notices  which  a 
military  commander-in-chief  issues  to   the   troops 
under  his  command. 
Oive  and  take  =  Measure  for  measure ;    a  game   at 
which  two  can  play,  (c) 
He  who  jests  with  another  must  remember  that  in 
such  matters   the  rule  i^ ''' give  and  take '''^  =  YLe  w\\o 
jests  with  another  must  remember,  that  in  such  mat- 
ters the  rule  of  retort  prevails. 
Oive  an  inkling  of,  to  =  To  intimate ;  to  hint,  (c) 
At  his  last  visit,  my  friend  gave  an  inkling  of  his 
intention  to  move  to  the  the  west = At  his  last  visit 
my  friend  intimated  his  intention  to  remove  west. 
Oive  a  thing  or  per§on  a  trial,  to  =  To  test  by  ex- 
periment ;  to  afford  opportunity  of  proof,  (a) 
Tlie  farmer  received  a  new  kind  of  plough  from  the 
inventor,  and  said  that  he  would  give  it  a  trial— The 
farmer  received  a  new  kind  of  plough  from  the  in- 
ventor, and  said  that  he  would  test  it  by  experiment. 
The  housekeeper  agreed  to  give  the  servant,  who 
applied  for  a  situation  a  trial  for  a  week  =  The  house- 


VARIOUS   OTHER    PHRASES   AND   WORDS.         513 

keeper  agreed  to  afford  the  servant  who  applied  for 
a  situation,  a  week's  opportunity  of  proving  her  fit- 
ness and  skill. 
Crive  me  leave  to  say  =  Permit  me  to  say.  (A  phrase 
of  courtesy  or  deference  preceding  a  statement.)  (c) 
The  houses  in  town  are  very  beautiful,  but  give  me 
leave  to  say  that  the  sidewalks  are  in  a  bad  condition  = 
The   houses  in  town  are  very  beautiful,  but  permit 
mo  to  say  that  the  sidewalks  are  in  a  bad  condition. 
Go  a  }»e^^in%^  to=To  be  in  excessive  quantity;  to 
superabound.  (a) 
Last  week,  strawberries  went  a  begging  in  the  mar- 
ket =  Last  week,  strawberries  were  in  excessive  quan- 
tity in  the  market. 
Go  a§tray,  to  =  To  go  out  of  the  right  and  proper 
way.  (rt) 
After  the  death  of  his  father,  the  young  man  chose 
evil  companions,  and  went  astray  =  After  the  death  of 
his  father,  the  young  man  chose  evil  companions,  and 
went  out  of  the  right  way. 
Go  or  come  back,  to  =  To  return,  (a) 

The  minister  who  has  resided  at  the  capital   of 
China  the  past  four  years,  has  gone  back  to  England 
=  The  minister  who  has  resided  at  the  capital  of 
China  the  past  four  years,  has  returned  to  England. 
Godble§§  you  =  May  God  prosper  you  and  make  you 
happy,  (a) 
The  father  parted  from  his  son  saying,  "  God  bless 
you  my  son  "  =  The  father  parted  from  his  son  saying, 
May  God  prosper  you,  and  make  you  happy,  my  son. 
God  forbid     (A  strong  expression  of  dissent  or  de- 
nial), (c) 
God  forbid  that  I  should  refuse  to  defend  my  coun- 
try, when  it  is  in  danger     (A  strong  denial  that  I 
should  refuse  to  defend  my  country,  when  in  danger). 
Golden  age  =  The  fabulous  age  of  primeval  simplic- 
ity and  purity  of  manners  in  rural  employments. 
The  old  Greek  poets  wrote  of  a,  golden  a^e=:The 
old  Greek  poets  wrote  about  a  fabulous  age  of  pri- 
meval simplicity  and  purity  of  manners  in  rural  em- 
ployments. 
Good  breeding  =  Politeness  ;  deportment  free  from 
lowness  of  taste  or  behavior. 
Good  breeding  is  a  matter  of  inheritance  and  early 
trainings  Deportment  free  from  lowness  of  taste  or 
behavior,  is  something  that  comes  by  inheritance  and 
early  training. 
Good  consideration   (Law)  =  A  motive   to   a  con- 
tract founded  upon  relationship,  natural  affection^ 
generosity  and  the  like. 

34 


514        VARIOUS  OTHER    PHRASES  AND  WORDS. 

He  conveyed  the  farm  to  his  nephew  for  a  good 
consideration  =  YLq  transferred  the  ownersliip  of  the 
farm  to  his  nephew  because  of  his  relationship. 
Oood   nature  =: Natural   good  temper;    amiability. 
Oood  nature  h2i  most  enviable  endowments  Natu- 
ral good  temper  is  a  most  enviable  gift  of  nature. 
Oood  offices  =  Intervention ;  mediation. 

The  good  offices  of  Gen.  Grant  were  sought  in  the 
disagreement  between  China  and  Japan,  respecting 
the  Loo  Choo  Islands=The  intervention    of  Gen. 
Grant  was  requested  in  the  disagreement  between 
China  and  Japan,  respecting  the  Loo  Choo  Islands. 
Oood  Samaritan  =  One  who  befriends  others  when 
in  trouble,  especially  strangers  and  friendless  per- 
sons. 
The  ticket  agent  was  a  good  Samaritan  to  the  boy, 
who  was  hurt  by  the  cars^^The  ticket  agent  be- 
friended the  boy  who  was  hurt  by  the  cars,  and  who 
had  no  one  to  care  for  him. 
Oood  -will  =  Favor  ;  kindness. 

The  good  will  of  a  community  goes  far  to  determine 
the  desirableness  of  living  among  them  —  The  favor 
and  kindness  of  a  people  go  far  to  determine,  wheth- 
er it  is  desirable  to  live  among  them. 
Oo  out  of  one'§  \iray,  to  —  To  deviate  from  the  com- 
mon or  direct  course,  (a) 
Not  knowing  the  road  to  the  adjoining  town,  the 
stranger  went  out  of  his  way  in  driving  there  =  Not 
knowing  the  road  to  the  adjoining  town,  the  stranger 
deviated   from  the  common  path  in  driving  there. 
The  speaker  at  the  meeting  last  night  went  out  of 
his  way  to  censure  the  president  =  The  speaker  at  the 
meeting  last  night  deviated  from  the  course  of  his  re- 
mark, in  order  to  censure  the  president. 
Oo  to  bed,  to  =  To  betake  one's  self  to  bed  for  rest, 
(a) 

The  watchman  does  not  go  to  bed  till  past  midnight 
■=z  The  watchman  does  not  betake  himself  to  bed  till 
past  midnight. 
Oraee  of  Ood  =  The  mercy  of  God;  the  divine  fa- 
vor ;  undeserved  kindness  of  God. 
"  The  grace  of  God  that  bringeth  salvation  hath 
appeared  to  all  men,  teaching  us  that  we  should  live 
soberly  righteously  and  godly,  in  this  present  world." 
(Titus  II,  11.  12.)  =  The  mercy  of  God  that  bringeth 
salvation  hath  appeared  to  all  men,  teaching  us  that 
we  should  live  soberly  righteously  and  godly,  in  this 
present  world. 
Oraduation  exerci§e§  =  The  exercises,  usually  lite- 
rary and  pubHc,  which  take  place  when  a  class  in  an 


VARIOUS  OTHER    PHRASES  A] 

institution    of    learning    finishes 
course,  and  receives  diplomas. 
The  graduation  exercises  of  the  young  ladies'  semi- 
nary,  consisting  of  composition,  music,  and  the  con- 
ferring of  diplomas,  were  very  interesting = The  ex- 
ercises at  the  young  ladies'  seminary,  on  the  occasion 
of  the  completion  of  the  course  by  a  class,  and  the 
conferring  of  diplomas,  were  very  interesting. 
Oraduating   clas§  =  The   class  of  any  school,   semi- 
nary, academy  or  college,  that  completes  its  course 
in  any  given  year. 
Ten  of  the  graduating   class   of  the  High  School 
(1880),  will  go  to  Yale  College  =  Ten  of  the  class 
which  completes  its  course  in  the  High  School  this 
year,  will  enter  Yale  College. 
Orain§  of  allo-wance^:  Abatement,  deduction,  (pre- 
ceded by  the  word  with),  (a) 
The  hunter's  story  of  his  light  with  the  bear  is  to 
be  taken  with  some  grains  of  allowance  =  The  hunter's 
story  of  his  fight  with  the  bear  is  to  be  received  with 
some  abatement. 
Orand  day§  (  Eng.  Law.)  =  Certain  days  in  the  terms 
which  are  solemnly  kept  in  the  inns  of  court  and 
chancery. 
Orand  jury  {Law)=A  jury  selected  by  lot,  of  not 
less  than  twelve  nor  generally  more  than  twenty- 
three,  whose  duty  it  is  to  examine  into  accusations 
against  persons  charged  with  crime,  and  if  they  see 
just  cause,  then  to  find  bills  of  indictment  against 
them,  to  be  presented  to  the  court. 
The  grand  jury  found  a  true  bill  against  the  man 
accused  of  forgery  =  The  jury  (described  above)  pre- 
ferred a  formal  charge  to  the  court,  against  the  man 
accused  of  forgery. 
Orand  vizier  =  The  chief  member  or  head   of  the 
Turkish  council  of  state. 
The  grand  vizier  has  much  authority  =  The  head  of 
the  Turkish  council  of  state  has  much  authority. 
Orapple  itvlth  a  que§tion,  to  =  To  examine  or  dis- 
cuss a  subject  vigorously,  (c) 
The  early  abolitionists  in  the  United  States  grap- 
pled with  the  question  of  slavery  =  The  early  abolition- 
ists in  the  United  States  vigorously  discussed  the 
question  of  slavery. 
Orasp  of  intellect  =  Wide-reaching  power  of  intel- 
lect to  comprehend  subjects. 
Sir  Isaac  IS'ewton,  the  English  philosopher,  (1642 
-1727)  had  great  grasp  of  intellect  =  Sir  Isaac  Newton 
the   English  philosopher,   (1642-1727)  had  a  wide- 
reaching  power  of  intellect  to  comprehend  subjects. 


516        VARIOUS    OTHER  PHRASES  AND  WORDS. 

Great  seal  =  The  principal  seal  of  a  kingdom,  state, 
or  sovereign ;  used  in  sealing  charters,  commissions, 
&c.. 
The   charters   of  the   early  English   colonies   in 
America   were   sealed   with   the  great  seal  of  the 
kingdom  =  The   charters  of  the  early  English  colo- 
nies in  America  were  rendered  valid  by  the  impress 
of  the  principal  seal  of  the  kingdom. 
Oreek  eliureh  (Ecc.  Hist.)  ==  The  Eastern   chnrch; 
(that  part  of  Christendom  which  separated  from  the 
Roman    chnrch    in,  the  ninth  century).     Note. — 
The  Greek  thurch  rejects  the  supremacy  of  the  pope, 
dissents  from  the  doctrine  that  the  Holy  Ghost  pro- 
ceeds from  both  the  Father  and  the  Son,  adminis- 
ters the  eucharist  in  both  kinds  to  the  laity,  and 
does  not  conduct  the  service  in  Latin. 
The  Greek  church  comprises  the  great  bulk  of  the 
Christian  population  of  Russia,  Greece,  Moldavia, 
and  Wallachia  =  The  Eastern  church  comprises  the 
great  bulk  of  the  Christian  population  of  Russia, 
Greece,  Moldavia,  and  Wallachia. 
Oregoriaii  calendar  =  Tlie  calendar  as  reforn;ied  by 
Pope  Gregory  XIH  in  1582. 
The   Gregorian  calendar  is  now  generally  used  in 
Europe  and  America  =  That  method   of   adjusting 
the  leap  year,  so  as  to  harmonize  the  civil  year  with 
the  solar  year  (adopted  by  Gregory  XIII),  is  in 
general  use  in  Europe  and  America. 
Oreg^orian  year  —  The  year  as  now  reckoned  by  the 
Gregorian  calendar. 
The    Gregorian  year  has   365    days;  and  an  ad- 
ditional day  in  leap  year  =  The  year  as  now  reckoned 
by  the  Gregorian  calendar  has  365  days,  and  an  ad- 
ditional day  in  leap  year. 
Orocer's  itcli=:A  disease  of  the  skin,  caused  by 

handling  sugar  or  treacle. 
Oros§  weight  =  The  weight  of  merchandise  or  goods, 
with  the  dust  and  dross,  the  bag,  cask,   &c.,  in 
which  they  are  contained. 
Gross  weight  is  distinguished  from  net  weight, 
which  is  the  weight,  after  allowance  is  made  for  tlie 
weight  of  the  bag,  cask,  and  of  the  waste  and  refuse 
=  The  weight  of  merchandise  or  goods,  with  the 
dust  and  dross,  the  bag  and  cask,  &c.,  is  distin- 
guished from  the  net  weight. 
Grown  up  =  Arrived  at  full  stature  or  maturity,  (a) 
When  the  colt  shall  have  grown  up,  he  will  make 
a  fine  horse  —  When  the  colt  shall  have  reached  ma- 
turity, he  will  make  a  fine  horse. 
Gulp  doivn,  to  =  To  swallow  eagerly,  (c) 


VARIOUS  OTHER    PHRASES  AND  WORDS.        517 

"We  gave  the  tramp  a  bowl  of  tea,  and  he  gulped 
it  down^  while  standing  in  the  doorways  We  gave 
the  tramp  a  bowl  of  tea,  and  he  eagerly  swallowed 
it  while  standing  in  the  doorway. 


H. 

Half  the  battle  =  Half  what  is  necessary  to  success, 
(a) 
In  treating  the  sick,  it  is  half  the  battle,  to  know 
what  the  disease  is  =  In  treating  the  sick,  it  is  half 
what  *is  necessary  to  success,  to  know  what  the  dis- 
ease is. 
Handwritingr  on  the  wall  =  A  sign  or  prediction 
of  approaching  calamity,  (c) 
In  the  discontent  of  his  subjects,  the  ruler  saw  the 
handwriting  on  the  wall  =  ln  the  discontent  of  his 
subjects,  the  ruler  saw  the  sign  of  approaching  ca- 
lamity.    [See  Daniel  v.] 
Hangr  the  flag  at  half  mast,  to=:To  raise  it  only 
half  way  to  the  top  of  the  mast  or  stafi*,  as  a  sign 
of  mourning. 
On  the  anniversary  of  President  Lincoln's  assas- 
sination, (April  17,  1865),  flags  are  hung  at  half  mast 
in  the  United  States  =  The  flags  in  the  United  States 
are  placed  in  a  lower  position,  as  a  sign  of  mourn- 
ing, on  the  anniversary  of  President  Lincoln's  assas- 
sination. 
Harbor  vindictive  feeling^s,  to  =  To  be  revengeful. 

(^)  . 

It  is  not  right  to  harbor  vindictive  feelings  =  It  is 
not  right  to  be  revengeful. 
Hard  heart  =  A  cruel,  merciless,  or  wicked  dispo- 
sition, (c) 
The  Roman  emperor  Nero,  who  killed  his  mother, 
had  a  hard  heart  =  The  Roman  emperor  Nero,  who 
killed  his  mother,  was  a  cruel  and  wicked  person. 
Hardly  any  =  Yery  few.  (a) 

In  America,  hardly  any  persons  believe  in  astrol- 
ogy =  In  America,  very  few  persons  believe  in  as- 
trology. 
Hardly  ever  =  Seldom,  (a) 

In  New  England  the  month  of  September  hardly 
ever  passes  without  a  frosts  In  New  England  the 
month  of  September  seldom  passes  without  a 
frost. 

Have  a  turn  for,  to  =  To  have  a  genius  or  taste  for ; 
to  be  naturally  inclined  to.  (c) 


518        VARIOUS   OTHER    PHRASES  AND  WORDS. 

The  doctor  says  that  his  son  has  a  turn  for  me- 
chanical pursuits = The  doctor  says  that  his  son  is 
naturally  inclined  to  mechanical  pursuits. 
Have  no  idea  of,  to  =  To  have  no  conception  of.  (c) 
The  dwellers  in  temperate  zones  can  have  no  idea 
of  the  luxuriance  of  tropical  vegetation  =  The  dwell- 
ers in  temperate  zones  can  not  conceive  of  the  luxu- 
riance of  tropical  vegetation. 
Have  to  do  with,  to  =  To  have  concern,  business, 
or  intercourse  with ;  to  deal  with.  (6) 
You  are  forbidden  to  associate  with  those  boys, 
and  you  should  have  nothing  to  do  with  them = You 
are  forbidden  to  associate  with  those  boys,  and  you 
should  have  no  intercourse  with  them. 
Have  oeeasion  for,  to=:To  need;  to  have  opportu- 
nity to  use.  {a) 
The  cotton  mill  owner  has  occasion  for  twenty  ad- 
ditional operatives  =  The  cotton  mill   owner  needs 
twenty  additional  operatives. 
Have  the  g^oodness,  or  kindne§s  =  Be  kind  enough, 
please,  (c) 
Have  the  goodness  to  answer  my  letter,  at  your 
earliest  convenience  =  Be  kind  enough  to  answer  my 
letter,  at  your  earhest  convenience. 
Have  the  la§t  word,  to  =  To  be  pertinacious  in  a 
dispute  or  discussion ;  to  wish  to  appear  victorious 
and  unanswerable  by  speaking  last,  {a) 
Mr.  A.  always  manages  to  have  the  last  word  in  a 
discussion  =  Mr.  A.  is  always  pertinacious  in  a  dis- 
cussion, and  vainly  ambitious  of  the  seeming  victory 
of  speaking  last. 
Have  too  hig^h  an  opinion  of,  to  =  To  overesti- 
mate ;  to  regard  too  highly,  (a) 
Mr.  G.  the  lawyer  has  too  high  an  opinion  of  his 
own  talents = Mr.  G.  the  lawyer  overestimates  his 
own  talents. 
Head  or  tail  =  This  side  or  that  side ;  this  thing  or 
that ; — a  phrase  used  in  throwing  a  coin  to  decide 
a  choice,  or  question  as  by  chance,  (c) 
"Will  you  have  head  or  tailf  =:W\W.  you  choose  the 
head  or  the  tail  of  the  coin,  to  decide  the  question. 
Heat   lightning  =  Faint    flashes    of    light    without 
thunder,  seen  near  the  horizon,  especially  at  the 
close  of  a  hot  day,  as  if  the  effect  of  a  thunder-storm 
below  the  horizon. 
Heat  lightning  is  often  seen  at  the  close  of  a  hot 
day  =  At  the  close  of  a  hot  day,  we  often  see  faint 
flashes    of    lightning,   without   thunder,   near    the 
horizon,  indicating  a  thunder-storm  below  the  ho- 
rizon. 


VARIOUS    OTHER  PHRASES  AND   WORDS.        519 

Heir  apparent  {Law)  =  One  whose  right  to  an  estate 
is  indefeasible  if  he  survives  the  ancestor. 
The  Prince  of  Wales  is  heir  apparent  to  the  throne 
of  the  kingdom  of  Great  Britain  =  The  Prince  of 
Wales'  right  to  the  throne  in  Great  Britain  is  inde- 
feasible, if  he  survives  the  present  Queen. 
Help  one'§  self  to,  to  =  To  appropriate  to  one's 
use ;  to  seize,  (a) 
In  the  State  of  Colorado,  the  miners  have  helped 
themselves  to  lands  belonging  to  the  Indians  =  In  the 
State  of  Colorado,  the  miners  have  appropriated  to 
their  own  use,  lands  belonging  to  the  Indians. 
Here    to-day    and    g^one    to-morroiv  =  Fleeting ; 
evanescent;  brief,  (c) 
The  opportunities  of  life  are  here  to-day  and  gone 
to-morro  14;  =  The  opportunities  of  life  are  brief  and 
fleeting. 
He  that  run§  may  read  =  So  plain  that  it  may  be 
read   while    running;    intelligible;    easily   under- 
stood, (c) 
The  legislature  has  enacted  a  new  liquor  law,  and 
he  that  runs  may  read  —  The  legislature  has  enacted  a 
new  law  regarding  the  sale  of  liquors,  and  it  is  very 
intelligible  in  its  provisions. 
Hide-and-§eek  =  A  play  of  children,  in  which  some 
hide,  and  another  seeks  them. 
Children  are  fond  of  playing  hide-and-seek  =iC\\il- 
dren  are  fond  of  that  play,  in  which  some  of  them 
hide,  and  one  seeks  them. 
Hide  under  a  bushel,    or  In  a  napkin,  to  =  To 
conceal ;  to  fail  to  use.  (6) 
Mr.  A.  has  much  learning,  but  he  hides  it  under  a 
bushel=M.r.  A.  has  much  learning,  but  he  conceals 
it. 
Hlgph  pressure  =  With  great  urgency,  (c) 

In  these  days,  business  is  carried  on  at  high  press- 
ure =ln  these  days,  business  is  conducted  with  great 
urgency. 
High  steam    or  high  pressure  steam  =  Steam  of 
which  the  temperature  is  considerably  above   the 
boiling  point. 
High  pressure  steam  is  generally  employed  in  non- 
condensing  engines  only,  as  in  locomotives  and  agri- 
cultural engines  ==  Steam  of  which  the  temperature 
is  considerably  above  the  boiling  point  is  generally 
employed  in  non-condensing  engines  only,  as  in  lo- 
comotive and  agricultural  engines. 
His  Holiness  (Kom.  Cath.  Church)  =  A  title  of  the 
pope  of  Rome. 


520        VARIOUS    OTHER  PHRASES  AND  WORDS. 

His  Holiness  has  resided  in  the  Yatican,  exchisively, 
since  his  loss  of  temporal  sovereignty  =  Since  the 
sovereignty  of  the  papal  states  was  taken  away  from 
him,  the  pope  of  the  Eomish  Church  has  resided, 
exclusively,  in  the  Vatican. 
Hither  and  thither  =  To  this  place  and  to  that ;  one 
way  and  another,  (c) 
In  the  darkness  I  went  hither  and  thither  in  search 
of  the  road  =  I  went  one  way  and  another,  in  the 
darkness,  searching  for  the  road. 
IIoi§t  \rith  hi§  o\i'n  petard  =  Beaten  with  his  own 
weapons ;  caught  in  his  own  trap,  (c) 
The  man  who  mixed   a  poison  for  another,  but 
drank  it  himself  by  mistake,  was  hoist  with  his  own 
petard  =  The  man  who  mixed  a  poison  for  another, 
but  drank  it  himself  by  mistake,  was  caught  in  his 
own  trap. 
Hold  or   keep  at  arm's  length,  Jo  =  To  keep  at  a 
distance;   to   treat   with   reserve,  indifference,   or 
coldness,  (c) 
Mr.  A.   the  manufacturer  always  keeps  his  em- 
ployes at  arrri's   kngth  =  Mr.  A.    the   manufacturer 
always  treats  his  employes  with  reserve,  and  is  not 
familiar  with  them. 
Hold  in  solution,  to  =  To  hold  in  a  fluid  state  and 
diffused,  without  other  change. 
A  tincture  is  spirit  holding  some  medicinal  sub- 
stance in  sohition=zA  tincture  is  spirit  holding  some 
medicinal  substance  in   a  fluid  state  and  diffused, 
without  other  change. 
Hold  together,  to  =  To  unite ;  to  keep  in  place,  (a) 
These  nails  are  too  small  to  hold  the  box  together  = 
These  nails  are  too  small  to  keep  in  place  the  parts, 
of  .which  the  box  is  made. 
Holy  war  =  "War  undertaken  to  recover  the  Holy 
Land  or  Judea  from  the  Mohammedans;   a  cru- 
sade. 
Louis  the  IX,  King  of  France,  was  the  saintly 
hero  of  the  holy  wars  =  Louis  the  IX,  King  of  France, 
was  the  saintly  hero  of  the  wars,  undertaken  to  de- 
liver the  Holy  Land  from  the  Mohammedans.    Great 
numbers  of  people  perished  in  the  holy  wars  (11th  to 
13th  centuries)  =  Great  numbers  of  people  perished 
in  the  crusades  (11th  to  13th  centuries). 
Homicide     by    misadventure     (Za?/;)  =  Homicide 
which  occurs   when   a   man   doing   a   lawful  act, 
without  any  intention  of  injury,  unfortunately  kills 
another ;  excusable  homicide. 
A  man  was  examining  a  loaded  pistol,  when  un- 
expectedly it  went  off,  and  instantly  killed  a  friend, 


VARIOUS    OTHER   PHRASES  AND  WORDS.        521 

who  was  standing  by.      This  was  pronounced,  by 
judicial  authority,  to  be  homicide  by  misadventure  — K 
man  was  examining  a  loaded  pistol,  when  unex- 
pectedly it  went  off,  and  instantly  killed  a  friend 
who  was  standing  by.     This  was  pronounced,  by 
judicial  authority,  to  be  excusable  homicide. 
Horn  of  tlie  dilemma  =  An  embarrassment  caused 
by  the  equal  difficulty,  or  unpleasantness,  of  two  or 
more  choices,  (c) 
The  able-bodied  man  who  was  drafted,  did  not 
know  which  horn  of  the  dilemma  to  choose;  whether 
to  go  to  war,  or  pay  a  large  sum  of  money  for  a 
substitute  =  The  able-bodied  man  who  was  drafted 
was  embarrassed  in  deciding  which  of  the  two  un- 
desirable tilings  to  do ;  go  to  war  in  person,  or  pro- 
cure a  substitute  at  great  expense. 
Horse  and  foot  =  Cavalry  and  infantry. 

The  army  was  routed,  horse  and  foot  =  The  army 
was  thrown  into  confusion,  both  cavalry  and  infantry. 
Hot  as  pepper  =  Having  a  hot  pungent  taste,  (c) 
The  East-Indian  dish,  cun'y,  is  hot  as  pepper  =  The 
East-Indian  disli,  curry,  has  a  hot  pungent  taste. 
Household  stuff=  The  articles  of  furniture  and  the 
like,  used  in  house-keeping. 
The  household  stuff  of  the  man  who  recently  died, 
is  to  be  sold  at  auction  =  The  furniture  and  similar 
articles  used  in  the  house  of  the  man  who  recently 
died,  are  to  be  sold  at  auction. 
House  of  correction  =  A  prison  for  the  punishment 
of  idle  and  disorderly  persons,  vagrants,  trespassers, 
&c. 
Offenders  are  sentenced  to  the  House  of  Correction, 
by  the  inferior  courts  =  Offenders  are  sentenced  by 
inferior  courts,  to  the  prison  for  the  punishment  of 
vagrants,  trespassers,  &c. 
House  of  Lords  =  One  of  the  constituent  parts  of 
the  British  Parliament,  consisting  of  the  lords  spir- 
itual and  temporal. 
The  bishops  of  the  church  of  England  sit  in  the 
House  of  Lords  =  The  bishops  of  the  church  of  Eng- 
land sit  in  that  branch  of  the  British  Parliament, 
which  consists  of  the  lords  temporal  and  spiritual. 
Huddle   together,   to=:To    crowd    together    con- 
fusedly, (a) 
The  emigrants  were  huddled  together  in  the  steer- 
age,  like  a  flock   of  sheep  =  The   emigrants   were 
crowded  together  in  confusion  in  the  steerage,  like  a 
flock  of  sheep. 


522        VARIOUS    OTHER  PHRASES  AND  WORDS. 


Impediment  in  speech  =  A  defect  which  prevents 
distinct  utterance,  (c) 
By  much  pains,  Demosthenes,  the  Grecian  orator, 
(B.   C.  822)  overcame  a  natural  impediment  in  his 
speech  =  ^y  much  pains,  Demosthenes,  the  Grecian 
orator,  (B.  C.  822)  overcame  a  natural  defect  which 
prevented  distinct  utterance. 
I  my§elf =:  I  or  me  in  person ; — used  for  emphasis. 
/  did  all  this  copying  myself—  It  v^^as  I  that  did  all 
this  copying. 
In  a  body  =  Unitedly ;  collectively,  (a) 

The  inhabitants  of  North  street  came  to  the  cele- 
bration in  a  body  —  The  inhabitants  of  !North  street 
came  to  the  celebration  together. 
In  addition  to  =  Additional  to;  something  more; 
besides,  (a) 

The  new  pupil  has  taken  geometry,  in  addition  to 
history  =  The  new  pupil  has  taken  geometry,  as  a 
study  additional  to  history.  In  addition  to  the  in- 
convenience of  journeying  on  horseback,  it  is  a 
fatiguing  mode  of  travel  =  Besides  the  inconven- 
ience of  journeying  on  horseback,  it  is  a  fatiguing 
mode  of  travel. 
In  a  few  \irord§  =  Summarily ;  briefly,  (h) 

The  story  of  the  shipwreck  can  be  told  in  a  few 
words =T]iQ  narrative  of  the  shipwreck  can  be  briefly 
given. 
In  a  g^low,  to  be  =  To  have  brightness  of  color,  (c) 
The  children  came  in  from  play  in  a  glow,  and 
with  high  spirits  =  The  children  came  in  from  play 
with  bright  color  in  their  cheeks,  and  in  high  spirits. 
In  a  bii^li  degree  =  Remarkably . 

His  examination-papers  were  meritorious  m  a  high 
degree  =  Iiis>   written   examination   was    remarkably 
meritorious. 
In  a  greater  degree  =  More,  (a) 

The  younger  brother  was  successful  in  business, 
in  a  greater  degree  than  the  older  —  The  younger  brother 
was  more  successful  in  business  than  the  older  one. 
In  a  line  =  A  regular  and  successive  order,  (a) 

The  school-boys  stood  in  a  line  to   reciter  The 
school-boys  stood  in  a  regular  order,  when  they  re- 
cited their  lesson. 
In  ail  age§  =:  Always ;  in  all  periods  of  the  world,  {a) 
In  all  ages  there  have  been  wise  men  =  There  have 
always  been  men  of  wisdom. 


VAKIOUS    OTHER  PHRASES  AND  WORDS.         523 

In  all  directions  =  Toward  all  points  of  compass; 
everywhere. 
The  man  whose  child  was  lost,  sent  "messengers  in 
all  directions  to  find  him  =  The  man  whose  child  was 
lost,  sent  messengers  toward  all  points  of  the  com- 
pass to  find  him. 
In  alliance  \¥itli  =  United  with ;  in  connection  with. 
{a) 
The  Prussians  were  in  alliance  with  the  English 
against  IN'apoleon  (1815)  =  The  Prussians  were  united 
with  the  English  against  Napoleon  (1815). 
In  all  manner  of  way  §  =  Yariousl  j ;  in  all  possible 
ways,  (a) 
The  children  in  the  street  annoy  the  passers  by, 
in  all  manner  of  ways =ThG  children  in  the  street 
annoy  tiiose  passing,  in  various  ways,  or  by  various 
methods. 
In  all  respects  =  In  every  particular;  throughout, 
(a) 
Ko  country  is  the  best  country,  in  all  respects =^^0 
country  is  superior  to  all  others,  in  every  particular. 
The  son  resembles  his  father  in  all  respects  =  The  son 
resembles  his  father  throughout,  in  form,  feature, 
and  disposition. 
In  a  melting  mood  =  Softened ;  susceptible  to  mild 
influences,  (c) 
At  the  close  of  his  address,  and  while  the  audi- 
ence was  in  a  melting  mood,  the  speaker  proposed 
that  a  collection  be  taken  for  the  poor,  whose  cause 
he  had  advocated  =  At  the  close  of  his  address,  and 
while   the   audience   was    susceptible,   the   speaker 
proposed  that  a  collection  be  taken  for  the  poor, 
whose  cause  he  had  advocated. 
In  a  moment  =1.  Yery  soon;  after  the  lapse  of  a 
moment,  or  so.  (a)     2.  In  an  instant,  (c) 
1.  The  servant  will  answer  the  bell  in  a  moment= 
The  servant  will   answer  the  bell   very  soon.     2. 
In  the  tornado,  the  roof  was  lifted  from  the  barn 
in  a  moment  z=  In  the  tornado,  the  j^oof  was   lifted 
from  the  barn  in  an  instant. 
In  an  evil  hour  =  In  an  unfortunate  or  calamitous 
time,  (c) 
The  young  man  went  to  the  city,  and  in  an  evil 
hour  fell  into   temptation ;    and   was   ruined  =  The 
young  man  went  to  tlie  city,  and  in  a  time  w^hich 
proved  unfortunate  for  him,  fell  into  temptation; 
and  was  ruined. 
In  an  instant  =  Instantaneously,  (b) 

The  telegraph  operator  touched  the  key;  and  al- 
most in  an  instant  the  message  was  at  its  destination 


524        VARIOUS  OTHER    PHRASES  AND  WORDS. 

=  The  telegraph  operator  touched  the  key;  and  al- 
most instantaneously  the  message  reached  its  desti- 
nation. 
In  anticipations  Expected;  awaited;  prepared  for. 

I  have  a  journey  to  the  "White  mountains  in  an- 
tic{patwn  =  l  indulge  the  expectation  of  a  journey  to 
the  White  mountains. 
In   an   unguarded  moment  =  Incautiously ;    indis- 
creetly, (b) 
In  an  uriguarded  moment,  the  father  transferred  all 
his  property  to  his  children  =  Indiscreetly,  the  father 
transferred  all  his  property  to  his  children. 
In  a  row  =  In  an  extended  line,  (a) 

The  hills  of  sweet  corn  stand  in  a  row  =  The  hills 
of  sweet  corn  are  arranged  in  a  continued  line. 
In  arrears  =  In  debt ;  behindhand  in  paying,  (a) 
The  tailor  is  in  arrears  for  six  months'  rent  =  The 
tailor  is  six  months  behind  in  the  payment  of  his  rent. 
In  a  second  =  In  the  briefest  time,  (h) 

We  shouted  in  the  valley,  and  in  a  second,  the  echo 
came  from  the  hill-side,  with  great  distinctness  =  We 
shouted  in  the  valley,  and  in  the  briefest  time  possi- 
ble, the  echo  came  from  the  hill-side  with  great  dis- 
tinctness. 
In  a  short  time  =  Soon,  {a) 

In  a  short  time  the  leaves  will  have  fallen  from  the 
trees,  and  the  snow  will  cover  the  ground  =  Soon  the 
leaves  will  have  fallen  from  the  trees,  and  the  snow 
will  cover  the  ground. 
In  a  small  degree  =  Slightly ;  partially,  (a) 

AVas  your  watch  improved  by  the  jeweler?  Only 
in  a  small  degree— Was  your  watch  improved  by  the 
jeweler?     Only  slightly. 

Inasmuch  as  =  Since;  considering  that ;  seeing  that; 
because. 
Inasmuch  as  you  are  here,  you  had  better  stay  = 
Since  you  are  here,  you  would  better  remain.     Inas- 
much as  you  are  well-armed,  you  need  not  be  afraid 
=  You  need  not  fear,  seeing  that  you  are  well  armed. 
Inasmuch  as  the  waves  are  high,  I  shall  not  go  out 
boatings  Because  the  waves  are  high,  I  shall  not  go 
on  the  water  with  my  boat. 
In  a  trice  =  Speedily ;  quickly,  (c) 

While  the  party  was  out  riding,  the  horse  stum- 
bled and  fell;  but  in  a  trice  the  driver  leaped  to  the 
ground,  and  assisted  him  to  rise  ==  While  the  party 
was  out  riding,  the  horse  stumbled  and  fell ;  but  the 
driver  quickly  leaped  to  the  ground,  and  assisted 
him  to  rise. 


VARIOUS    OTHER   PHRASES   AND   WORDS.         525 

In  bond — This  term  is  applied  to  goods  wliicli  are 
left  in  charge  of  the  officers  of  the  custom-house, 
and  a  bond  is  given  for  the  payment  of  the  duties 
on  them. 
My  last  shipment  of  silks  is  in  tone?  =  The  silks 
which  were  last  sent  to  me,  are  left  in  the  custom- 
house, a  bond  for  the  payment  of  the  duty  having 
been  given. 
In  broad  or  open  daylight  =  Openly ;  publicly.  («) 
The  gambler  on  the  corner  carries  on  his  swin- 
dling operations  in  broad  daylight=The  gambler  on 
the    corner    carries    on    his    swindling    operations 
openly. 
In  bulk  =  In  a  mass  or  solid  state ;  not  divided  into 
portions,  or  put  in  boxes,  bags,  packages  and  the 
like,  (a) 
In  the  United  States  corn  is  sent  in  bulk  from  the 
West  to  the  seaboard  =  In  the  United  States  corn  is 
sent  from  the  West  to  the  seaboard,  without  being 
put  in  bags. 
Incident  to  =  Belonging  to;  liable  to  happen,  (c) 
Many  cares  and  anxieties  are  incident  to  the  medi- 
cal profession  =  Many  cares  and  anxieties  belong  to 
the  medical  profession. 
Income  tax  =  A  tax  upon  all  a  person's  incomes, 
emoluments,  profits,  (fee,  or  all  beyond  a  certain 
amount. 
The  income  tax  is  always  unpopular  and  odious  on 
account  of  its  inquisitorial  character  =  The  tax  on 
incomes,  emoluments,  and  profits,  beyond  a  certain 
amount  is  always  unpopular  on  account  of  its  in- 
quisitorial character. 
In  common  parlance  =  In  ordinary  phrase ;  in  the 
usual  forms  of  speech,  (c) 
The  daily  account  of  the  trials  of  speed  by  horses 
is  called,  in  common  parlance,   "The  record  of  the 
turf"  =  The  daily  account  of  the  trials  of  speed  by 
horses  is  called,  in  ordinary  phrase,  "  The  record  of 
the  turf." 
In  lieu  of  =  Instead  of;  as  a  substitute  for.  (a) 

In  lieu  of  carrying  an  umbrella,  when  it  rains,  the 
expressman  wears  a  water-proof  coat  and  cap  =  In- 
stead of  carrying  an  umbrella,  the  expressman  wears 
a  water-proof  coat  and  cap,  when  it  rains.  The 
grocer  agreed  to  receive  the  mason's  labor,  in  liezi  of 
money,  in  payment  of  his  bill  =  The  grocer  agreed 
to  receive  the  mason's  labor,  as  a  substitute  for  mon- 
ey, in  payment  of  his  bill. 
In  company  \iritli  =  Associated  with,  (a) 

Mr.   A.   ill  company  with  his  brother,  is  manu- 


526        VARIOUS    OTHER  PHRASES  AND  WORDS. 

facturing  clothe  Mr.  A.  is  associated  with  his  brother 
in  the  manufacture  of  cloth. 

In  compliance  n^ith  =  Yielding  to;  heeding,  (a) 
In  compliance  with  your  suggestion,  I  visited  Mt. 
Blanc  when  I  was  in  Europe  =  Heeding  your  sug- 
gestion, I  visited  Mt.  Blanc  when  I  was  in  Europe. 

In  conclusion  —  Finally ;  by  way  of  concluding,  (a) 

Tlie  lecturer  said  in  conclusion^  that  he  had  treated 

the  subject  only  imperfectly = The  lecturer  said  in 

concluding  his  lecture,  that  he  had  discussed  the 

subject  in  a  hasty  and  incomplete  manner. 

In  conformity  to  or  with  =  In  agreement  with; 
according  to.  (a) 
In  conformity  with  the  provisions  of  Mr.  O's  will, 
Yale  College  has  been  paid  ten  thousand  dollars  by 
the  executor = In  agreement  with  the  provisions  of 
Mr.  O's  will,  Yale  College  has  been  paid  ten  thou- 
sand dollars  by  the  executor.  In  conformity  to  cus- 
tom, the  minister  to  England  wore  the  court  dress, 
when  he  was  presented  at  court,  soon  after  his 
arrivals  According  to  custom  the  minister  to  Eng- 
land wore  the  court  dress,  when  he  was  presented  at 
court,  soon  after  his  arrival. 

In  connection  with  =  Joined  to;  in  company  with. 

In  connection  with  my  visit  to  Japan  for  my  health, 
I  shall  study  the  geology  of  the  country  =  I  shall 
join  the  study  of   geology  to  the  gaining  of  my 
health,  in  my  visit  to  Japan.     There  is  a  menagerie 
in  connection  with  the  circus  =  A  collection  of  animals 
is  united  to  or  accompanies  the  circus. 
In  consideration  of  =  In  view  of  something  which 
is  of  value  in  the  eye  of  the  law ;  for  the  equivalent 
of.  (a) 
In  consideration  of  one  hundred  dollars,  to  me  in 
hand  delivered,  I  convey  my  right  to  a  piece  of  land 
bounded  as  follows  =  For  the  equivalent  of  one  hund- 
red dollars,  I  make  over  my  right  to  a  piece  of  land 
bounded  as  follows. 
Inconsistent  -with  =  Kot  agreeing  with,  (a) 

The  beggar's  language  is  inconsistent  with  his  state- 
ment, that  he  is  a  German  =  The  beggar's  language 
does  not  agree  with  his  claim  to  be  a  German.  His 
deeds  are  inconsistent  with  his  words  =  He  does  not 
act  as  he  talks. 
In  contact  =  Touching ;  in  close  union  or  meeting. 

(«) 

The  surgeon  placed  the  edges  of  the  wound  in 
contact=T\ie,  surgeon  placed  the  edges  of  the  wound, 
so  as  to  touch  each  other. 


VARIOUS    OTHER   PHRASES   AND   WORDS.         527 

In  contempt  of  =  Despising,  (c) 

The  witness,  in  giving  testimony,  was  disrespect- 
ful to  the  judge,  in  contempt  of  the  rules  of  court  — 
The  witness,  in  giving  testimony,  was  disrespectful 
to  the  judge,  despising  the  rules  of  court. 

In  course  of  time  =  In  the  progress  of  time,  (h) 
It  happened  in  course  of  time^  that  tlie  discontent 
of  the  people  with  the  government  had  an  opportu- 
nity of  showing  itself  =  It  happened  as  time  passed, 
that  there  was  an  opportunity  for  the  discontent  of 
the  people  with  the  government  to  show  itself 

In  deference  to  =  Out  of  respect  to ;  yielding  to.  (a) 

In  deference  to  the  wishes  of  his  mother,  tlie  young 

man  did  not  attend  the  dancer  Out  of  respect  to 

the  wishes  of  his  mother,  the  young  man  did  not 

attend  the  dance. 

In  defiance  of  =  In  opposition  to ;  resisting,  (a) 
Tlie  king  waged  war  against  the  savages,  in  defi- 
ance of  the  wishes  and  opinions  of  his  constitutional 
advisers  =  The  king  waged  war  against  the  savages, 
resisting  the  opinions  and  wishes  of  his  constitutional 
advisers.  The  boy  went  into  the  river  to  bathe,  in 
defiance  of  his  father's  inj unction  =  The  boy  went 
into  the  river  to  bathe,  in  bold  opposition  to  his 
father's  injunction. 

In  details  Part  by  part;  by  particulars ;  minutely. 

A  full  history  is  required  to  relate  the  story  of  the 
American  revolution  in  detail— k.  full  history  is  re- 
quired to  relate  the  story  of  the  American  revolution 
minutely,  and  with  the  particular  incidents  in  order. 
The  history  gives  the  account  of  the  civil  war  in 
America,  in  c?e^az7=The  history  gives  the  account 
of  the  civil  war  in  America,  with  particularity. 
Index  finger  =  The  forefinger  of  the  hand. 

The  index  finger  of  his  right  hand  has  been  ampu- 
tated =  His  right  forefinger  has  been  amputated. 
Indian  cluto  =  A  wooden  club,  swung  in  the  hand  for 
gymnastic  exercise.     The  Indian  club  is  so  called, 
because  it  was  first  used  by  the  natives  of  India. 
Indian  summer  =  A  period  of  warm  and  pleasant 
weather  occurring  late  in  autumn. 
The  Indian  summer  is  a  very  pleasant  season  in 
the  American  autumn  =  The  two  or  three  weeks  of 
fair  weather  in  October  or  November,  with  warm 
days,   and   a   still   transparent    atmosphere,    are    a 
charming  season  in  the  American  autumn. 
Indirect  tax  —  A  tax  or  duty  on  articles  consumed, 
but  not  collected  immediately  from  the  consumer; 
as  an  excise,  custom,  &c. 


528         VARIOUS    OTHER   PHRASES   AND   WORDS. 

Much  of  the  revenue  of  the  United  States  govern- 
ment comes  from  indirect  faeces  =  Much  of  the   rev- 
enue of  the  United  States  government  is  derived 
from  excise  and  customs  duties. 
Ill  dispute  =  Debated;  discussed,  (a) 

The  rights  of  tenants  are  in  dispute  in  Ireland  = 
The  riglits  of  tenants  are  discussed  in  Ireland. 
Indorse  in   blank,  to  =  To  write  one's  name  on  the 
back  of  a  note  or  bill,  leaving  a  blank  to  be  filled 
bj  the  holder,  (c) 
A  check  which  is  indorsed  in  blank  has  been  trans- 
ferred to  me= A  check  has  come  to  me  in  the  course 
of  business,  which  was  transferred  to  me  by  the  last 
holder,  writing  his  name  on  the  back,  w^ithout  the 
name  of  the  indorsee,  or  person  to  whom  it  is  trans- 
ferred. 
In  driblets  =  In  a  small  portion  or  sum  at  a  time,  (a) 
The  laborer  could  only  pay  the  merchant  in  drib- 
lets =The  laborer  could  only  pay  the  merchant  in 
small  sums  at  a  time. 
Inductive  method  =  The  method    of  reasoning   by 
which  we  establish  general  principles  or  laws,  or 
truths,  from  particular  instances. 
The  established  principle  of  inductive  method  is  the 
uniformity  of  causation  =  Uniformity  of  causation  is 
the  established  principle  of  that  method  of  reasoning 
by  which  we  arrive  at  general  principles,  from  the 
observation  of  particular  facts.     The  inductive  meth- 
od requires,  says  President  Porter,  that  we  assume, 
that  nature  will  be  constant  and  uniform  in  her  agen- 
cies, operations,  and  laws  =  The  method  of  reasoning 
by  which  we  establish  general  principles,  laws,  or 
truths  from  particular  facts  requires  that  we  assume 
that  nature  will  be  constant  and  uniform,  in   her 
agencies,  operations  and  laws. 
Industrial  exhibition  =  A  public  exhibition  of  the 
various  industrial  products  of  a  country  or  of  va- 
rious countries. 
The  centennial  exposition  at  Philadelphia,  (U.  S.) 
in  1876,  was  an  industrial  exhibition  =  The  centennial 
exposition  at  Philadelphia,  in  1876,  was  a  public  ex- 
hibition of  the  industrial  products  of  the  countries 
of  the  w^orld. 
In  every  respect  =  In  every  particular ;  altogether. 
(a) 
The  road  through  the  valley  is  preferable  to  the 
one  over  the  hill,  in  every  respect— The  road  through 
the  valley  is  preferable  to  the  one  over  the  hill,  in 
every  particular. 


VARIOUS   OTHER  PHRASES   AND    WORDS.        529 

In  fact ;  in  point  of  fact  =  In  reality,  in  truth ;  in- 
deed, (a) 
lie  appears  ignorant,  but  in  fact  he  is  very  wise  = 
He  appears  ignorant,  but  the  truth  is  that  he  is  very 
wise.     I  am  hungry ;  in  fact,  ahnost  starved  =  I  am 
in  truth  exceedingly  hungry.     I  do  not  know  what 
business  Mr.  A.  is  now  engaged  in ;  in  fact,  I  have 
not  heard  from  him  for  years  =:  I  do  not  know  in 
what  business  Mr.  A.  is  now  engaged ;  indeed  years 
have  passed  since  I  heard  from  him.     The  assistant 
principal  of  our  school  is  an  excellent  teacher;  in 
point  of  fact,  he  is  superior  to  the  principal  =  The 
assistant  principal  of  our  school  is  an  excellent  teach- 
er ;  to  speak  truly  he  is  superior  to  the  principal. 
In  fa§hion  =  In  the  prevailing  mode  or  style,  espe- 
cially of  dress,  (a) 
Stiff  hats  are  in  fashion  this  winter  =  Stiff  hats  are 
fasliionable  this  winter. 
In  front  of  =  Directly  before,  (a) 

The  large  tree  in  front  of  the  governor's  house  was 
blown  down  yesterday  =  TJie  large  tree  directly  be- 
fore the  governor's  house  was  blown  down  yesterday. 
In  full  cry  =When  all  the  hounds  have  caught  the 
scent,  and  give  tongue  in  chorus. 
All  the  hounds  are  in  full  cry  after  the  fox  =  All 
the  hounds  have  caught  the  scent,  and  are  baying  to- 
gether, in  pursuit  of  the  fox. 
In   full  uniform  =  Wearing  the   whole  of  the  pre- 
scribed uniform ;  not  in  undress,  (c) 
The  Lieutenant  General  attended  the  President's 
levee  in  full  uniform  =  The  Lieutenant  General,  wear- 
ing all  the  prescribed  uniform,  attended  the  Presi- 
dent's levee. 
In  ftiU  view  =  In  complete,  entire,  or  adequate  view 
or  sight,  (a) 
Buslinell  Park  is  in  full  view  from  the  dome  of  the 
capitol  =  Bushnell  Park  is  completely  in  sight  from 
the  dome  of  tlie  capitol. 
In  future  =  In  time  to  come ;  hereafter ;  henceforth. 

(«) 

The  man  whose  horse  was  stolen  will,  in  future, 

lock   tlie   stable  door  =  The   man   whose  horse  was 

stolen,  will  lock  the  stable  door  henceforth. 

In  garrison,  {Ilil.)  =  Doing  duty  in  a  fort  or  as  one 

of  a  garrison. 

General  Anderson  and  his  troops  were  in  garrison 

at  Fort  Sumpter,  when  they  were  fired  upon  by  the 

Confederates   (1861)  =  General    Anderson    and    his 

troops  were  acting  as  garrison  in  Fort  Sumpter,  at 

the  time  the  Confederates  fired  upon  the  fort  (1861). 

35 


580        VARIOUS  OTHER   PHRASES  AND    WORDS. 

In  harmony  with  =  In  agreement  with ;  correspond- 
ing to.  (a) 
The  feelings  of  awe  and  admiration  with  which 
we  looked  upon  the  lofty  peaks  of  the  Sierras,  were 
in  harmony  with  the  grand  scenery  =z  We  looked  up- 
on the  lofty  peaks  of  the  Sierras  with  feelings  of  awe 
and  admiration,  which  well  agreed  with  the  grand- 
eur of  the  scenery.     Mr.  B.  is  a  conductor  on  the 
railroad,  but  the  business  is  not  in  harmony  ivith  his 
tastes,  which  are  scholarly  =  Mr.  B.  is  a  conductor  on 
the  railroad,  but  the  business  is  not  agreeable  to  his 
tastes,  which  are  scholarly. 
In  hot  haste  =  Eagerly  ;  in  a  hurried  and  vehement 
manner,  (a) 
"When  the  officers  saw  that  some  prisoners  had  es- 
caped from  the  jail,  they  mounted  their  horses  and 
pursued  them  in  hot  haste ^Wheii.  the  officers  saw 
that  some  prisoners  had  escaped  from  the  jail,  they 
mounted  their  horses  and  pursued  them  in  a  hurried 
and  vehement  manner. 
In  it§  proper  plaee  =  In  the  place  assigned  to  it,  or 
belonging  to  it,  or  suited  to  it.  (a) 
The  piano  stands  in  its  proper  place— H\\q  piano 
stands  in  the  place  assigned  to  it. 
In  joke  =  Jestingly ;  sportively ;  not  in  reality  and  in 
earnest,  (c) 
He  spoke  only  in  joke  concerning  your  ignorance  = 
What   he  said   about  your  ignorance,  was  spoken 
sportively,  not  in  earnest. 
In  justice  to  =  In  agreeableness  to  right,  equity,  and 
justness,  (a) 

The  parent  ought,  in  justice  to  the  child,  to  give 
him  as  good  an  education  as  he  is  able  =  The  pa- 
rent ought  in  agreeableness  to  right  and  justness,  to 
give  him  as  good  an  education  as  he  is  able. 
Inlying^  pickets  —  A  detachment  of  troops  in  a  camp, 
kept  fully  equipped  and  ready  for  immediate  ser- 
vice in  case  of  an  alarm  ;  picket-guard. 
I  was  one  of  the  inlying-pickets  on  the  day  that  the 
enemy  made  an  attack  upon  our  camp  =  I  belonged 
to  the  picket-guard,  on  the  day  that  the  enemy  at- 
tacked us. 
In  motion  =  Moving,  (a) 

When  a  carriage  is  in  m,otion^  it  is  dangerous  to 

attempt  to  alight = When  a  carriage  is  moving,  it  is 

dangerous  to  attempt  to  get  out. 

Inner  man  =  The  soul  as  distinct  from  the  body;  the 

mind  and  heart,  (c) 

It  is  not  enough  to  provide  for  the  body,  we  must 

also  provide  for  the  inner  man  —  \\>  is  not  enough  to 


VARIOUS  OTHER   PHRASES    AND  WORDS.         681 

provide  for  the  bodj,  we  must  also  provide  for  the 
mind  and  heart.     Mr.  A.  is  weak  in  body,  but  he  is 
strong  in  the  imier  man  =  Mr.  A.  is  weak  physically, 
but  he  is  strong  in  intellect  and  affection. 
In  no  degree  =  By  no  amount ;  nowise ;  not  at  all.  (a) 
The  invalid  was  in  no  degree  benefited  by  his  stay 
at  the  seaside  =  The  invalid  was  not  at  all  benefited 
by  his  stay  at  the  seaside. 
In  no  respect  =  In  no  particular;  not  at  all.  {a) 

This  flour  is  in  no  respect  better  than  that  which 
we  purchased  last  week  =  This  flour  is  in  no  particu- 
lar better,  (not  any  better),  than  that  which  we  pur- 
chased last  week. 
In  no  way  =  In  no  manner  or  degree ;  nowise,  (a) 
The  new  bell  on  the  church  is  in  no  way  superior 
to  the  old  one  =  The  new  bell  on  the  church  is  no- 
wise superior  to  the  old  one. 
In  obedience  to  =  Obeying ;  having  regard  to.  (a) 
In  obedience  to  instructions  from  home,  the  Chinese 
minister  called  the  attention  of  the  American  gov- 
ernment, to  the  ill  treatment  of  the  Chinese  in  Cali- 
fornia =  Obeying  instructions  from  home,  the  Chinese 
minister  called  the  attention  of  the  American  gov- 
ernment, to  the  ill  treatment  of  the  Chinese  in  Cali- 
fornia. 
In  one'§  power,  to  be,  or  to  lie = To  be  possible  or 
practicable  for  one.  {a) 
The  boatman  standing  on  the  shore,  saw  the  boy 
drowning  in  the  lake ;  but  it  was  not  in  his  power  to 
help  him  =  The  boatman  standing  on  the  shore,  saw 
the  boy  drowning  in  the  lake ;  but  it  was  not  possi- 
ble for  him  to  render  assistance. 
In  one's  right  mind  =  Sane ;  exercising  sound  reason 
and  judgment,  (a) 
Mr.  F.  is  so  overcome  with  grief,  at  the  death  of 
his  son,  as  not  to  be  in  his  right  mind=M.Y.  F.  is  so 
overcome  with  grief,  at  the  death  of  his  son,  as  not  to 
be  sound  in  mind. 
In  one's  teens  =  Between  twelve  and  twenty  years 
old.  {h) 
The  young  lady  was  married  while  in  her  teens  = 
The  young  lady  was  married,  while  she  was  between 
twelve  and  twenty  years  old. 
In  order  =  Tidy,  presenting  a  good  appearance,  (a) 
The  room  of  Mrs.  A.  is  always  m  order  =  The  room 
of  Mrs.  A.  always  presents  a  neat  appearance. 
Inorganic  matter  =  Matter  devoid  of  an  organized 
structure,  or  the  structure  of  a  living  being. 
What  is  not  animal  or  vegetable  is  inorganic  mat- 
fer = What  is  not  animal  or  vegetable  is  matter  devoid 


532         VARIOUS  OTHER  PHRASES   AND   WORDS. 

of  organized   structure.      Rocks   are   composed   of 
inorganic    matter =^OQk^   are   composed   of    matter 
wliicli  is  not  organized. 
In  other  -words  =  The  same  thing,  in  other  language ; 
in  different  phrase,  (a) 
The  exemption   from   duty  on  certain  imported 
goods,  was  obtained  by  means  of  presents  to  the  na- 
tive officials  ;  in  other  ivords,  by  bribery  =  The  exemp- 
tion from  duty  on  certain  imported  goods,  was  ob- 
tained by  presents  to  the  native  officials,  or  to  say  the 
same  thing  in  different  language,  by  bribery. 
In  part  —  In  some  degree ;  partly,  {a) 

It  was  in  part  the  clerk's  carelessness,  which  made 
him  lose  his  situation  =  It  was  owing  partly  to  the 
clerk's  carelessness  that  he  lost  his  situation.  The 
stranger  told  me  the  story  of  his  life  in  part  =  The 
stranger  told  me  a  portion  of  the  story  of  his  life. 
In  particular  =  Specially ;  peculiarly,  (a) 

The  Gulf  States,  and  in  particular  Louisiana,  are 
adapted  to  the  growth  of  the  sugar-cane  =  The  Gulf 
States,  and  specially  Louisiana,  are  adapted  to  the 
growth  of  the  sugar-cane. 
In-patient  =  A  patient  who  receives  also  boarding *and 
lodging  at  a  hospital  or  iniirmar}^  {h) 
There  are  many  in-patients  at  the  hospital  =  There 
are  many  diseased  persons  under  treatment  at  the 
hospital,  who  also  receive  board  and  lodging  there. 
In  pa-wn  ;  at  paii^n  =  In  the  state  of  being  pledged, 
(a) 
Ilis  watch  is  inpawn^He,  has  deposited  his  watch 
as  pledge  for  the  payment  of  borrowed  money. 
In  place  or  room  of  =  Instead  of.  (a) 

In  place  o/the  vegetable  garden,  the  tailor  now  has 
a  flower  gardens  Instead  of  the  vegetable  garden, 
the  tailor  now  has  a  flower  garden. 
In  plain  English  =  Speaking  plainly  or  without  cir- 
cumlocution, (a) 
He   equivocates;   in  plain  English^   he   lies  =  He 
equivocates  ;  or,  to  speak  plainl)' ,  he  lies.     His  feel- 
ings are  excited ;  in  plain  English^  he  is  mad  =  His 
feelings  are  roused,  or,  speaking  without  circumlo- 
cution, he  is  mad  (angry). 
In  point  of  =  In  the  particular  respect  of;  in  the  sin- 
gle matter  of.  (a) 
In  2)oint  of  beauty,  this  horse  is  superior  to  the 
other  =  In  the  single  matter  of  beauty,  this  horse  is 
superior  to  the  other.     In  point  of  antiquity,  no  book 
can  compare  with  the  early  books  of  the  Bible  = 
In  the  particular  respect  of  antiquity,  no  book  can 
compare  with  the  early  books  of  the  Bible. 


VARIOUS    OTHER   PHRASES   AND   WORDS.         533 

In  posseision  of  =  Possessing ;  holding ;  occupying:. 

(")        .  .         .  •    .    " 

The  son  is  in  possession  of  the  house  which  be- 
longed to  his  father  =  The  son  owns  or  occupies  the 
house  which  belonged  to  his  father.  He  is  eighty 
years  old,  but  is  still  in  full  possession  of  his  mental 
faculties  —  He  is  eighty  years  of  age,  but  still  fully 
retains  his  power  of  mind. 
In  or  into  power  =  Possessing  or  exercising  author- 
ity ;  having  control,  (a) 

The  party  in  power  always  has  much  responsibility 
and  incurs  much  blames  The  ruling  party  in  a  na- 
tion always  bears  much  responsibility  and  incurs 
much  blame.  In  England,  the  Liberals  have  re- 
cently come  into  power—  In  England,  the  liberal  party 
has  recently  assumed  control  of  the  government. 
In  presence  of  =  In  the  sight  or  the  company  of. 

(«) 

One  must  be  respectful  in  presence  q/*  the  king  = 
One  must  be  respectful  when  in  the  company  of  the 
king. 
In  print  =r  In  a  printed  form ;  issued  from  the  press ; 
published,  (c) 
It  is  delightful  to  a  young  author  to  see  himself  in 
print  =  It  is  a  great  delight  to  a  young  author  to  see 
his  writings  in  a  printed  form. 
In  profusion  =  In  great  abundance,  {a) 

The  sea  shells  are  strewn  in  profusion  along  this 
shore = The  sea  shells  are  strewn  in  great  abundance 
along  this  shore. 
In  quest  of  =  Looking  for.  (c) 

Three  centuries  ago  the  Spaniards  came  to  Mexico 
m  ^1^5^  0/ gold  =  Three  centuries  ago,  the  Spaniards 
came  to  Mexico  looking  for  gold. 
In  quick  succession  =  Papidly  following  each  other ; 
at  sliort  intervals,  (a) 
The  man  fired  four  shots  at  the  retreating  burglar, 
in  quick  succession  =  The  man  fired  four  shots,  rapidly 
following  each  other,  at  the  retreating  burglar. 
In  quiet  =  Quietly ;  without  disturbance  of  tranquil- 
lity.  (b)  _ 
For  a  time  we  were  constantly  in  fear  of  burglars, 
but  now  we  are  living  in  great  quiet=Yor  a  time  we 
were  in  fear  of  burglars,  but  now  we  ai'e  living  with- 
out the  least  disturbance  of  our  tranquillity. 
Inquire  into,  to  =  To  examine ;  to  investigate,  (a) 
The  teacher  said  that  two  of  her  pupils  had  been 
tardy  at  school  every  day  for  a  week,  and  that  she 
must  inquire  into  the  matter  =  The  teacher  said  that 
two  of  her  pupils  had  been  tardy  at  school  every 


534        VARIOUS    OTHER  PHRASES  AND  WORDS. 

day  for  a  week,  and  that  she  must  investigate  the 
matter. 
In  reason  =  In  justice;  with  rational  ground,  (a) 
A  man  can  not,  in  reason,  disbelieve  the  existence 
of  God  =  A  man  can  not,  with  rational  ground,  dis- 
believe the  existence  of  God.     We  can  not,  in  reason, 
doubt  that  two  and  two  make  four  =  We  can  not,  on 
rational  grounds,  doubt  that  two  and  two  make  four. 
In  regard  to  =  Regarding ;  respecting ;  about,  (a) 
I  have  written  to  my  friend  m  regard  to  visiting 
me  this  summer = I  have  written  to  my  friend  about 
making  me  a  visit  this  summer. 
In  relation  to = With  reference  to;  concerning,  (a) 
I  conversed  with  the  returned  traveler  in  relation 
to  the  best  method  of  making  the  tour  of  Europe  =  I 
conversed  with  the  returned  traveler  concerning  the 
best  method  of  making  the  trip  of  Europe. 
In  reserve  =  In  keeping  for  future  use ;  in  store,  (a) 
The  ninth  corps  was  held  in  reserve  till  near  the 
close  of  the  battle  =  The  ninth  corps  was  left  back 
in  readiness  for  action,  until  near  the  close  of  the 
battle. 
In  sackcloth  and  ashes — Among  the  Jews  these 
were  the  tokens  of  grief  or  penitence,  (c) 
When  the  Persian  king,  Ahasuerus,  gave  com- 
mand to  destroy  all  the  Jews  in  his  kingdom  (B.  0. 
473)  "there  was  great  mourning  among  the  Jews, 
and  many  lay  in  sackcloth  and  ashes  ^^  =  When  Ahas- 
uerus, king  of  Persia,  gave  command  to  destroy  all 
the  Jews  in  his  kingdom,  (B.  C.  473)  they  mourned 
bitterly  and  adopted  the  customary  tokens  of  sor- 
row.    [See  the  book  of  Esther.] 
In  search  of  =  Seeking,  (a) 

The  principal  of  the  Reform  school  was  in  the  city 
to-day,  in  search  of  some  boys  who  had  run  away=: 
The  principal  of  the  Reform  school  was  in  the  city 
to-day,  seeking  some  boys  who  had  run  away  from 
the  school. 
In  season  =  In  good  time,  or  sufficiently  early  for 
the  purpose,  (a) 

I  arrived  in  San  Francisco  in  season  for  the  steamer 
=  1  arrived  in  San  Francisco  in  good  time  for  the 
steamer. 
In  sheets  =  l^ot  folded,  or  folded  but  not  bound, — 
said  especially  of  printed  pages. 
My  book  is  not  out  yet ;  but  it'  is  in  sheets  =  My 
book  is  printed  but  not  bound. 

Inside  out = Inverted,  so  that  the  inside  becomes  the 
outside,  (a) 
A  gust  of  wind  turned  the  lady's  umbrella  inside 


VARIOUS    OTHER  PHRASES  AND  WORDS.        535 

oui=A  gust  of  wind  turned  the  lady's  umbrella,  so 
that  the  inside  became  the  outside. 
Insolvent  law  =  A  law  affording  relief,  or  discharge 
from  indebtedness,  to  insolvent  debtors,  upon  their 
delivering  up  their  property  for  the  benefit  of  their 
creditors. 
Mr.  A.  the  merchant  has  taken  the  benefit  of  the 
insolvent  law  —  lsiv.  A.  the  merchant  has  availed  him- 
self of  the  law  which  provides  for  the  discharge  of 
insolvent  debtors  from  indebtedness,  on  condition  of 
their  delivering  up  their  property  for  the  benefit  of 
their  creditors.     An  insolvent^  or  bankrupt  law  is  ad- 
vantageous also  to  creditors,  because  it  assures  to  all 
of  them  a  pro-rata  share  in  the  assets  of  the  insolvent 
debtor  =  The  law  afibrding  relief  to  insolvent  debtors 
is  serviceable  also  to  creditors,  because  it  assures  to 
all  of  tliem  a  pro-rata  share  in  the  debtor's  assets. 
In  §ome  degree  =  Somewhat ;  partially,  (a) 

The  filling  of  the  ruts  with  soil  from  the  roadside, 
will  in  some  degree  improve  the  road  =  Placing  earth 
taken  from  the  side  of  the  road  in  the  ruts,  will 
somewliat  improve  the  road. 
In  §ome  measure  =  To  some  extent ;  partially,  (a) 
By  going  to  school  the  boy  has,  in  some  measure^ 
conquered  his  dislike  of  study  =  By  going  to  school 
the  boy  has  partially  overcome  his  dislike  of  study. 
In   some   sucb   way  =  In   a   similar   way;  by  like 
means,  (a) 
The  pitcher  was  cracked  by  dropping,  or  in  some 
such  way—T\\Q  pitcher  was  cracked  by  dropping,  or 
in  a  similar  way. 
Inspector-General   (Mil.)=A    stafi*    officer   of    an 
army,  whose  duties  are  those  of  inspection. 
The    duties    of   the   Inspector-General    embrace 
every  thing  relative  to  organization,  recruiting,  dis- 
charge, administration,  accountability  for  money  and 
property,  instruction,  police,  and  discipline. 
Institute  a  comparison,  to  =  To  make  a  compari- 
son; to  compare,  (c) 
If  we  institute  a  comparison  between  England  and 
America,  we  shall  find  that  each  has  some  advan- 
tages which  the  other  does  not  possess = If  we  com- 
pare England  and  America,  we  shall  find  that  each 
has  some  advantages  which  the  other  has  not. 
In  strict  confidence  =  Confidentially ;  with  the  ex- 
pectation of  entire  secrecy,  (a) 
The  general's  plan  of  the  campaign  was  told,  in 
strict  confidence^  to  his  colonels  —  The  general's  plan 
of  the  campaign  was  told  to  his  colonels,  with  the 
expectation  that  they  would  keep  it  wholly  secret. 


636        VARIOUS    OTHER  PHRASES   AND  WORDS. 

In  succession  =  In  consecutive  order;  one  follow  I  ni.^' 
another,  (a) 
Three  armies  of  grasshoppers  in  succession  passed 
over  my  fields  =:  Three  armies  of  grasshoppers  passed 
over  my  fields  one  after  the  other. 
Insurance  policy  =  A  certificate  of  insurance. 

A  person  who  gets  his  life  or  his  house  insured, 

takes  an  insurance  policy  =  A.  person  who  gets  his 

life  or  his  house  insured,  takes  a  certificate  of  the 

contract  made  by  the  insurance  company  w4th  him. 

In  such  a  case  or  contingency  =  In  such  a  state  of 

affairs.  («) 

In  such  a  case  I  should  call  the  physician  =  In  such 

a  state  of  ill  health,  I  should  call  the  physician. 

In  suspense  =  Doubtful ;  in  a  state  of  uncertainty. 

The  clerk  did  not  receive  a  letter  trom  his  em- 
ployer directing  him  what  to  do ;  and  w^as  in  sun- 
pense  —  T\\Q  clerk  did  not  receive  a  letter  from  his 
employer  directing  him  what  to  do;  and  was  un- 
certain which  course  to  pursue.     The  people  are  in 
suspense  regarding  the  fate  of  the  army,  w^liich  was 
sent  to  subdue  the  Indians  in  the  far  West  =  The 
people  are  in  a  state  of  uncertainty  ragarding  the 
fate  of  the  army,  which  was  sent  to  subdue  the  In- 
dians in  the  far  West. 
Intcllig^ence    or  employment  office  =  An  office  or 
place  where  information  may  be  obtained,  particu- 
larly respecting  servants  to  be  hired. 
Mrs.  B.  has  been  to  several  intelligence  offices  to 
find  a  servant  for  second  work  =  Mrs.  B.  has  been  to 
several  offices  where  servants  can  be  hired,  to  ob- 
tain one  for  second  work. 
Internal   policy  =  The   administration  or   manage- 
ment of   the  home  affairs  of  an   institution   or  a 
nation;    the   conduct   of    domestic  affairs   as   dis- 
tinguished from  foreign. 
The  care  of  the  Indians,  and  the  sale  and  settle- 
ment of  the  public  lands,  are  a  part  of  the  internal 
policy  of  the  United  States  government  =  The  care 
of  the  Indians,  and  the  sale  and  settlement  of  the 
public  lands,  constitute  a  part  of  the  administration 
of  the  home  affairs  of  the  United  States  government. 
In  that  light  =  So;  in  that  manner,  (a) 

I  do  not  see  the  matter  in  that  light  =  1  do  not  see 

the  matter  so,  that  is,  I  do  not  agree  with  you. 

In  the  absence  of  =  Being  absent  or  lacking,  (a) 

In  the  absence  of  the  cashier  of  the  bank,  the  first 

teller  performs  his  duties  =  The  cashier  of  the  bank 

being  absent,  the  first  teller  performs  his  duties.     In 


VAKIOUS    OTHER  PHRASES  AND   WORDS.         537 

the  absence  of  a  tent,  the  hunters  sheltered  them- 
selves at  night,  with  boughs  =  Lacking  a  tent,  the 
hunters  sheltered  themselves  at  night,  with  boughs. 
In  the  abstract  =  Separated  from  particulars;  con- 
sidered theoretically,  (a) 
The  book  treats  of  virtue  in  the  abstract  =  The  book 
treats  of  virtue  theoretically,  and  not  in  its  practical 
applications. 
In  the  back  g^round  =  Out  of  sight ;  concealed ;  in 
a  situation  little  seen  or  noticed,  (c) 
Mr.  A.  is  a  learned  man,  but  he  always  keeps  his 
knowledge  in  the  back  ground  —  Mr.   A.  is  a  learned 
man,  but  he  always  keeps  his  knowledge  concealed. 
In    or   under  the   circumstances  =  The  condition 
of  affairs  being  thus,  (a) 
I  would  not  go  to  ride,  under  the  circumstances = 
The  state  of  affairs  being  thus,  I  would  not  go  to 
ride. 
In  the  course  of  =  During;  while  passing;  in  the 
progress  of.  (b) 
He  hopes  to  visit  his  parents  in  the  course  of  the 
summer = He  hopes  to  visit  his  parents  during  the 
summer. 
In  the  eye  of  the  law = According  to  the  legal 
standard  or  estimate. 
In  the  eye  of  the  laiv,  a  person  is  a  minor,  until 
twenty -one  years  of  age  =  According  to  the  legal 
standard,  a  person  is  a  minor,  until  twenty-one  years 
of  age. 
In  the  first  place  =  First  in  order,  (a) 

In   the  first  place^    the   student   of  medicine   ac- 
quaints himself  with  anatomy  =  First  in  order,  the 
student  of  medicine   acquires    the    knowledge    of 
anatomy. 
In  the  fullness  of  time  =  At  the  proper  season; 
after  the  lapse  of  a  suitable  interval;  when  the 
time  was  completely  come,  (c) 
In  the  fullness  of  time  God  sent  forth  his  son  =  At 
the  proper  season  or  when  the  time  was  completely 
come,  God  sent  Jesus  Christ  into  the  world. 
In  the  height  of  fashion  =  Yery  fashionably,  (a) 
The  guests   at  the  wedding,  were  dressed  in  the 
height  of  fashion  =  The  guests  at  the  wedding,  were 
dressed  in  the  most  fashionable  manner  possible. 
In  the  interest  of  =  For  the  benefit  or  advantage  of. 

A  teacher's  institute  was  held,  in  the  interest  of  the 
public  schools  =  A  meeting  of  teachers,  with  exer- 
cises in  teaching,  was  held  for  the  benefit  of  the  pub- 
lic schools. 


588        VARIOUS    OTHER  PHRASES  AND  WORDS. 

In  the  land  of  tlie  living  =  Alive ;  living,  (c) 

He  has  been  absent  now  ten  years,  without  being 
heard  from ;  and  his  friends  do  not  know  whether 
he  is  in  the  land  of  the  living  -  He  has  been  absent 
ten  years,  unheard  from;  and  his  friends  do  not 
know  whether  he  is  alive. 
In  the  main  =  In  principal  features;    in  most  re- 
spects, (a) 
In  the  7)iain,  Mr.  B.  is  a  desirable  neighbor  =  In 
most  respects,  Mr.  B.  is  a  neighbor  to  be  desired. 
In  the  mean  time  =  Mean  while;  in  the  time  inter- 
vening, (a) 
I  shall  go  to  Yokohama  in  August;  m  the  mean 
time  I  shall  Tbe  occupied  in  teachings  I  shall  go  to 
Yokohama  in  August ;  in  the  time  intervening  be- 
tween now  and  then  I  shall  be  occupied,  in  teach- 
ing. 
In  the  middle  =  Half-way ;  equal  distance  between 
two  points,  (a) 
The  Hfth  day  after  leaving  l^ew  York  for  Eng- 
land, we  were  in  the  middle  of  the  ocean  =  The  fifth 
day  after  leaving  New  York  for  England,  we  were 
half-way  across  the  ocean. 
In  the  mid§t  of  =  Among;  amid;  also,  surrounded 
by ;  involved  in ;  overwhelmed  by.  (a) 
I  live  in  the  midst  of  my  friends  =  I  live  among  my 
friends.     Dr.  Livingstone  traveled  in  Africa  in  the 
midst  of  forests  and  savages  =  Dr.  Livingstone  trav- 
eled  in   Africa   among   forests   and   savages.     The 
policeman  stood  in  the  midst  of  the  riotous  crowds 
The   policeman   stood   surrounded  by   the    riotous 
crowd.     He  is  in  the  midst  of  great  financial   dif- 
ficulties =  He  is   involved   in   serious   financial  dif- 
ficulties. 
In  the  name  of=By  the  authority  of.  (a) 

The  governor  issued  a  proclamation,  in  the  name 
of  the  imperial  government  =  The  governor  issued  a 
proclamation,  by  the  autliority  of  the  imperial  gov- 
ernment. The  private  secretary  wrote  me  a  letter 
in  the  name  of  the  governor  =  The  private  secretary 
wrote  me  a  letter  by  the  authority  of  the  governor. 
In  the  niek  of  time  =  The  exact  time;  the  fortunate 
juncture,  {b) 

You  have  come  in  the  very  nick  of  time  to  see  me, 
for  I  am  to  leave  town  in  half  an  hour  =  You  have 
come  at  exactly  the  fortunate  time  to  see  me,  for  I 
leave  town  in  half  an  hour. 
In  the  open  air  =  Exposed  to  the  air  or  weather,  (a) 
Exercise  in  the  open  air  is  necessary  to  the  health 
of  most  people = Exercise,  where  one  is  exposed  to 


VARIOUS    OTHER  PHRASES  AND  WORDS.        539 

the  air  or  weather,  is  necessary  to  the  health  of 
most  people.  I  take  exercise  in  the  open  air  al- 
ter suppers  I  take  exercise  out-of-doors  after  sup- 
per. Plants  grow  better  in  the  open  air  than  in  a 
cell  ar= PI  ants  grow  better  out-of-doors  than  in  a 
cellar. 
In  the  opinion  of  =  One's  opinion  is  thus,  (a) 

In  the  opinion  of  some  geologists,  there  are  evi- 
dences of  the  existence  of  man  on  the  earth,  more 
than  six  thousand  years  ago  =  The  opinion  of  some 
geologists  is,  that  there  are  evidences  of  man's  exist- 
ence more  than  six  thousand  years  ago,  on  the  earth. 
In  the  order  of  thing§  =  The  order  of  things  be- 
ing what  it  is ;  in  the  established  arrangement,  (a) 
In  the  order  of  tilings,  the  husbandman  can  not  ex- 
pect a  crop,  without  sowing  the  seed  =  In  the  ai*- 
rangement   which   is   established,  the   husbandman 
can  not  expect  a  crop,  without  sowing  the  seed. 
In  the  ordinary  cour§e  of  things  =  If  matters  go 
as  usual ;  as  is  customary  or  usual ;  it  is  to  be  ex- 
pected, ih) 
The  editor  is  working  beyond  his  strength ;  and 
in  the  ordinary  course  of  things^  he  will  break  down 
before  he  is  fifty  =  The  editor  is  working  beyond  his 
strength,  and  it  is  to  be  expected  that  his  health  will 
fail  before  he  is  fifty  years  old.     His  parents  are 
seventy-five  years  old,  and  in  the  ordinary  course  of 
things,  they  must  soon  die  =  His  parents  are  seventy- 
five  years  old,  and  according  to  the  customary  limit 
of  human  life,  they  must  soon  die. 
In  the  §ame  breath  =  At  the  same  time;  simulta- 
neously, (a) 
The  orator  denounced  corruption,  and  extolled  the 
corrupt  persons,  in  the  same  breath  =  The  orator  de- 
nounced corruption,  and  extolled  the  corrupt  persons, 
at  the  same  time. 
In  the  §eeond  plaee  =  Secondly ;  again,  (a) 

The  lecturer  first  spoke  of  the  country;  and  in 
the  second  place,  of  the  inhabitants  =  The  lecturer  first 
spoke  of  the  country ;  and  secondly,  of  the  people. 
In  the  third  plaee  =  Thirdly,  (a) 

In  the  third  place,  said  the  speaker,  "Consider  the 
expense  to  the  country  of  a  large  standing  army"= 
The  speaker  said,  "  Consider,  thirdly,  the  expense  to 
the  country  of  a  large  standing  army." 
In  the  wake  of  =  Immediately  after;    in    the  train 
of.  (a) 
Increase  of  knowledge  came  in  the  wake  of  discov- 
ery and   invention  =  Increase    of  knowledge   came 
immediately  after  discovery  and  invention. 


540        VARIOUS   OTHER    PHRASES    AND  WORDS. 

In  the  wind's  eye  {Naut.)  =  Toward  the  direct  point 
from  which  the  wind  blows. 

The  steamer  was  moving  heavily  in  the  wind's  eye 
=  The  steamer  was  proceeding,  with  difficulty,  to- 
ward the  point  from  which  the  wind  blew. 
In  token  of=:As  a  sign  or  memorial  of.  (a) 

I  give  you  this  book,  in  token  of  my  friendship  =  I 
give  you  this  book,  as  a  memorial  of  our  friend- 
ship. 
In  tM^o  =  Into  two  parts ;  in  halves  {a) 

Cut  the  orange  in  two  —  Cut  the  orange  into  two 
parts. 
In  uni§on  =  In  agreement;  in  harmony,  (c) 

This  violin  and  flute  are  in  unison  =  T\\i^  violin  and 
flute  accord  in  sound. 
In  Tarious  -ways  =  By  many  and  diflering  methods. 

Wealth  is  obtained  in  various  ways  —  ThevQ  are 
many  and  difierent  methods  of  obtaining  wealth. 
This  problem  in  mathematics  may  be  solved  in  va- 
rious ways=T\\QYQ  are  several  different  solutions  of 
this  mathematical  problem. 
In  view  of  =  Because  of;  by  reason  of ;  in  considera- 
tion of.  (a) 

In  view  of  the  child's  promise  not  to  repeat  the 
offense  of  running  away  from  school,  he  was  not 
punished  =  Because  of  the  child's  promise  that  he 
would  not  again  run  away  from  school,  punishment 
was  withheld.  In  view  of  his  feeble  health  he  did 
not  deem  it  best  to  accept  the  office,  to  which  he  was 
appointed  =  He  did  not  think  best  to  accept  the 
office  to  which  he  was  appointed,  for  the  reason  that 
he  was  not  in  good  health. 
Iron  rule  =  Harsh  stern  government,  (c) 

England  was  under  iron  rule^  in  the  time  of  the 

I^orman   kings   (1066-1154)= England   was    under 

stern  government,  iil  the  time  of  the  ]N"orman  kings 

(1066-1154). 

Isottiermal  line  =  A  line  passing  through  places  of 

equal  mean  temperature. 

An  isothermal  line  passes  through  New  York  and 
London,  although  their  latitude  is  so  different  =  A 
line  of  equal  mean  temperature  passes  through  New 
York,  (U.  S.)  and  London,  (Eng.),  although  there  is 
a  difference  of  latitude,  of  about  10°. 


VARIOUS  OTHER  PHRASES    AND  WORDS.        541 


J. 

Jack  of  all   trade§  =  A   person   who  can  turn  his 
hand  to  any  kind  of  business. 
The  ship's  carpenter  is  an  ingenious  man ;  he  is  a 
jack  of  all  trades z=iT\\q  ship's  carpenter  is  an  ingen- 
ious man ;  he  can  turn  his  hand  to  any  thing. 
Jack  at  a  pinch  =  A  person  who  receives  unexpect- 
ed calls  to  do  any  thing. 
All  the  neighborhood  call  on  Mr.  James,  the  me- 
chanic, to  mend  a  leak,  to  repair  a  furnace,  or  other 
thing  requiring   haste;  he  is  a  ja/:k  at  a pinch^AW. 
the  neighborhood  call  on  Mr.  James,  the  mechanic, 
to  mend  a  leak,  to  repah*  a  furnace  or  other  thing 
which  must  be  done  at  once;  he  is  a  man  who  re- 
ceives unexpected  calls  to  do  anything. 
Joint  and  §everal  note,  bond,  or  other  oblig^a- 
tion  =  One  by  which  two  or  more  persons  signing 
it  are  unitedly  and  individually  bound. 
The  partners  in  the  tea  store  are  bound  in  o,  joint 
and  several  note—T\\Q  partners  in  the  tea  store  have 
entered  into  an  obligation,  unitedly  and  severally,  to 
pay  the  promissory  note. 
Joint  claim§  comnii§§ion  =  A  committee  composed 
of  men  of  two  states  or  nations  with  an  umpire,  to 
take  into  consideration  and  decide  claims  in  dispute 
between  those  nations. 
The  American  and  Mexican  joint-claims  commission 
(1870)  consisted  of  one  American  commissioner,  one 
Mexican  commissioner,  and  an  umpire  =  The  com- 
mittee, appointed  to  take  into  consideration  and  de- 
cide the  claims  in  dispute  between  the  United  States 
and  Mexico,  consisted  of  one  American,  and   one 
Mexican  commissioner,  and  an    umpire,  the  .right 
honorable  Sir  Edward  Thornton. 
Joint   commission  =  A   body  composed  of  persons 
from  two  countries,  states  and  the  like,  appointed 
to   adjust   important  matters  affectijig  such  coun- 
tries, states,  etc. 
A  joint  commission  was  appointed  by  Connecticut 
and  Sew  York  to  adjust  the  boundary  line  between 
the   two   states  =r  A  committee  of  Connecticut  and 
New  York  citizens  was  appointed  to  take  into  con- 
sideration and  decide  the  yet  unsettled  question  of 
a  bottndary  line,  between  the  states  of  Connecticut 
and  New  York. 
Joint  committee  =  A  committee  composed  of  mem- 
bers from  two  or  more  deliberative  bodies. 


642        VARIOUS  OTHER  PHRASES  AND    WORDS. 

A  joint  committee  was  appointed  by  congress   to 
consider  the  subject  of  the  completion  of  the  Wash- 
ington   monuments  A     committee     composed     of 
members  from  the  Senate  and  the  House  of  Repre- 
sentatives  was   appointed   by  congress,   to   consult 
concerning  the  completion  of  the  Washington  mon- 
ument. 
Joint  concern  =  An  enterprise  carried  on  by  more 
than  one  person ;  a  business  conducted  in  partner- 
ship. 
Mr.  S.  has  taken  his  sons  into  business,  and  will 
make  his  iron  foundry  a  joint  conGern  =  M.Y.  S.  has 
taken  his  sons  into  business,  and  will  make  his  iron 
foundry  a  partnership. 
Joint  note  =^  A  note  signed  by  two  or  more  persons, 
who  each  become  liable  for  the  whole  amount. 
The  peculiar  form  of  theyom^  note  is,  ''We  prom- 
ise" &c=:The  peculiar  form  of  the  note  signed  by. 
two  or  more  persons,  who  each  become  liable  for  the 
whole  amount,  is  "  We  promise  "  &c. 
Joint  resolution  {Leg.)  —  A  private   or   special    act, 
as  distinguished  from  a  public  statute,  and  requir- 
ing action  by  both  branches  of  a  legislative  body. 

^\\Q  joint  resolution  for  the  payment  of  the  claim 
against  the  state  for  private  property  destroyed  by  a 
mob,  passed  both  branches  of  the  Legislature  =  The 
private  act  providing  for  remuneration  by  the  state 
for  property  destroyed  by  a  mob,  which  act  required 
the  consideration  of  both  branches  of  the  Legisla- 
ture, has  been  passed. 
Joint  §elect  committee  =  A  committee  composed  of 
unequal  members  of  both  branches  of  a  legislature, 
and  appointed  by    concurrent  act,    for    the    con- 
sideration of  some  special  subject. 
Joint  select  committees  do  not  differ,  as  to  form,  au- 
thority and  modes  of  proceeding  from  the  common 
select  committees  of  a   single  branch,  except   that 
every  vote  in  relation  to  them  and  their  proceedings 
must  be  concurrent  [Gushing]  =  A  committee  com- 
posed of  unequal  members  of  both  branches  of  a  leg- 
islature, and  appointed   by  concurrent  act,  for  the 
consideration  of  some  special  subject,  does  not  differ, 
as  to  form,  authority,  and  modes  of  proceeding  from 
the  common  select  committees  of  a  single  branch,  ex- 
cept that  every  vote  in  relation  to  them  and  their 
proceedings  must  be  concurrent. 
Joint   standings  committee   {Leg.)  =  A    comfriittee 
composed  of  members  of  both  branches  of  a  legisla- 
tive body,  and  appointed  before  hand,  for  the  con- 


VARIOUS   OTHER   PHRASES    AND   WORDS.         543 

sideration  of  subjects  of  a  particular  class,  arising 
in  the  course  of  a  session. 
There  were  three  joint  standing  committees  in  the 
44th  congress  =  There  were  three  committees  in  the 
44th  congress  of  the  United   States,  each  composed 
of  three  members  of  the  Senate  and  three  of  the 
House  of  Eepresentatives. 
Joint    standings   rule§    (Ze^.)i=  Permanent    regula- 
tions, adopted  in  common  bj  the  two  branches  of 
a  legislative  body,  for  their  guidance  in  matters 
common  Ix)  them  both. 
Tlie  Board  of  aldermen  and  the  common  council 
of  Hartfoi-d,    have    ten  joint  standing  rules  =  The 
Board  of  aldermen  and  the  common  council  of  Hart- 
ford,   have   ten  permanent  regulations  adopted  in 
common   by   them,   for  their  guidance  in    matters 
common  to  them  both. 

It  is  a  joint  standing  rule  of  the  Court  of  common 
council  of  Hartford,  tliat  all  reports  of  committees 
shall  be  in  writings  One  of  the  permanent  rules  a- 
dopted  by  both  branches  of  the  city  govervment  of 
Hartford  for  governing  their  official  action  is,  that  all 
reports  of  committees  shall  be  presented  in  writing. 
Joint  §toek  company  {Law)  — A.  species  of  partner- 
ship, consisting   generally  of  a   large  number  of 
members,  having  a  capital  divided  or  agreed  to  be 
divided  into  shares,  transferable  without  the  con- 
sent of  all  the  partners. 
Joint  stock  companies  are  of  comparatively  recent 
origin  =  The  species  of  partnership,  consisting  gen- 
erally of  a  large  number  of  members,  having  a  cap- 
ital divided  or  agreed  to  be   divided   into   shares, 
transferable  without  the  consent  of  all  the  holders, 
is  of  comparatively  recent  origin. 
Judge-advocate  {Mil.)  =  A  person  appointed  to  act 
as  public  prosecutor  at  a  court-martial. 
Gen.  H.  has  been  appointed  judge-advocate  for  the 
approaching  court-martial  =  Gen.   H.  has  been  ap- 
pointed to  act' as  public  prosecutor,  at  the  court- 
martial  which  is  soon  to  be  held. 
Judicial  power  i=  Power  employed  in  the  adminis- 
tration of  justice. 
The  judicial  power  in  the  United  States  is  vested 
in  one  supreme  court,  and  in  certain  inferior  courts 
=:The  power  in  the  United  States,  which  is  em- 
ployed in  the  administration  of  justice,  is  vested  in 
one  supreme  court,  and  in  certain  inferior  courts. 
Jury  of  inque§t  =  A  jury  summoned  occasionally,  in 
cases  of  sudden  and  violent  death,  to  examine  into 
the  cause. 


544        VARIOUS  OTHER   PHRASES  AND    WORDS. 

A  few  weeks  since,  two  women  were  found  mur- 
dered in  their  house;  and  Sijury  of  inquest  was  sum- 
moned =  A  few  weeks  since,  on  the  discovery  that 
two  women  had  been  murdered  in  their  house,  a 
jury  was  called  together,  to  examine  into  the  cause. 

Ju§t  iiow=:l.  At  the  present  time,  (a)  2,  A  mo- 
ment ago.  (a) 
1.  I  should  be  glad  to  lend  you  the  money  you 
wish,  but  just  noiu  I  have  none  at  commands  I 
should  be  glad  to  lend  you  the  money,  but  at  the 
present  time  I  have  none  which  I  can  obtain.  2.  I 
do  not  know  where  the  servant  is ;  he  was  here  just 
noiv=l  do  not  know  where  the  servant  is;  he  was 
here  a  moment  ago. 

Just  so  =  In  that  manner ;  exactly  thus,  (a) 

Were  the  circumstances  of  the  accident  as  you 
have  stated  tliem  ?  Just  so  =  Were  the  circumstances 
of  the  accident  such  as  you  have  stated  them  to  be  ? 
They  were  exactly  thus.  As  the  mother  bird  flies 
and  builds  her  nest,  just  so  the  young  bird  does  =  As 
the  mother  bird  flies  and  builds  her  nest,  in  that 
manner  the  young  bird  does. 


Keep,  to  (followed  by  prepositions  and  adverbs,  as 
in,    out,    under,    near,    before,    behind,)  =  To 

cause   to  remain  in  any  given  position  or  state ;  to 
maintain  unchanged,  (a) 
I  am  not  well  and  must  keep  in  to-day  =  I  am  not 
well  and  must  remain  in  the  house  to  day.     Shut 
the  door  and  keep  the  dog  ow^=:Shut  the  door  and 
cause  the  dog  to  remain  without.     The  watchman 
Jcept    7iear  the  store  all  night  =  The    watchman    re- 
mained near  the  store  all  night.     At   the  trotting 
match  the  black  horse  kept  ahead  of  the  bay  one  all 
the  course  =  At  the  trotting  match  the  black  horse 
continued    ahead    of    the    bay    one  all  the  course. 
Slaves  are  7ce2)t  under  by  their  masters  =  Slaves  are 
caused   by   their  masters  to  remain   in  an  inferior 
station. 
Keep  a  sharp  lookout  for,  to  =  To  watch  carefully 
for. 
The  police  keep  a  sharp  lookout  for  pickpockets,  in 
a  great  crowd  =  The  police  watch  very  carefully  for 
pickpockets,  in  a  great  crowd. 
Keep   at   a  respectful    distance,  to  =  To  remain 
away  from ;  to  avoid,  (c) 


VARIOUS   OTHER   PHRASES    AND   WORDS.         545 

The  boy  who  was  insolent  to  Mr.  A.  as  he  was 
passing,  now  keeps  at  a  respectful  distance  —  The  boy 
who  was  insolent  to  Mr.  A.  as  he  was  passing,  now 
avoids  him. 
Keep  in  sight,  to  =  To  be  within  sight ;  to  be  able  to 
see.  (c) 
We  kept  in  sight  of  land  three  days,  after  sailing 
from  New  York   for   Charleston,  (U.   S.)  =  On  our 
way   out  from  New  York  to  Charleston,  we   were 
within  sight  of  land  three  days. 
Keep  one  advised,  to  =  To  inform  one  from  time  to 
time,  (a) 
The  father  wished  the  principal  of  the  school,  to 
keep  him  advised  of  his  son's  progress  in  his  studies  = 
The  father  wished  the  principal  of  the  school,  to  in- 
form him  from  time  to  time  concerning  his  son's 
progress  in  his  studies. 
Keep  the  wolf  from  the    door,  to  =  To  keep  out 
hunger,  (c) 
The  laborer  said  his  family  was  large,  but  he  had 
been  able  to  keep  the  wolf  from  the  door  =  The  laborer 
said  his  family  was  large,  but  he  had  been  able  to 
keep  out  himger. 
Keep  up  correspondence,  to  =  To  maintain  friend- 
ly intercourse  by  letters,  (a) 
My  college  room-mate  has  kept  up  correspondence 
with  me  for  ten  years  =  My  college  room-mate  has 
maintained  friendly  intercourse  by  letters  with  me 
for  ten  years. 
Keep  up  one's  spirits  to  =  To  maintain  one's  cheer- 
fulness, (a) 
The  friends  who  visited  the  sick  man,  did  much- 
to  keep  up  his  spirits  —  The  friends  who  visited  the 
sick  man,  did  much  to  maintain  his  cheerfulness. 
Kitchen-garden  =  A  garden    where   vegetables  are 
cultivated  for  kitclien  use. 
His  wife  has  flower-beds  in  the  kitchen-garden  —  His 
wife  has  flower-beds  in  the  garden  where  kitchen- 
vegetables  are  cultivated. 
Knotty  point  =  A  point  or  subject  which  is  difiicult 
or  intricate,  (c) 
The   trial   for  murder  brought  out  many  knotty 
points  of  law  =  The  murder  trial  brought  out  many 
intricate  points  of  law. 
Know    better,    to=:To  know  otherwise  than  one 
has  stated ;  to  fail  to  do  as  well  as  one  knows,  (a) 
Did  the  boy  say  that  his  father  was  sixty  years  old  ? 
He  knows  better  =  Did  the  boy  say  tliat  his  father  was 
sixty  years  old  ?     He  knows  otherwise  than  he  has 
stated. 

36 


546        VARIOUS   OTHER    PHRASES  AND  WORDS. 


Laid  iiraste= Desolated;  ruined,  {a) 

The  ravages  of  war  have  laid  waste  some  of  the 
fairest  portions  of  the  earth  =  The  ravages   of  war 
have  desolated  some  of  the  fairest  portions  of  the 
earth.     The  city  Jerusalem  was  laid  waste  by  the 
Eoman  army,  in  the  year  70  =  The  city  Jerusalem 
was  desolated  by  the  Roman  army  in  the  year  TO. 
l<amb  of  God  {Scrip.)  =  The  Savior  Jesus  Christ. 
"  Behold  the  Lamb  of  God^  who  taketh  away  the 
sin  of  the  world."    John  i.  29  =  See,  there  is  Jesus 
Christ,  who  takes  away  the  sin  of  the  world. 
Landscape    gardening  =  The    art    of    laying    out 
grounds  and  arranging  trees,  (fee.  in  such  a  manner 
as  to  produce  the  most  pleasing  effect. 
The  Central  Park,  Kew  York,  is  indebted  to  land- 
scape gardening  for  much  of  its  attractiveness  =  The 
Central  Park,  ^N^ew  York,  is  indebted,  for  much  of 
its  attractiveness,  to  the  art  of  laying  out  grounds 
and  arranging  trees,  shrubbery,  &c.  in  such  a  man- 
ner as  to  produce  the  most  pleasing  effect. 
Lapsed  legacy  (Law)  =  A  legacy,  which  fails  or  takes 
no  effect,  in  consequence  of  the  death  of  the  legatee 
before  that  of  the  testator,  or  for  other  cause. 
Mr.  A.  made  his  will,  and  bequeathed  $1,000  to 
an  aunt;  but  this  bequest  hecame  Si  lapsed  legacy  = 
Mr.  A.  made  his  will,  and  bequeathed  $1,000  to  his 
aunt ;  but  the  legacy  failed,  because  of  the  death  of 
the  aunt,  before  A.'s  death. 
Lapse  of  time  =  The  gradual  passing  away  of  time,  (b) 
The  friends  who  had  not  met  for  years,  were  so 
absorbed  in  conversation,  as  to  be  unconscious   of 
the  lapse  of  feme  =  The  friends  who  had  not  met  for 
years,  were  so  absorbed  in  conversation  as  to  be  un- 
conscious of  the  passing  of  time. 
Latin   churcli  =  The  Koman  Catholic     church,    (as 
distinct  from  the  eastern  or  Greek  church). 
The  pope  is  the  head  of  the  Latin   church  =  The 
pope  is  the  head  of  the  Roman  Catholic  church. 
La^iv   of  nations  =  A   code  of  rules  regulating   the 
mutual  intercourse  of  nations  or  states. 
The  law  of  nations  depends  on  natural  law ;  or  it 
is  founded  on  customs,  compacts,  treaties,  and  agree- 
ments between  independent  communities  =  The  rules 
regulating  the  mutual  intercourse  of  nations,  depend 
on   natural  law,  or  they  are  founded  on  customs, 
treaties  and  agreements  between  independent  com- 
munities. 


VARIOUS  OTHER    PHRASES   AND  WORDS.        547 

Law  of  the  land  =  Due  process  of  law ;  the  public, 
or  common  law  of  the  land. 
Involuntary  servitude,  except  as  a  punishment  for 
crime,  whereof  the  party  shall  have  been  convicted 
by  the  law  of  the  land,  is  forbidden  by  the  constitu- 
tion of  the  United    States = Involuntary   servitude, 
except  as  a  punishment  for  crime,  whereof  the  party 
shall  have  been  convicted,  by  due  process  of  law,  is 
forbidden  by  the  constitution  of  the  United  States. 
L.ay,  put,  or  §et  apart,  or  a§ide,  to  =  To  place  by 
itself;  to  separate ;  put  away,  (a) 
I  have  put  aside  the  newspaper,  which  contains  the 
account    of  the    president's   inauguration  =  I    have 
placed  by  itself  the  newspaper,  which  contains  the 
account  of  the  president's  inauguration. 
L.ay  a  n^ager,  to  =  To  bet.  (a) 

The  merchant  laid  a  wager  with  the  coal  dealer, 
that  coal  would  decline  in  price  next  month  =  The 
merchant  bet  with  the  coal  dealer,  that  the  price  of 
coal  would  decline  next  month. 
L«ay  figure  =  A  figure  made  of  wood  or  cork,  in  im- 
itation of  the  liuman  body,  used  by  artists. 
A  lay  figure  can  be  placed  in  any  position  or  atti- 
tude, and  clothed  in  any  costume,  and  thus  serves, 
as  a  model  for  the  drapery,  form,  position,  &c==A 
figure  made  of  wood  or  cork,  in  imitation  of  the  hu- 
man body,  can  be  placed  in  any  position  or  attitude, 
and  clothed  in  any  costume,  and  thus  serves,  as  a 
model  for  the  drapery,  form,  &c. 
Leadings  que§tion  =  A  question  which  puts  into  the 
mouth  of  the  witness,  or  person  questioned,  the  an- 
swer it  is  desired  he  should  make. 
The  prosecuting  attorney  objected  to  a  question 
of  the  opposing  counsel,  on  the  ground  that  it  was  a 
leading  question  —  The  prosecuting  attorney  objected 
to   a   question  of  the  opposing  counsel,  because  it 
suggested  the  desired  answer. 
Lieap  year  =  The  year  consisting  of  366  days.     It  is 
such  a  year  of  the  current  reckoning  as  is  evenly 
divisible  by  4,  except  those,  as  1700,  1800,  &c,  that 
are  divisible  by  100  and  not  by  400.     The  intercal- 
ary day  is  placed  at  the  end  of  February. 
The  present  year,  1880,  is  leap  year^The  present 
year,  1880,  consists  of  366  days. 
Leave  oflf,  to  =  To  desist  from,  (a) 

The  carpenters   left  off  work   at   sun  down  =  The 
carpenters  desisted  from  work  at  sun  down. 
Leave  to  one's  option,  to  =  To  suffer  one  to  choose, 
or  to  do  as  one  chooses,  (c) 
It  is  left  to  the  teacher^ s  option,  whether  or  not  to 


548        VARIOUS  OTHER  PHRASES    AND    WOUDS. 

teach  school  on  ^ew  Year's  day  =  The  teacher  can 
do  as  he  chooses,  in  regard  to  teaching  school  on  New 
Year's  day. 
LiCe  lurch  =  A  sudden  and  violent  roll  of  a  ship  to 
leeward,  in  a  high  sea. 
All  at  once  the  ship  gave   a  lee  lurch  =  Suddenly 
the  ship  rolled  violently  to  leeward. 
LiCe  §ide  —  The  side  of  a  ship  or  boat  farthest  from 
the  point  whence  the  wind  blows. 
I  was  on  the  lee  side  of  the  vessel  when  she  struck 
upon  the   rock  =  When  the  vessel  struck  upon  the 
rock,  I  was  on  that  side  of  her  which  was  farthest 
from  the  point  whence  the  wind  blew. 
Iteft  to  shift  for  one's  self  =  Left  to  resort  to  expe- 
dients in  providing  for  one's  self,  (a) 
At  an  early  age  Thomas  was  left  to  shift  for  him- 
self =  At  an  early  age  Thomas  was  left  to  provide  for 
himself  in  such  way  as  he  could. 
Legal    proof  =  Evidence  which  is  suitable  or  suffi- 
cient to  be  made  use  of  in  legal  proceedings ;  evi- 
dence which  meets  the  requirements  of  the  law. 
It  was  supposed  that  the  tramp  set  fire  to  the 
barn,  but  there  was  no  Z<?^a?  ^roo/*  of  the  fact  =  It  was 
supposed  that  the  barn  was  fired  by  the  tramp,  but 
there  was  no  such  evidence  as  the  law  requires. 
Legal  tender  =  That  which  the  law  authorizes  to  be 
tendered  in  payment  of  debts. 
During  a  war,  an  irredeemable  paper  currency  is 
sometimes  made  legal  tender  =  Sometimes   during   a 
war,  the  government  authorizes  an  irredeemable  pa- 
per currency  to  be  tendered  in  payment  of  debt. 
Legislative  body  =  A  body  of  men,  enacting  laws. 
Each  of  the  United  States  has  a  legislative  body, 
elected  by  the  people  =:  Each  of  the  United  States 
has  a  body  of  representatives,  elected  once  in  a  year 
or  in  two  years,  who  are  intrusted  with  the  duty  of 
enacting  laws. 
Length  and  breadth  =  Throughout ;  all  over. 

The  news  of  the  victory  of  the  Germans  over  the 
French  at  Sedan,  (1870)  was  fiashed  over  the  wires 
through  the  length  and  breadth  of  Europe  =  The  news 
of  the  victory  of  the  Germans  over  the  French  at 
Sedan,  was  telegraphed  all  over  Europe. 
Let  bygones  be  bygones,  to  =  To  let  the   past  be 
forgotten,  (c) 
The  two   persons  who  quarreled    have    become 
friends  again,  and  have  agreed  to  lei  bygones  be  %- 
^07765= The  two  persons  who  quarreled  have  become 
friends  again,  and  have  agreed  to  let  the  past  be 
forgotten. 


VARIOUS    OTHER  PHRASES  AND  WORDS.        5-19 

Letter  of  attorney  =  A  writing  by  which  one  per- 
son authorizes  another  to  act  in  his  stead. 
I  gave  him  a  letter  of  attorney  to  sell  bank  stocks 
for  me  =  I  gave  him  a  writing,  by  which  he  was  au- 
thorized to  sell  bank  stocks  for  me. 
LiCtter  of  eredit  =  A  letter  authorizing  credit  to  a 
certain  amount  of  money,  to  be  given  to  the  bearer. 
When  I  went  to  Europe,  I  bought  a  letter  of  credit 
in  Kew  York,  to  pay  my  expenses  in  traveling  = 
When  I  went  to  Europe,  I  bought  a  letter  authoriz- 
ing credit  to  be  given  me,  at  various  banking  houses 
in  Europe. 
Letter    of  marque    and    repri§al  =  A  commission 
given  to  a  private  ship,  by  a  government,  to  make 
reprisals  on  the  ships  of  another  state. 
In  the  war  between  the  United  States,  and  Eng- 
land, letters  of  marque  and  reprisal  were  granted  by 
the  United  States  =  In  the  war  between  the  United 
States  and  England,  the  United  States  gave  com- 
missions to  private  ships,  to  make  reprisals  on  the 
ships  of  England. 
Lietter§  of  administration  {Laiv)  —  The  instrument 
by  which  an  administrator  is  authorized  to  adminis- 
ter the  goods  and  estate  of  a  deceased  person. 
Letters  of  administration  were  given  to  Mr.  A.  -to 
settle  the  estate  of  a  man,  who  had  died  without  a 
will  =  Mr.  A.  was  empowered,  by  due  legal  author- 
ity, to  administer  the  goods  and  estate  of  a  man, 
who  had  died  without  a  will. 
Level  with  the  g^round  =  Flat ;  prostrate,  (c) 

The  tornado  blew  the  house  hvel  with  the  ground= 
Tlie  tornado  blew  the  house  prostrate. 
Liabilities  —  That  which  one  is  under  obligation  to 
pay;  debts. 
He  is  straightened  for  money,  but  he  has  outstand- 
ing accounts  sufficient  to  meet  all  his  liabilities  — He 
is  in  need  of  money,  but  there  are  unpaid  debts  due 
him  sufficient  to  pay  all  that  he  owes. 
Liberal  party  {Eng.)  =  One  of  the  two  gi^eat  politi- 
cal parties,  distinguished  in  general  for  its  liberal 
and  progressive  spirit ;  for  its  advocacy  of  changes 
and  reforms  in  laws  and  institutions, — reforms  look- 
ing to   the   enlargement   of  popular    liberty  and 
privilege. 
The  liberal  party  has   triumphed  in  the    recent 
elections  =  The    party    of   liberal    sentiments,  and 
which  advocates  popular  liberty  and  reform  has  been 
victorious  in  the  recent  elections. 
Liberty  of  the  press  =  Freedom  to  print,  or  publish, 
without  legal  supervision. 


550        VARIOUS    OTHER  PHRASES  AND  WORDS. 

Great  restraints  have  recently  been  put  upon  lib- 
erty of  thepress^  by  the  Russian  government  =  The 
Russian  government  has  recently  put  great  restraints 
upon  the  freedom  of  newspapers  to  print,  and  has 
placed  them  under  legal  supervision. 
L-itoerty   pole  (U.  8.)  =  A   flag   staif,  on   which  the 
national  colors  are,  at  times,  raised. 
Nearly  every  town  in  the  United  States  has  a  lib- 
erty pole  =  Nearly  every  town  in  the  United  States 
has  a  flag  staff,  for  raising  the  national  colors  at  suit- 
able times. 
Lilkely  to  happen  =  Giving  reason  to  expect  that  it 
will  occur,  (a) 
It  is  possible  that  the  merchant's  family  will  spend 
the  winter  in  Europe,  but  is  not  likely  to  happen  = 
It  is  possible  that  the  merchant's  family  will  spend 
the  winter  in  Europe,  but  there  is  no  reason  to  ex- 
pect that  this  will  occur. 
Line  of  battle  {Mil.  Tactics)  =  The  position  of  troops 
drawn  up  in  their  usual  order  without  any  deter- 
mined maneuver. 
The  two  hostile  armies  were  drawn  up,  facing  each 
other,  in  line  of  battle =The  tw^o  hostile  armies  were 
drawn  up  in  their  usual  order,  facing  each  other,  and 
waiting  the  signal  of  attack ;  also,  {naval)  the  line 
or  arrangement  formed  by  vessels  of  war  in  an  en- 
gagement. 
Line  of  march  (if?Z)  =  l.  Arrangement  for   march- 
ing,   or    order   of  march.     2.  Course  or  direction 
taken  by  an  army. 
1.  They  broke  camp,  and  took  up  their  line  of  march 
before  day-break  =  They  broke  camp,  and  took  up 
the  order  of  march,  before  day-break.     2.  Our  line 
of  march  led  us  directly  towards  the  enemy  =  The 
course  taken  by  our  army  led  us  directly  towards  the 
enemy. 
Literary  cla§§e8=:The  educated  classes,  {Chinese  so- 
ciety). 
The  Viceroy  Li's  initiative  is  having  a  signal  effect 
in  removing  the  barriers  set  up  against  every  thing 
foreign  by  the  literary  classes  [London  and  China  Tel- 
egraph] =  The  Yiceroy  Li's  introductory  movement 
is  having   a  signal   effect  in  removing  the  barriers 
set  up  against  every  thing  foreign  by  the  educated 
classes. 
Literary  property  =  The  exclusive  right  of  printing 
publishing  and  making  profit  by  one's  own  writings. 
The    literary   property   of  citizens   of  the   United 
States  is   protected    by  copyright  =  In   the   United 
States,  citizens  are  protected  by  copyright,  in  the 


VARIOUS    OTHER  PHRASES  AND  WORDS.         551 

exclusive  right  of  printing,  publishing,  and  making 
profit,  by  their  writings. 
Liittle  one  =  A  babe  or  small  child,  (a) 

Madam,  your   Uitle  one  seems   ill  =  Madam,  your 
babe  seems  ill.    How  is  your  little  one  Sir  ?     He  is 
quite  well,  thank  you  =? How  is  the  baby?     He  is 
quite  well,  thank  you. 
Liive  feathers  =:  Feathers  which  have  been  plucked 
from  the  living  fowl. 
I  wish  to  buy  some  live  feathers  for  a  bed  =  I  wish 
to  buy  some  strong,  elastic  feathers  which  have  been 
plucked  from  the  living  fowl. 
liivelongr  day,  the  =  Throughout  the  entire  day. 
He  has    eaten  nothing  this  livelong  c?ay  =  He  has 
eaten  nothing  in   the   whole  of  this  day.     He  has 
slept   the  livelong  c^ay^He   has  slept   all   this   day. 
The  boy  played   the  livelong  day  =  The  boy  played 
throughout  the  entire  day.      The  prisoner  worked  at 
his  task  of  basket-making  the  livelong  day =Th.e  pris- 
oner worked  at  his  task  of  basket-making  through 
the  day  which  was  long  in  passing. 
LiiTe  §ingle,  to  =  Not  to  be  married,  (a) 

Mr.  O.  has  always  lived  single  =  Mr.  O.  has  never 
married. 
liive  §tock  =  Horses,  cattle,  and  smaller  domestic  an- 
imals. 
Live  stock  are  necessary  to  success   in   farmings 
Horses,  cattle,  and  other  animals  are  necessary  to 
success  in  farming. 
IA\ing  roek  =  liock  in  its  native  or  original  location ; 
rock  not  quarried,  (c) 
The  steps  down  to  the  spring  were  cut  out  of  the 
living  rock  -  The  steps  were  cut  out  of  rock  in  its  na- 
tive position. 
\j  Li.  D.    Doctor  of  L<aw§  =  An    honorary   degree, 
conferred  by  a  university  or  college  on  men,  either 
graduates  or  other  persons,  who  have  distinguished 
themselves  in  an  eminent  degree,  by  their  legal  at- 
tainments, or  their  services  to  the  country  in  civil 
life. 
At  the  recent  commencement,  (1880)  Yale  col- 
lege  conferred  the  degree  of  L  L.  D.  upon  His  Ex- 
cellency President  Hayes,  and  upon  the  Hon.  Hugh 
W.  ShefFey  of  Virginia  ==  At  the  recent  commence- 
ment, Yale  college  conferred  upon  President  Hayes, 
and  the  Hon.  H.  W.   SheiFey,  the  honorary  degree  • 
of  Doctor  of  Laws,  for  their  eminent  services  and 
attainments. 
L<oadmg-turii  =  The  successive  rotation  or  order  in 
which  vessels  take  in  their  cargo,  (c) 


552        VARIOUS    OTHER  PHRASES   AND  WORDS. 

There  were  many  vessels  in  the  harbor,  waiting 
for  cargoes ;  and  we  were  obliged  to  take  our  load- 
ing-turn —  There   were  many  vessels  in  the   harbor, 
waiting  for  cargoes ;  and  it  was  necessary  for  ns  to 
observe  a  successive  order  in  loading. 
lioad-line  —  The  line  to  which  the  water  rises  on  the 
sides  of  a  loaded  ship. 
When  the  cargo  was  all  in,  the  load-line  was  high 
up   on   the  vessel's  side  =  After   all   the   cargo   was 
put  aboard  the  vessel,  the  line  on  her  side,  indica- 
ting the  height    of  water,  was  far  up. 
Loan  officer  An  office  at  which  loans  are  negotiated, 
or  at  which  the  accounts  of  loans  are  kept,  and  the 
interest  paid  to  the  lender. 
A  loan  office  affords   great   convenience,   both  to 
borrower  and  lender  =  An  office  at  which  loans  are 
negotiated,  is  very  convenient  both  to  those  who  wish 
to  hire  money,  and  those  who  have  money  to  lend. 
Loan  §ociety==An  institution  which  loans  money, 
receiving  it  again  by  installments,  with  interest. 
(Eng.) 

The  mechanic  procured  money  to  build  his  house 
from  the  loan  society  =  The  mechanic  obtained  money 
with  which  to  build  his  house,  from  an  institution 
which  loans  money  at  interest,  to  receive  it  again  by 
installments. 
Local  affection  (3fed.)  =  A  disease,  or  ailment,  con- 
fined to  a  particular  part,  or  organ,  and  not  directly 
affecting  the  system. 
The  pain  in  his  head  is  simply  a  local  affection  = 
The  pain  is  confined  to  the  head,  and  does  not  indi- 
cate a  disease  affecting  the  system. 
Local  authorities  =  The  persons  exercising   autho- 
rity in  any  particular  place  or  district. 
The  local  authorities  of  the  city  have  prohibited  the 
use  of  fire- works  in  the  streets  =  The  persons  who 
control  or  regulate  city  affairs  have  prohibited  the 
citizens  from  setting  off  fire-works  in  the  street. 
Local     attraction     (Magnetism)  =  A    counteracting 
attraction,  causing   a   compass   needle   to   deviate 
from  its  proper  direction. 
On  our  voyage  to  London,  the  compass  was  so 
affected  by  local  attraction,  that  it  could  not  be  de- 
pended on  to  tell  the  true  course = On  our  voyage  to 
London,  the  compass  was  so  affected  by  the  cargo 
of  iron,  that  it  could  not  be  depended  on  to  tell  the 
true  course. 
Local  pres§,  the  =  The  newspapers  of   any  given 
locality. 
The  local  press  favors  the  construction  of  the  rail- 


VARIOUS    OTHER   PHRASES  AND  WORDS.        553 

road  =  The  newspapers  of  the  locality  favor  the  con- 
struction of  the  railroad. 

liOng  cloth  =  Cotton  cloth. 

Mrs.  A.  buys  long  doth  at  the  manufactory  =  Mrs. 
A.  buys  cotton  cloth  at  the  manufactory. 

Liong^  clotlie§  =  The  clothes  worn  by  an  infant. 

We  must  take  the  boy  out  of  lorig  clothes,  in  order 
that  he  may  walk  =:  We  must  lay  aside  the  boy's  in- 
fant clothes  and  substitute  others,  in  order  that  he 
may  walk.  She  is  a  mere  baby;  she  is  in  long 
clothes  yet  =  She  is  still  wearing  an  infant's  clothes. 

L«ongroll  =  A  prolonged  roll  of  the  drums,  as  the 
signal  of  an  attack  by  the  enemy,  and  for  the 
troops  to  form  themselves  in  line. 
When  we  heard  the  lo7ig  roll,  on  a  sudden,  we 
knew  that  the  enemy  was  near  =  When  we  suddenly 
heard  the  prolonged  roll  of  the  drums,  which  is  the 
signal  for  the  troops  to  form  in  line,  we  knew  that 
the  enemy  was  near.  When  the  confederates  at- 
tacked the  Union  army  at  Shiloh,  at  early  dawn, 
many  of  the  troops  were  asleep ;  but  officers  were 
on  the  alert,  the  long  roll  was  beaten,  and  all  along 
the  line  were  heard  tlie  orders,  "  Turn  out,"  "  Fall  in  " 
=  When  the  confederates  attacked  the  Union  army 
at  Shiloh  (18G2),  at  dawn,  many  of  the  troops  were 
asleep ;  but  officers  were  alert,  the  prolonged  roll  of 
drums  giving  signal  of  an  attack  was  beaten,  and 
all  along  the  line  were  heard  the  orders,  "  Turn  out," 
"Tallin." 

liOngr  §ince  =  A  long  time  ago.  (a) 

Long  since  I  gave  up  the  hope  of  having  perfect 
health  again  =  I  gave  up,  a  long  time  ago,  the  hope 
of  having  perfect  health. 

Liong-winded  =  Tedious  in  speaking,  argument,  or 
narration,  (a) 
He  is  noted  for  being  a  long-winded  preacher  =  He 
is  noted  for  being  tedious  in  preaching.     His  coun- 
sel  made   a    long-winded    argument  =  His   counsel 
made  a  tedious  argument. 

Look  fiill  in  the  face  of,  to  =  To  meet  the  look  of, 
without  flinching,  (c) 
Eyes  that  look  out  of  an  innocent  soul,  are  not 
afraid  to  look  full  into  the  face  of  all  people  =:  The 
eyes  of  an  innocent  person  meet  the  gaze  of  people 
without  flinching.  When  the  clerk  was  telling 
about  the  loss  of  the  money,  he  looked  me  full  in  the 

face  with  so  much  honesty  in  his  countenance,  that 
I  believed  him  =  When  the  clerk  was  telling  about 
the  loss  of  the  money,  he  so  met  my  look,  without 
flinching,  that  I  believed  him. 


554        VARIOUS    OTHER  PHRASES  AND  WORDS. 

Liord  big^h  chancellor  of  England  =  The  presid- 
ing judge  in  the  conrt  of  chancery. 
The  Lord  high  chancellor  is  the  highest  judicial 
officer  of  the  crown  =:Tli^  presiding  judge  in  the 
court  of  chancery  is  the  highest  judicial  officer  of 
the  crown. 
Liose  one'§  life,  to  =  To  be  deprived  of  life  by  some 
accident,  misadventure,  or  the  like,  (a) 
The  sail-boat  was  capsized  by  a  squall,  and  one 
person  lost  his  life  =  The  sail-boat  was  overturned  by 
a  squall,  and  one  man  was  deprived  of  life  by  the 
accident. 
Liose  one's  way,  to  =  To  wander  from  the  way ;  to 
miss  the  way  so  as  not  to  be  able  to  find  it.  (a) 
It  is  not  uncommon  for  travelers  on  the  prairie, 
to  lose  their  way,  especially  in  the  night,  or  in  a  snow- 
storm =:  It  is  not  uncommon   for   travelers   on    the 
prairie,  to  wander  from  the  way,  especially  in  the 
night,  or  in  a  snow-storm. 
Liost   in    wonder,  or  astonishment  =  Bewildered ; 
greatly  astonished,  (c) 
The  student  of  astronomy  is  lost  in  wonder,  at  the 
multitude  and  the  distance  of  the  stars  =  The  student 
of  astronomy  greatly  wonders,  at  the  multitude  and 
distance  of  the  stars. 
liost  to  virtue  =  Dissolute ;  irreclaimable :  ruined  in 
character,  (c) 
Nothing  is  so  sad  as  to  see  a  person  lost  to  virtue  = 
E^othing  is  so  sad  as  to  see  a  person  ruined  in  char- 
acter. 
Liow^  steam,  or  low^  pressure  steam  —  Steam  at  the 
boiling  temperature. 
When  steam  of  a  low  pressure  is  employed,  the 
engine  always  has  a  condenser,  as  e.  g.  all  marine 
engines  and  some  stationary  engines  =  Where  steam 
at  the  boiling  temperature  is  employed,  the  engine 
always  has  a  condenser. 
Lucid  intervals  An  interval  of  reason,  enjoyed  by 
an  insane  person  between  the  fits  of  insanity,  (a) 
In  his  lucid  intervals,  the  lunatic  knew  his  friends 
and  conversed  with  them  =  In  his  intervals  of  reason, 
the  lunatic  knew  his  friends  and  conversed  with  them. 


M. 

Magnetic  attraction  =  The  force  or  influence  ex- 
erted by  the  earth,  and  recognized  by  its  effects 
upon  magnetized  needles  and  bars. 


VAKIOUS    OTHER  PHRASES  AND  WORDS.         555 

The  magnetic  needle  of  the  mariner's  compass  is 
kept  pointing  towards  the  magnetic  pole,  bj  the 
power  of  magnetic  attraction  =  The  magnetic  needle 
of  the  mariner's  compass  is  kept  pointing  to  the 
magnetic  pole,  by  a  force,  exerted  by  the  earth  and 
recognized  by  its  effects  upon  magnetic  needles. 
Magic   lanterns  An   optical  instrument  for  exhib- 
iting on  a  distant  screen,  the  magnified  image  of 
pictures  painted  on  glass. 
The  teacher  entertained  the  school,  one  evening, 
with  a  magic  lantern=OTie  evening,  the  teacher  en- 
tertained the  school   by  exhibiting   the   magnified 
images  of  colored  pictures,  thrown  upon  a  screen. 
magnetic  pole  =  One  of  the  two  points  on  the  earth, 
at  which  the  dipping-needle  is  vertical,  or  the  mag- 
netic intensity  the  greatest. 
The   magnetic    pole  does  not   coincide    with   the 
terrestrial  pole  =  The  point  on  the  earth  at  which 
the  dipping-needle  is  vertical,  does  not  coincide  with 
the  terrestrial  pole. 
maiden    a§§ize   (Eng.   Law)  =  An   assize   at   which 
there  is  no  criminal  prosecution. 

The  last  session  of  the  court  in  Bedford  county, 
(Eng.),  was  a  maiden  assize  =  There  was  no  criminal 
prosecution  at  the  last  assize  in  Bedford  county. 
maiden  name  =  The  family  name ;  the  surname  be- 
fore marriage. 
The  maiden  name  of  Mrs.  C.  was  G.  =  The  family 
name  of  Mrs.  C.  was  G. 
irnaid  of  honor  =  A  female  attendant  or  companion 
of  a  queen  or  royal  princess. 
Maids  of  honor  are  usually  of  noble  family,  and 
have  to  perform  only  honorary  duties = Those  female 
attendants  of  a  queen  or  royal  princess,  who  are 
called  maids  of  honor,  are  usually  of  noble  family, 
and  have  only  honorary  duties  to  perform. 
main  body  (M7.)=:The  line  or  corps  of  an  army 
which  marches  between   the   advance    and    rear 
guard ;  in  camp,  the  body  which  lies  between  the 
two  wings. 
The  advance  came  unexpectedly  upon  the  enemy, 
and  fell  back  on  the  main  body  =  The  advance  unex- 
pectedly met  the  enemy,  and  fell  back  on  the  corps 
which  was  marching  between  the  advance  and  the 
rear  guard. 
main  part,  the  =  The  greater  part;    the  principal 
part,  (a) 

The  main  part  of  the  house  was  two  stories  high 
=  The  principal  part  of,  the  house  was  two  stories 
high.     The  main  part  of  the  hearers  were  in  sym- 


556        VARIOUS    OTHER  PHRASES  AND  WORDS. 

pathy  with  the  speaker  =  The   greater  part  of  the 
liearers  were  in  sympathy  with  the  speaker. 
make   a  plunge,  to=:To  plunge;    to   go   forward 
rashly  in  any  enterprise,  (c) 
The  horse  was  frightened  at  the  cars,  and  made  a 
plunge  down  the  bank  =  The  horse  was  frightened  at 
the  cars,  and  went  rashly  down  the  bank. 
make   an  experiment,  to  =  To  perform  an  act  in 
order  to  discover  or  test  some  truth,  (a) 
Physiologists  have   made  various  experiments,  to 
determine  which  articles  of  food  are  soonest  digested 
by  the  stomach  =  Physiologists  have  performed  vari- 
ous acts,  in  order  to  discover  what  articles  of  food 
are  soonest  digested  by  the  stomach. 
Hake  an  inipres§ion,  to  =  To  affect,  (a) 

The  story  of  the  execution  of  Charles  I.  king  of 
England,  now  read  for  the  first  time,  made  an  impres- 
sion on  the  students  =  The  story  of  the  execution  of 
Charles  I.  king  of  England,  affected  the  students. 
Make  a§§uranee  doubly  sure,  to  =  To  render  as 
certain  as  possible;  to  increase  certainty  or  con- 
viction, (c) 
The  banker  took  the  note  of  the  man  to  whom  he 
loaned  money,  but  to  maJce  assura7ice  doubly  sure,  he 
also   took   a   mortgage   on   the   man's  houses  The 
banker  took  the  note  of  the  man  to  whom  he  loaned 
money,  but  in  order  to  render  the  payment  as  cer- 
tain as  possible,  he  also  took  a  mortgage  on  the 
man's  house.      I  think  the  merchant  said  that  he 
had  no  more  cloth  like  this,  but  to  mahe  assurance 
doubly  sure  I  will  go  and  inquire  =  I  think  the  mer- 
chant said  that  he  had  no  more  cloth  like  this,  but 
in  order  to  render  the  matter  as  certain  as  possible, 
I  will  go  and  inquire. 
make  it  one'§  business,  to 

with  it ;  to  attend  to  it  promptly  and  vigorously,  (a) 
The  school  teacher  said  that  she  should  make  it  her 
business,  to  interest  and  instruct  her  pupils  =  The 
school  teacher  said  that  she  should  exert  herself,  to 
interest  and  instruct  her  pupils. 
make  one's  blood  run  cold,  to  =  To -affect  with 
horror;  to  affright,  {b) 
It  makes  one's  blood  run  cold,  to  read  the  stories  of 
pirates  and  their  deeds  =  It  fills  one  with  horror,  to 
read  the  stories  of  pirates  and  their  deeds. 
make  one  shudder,  to  =  To  excite  feelings  of  hor- 
ror ;  to  be  very  repulsive  to  one.  (c) 
It  makes  one  shudder,  to  read  of  the  cruelties  of 
war  in  ancient  times  =  It  excites  feelings  of  horror, 
to  read  of  the  cruelties  of  war  in  ancient  times. 


VARIOUS    OTHER   PHRASES   AND   WORDS.         557 

iriake   one's   self  understood,  to  =  To  be  appre- 
hended in  meaning,  (a) 
Do  I  make  myself  understood^  in  what  I  have  been 
saying  ?  =  Is   the   meaning   of  my   language   appre- 
hended ? 
iriaSiee    aforethought,  or  prepense  =  Malice    pre- 
viously, and  deliberately,  entertained. 
You  did  not  trip  me  up  accidentally;  it  was  done 
with  malice  aforethought —  Y ow.  did  not  throw  me  off 
my   balance   accidentally;  it   was   done   with   mis- 
chievous intention,  deliberately  entertained. 
Malum  in  se  {Law)  =  A  tiling  that  is  in  itself  evil. 
The  law  makes  a  distinction  between  a  malum  in 
se,  and  a  malum  prohibitum  =  The  law  makes  a  dis- 
tinction between  a  thing  that  is,  in  itself,  evil,  as 
stealing,  and  an  act  wrong  because  forbidden   by 
law,  as  driving  a  horse,  at  a  faster  gait  than  a  walk, 
over  a  bridge. 
Man's  estate  =  The  age  of  manliood. 

The  young  are  usually  very  anxious  to  arrive  at 
marc's  estate  =  T\\Q  young  are  usually  very  anxious  to 
arrive  at  the  age  of  manhood. 
Manual    exereise    (JA7.)  =  The    exercise    by   which 
soldiers  are  taught  the  use  of  their  muskets,  and 
other  arms. 
Is^ew  recruits  are  drilled  in  the  manual  exercise= 
!N^ew  recruits   are   drilled   in   the    exercise,   which 
teaches  the  use  of  their  muskets,  and  other  arms. 
Many  a  time  =  Each  one  of  many  times,  (c) 

I  recall  many  a  time  that  we  have  traveled  this 
road  together  =1 1  recall  each  one  of  many  times  that 
we  have  traveled  this  road  together. 
Many  times  over  =  Hepeatedly.  (a) 

The  boy  in  the  cars  asked  his  mother,  many  times 
over^   when    they    would   reach    the    end   of    their 
journey  =  The  boy  in  tlie  cars  repeatedly  asked  his 
mother,  when  the   end  of  their  journey  would  be 
reached. 
Mareh  in  proeession,  to  ==  To  proceed  in  orderly 
course,  {a) 
The  soldiers  marched  in  i^ocession  to  the  armory  = 
The  soldiers  proceeded  to  the   armory  in   regular 
order. 
Masked  battery  (i/^7.)  =  A  battery  so  constructed  as 
to  be  disguised,  or  not  to  be  seen  by  an  enemy 
until  it  opens  its  fire. 
A  masked  battery  opened  with   destructive  effect 
upon  the  advancing  column  =  A  battery,  concealed 
from  view,  opened  its  fire  with  destructive  effect, 
upon  the  advancing  column. 


558        VARIOUS    OTHER  PHRASES  AND   WORDS. 

master  of  art§  =  One  who  takes  the  second  degree 
at  a  university ;  the  second  degree  or  title  itself,  in- 
dicated by  A.  M. 
The  degree  of  ^.  if.  is  conferred,  at  Yale  college, 
on  Bachelors  of  Arts  of  two  years'  standing,  or  up- 
wards, who  have  given  to  the  Academical  Faculty 
evidence  by  examination  or  printed  essay,  of  having 
made  satisfactory  progress  in  liberal  studies,  after 
receiving  their  first  degree. 
master   of   ceremonies  =  An   officer  who  superin- 
tends the  forms  to  be  observed  by  the  company,  or 
attendants,  on  a  public  occasion. 
A  facetious  man  is  a  good  sort  of  a  person  to  be 
master  of  ceremonies  at  a  dinner,  followed  by  toasts 
and  speeches  r=  A   facetious   person   makes   a  good 
superintendent  of  ceremonies  at  a  dinner,  that  is 
followed  by  toasts  and  speeches. 
Master  of  one's  self  =  Self-possessed ;  able  to  con- 
trol one's  feelings  and  passions,  (c) 
If  one  is  not  master  of  himself  he  will  say  and  do 
a  great  many  unwise  things  =  If  one  is  not  able  to 
control  himself,  he  will  say  and  do  a  great  many 
unwise  things. 
Matter  of  fact  =  A  real  occurrence  or  existence,  as 
distinguished  from  any  thing  fancied  or  supposed ; 
a  fact. 
This  discontent  among  the  operatives  in  his  paper 
mill  is  a  matter  of  fact;  it  is  no  fancy  of  mine  =  This 
discontent  of  the  operatives  in  his  paper  mill  is  a 
real  existence  and  not  a  mere  supposition. 
Means    of    graces  Means   of   securing   the   divine 
favor,  or  of  promoting  right  feeling  toward  God; 
Christian  privileges. 
Prayer  and  the  study  of  the  Bible  are  means  of 
grace  =  Prayer  and  the  study  of  the  Bible  are  pleas- 
ing to  God,  and  promotive  of  right  feeling  in  our- 
selves.    It  is  a  great  blessing  to  have  the  means  of 
grace  =  It  is  a  great  advantage  or  benefit  to  have 
Christian  privileges. 
Meet  one's   expenses,  to=:To  have  one's  income 
equal  his  expenses,  (a) 
Young  lads  who  become  clerks  in  the  cities,  often 
do  not  meet  their  expenses  for  the  first  year  or  two  = 
Young  lads  who  become  clerks  in  the  cities,  often 
do  not  have  their  income  equal  their  expenses  for 
the  first  year  or  two. 
Mend  one's  pace,  to  =  To  go  faster,  (c) 

If  the  boy  do  not  mend  his  pace^  he  will  be  late  at 
school  =  If  the  boy  do  not  go  faster,  he  will  be  late 
at  school. 


VARIOUS    OTHER  PHRASES   AND   WORDS.        559 

Mental  reservation  =  The  withholding  or  failing  to 
disclose  something  that  affects  a  statement,  promise, 
&c.,  and  which,  if  disclosed,  would  materially  vary 
its  import;  mental  qualification. 
The  man  promised  to  pay  the  debt  next  week, 
with  the  mental  reservation^  "if  it  is  convenient "  =  In 
promising  to  pay  the  debt  next  week,  yet  withhold- 
ing the  words  "  if  it  is  convenient,"  which  he  spoke 
inwardly,  the  man  greatly  affected  the  import  of  his 
promise.     When  some  persons  promise  to   reform 
they  make  a  mental  resei-^jation^  in  favor  of   their 
special  weaknesses  =  When  some  persons  promise  to 
reform,  they  do  not  disclose  their  purpose  to  indulge 
their  special  weaknesses. 
Mereantile  world  =  The   whole   body  or  class  of 
persons  engaged  in  mercantile  pursuits. 
The  mercantile  ivorld  is  greatly  dependent  on  ships 
and  railroads  —  All  persons  who  are  engaged  in  mer- 
cantile pursuits,  are  greatly  dependent  on  ships  and 
railroads. 
merits  of  the  question  (or  case)  ==  What  is  true  or 
right  in  the  matter. 
Mr.  A.  has  a  controversy  with  Mr.  B.  about  a 
piece  of  land,  but  I  have  not  looked  into  the  merits 
of  the  question  =  l^r.  A.  has  a  controversy  with  Mr. 
B.  about  a  piece  of  land,  but  I  have  not  investigated 
the  matter  to  see  which  party  is  in  the  right.     In 
their  decision  the  jury  were  influenced  by  the  merits 
of  the  case  and  not  by  the  brilliant  address  of  the 
lawyer = The  jury  gave  a  verdict  according  to  what 
they  thought  true  and  just,  and  were  not  influenced 
by  the  brilliant  speech  of  the  lawyer. 
Merit-roll  (U.  S.  Naval  Academy)  =  A  list  of    ca- 
dets, made  at  every  annual  examination,  arranged 
in  the  order  of  scholarship  and  conduct. 
The  merit-rolls  show  the  proficiency  of  the  cadets 
in  each  branch  of  study  =:  The  lists  of  cadets,  made 
out  yearly  and  arranged  in  the  order  of  scholarship 
and  conduct,  show  the  proficiency  of  the  cadets  in 
each  branch  of  study. 
Meteoric  showers  =  Periodic  exhibitions  of  shooting 
stars. 
Meteoric  showers  occur  about  the  9th  or  10th   of 
August,  and  the  13th  of  IS^ovember^:  Periodic  ex- 
hibitions of  shooting  stars  occur  about  the  9th  or 
10th  of  August,  and  the  13th  of  November. 
Middle  States  =  ]Srew  York,  New  Jersey,  Pennsyl- 
vania, and  Delaware;    which,  at  the  time  of  the 
formation  of  the  Union,  occupied  a  middle  position 


560         VAKIOUS    OTHER   PHRASES   AND   WORDS. 

between  the  Eastern  States,  (N^.  England)  and  the 
Southern  States. 
Military  law  =  A  branch  of  the  general  municipal  law, 
consisting  of  rules  ordained  for  tlie  government 
of  the  military  force,  equally  in  peace  and  war. 
Military  law  is  administered  in   courts-martial  = 
That  branch  of  the  general  municipal  law,  which 
consists  of  rules  for  the  government  of  the  military 
force,  equally  in  peace  and  war,  is  administered  in 
courts-martial. 
]llill(-walk  —  A  round  of  customers  served  by  one 
milkman.     (Eng.) 
What  is  called  milk-walk   in   England   is   called 
milk-route  in  the  United  States  =  The  round  of  cus- 
tomers served  by  one  milkman,  is  called  milk-walk 
in  England,  and  milk-route  in  the  United  States. 
Mincing  steps  =  Short  and  unnatural  steps,  (c) 

It  is  laughable  to  see  one  walk  with  mincing  steps 
=:It  is  laughable  to  see  one  walk  with  short  and 
unnatural  steps. 
Mineral  waters = Waters  which  are  so  impregnated 
with  foreign  ingredients  as  to  give  them  medicinal 
properties. 
Saratoga,  (]S"ew  York,  U.  S.)  is  noted  for  its  min- 
eral i(;ofer5zr  Saratoga  is  noted  for  its  many  springs, 
wliich  are  medicinal  on  account  of  foreign  ingredi- 
ents. 
Miss  tlie  mark,  to  =  To  fail  of  accomplishing;    to 
mistake,  (a) 
Mr.  A.  sought  to  control  the  election  of  bank  di- 
rectors by  purchasing  stock,  but  he  missed  the  mark 
—  Mr.  A.  sought  to  control  the  election  of  bank  di- 
rectors by  purchasing  stock,  but  he  failed  of  accom- 
plishing it. 
Mixed  aetion  {Law)  =  A  suit  combining  the  proper- 
ties of  a  real  and  a  personal  action. 
Mr.  A's  suit  against  Mr.  B.  for  ejectment,  was  a 
mixed  action  =  M.Y.  A's  suit  against  Mr.  B.  for  eject- 
ment, was  one  demanding  possession  of  real  proper- 
ty with  damages  for  the  unlawful  detention. 
Mob    law  =  Law   administered   by  the   mob;  lynch 
law. 
Where  mob  law  prevails,  there  is  no  security  of 
life   or  property = Where    justice    is    administered 
illegally,  by   a   disorderly  crowd,  neither  life   nor 
property  is  secure. 
Modus  operandi  (Xa^.)  =  Manner  of  operating. 
I  explained  the  modus  operandi  by  which  China- 
men, in  some  States,  (U.  S.),  have  been  naturalized, 
during  the  past  year,  1878-9  =  1  explained  the  man- 


VARIOUS    OTHER   PHRASES   AND   WORDS.         661 

ner  of  operating,  bj  which  Chinamen,  in  some  of 
the  United  States  of  America,  have  had  the  rights 
of  citizenship  conferred  upon  them  during  the  past 
year,  1878-9. 
Monetary  unit  =  The  standard  of  currency. 

The  monetary  unit  in  America  is  the  dollar;  in 
England,  the  pound;    in    France,  the   franc  ==  The 
standard  of  currency  in  America  is  the  dollar;  in 
England,  it  is  the  pound ;  in  France,  the  franc. 
moral  Iaw=:A  law  which  prescribes  to  men  their 
duties  to  God  and  to  one  another. 
The   moral  law   is   summarily   contained   in   the 
decalogue,  given   by  God   to   man   on   Mt.    Sinai. 
[Exodus  XX.]  =  The  law  which  prescribes   to   men 
their  duties  to  God  and  to  one  another,  is  summarily 
contained  in  the  decalogue ;  given  by  God  to  man 
on  Mt.  Sinai. 
moral  §en§e  =  The  power  of  moral  judgment  and 
feeling;  tlie  capacity  to  perceive  what  is  right  or 
wrong  in  moral  conduct,  and  to  approve  or  disap- 
prove, independently  of  education,  or  the  knowl- 
edge of  any  positive  law. 
Moral  sense  constitutes  a  specific   diiference   be- 
tween man  and  the  brute  creation  =  The  capacity  to 
perceive  what  is  right  or  wrong  in  moral  conduct, 
&c.,  constitutes  a  specific  diiference,  or  makes  man 
a  different  species  from  the  brute  beast. 
More  and  more  =  With  continual  increase,  (a) 

The   child   that   is    indulged    without    restraint, 
grows  more  and  more  selfish  =  The  child  that  is  in- 
dulged without  restraint,  grows  selfish   with   con- 
tinual increase. 
More  or  le§§  =  Perhaps  more,  perhaps  less;  some- 
times  more,   sometimes   less;    indefinitely  stated; 
somewhat ;  in  some  degree ;  some,  {a) 
The  doctor  has  more  or  less  patients  every  day  = 
The  doctor  has  some  patients  every  day,  but  the 
number  is  variable. 
Mosquito  bar,  or  mosquito  net  =  A  net  or  curt- 
tain  set  up,  as  over  a  bed  or  before  a  window  to 
keep  out  mosquitoes. 
In  many  places  (U.  S.),  mosquito  nets  are  essential 
to  quiet  sleep  =  In  many  places  (U.  S.),  nets  set  up 
over  the  bed  are  necessary,  to  prevent  being  kept 
awake  by  mosquitoes. 
Mother   Carey's    ehiekens — The    name   given   by 
sailors  to  a  small  ocean  bird  seen  in  flocks,  and 
supposed  to  presage  a  storm. 
Stormy  petrel  is  another  name  for  Mother  Careyh 
chickens  =  Stormy   petrel  is   another  name   for   the 


562        VARIOUS    OTHER  PHRASES  AND  WORDS. 

small   ocean   bird,   which   is   supposed  to  foretell  a 
storm. 
Move  in  a  rut,  to  =  To  proceed  wholly  according 
to  an  old  habit  or  custom,  (c) 
Mr.  A's  business  moves  in  a  rut =M.r.  A's  business 
proceeds  wholly  according  to  old  customs. 
Moving  poiver  =  A  natural   agent   used   to   impart 
motion  to  machinery. 

The  moving  poiver  of  railway  locomotives  is  steam 
=  Steam  is  the  natural  agent  which  imparts  motion 
to  railway  locomotives. 
]IIucou§  membrane  {Anat.)  =  The  membrane  lining 
all  the  cavities  of  the  body,  which  open  externally, 
and  continuous  with  the  skin. 
A  cold  in  the  head  is  an  affection  of  the  mucoxis 
m.embrane=A  cold  in  the  head  is  an  affection  of  the 
membrane  lining  the  nasal  passages. 
Municipal  or  po§itive  law=:A  rule  prescribed  by 
the  supreme  power  of  the  state;  a  statute. 
Municipal  law  is  a  collection   of  rules,  to  which 
men  living  in  civil   society  are  subjected,  in  such 
manner   that   they  may,  in   case   of  need,  be  con- 
strained to  observe  them  by  the  application  of  force. 
=  The  statutes   are   a   collection  of  rules,  to   which 
men  in  civil  society  are  subjected,  in  such  manner 
that  tliey  may,  in  case  of  need,  be  constrained  by 
force  to  observe  them. 
Murder  in  the  first  degree  (Zai(;.)  =  A  kind  of  mur- 
der defined  by  statute,  and  embracing  all  willful, 
deliberate,  and  premeditated  murder,  e.  g.  murder 
by  poison  or  lying  in  wait. 
He  was   sentenced   to   be   hanged  for  murder  in 
the  first  degree  =  lie  w?i&  sentenaed  to  be  hanged  for 
willful,  deliberate,  and  premeditated  murder. 
Murder  in  the  second   degree  (Law)  =  A  kind  of 
murder  defined  by  statute,  and  generally  embrac- 
ing all  other  kinds  of  murder  except  murder  in  the 
first  degree— e.  g.  murder  in  a  sudden  fray  without 
malice. 
He  was  convicted  of  murder  in   the  second  degree , 
and  sentenced   to   imprisonment  for  life  =  He  was 
found  guilty  of  the  second  grade  of  murder,  as  the 
law  defines  it,  and  was  sentenced  to  be  imprisoned 
for  life. 


Il^aked  eye  =  The  eye  alone,  unaided  by  telescope, 
microscope,  or  the  like. 


VARIOUS    OTHER   PHRASES  AND  WORDS.         563 

The  telescope  reveals  very  many  stars  which  are 
not  visible  to  the  naked  eye  —  The   telescope  reveals 
very  many  stars  which  the  eye  unaided  by  a  tele- 
scope can  not  see. 
Nasty  rain  {Eng.)  =  A  rain  in  fine  drops. 

This  is  a  nasty  rain  to-day  =  It  rains  in  fine  drops 
to-day. 
IVatiTe  tongue  =  The   language   of  the   country   in 
which  one  was  born,  (c) 
The  native  tongue  of  Columbus,  the  discoverer  of 
America,  was  Italian  =  Italian  was  the  language  of 
the  country  in  which   Columbus   the  discoverer  of 
America  was  born. 
]\^atural  history  =  The  science  which  treats  of  the 
productions  of  the  earth;  the  description  and  class- 
ification of  animals,  plants  and  minerals. 
The  study  of  natural  history  is  very  interesting  and 
instructive  =  The  study  of  the  earth's  productions, 
and  of  the  classification  of  its  animals,  plants,  and 
minerals,  aflfords  much  interest  and  instruction  to 
the  student. 
Natural  selection  =  The  survival  of  the  fittest. 

According  to  the  theory  of  natural  selection,  the 
weaker  animals  are  crowded  out  of  existence,  and 
the    more    energetic    and    powerful   survive  =  The 
weaker  animals  are  prevented  from  coming  to  ma- 
turity, and  the  stronger  and  more  energetic  survive, 
according  to  the  theory  of  the  survival  of  the  fittest. 
This  theory  is  also   called  Darwinian,  from  Charles 
Darwin,  who  promulgated  it  in  1859. 
Natural  theology  =  The  knowledge  of  God  from  his 
works,  by  the  light  of  nature  and  reason. 
Natural  theology  is  distinguished  from  revealed  the- 
ology =  The  knowledge  of  God  by  the  light  of  na- 
ture and  reason,  is  distinguished  from  that  which  is 
learned  only  from  revelation. 
Near  relation,  a  =  One  closely  connected  with  us  by 
birth  or  marriage,  (a) 
One  uncle  is  the  only  near  relative  he  has  livings 
All  closely  connected  with  him  by  birth  or  marriage 
are  dead,  except  one  uncle. 
Near  side  =  The  left  side  as  the  driver  sits  on  his 
seat.     (U.  S.)  (a) 
In  driving  oxen,  the  driver  walks  on  the  near  side 
of  the  team  =  In  driving  oxen,  the  driver  walks  on 
the  left  side  of  the  team. 
Negotiable  note = A  note  made   payable  either  to 
bearer,  or  drawn  to  order,  in  which  case  it  must  be 
indorsed  by  the  person  to  whose  order  it  is  made. 


564        VARIOUS    OTHER   PHRASES   AND   WORDS. 

:Nervous  temperament  =  A  condition  of  body  char- 
acterized  by  fine   hair,  thin   skin,   small   mnscles, 
quickness  of  motion,  and  a  general  predominance 
of  mental  manifestations. 
Some  families  transmit  a  nervous  temperament^  gen- 
eration after   generation  =  Some   families   transmit, 
generation   after   generation,  a  condition   of  body 
characterized  by  fine  hair,  thin  skin,  small  mnscles, 
quickness  of  motion,  and  a  general  predominance  of 
mental  manifestations. 
afet  eash — This  term  appended  to  a  bill  signifies  that 
no  deduction  will  be  made  from  the  amount  of  the 
bill  on  account  of  express  or  freight  charges,  or  for 
cartage. 
I  have  received  a  bill  with  these  words  appended, 
"  Net  cash''''  —  I  have  received  a  bill  stating  that  no 
deduction  from  it  will  be  made  on  account  of  express 
or  freight  charges,  or  cartage. 
Bfeutral  tint  =  A   factitious   gray   pigment,  used   in 
water  colors. 
There  is  used,  in  water  colors,  a  neutral  tint,  com- 
posed of  blue,  red,  and  yellow  in  various  proportions 
=  There  is  in  use,  in  water  colors,  a  factitious  gray 
pigment,  composed  of  blue,  red,  and  yellow  in  va- 
rious proportions. 
:Rfever  mind  =  Do  not  regard  it ;  it  is  of  no  conse- 
quence ;  no  matter,  {a) 
You  did  not  get  me  a  paper?     Well,  never  mind,  I 
will  get  one  —  You  did  not  get  me  a  paper  ?    Well, 
do  not  regard  it,  I  will  get  one. 
IVew-fangled  expre§§ion  =  A  phrase  or  word  newly 
introduced  and  generally  one  characterized  by  the 
affectation  of  novelty,  (c) 
Walkist  is  a  new-fangled  expression,  to  denote  one 
who  is  expert  in  walking  =  Walkist  is  a  word  newly 
introduced,  to  denote  one  who  is  expert  in  walking. 
New  land  —  Land  cleared  and  cultivated  for  the  first 
time. 

■New  land,  (U.  S.)  does  not  require  fertilizings  Land 
cleared  and  cultivated  for  the  first  time,  does  not 
require  the  use  of  fertilizers. 
Sfext  to  nothing  =  Almost  nothing ;  very  little,  (a) 
In  building  a  house,  the  additional  cost  of  a  port- 
ico is  7iext  to  nothing  — In  building  a  house,  the  cost 
of  adding  a  portico  is  very  small.  When  the  trav- 
eler attempted  to  describe  Chinese  life,  we  found  he 
knew  next  to  nothing  about  it = When  the  traveler 
attempted  to  describe  Chinese  life,  we  found  that  he 
knew  very  little  about  it. 


VARIOUS   OTHER  PHRASES  AND    WORDS.        565 

Bfice  question  =  One  requiring  exact  discrimination 
or  difficult  to  decide. 
It  is  to  some  minds,  a  nice  and  puzzling  question  in 
ethics,  whether  it  is  ever  right  to  deceive  another 
person  intentionally  =  It  is  a  puzzling  question  and 
difficult,  for  some  minds,  to  decide  whether  it  is  ever 
right  to  deceive  another  person  intentionally,  as  for 
example,  a  sick  person,  with  false  hopes  of  recovery  ; 
or  an  insane  person.     The  judge  said  it  was  a  nice 
question^  and   he  would   reserve  his   decision  =  The 
judge  said  it  was  question  requiring  exact  discrim- 
ination, and  he  would  reserve  his  decision. 
IVobody  beings  the   wiser  =  No   one   knowing;  se- 
cretly, (c) 
The  miller  took  more  toll  than  he  ought  for  the 
wheat  which  he  ground,  and  nobody  was  the  wiser  = 
The  miller  took  more  toll   than  he  ought  for  the 
wheat  which  he  ground,  and  no  one  knew  it. 
Nod  assent,  to  =  To  express  agreement  or  permission, 
by  inclining  the  head,  (a) 
The  scholar  asked  the  teacher  if  he  might  go  out 
to  play,  and  the  teacher  nodded  assent=Th.e  scholar 
asked  the  teacher  if  he  might  go  out  to  play,  and  the 
the   teacher  gave  permission,  by  nodding,  {i.  e.  by 
inclining)  the  head. 
]Vom  de  plume  {nong-de-ploom)  =  A  name   assumed 
by  an  author  as  his  or  her  signature. 
George  Eliot  is  the  7iom  de  plume  of  a  distinguished 
female  novelists  George  Eliot  is  the  name  assumed 
by  the  distinguished  novelist,  (Miss  Mary  A.  Evans,) 
as  the  signature  upon  the  title-page  of  her  books. 
Bfon-commissioned   officer,  (Mil.)  —  A  warrant  offi- 
cer, receiving  his  certificate  of  rank   from  a  subor- 
dinate authority,  usually  from  the  commander  of  a 
regiment ;  a  corporal,  a  sergeant ;  (Naval)  a  subor- 
dinate officer  in  the  naval  service,  as  quarter-master, 
gunner's  mate  and  the  like. 
IVone  else = No  one  else;  no  person  or  persons  be- 
sides, (a) 
The  young  lady  wishes  her  relatives  and  none  else, 
invited  to  her  weddings  The  young  lady  wishes  no 
persons  besides  her  relatives  invited  to  her  wedding. 
aro  other  =  No  different  one;  this  one  only,  (a) 

No  other  day  will  be  convenient  for  the  excursion 
to  the  falls  =  No  different  day  will  be  convenient  for 
the  excursion  to  the  falls. 
Normal  school  =  A  school  whose  methods  of  instruc- 
tion are  to  serve  as  a  model  for  imitation ;  an  insti- 
tution for  the  training  of  teachers. 
In  many  of  the  United  States,  the  normal  school  is 


566        VARIOUS   OTHER    PHRASES  AND  WORDS. 

considered  a  necessary  part  of  the  system  of  public 
schools  =  In  many  of  the  United  States   the   school 
for  the  training  of  teachers,  is  considered  a  necessary 
part  of  the  system  of  public  schools. 
IVortliern  lights  =  A  luminous  meteoric  phenomenon, 
witnessed  only   at   night,  and   supposed   to  be   of 
electrical  origin ;  Aurora  Borealis. 
When  the  northern  lights  assume  a  wavy  appear- 
ance, the  streams  of  light  are  then  called  merry  dan- 
cers =  When   the   aurora  borealis   assumes   a  wavy 
appearance,   the  streams   of  light   are   then   called 
merry  dancers. 
:Elfo  stranger  to,  to  be=:To  understand;  to  be  ac- 
quainted with,  (c) 
Mr.  A.  is  710  stranger  to  poverty  =  Mr.  A.  is  ac- 
quainted with  poverty. 
l¥o  such  thing  =  1.  Nothing  like,  or  equal  tt).  (a)    2. 
Not  so ;  not  true,  (a) 
1.  No  such  thing  as  the  burning  of  the  school-house 
has  ever  before  occurred  in  our  town  =  No  event  like 
the  burning  of  the  school-house,  or  equal  to  it  in 
importance,  has  ever  before  occurred  in  our  town. 
2.  Did  the  man  say  that  Mary  was  married  yester- 
day?   It  is  no  such  thing =I)id  the  man  say  that 
Mary  was  married  yesterday  ?    It  is  not  so. 
Ilfot  a  few  =  Many,  (a) 

At  the  agricultural  exhibition  there  were  great 
quantities  of  home  fruits,  and  of  foreign  fruits  not  a 
few  =  At  the  agricultural  exhibition  there  were  great 
quantities  of  home  fruits,  and  many  foreign  fruits. 
Kot  a  jot  =  Not  any ;  not  the  least  quantity  assign- 
able, (c) 
In  a  font  of  type,  one  letter  is  not  a  jot  higher  or 
longer  than  the  other  =  In  a  font  of  type,  one  letter 
is  not  any  higher  than  the  other 
]Vot  a  little  =  Much;  considerably,  (a) 

The  North  American  Indian  used  to  be  frightened 
not  a  little,  by  an   eclipse   of  the   sun  =  The  North 
American  Indian  used  to  be  much  frightened,  by  an 
eclipse  of  the  sun. 
Bfotary  public  {^ng.  and  Am.  Law)  =  A  public  officer 
who  attests,  or  certifies,  deeds  and  other  writings, 
usually  under  his  official  seal,  and  to  make  them  au- 
thentic in  another  country.     His  duties  chiefly  re- 
late to  instruments  used  in  commercial  transactions. 
The  acts  of  the  notary  public  are  recognized  and 
respected  in  all  western  commercial  countries  =  The 
acts  of  the  officer  who  certifies  deeds,  &c.,  to  make 
them  authentic  in  another  country,  are  recognized 
and  respected  in  all  western  commercial  countries. 


VAKIOUS  OTHER  PHRASES   AND  WORDS.        567 

:Not  a  soul^iNo  one;  nobody,  (c) 

Not  a  soul  came  to  the  governor's  party,  till  after 
the  appointed  hourrr^N'o  one  came  to  the  governor's 
party,  till  the  appointed  hour  was  past. 
'Sot  at  all  =  Not  any ;  none ;  no ;  not  in  the  least,  {a) 
Was  the  driver  hurt,  when  the  carriage  was  over- 
turned? Not  at  a?Z  =  Was  the  driver  hurt,  when  the 
carriage  was  overturned?     Not  in  the  least.     The 
careless  traveler  returns  from  his  journey,  not  at  all 
the  wiser  rrTJie  careless  traveler  returns  from  his 
journey  no  wiser. 
Wot  aAvhit=rNot  in  the  least,  (a) 

The  train  was  not  a  whit  behind  time  =  The  train 
was  not  in  the  least  behind  time. 
Not  a  vrink  of  §leep  =  No  sleep  at  all. 

The  child  did  not  have  a  winlc  of  sleep  on  account 
of  tooth ache=:  The  child  did  not  have  any  sleep  on 
account  of  toothache. 
iNote  of  hand  =r  Promissory  note  ;  a  written  promise 
to  pay  to  some  one  named,  and  at  a  time  specified, 
a  certain  sum  of  money,  absolutely  and  at  all  events. 
The  farmer  sold  four  cows  to  the  butcher,  and  took 
his  7iote  of  hand=The  farmer  sold  four  cows  to  the 
butcher,  and  took  a  promissory  note. 
Not  for  the  ivorld  =  On  no  account ;  on  no  induce- 
ment, (a) 
Mr.  G.  the  grocer  is  an  honest  man ;  not  for  the 
luorld  would  he  cheat   his   customers = Mr.  G.  the 
grocer  is  an  honest  man ;  on  no  account  would  he 
cheat  his  customers. 
Not  having^  a  moment  one  can  call  one'§  own  = 
To  be  very  much  occupied ;  very  busy,  (c) 
There  is  so  much  sickness  now,  that  the  doctor 
has  not  a  moment  he  can  call  his  own  —  There  is  so 
much  sickness  now,  that  the  doctor  is  exceedingly 
busy. 
Nothing  loath  =  Without  reluctance ;  quite  willingly. 

(«) 

The  governor  invited  his  private  secretary  to  dine 
with  him,  and  he,  nothing  loath^  accepted  the  invita- 
tion =  The  governor  invited  his  private  secretary  to 
dine  witli  him,  and  he  quite  willingly  accepted  the 
invitation. 
Nothing  to  =  Not  equal  to;  unimportant  in  compar- 
ison with,  (a) 
The  display  of  fruits  at  the  state  fair  was  nothing 
to  that  which  was  made  last  year  =  The  display  of 
fruits  at  the  state  fair  was  not  equal  to  that  which 
was  made  last  year. 
Not  in  sights  Not  to  be  seen ;  invisible,  (a) 


568        VARIOUS  OTHER    PHRASES   AND  WORDS. 

The  river  is  not  in  sight  in  this  part  of  the  city= 
The  river  is  not  visible  in  this  part  of  the  city. 
afot  in  the  lea§t  =  Not  by  the  smallest  amount ;    not 
to  the  slightest  extent,  (a) 
The  tenant  was  not  in  the  Zeas^  disturbed,  by  the  no- 
tice that  he  must  vacate  the  house  next  week = The 
tenant  was  not  disturbed  to  the  slightest  extent,  by 
the  notice  that  he  must  vacate  the  house  next  week. 
Wot  to  be  ml§takeii  =  Can  not   be   misunderstood ; 
plain  ;  intelligible.  (  c) 
The  governor  has  delivered  his  message,  and  his 
position  on  the  currency  question  is  not  to  be  mistaken 
—  The  governor  has  delivered  his  message,  and  his 
position  on  the  currency  question  is  plain. 
I^jot  to  be  §poken  of  =  Not  to  be  told ;  to  be  kept 
secret,    (a) 
What  you  have  learned  about  the  difficulties  in 
Mr.  A's  family,  is  not  to  he  spoken  0/"=  What  you  have 
learned  about  the  difficulties  in  Mr.  A's  family,  is  to 
be  kept  secret. 
Not  to  breathe  a  syllable  about  =  To  keep  wholly 
concealed,  (c) 
The  young  man  who  has  just  finished  his  educa- 
tion, does  not  breathe  a  syllable  about  his  plans  for  the 
future  =  The  young  man  who  has  just  finished  his 
education,  keeps  his  plans  for  the  future  wholly  con- 
cealed. 
liot  worth  a  farthing^  =  Having  no  property,  (appli- 
ed to  persons.)  (c)    Wortliless,  (applied  to  things.)  (a) 
Mr.  K.  was  once  in  good  circumstances,  but  now 
he  is  not  worth  a  farthing  =  M^y.  K.  was  once  in  good 
circumstances,  but  now  he  has  no  property.     The 
clock  Mr.  A.  bought  of  the  peddler  is  not  worth  a 
farthing  =  The  clock  Mr.  A.  bought  of  the  peddler  is 
worthless. 
Ifiot  worth  powder  and  shot = Not  worth  the  out- 
lay necessary  to  secure  it.  (c) 
The  capture  of  the  man  who  ran  away  with  his 
neighbor's  wife,  is  not  worth  powder  and  shot=:The 
capture  of  the  man  who  ran   away  with  his  neigh- 
bor's wife,  is  not  of  sufficient  importance  to  warrant 
the  outlay  necessary  to  secure  it. 
Now — no w= Alternately;  at  one  time — at   another 
time. 
He  is  variable  and  uneven  in  his  temperament, 
now  ardent,  now   phlegmatic;  now  impulsive,  now 
cool  and  deliberate  =  He  is  variable  in  his  tempera- 
ment, at  one  time  ardent,  at  another  phlegmatic; 
alternately  impulsive  and  deliberate. 
Null  and  void,  to  be  =  To  have  no  legal  value,  (a) 


VARIOUS  OTHER    PHRASES  AND  WORDS.         569 

The  contract  was  null  and  void,  because  it  was  not 
signed = The  contract  was  not  legally  binding,  be- 
cause it  was  not  signed. 
Nursery  tale  =  A  fictitious  or  extravagant  or  simpie 
story,  such  as  amuses  children,  (a) 
Men  require  stronger  reading  than  nursery  tales  = 
Men  require  stronger  literature  than  the  simple  sto- 
ries which  nurses  tell  to  children. 


o. 

ObjectiTC  point  (Mil.)  A  point  to  which  the  opera- 
tions of  an  army  are  directed. 
Savannah  was  the  objective  point,  in  Gen.   Sher- 
man's march  to  the  sea  =  Savannah  was  the  point  to 
which  the  operations  of  Gen.  Sherman's  army  were 
directed,  in  the  march  to  the  sea. 
Obverse  of  the  medal,  the  =  The  face  of  the  medal, 
that  side  which  bears  the  principal  figure  or  im- 
pression. 
The  obverse  of  the  medal  w&s  exposed  to  view  =  The 
face   of  the  medal,   or   side   bearing   the  principal 
figure,  was  in  view. 
Odds  and  ends  =  Remnants ;  fragments ;  refuse,  (c) 
The  tailor  made  a  suit  for  the  newsboy,  out  of  the 
odds  and  ends  of  cloih=The  tailor  made  a  suit   for 
the  newsboy,  out  of  the  remnants  of  cloth. 
Of  all  sorts  and  kinds  =  In  great  variety ;  an  indis- 
criminate gathering,  (c) 
The  mass-meeting'  was  a  gathering  of  all  sorts  and 
kinds  of  people  =  The  mass-meeting  was  an  indis- 
criminate gatliering  of  all  classes. 
Of  all  things  =  Especially ;  more  than  all  things,  (a) 
The  getting  of  riches  by  fraud  is  of  all  things  to  be 
avoided  ==  The  getting  of  riches  by  fraud  to  be  avoid- 
ed more  than  all  things. 
Off  and  on  =  1.  At  one  time  applying  and  engaged, 
then   absent    or    remiss.      2.  {Naut.)   On   difierent 
tacks,  now  toward  and  now  away  from  the  land. 
1.  He  has  been  engaged  in  surveying,  off  and  on, 
for  two  years  =  He  has  been  engaged  in  surveying 
two  years,  at  one  time  applying  himself  to  it,  then 
absent  or  remiss.    2,  The  ship  stood  off  and  on,  some 
hours  =  The  ship  tacked  some  hours,  now  toward 
and  now  away  from  the  land. 
Official  circles  =  The  society  of  government  ofiicers. 

(«) 

It  is  said  in  official  circles,  that  the  President  is 


570        VARIOUS   OTHER    PHRASES    AND  WORDS. 

displeased  with  tlie  course  of  congress  ==  It  is  said  in 
tlie  society  of  government  officers,  that  the  Presi- 
dent is  displeased  with  the  course  of  congress. 
Off  side  =  The  right  side  as  the  driver  sits  on  his  seat. 
(a)  (U.  S.) 
A  horse  accustomed  to  be  driven  on  the  off  side  in 
a  team,  will  not  go  well  if  placed  on  the  other  side 
=  A  horse  accustomed  to  be  driven  on  the  right  side 
in  a  team,  will  not  go  well  if  placed  on  the  other 
side. 
Off  witli  you  =  Be  gone,  (c) 

The  dog  had  approached  the  chicken  coop,  when 
his  master  called  out,  "  Off  with  2/ow"  =  The  dog  had 
approached  the  chicken  coop,  when  his  master  called 
out,  "  Be  gone." 
Of  good  heart,  to  be  =  To  be  hopeful  and  courage 
ous.  {h) 
When  the  steamer  ran  upon  a  rock,  tne  captain 
bade  the  passengers  be  of  good  heart  saying  that  the 
vessel  was  built  with  compartments,  and  could  not 
sink  =  When  the  steamer  ran  uj)on  a  rock,  the  cap- 
tain bade  the  passengers  be  hopeful  and  courageous 
saying,  that  the  vessel  was  built  in  compartments 
and  could  not  sink. 
Of  kin  =  Allied ;  related  by  birth. 

Mr.  Pole  left  no  will,  and  as  he  never  married, 
the  next  of  kin  will  inherit  his  property = Mr.  Pole, 
an  unmarried  man,  left  no  will,  and  those  nearest 
related  by  birth  will  inherit  his  property. 
Of  long  duration  =  Continuing  long,  (a) 

Rheumatism   is  a  disease  of  long  duration  =  Th.e 
disease  of  rheumatism  continues  long. 
Of  no  avail  =  Useless  ;  unprofitable  ;  unsuccessful ; 
not  beneficial,  (a) 
Many  remedies  were  employed  by  the  physicians 
in  Mr.  P's  sickness,  but  all  were  of  no  a2;az7  =  Many 
remedies  were  employed  by  the  physicians  in  Mr. 
R's  sickness,  but  all  were  unsuccessful. 
Old    age  =  Advanced    years;  the   latter   period    of 
life. 
It  is  desirable  to  live  so  as  to  preserve  a  youthful 
spirit,  up  to  the  time  of  old  age  — It  is  desirable  to 
live  so  as  to  preserve  a  youthful  spirit,  up  to  the  lat- 
ter period  of  life. 
Old  catliolic§  =  The  name  assumed  in  1870  by  mem- 
bers of  the  Roman  Catholic  Church,  who  denied 
the  ecumenical  character  of  the  Vatican  Council, 
and  rejected  its  decrees,  especially  that  concerning 
the  infallibility  of  the  Pope,  as  contrary  to  the  an- 
cient catholic  faith. 


VARIOUS    OTHER  PHRASES  AND  WORDS.        571 

Old  schools  A  school  or  party  having  the  manners 
and  opinions  appropriate  to  a  former  time. 
His  fatlier,  who  died  aged  94,  was  a  gentleman  of 
the  old  school  =liis  father  was  a  gentleman  who  ad- 
hered, tenaciously,  to  the  manner  and  opinions  pre- 
valent in  his  younger  days. 
Old  style,  and  new  style,  are  methods  of  reckoning 
time,  in  western  nations.     The   old   Komans   used 
the  lunar  year,  with  various  unsatisfactory  methods 
of  intercalation.     Intercalation  is  a  means  of  mak- 
ing the  civil  year  correspond  with  the  year,  as  reck- 
oned by  revolutions  of  the  heavenly  bodies,  as  the 
sun,  and  moon.     The   lunar   year   consists  of  354 
days,  8h.  48m.  34s.,  and  the  solar  year  (astronom- 
ical) of  365d.   5h.  48m.  47s.     In  45  B.  C.  Julius 
Caesar  established  the  civil  year  of  365  days,  and 
in  order  to  make  this  conform  to  the  solar  year,  he 
made  every  fourth  to  consist  of  366  days.     This  is 
the  Julian  year.     This  intercalation  was  however 
an  addition  of  eleven  minutes  too  much  in  a  year, 
or  nearly  three  days  in  400  years. 
In  1582,  this  civil  year  of  Julius  Caesar,  and  the 
solar  year,  had  come  to  disagree  so  mucli,  that  Pope 
Gregory  XIII,  retrenched   the   excess   of  the   civil 
year,  by  dropping  ten  days  out  of  October,  between 
the  4th  and  the  15th,  in  order   to  bring  back  the 
vernal  equinox  to  the  same  day,  as  at  the  time  of  the 
council  of  Nice,  A.  D.  325.     Tliis  mode  of  reckoning 
is  called  new  style,  in   distinction   from   the  Julian, 
which  is  called  the  old  style.     The  new  style,  or  Gre- 
gorian year,  was  not  adopted  by  England  until  1752, 
when   a  retrenchment  of  eleven  days  was  required, 
to  correct  the  calendar.     This  was  done  by  dropping 
eleven  days  between  Sep.  2,  and  Sep.  14,  1752.     At 
the  same  time,  the  beginning  of  the  civil   year  in 
Great  Britain  was  changed  from  March  25  to  Janu- 
ary 1. 
Old  times  =  Former  years  or  periods,  (a) 

The  relics  of  the  old  times  are  constantly  lessening 
=  The  relics   of  the  former  years  grow  constantly 
less. 
Olive  braneli — The  olive  branch  is  the   symbol  of 
peace. 
•    This  use  of  "  olive  branch  "  is  founded  on  the  story 
of  the  dove    in  Genesis  viii,  11  =  The  use  of   the 
phrase  olive  branch  as  a  symbol  of  peace,  is  founded 
on  the  story  of  the  dove  in  Genesis  viii,  11. 
On  aeeount  =  To  be  credited  in  the  account  of,  in 
the  creditor's  books,  (a) 
Mr.  S.  paid  the  merchant  fifty  dollars  on  account = 


572         VARIOUS    OTHER   PHRASES   AND   WORDS. 

Mr.  S.  paid  the  merchant  fifty  dollars,  to  be  credited 
on  his  account. 
On    all   §lde8  =  1.  Wholly ;    thoroughly.     2.  Every- 
where, (a) 
1.  The  committee  on  building  a  new  school-house, 
looked   at   the   matter   on   all    sides ^    and    reported 
against  it = The  committee  on  building  a  new  school- 
house,  considered  the  matter  .thoroughly,  and  report- 
ed against  it.     2.  On  all  sides  you  will  hear  murmurs 
of    dissatisfaction  with  the  government  =  You  will 
hear  murmurs  of  dissatisfaction  with  the  government 
every-where. 
On  an  average  =  Taking  the  mean  of  unequal  quan- 
tities or  numbers,  (a) 
There  are  26  inches  of  annual  rain  fall  in  Pekin, 
on  an  average  =  Taking  the  mean  of  unequal  inclies 
of  rainfall  in  the  different  years,  there  is  an  annual 
rainfall  of  26  inches  in  Pekin. 
Once  and  again  =  At  repeated  times ;  repeatedly.(a) 
He  has  been  admonished,  once  and  again,  of  his 
fault  =  He  has  been   repeatedly  admonished  of  his 
fault. 
Once  more  —  Once  in  addition ;  one  time  more,  (a) 

The  merchant  hopes  to  go  to  New  York  once  more 
before  winter  =  The   merchant   hopes   to  visit  New 
York  one  time  more  before  winter. 
On  credit  =  Expecting  or  promising  to  pay  at  some 
future  time,  (a) 
The  merchant  bought  his  goods  on  six  months  cred- 
it =T\vq  merchant   bought  his  goods,  promising  to 
pay  for  them  six  months  after  the  purchase. 
On  deposit  =  In  trust  or  safe  keeping  as   a  deposit. 
I  have  placed  money  on  deposit  in  tlie  bank  =  I 
have  put  money  in  the  bank  for  safe  keeping. 
On  every  side  =  In  every  direction ;  every-where.  (a) 
In  the  last  battle,  which  was  very  bloody,  men 
fell  on  every  side  —  In  the  last  battle,  which  was  very 
bloody,  men  fell  every-where. 
One  and  all  =  All;  every  one.  (a) 

The  people  living  on  4th  street,  are  one  and  all  in 
favor  of  new  sidewalks  =  All  the  people  living  on 
4th  street,  are  in  favor  of  new  sidewalks. 
One  and  the  same  =  Not  different ;  identical,  {a) 
The  Lord,  who  made  heaven  and  earth,  is  one  and 
the  same  with  Him,  who  has  redeemed  us  by  his 
blood  =  The  Lord,  who  made  heaven  and  earth  is 
identical  with  Him,  who  has  redeemed  us  by  the 
sacrifice  of  himself.  The  tomato  and  the  love-apple 
are  one  and  the  sa77ze  =  The  tomato  and  the  love-apple 
are  identical. 


VARIOUS    OTHER   PHRASES  AND  WORDS.         673 

One  another — Used  to  denote  a  reciprocal,  or  mu- 
tual relation. 
The  orphan  children  helped  one  another,  and  all 
became  well  established  in  life  =  The  orphan  chil- 
dren  were  mutually  helpful,  and  all  became  well 
established  in  life.     The  children  in  a  family  should 
love   one   another  =  There    should    be    mutual   love 
among  the  children  of  a  family. 
One  by  one  =  One  at  a  time;  separately,  one  after 
another,  (a) 

Oiie  hy  one  the  stars  appeared  as  the  sun  went  down 
=  One  after  another  the  stars  appeared  as  th^  sun 
went  down.     The  army  suro^eon  examined  the  re- 
cruits  one  hy  one  to  see  if  they  were  fit  for  military 
service  =  The  army  surgeon  examined  the  recruits 
separately,  to  see  if  they  were  fit  for  military  service. 
One's    bonnden    duty  =  Something    obligatory    or 
binding  on  one.  (c) 
It  is  the  bounden  duty  of  children,  to  care  for  their 
parents  in  old  age=:It  is  obligatory  on  children,  to 
care  for  their  parents  in  old  age. 
One'§  business,  to  be  =  To  concern  one.  (a) 

The  railroad  company  has  decided  to  build  a  new 
freight  house,  but  that  is  their  business,  not  mine  = 
The  railroad  company  has  decided  to  build  a  new 
freight  house,  but  that  does  not  concern  me. 
One's  heart  failings  him  =  Losing  courage  or  confi- 
dence. (6) 
The  young  man  went  to  ask  the  governor's  daugh- 
ter to  marry  him,  but  in  her  presence  his  heart  failed 
//im  =  The  young  man  went  to  ask  the  governor's 
daughter  to  marry  him,  but  in  her  presence  he  lost 
the  courage  to  do  it. 
One's  self  :=  The  person  himself,  (a) 

A  mean  act  should  make  one   ashamed  of  one's 
self-  A  mean  act  should  make  a  person  ashamed  of 
himself. 
One  way  or  another  =  In    some    way;  by    some 
means,  (c) 
The  mother  said  her  son  must  be  educated  one  way 
or  another  —  The  mother  said  her  son  must  be  educa- 
ted by  some  means. 
One  year  \¥ith  another  =  Taking   into   account   a 
series  of  years,  (c) 
One  year  with  another  the  number  of  distinguished 
persons,  dying  in  a  twelve  month,  is  much  the  same 
=  In  a  series  of  years  the  number  of  distinguished 
persons,  dying  in  each,  is  nearly  the  same. 
On  flre  =  l.  In  a  state  of  burning.     2.  In  a  rage  or 
passion. 


574        VARIOUS    OTHER  PHRASES  AND  WORDS. 

1.  The  house  is  on  fire  =  The  house   is   burning. 
2.  The  highlanders  were  on  fire  with  zeal,  to  defend 
their  native  hills  =  The  highlanders  were  filled  with 
a  passionate  ardor  to  defend  their  native  hills.     The 
passions  of  the  mob  were  set  on  fire  by  inflammatory 
harangues  ==  The  mob  was  put  into  a  rage  by  inflam- 
matory harangues. 
On  her  beam  ends — Said  of  a  ship  when  she  lies  so 
much  inclined  to  one  side,  that  her  beams  are  al- 
most vertical. 
The  storm  threw  the  ship  on  her  beam  ends  =  The 
storjn  caused  the  ship  to  incline  exceedingly  to  one 
side. 
On   lii§  o-wn   showing  =  By  his   own   testirnony  or 
explanation,  (a) 
On  his  own  showing  the  witness  did  not  see  the 
crime  committed  =  By  his  own  testimony  the  witness 
did  not  see  the  crime  committed. 
On  no  accounts  For  no  reason  or  consideration,  (a) 
On  no  account  would  the  captain  of  the  vessel  allow 
the  passengers  to  remain  on  deck,  during  the  storm  = 
For  no  consideration  would  the  captain  of  the  vessel 
allow  the  passengers  to  remain  on  deck,  during  the 
storm. 
On  one  side  =: Unevenly  adjusted;  one  side  having 
more  than  the  other,  (a) 
The  load  of  hay  is  on  one  side  (or  is  one  sided)  = 
The  load  of  hay  is  on  one  side  more  than  the  other. 
The  argument  for  the  suppression  of  lotteries,  is  all 
on  one  side  =:  All  the  argument  justifies  the  suppres- 
sion of  lotteries. 
On  one's  way = Proceeding;  going;  tending  toward. 

(«)  . 

The  professor  sailed  last  Saturday,  and  is  on  his 
way  to  Europe  =  The  professor  sailed  last  Saturday, 
and  is  proceeding  to  Europe.  The  youth  is  spend- 
ing his  fortune  rapidly  and  extravagantly ;  and  is  on 
his  way  to  the  poor-house  =  The  youth  is  rapidly  and 
extravagantly  spending  his  fortune;  and  is  pursuing, 
a  course  which  will  result  in  his  coming  to  poverty. 
On  my  way  to  school  this  morning,  I  found  this  gold 
pencil  on  the  sidewalk  =  While  going  to  school  this 
morning,  I  found  this  gold  pencil  on  the  sidewalk. 
On  or  under  penalty  of:=On  pain  of;  with  expos- 
ure, in  case  of  transgression,  to  the  penalty  of. 
The  members  of  the  club  must  attend  every  meet- 
ing, under  the  penalty  of  one  dollar  for  every  absence 
= Members  of  the  club  are  exposed  to  a  penalty  of 
one  dollar,  for  every  violation  of  the  rule  requiring 
regular  attendance. 


VARIOUS   OTHER   PHRASES    AND    WORDS.         575 

On  sale,  or  for  sale  =  To  be  sold;  offered  to  pur- 

cliasers.  {a) 

The  family  is   in   straitened    circumstances,  and 

tlieir  jewelry  is  072  sale  at  the  jeweler's  =  The  family 

'  is  in  straitened  circumstances,  and  their  jewelry  is 

offered  to  purchasers  at  the  jeweler's. 
On  sure  ground  —  Certain ;  safe ;  sure ;  having  good 
reason  to  act.  (c ) 
The  policeman  wished  to  be  on  sure  ground^  before 
arresting  the  man  =  The  policeman  wished  to  have 
good  reason  for  acting,  before  arresting  the  man. 
On    that    account  =  On    account  of  that;    for   that 
reason,  {a) 
It  rained  hard  last  evening,  and  on  that  account  the 
store  was  shut  =  It  rained  hard  last  evening,  and  for 
that  reason  the  store  was  shut. 
On  the  brink  of  =  Just  ready  to  fall  into ;  very  near 
to.  (a) 
The  merchant  is  on  the  brink  of  financial  ruin  = 
The  merchant  is  just  ready  to  fall  into  financial  ruin. 
On  the  European  plan  =  Having  rooms  to  let  and 
leaving  it  optional  w^ith  guests,  whether  they  w^ill 
take  their  meals  in  the  house. 
In  the  cities  of  the  United  States  there  have  been, 
for  many  years,  some  hotels  kept  on  the  European 
^?a7i  =  There  have  been  in  the  cities  of  the  United 
States,  for  many  years,  some  hotels  where  rooms  are 
let  without  board. 
On  (the)  motion  of  =  It  being  proposed  by — in  a  de- 
liberative assembly,  (a) 
On  motion  of  Senator  B.  the  pension  bill  was  taken 
up  for  discussion  =  It  being  proposed  in  the  senate, 
by  Senator  B.,  that  the  pension  bill  be  discussed,  this 
was  done. 
On  the  point  of  =  Very  near  to.  {a) 

The  merchant  was  on  the  point  of  embarking  for 
Europe,  when  he  was  called  in  another  direction  = 
The  time  of  the  merchant's  starting  for  Europe  was 
very  near,  when  he  was  called  to  go  in  another  di- 
rection. 
On  the  right  =  On  the  side  with  the  right  hand. 
Fall  in  on  the  right  {Mil.)  —  Fall  into  the  ranks  on 
the  right-hand  side.  The  President  of  the  college 
sat  at  the  head  of  the  table,  at  the  alumni  dinner, 
and  the  President  of  the  United  States  occupied  the 
post  of  honor  on  his  right=The  President  of  the 
college  sat  at  the  head  of  the  table,  at  the  alumni 
dinner,  and  the  President  of  the  United  States  sat 
on  the  side  of  his  right-hand. 


576        VARIOUS  OTHER    PHRASES  AND  WORDS. 

On  the  score  of  =  Because  of;  for  the  sake  of.  (a) 
The  bride  received  many  presents,  on  the  score  of 
friendship  =  The  bride  received  many  presents,  be- 
cause of  friendship. 
On  the  stocks  =  Being  built  or  constructed,  (a)    (See 
stock  in  Dictionary). 
The  ship  ordered  by  the  Chinese  government  is  on 
the  stocks,  at  Portsmouth  =  The  ship  which  has  been 
ordered  by  the  Chinese  government,  is  in  process  of 
construction  at  Portsmouth. 
On  the  supposition  =  Imagining  or  supposing  a  cer- 
tain thing  to  be ;  on  the  hypothesis,  (a) 
The  town  borrowed  money  to  build  the  school- 
house,  on  the  supposition  that  population  and  property 
would  increase  =  The  town  borrowed  money  to  build 
the    school-house,    supposing   that   population  and 
property  would  increase. 
On  the  verge  of  =  Approaching  the  edge   or   limit ; 
near  to ;  bordering  on.  (b) 
lie  is  on  the  verge  (/bankruptcy  — He  is  near  bank- 
I'uptcy  (almost  bankrupt). 
On  the  way,  on  the  road  =  Proceeding,  traveling, 
journeying,  or  making  progress. 

When  we  were  some  miles  on  our  luay,  a  messen- 
ger overtook  us,  with  orders  for  us  to  return  —  When 
we  had  traveled  some  miles,  a  messenger  overtook 
us,  with  orders  to  return.  Mr.  A.  drummer  for  Ma- 
cy  &  Co.,  wholesale  dry  goods  merchants  is  on  the 
road  a  great  deal = Mr.  A.  drummer  for  Macy  &  Co., 
wholesale  dry  goods  merchants,  travels  over  the  road 
a  great  deal. 
Open  sky  =  Sky  w^ith  no  intervening  shelter. 

The  soldier  often  sleeps  under  the  open  shy  — The 
soldier  often  sleeps  out  without  any  shelter,  or  any 
thing  between  him  and  the  sky. 
Open  to  =  Liable  to;  exposed  to.  (a) 

Your  conduct  is  opeyi  to  many  objections  =  Many 

objections  may  be  urged  against  your  conduct.     You 

will  lay  yourself  open  to  much  criticism,  if  you  do 

not  comply  with  the  harmless  customs  of  the  place 

=:You  will  expose  yourself  to  much  criticism,  if  you 

do  not  comply  with   the   harmless  customs   of  the 

place. 

Opium  farm  =  The  license  or  monopoly  for  the  sale 

of  prepared  opium,  granted  by  government  to  the 

highest  bidder,  in  certain  Eastern  colonies  as  Hong 

Kong,  Singapore,  and   Penang,  English  colonies; 

Saigon  a  French,  and  Java  a  Dutch  colony,  (a) 

In  1858  the  revenue  from  the  opium  farm  in  Hong 

Kong  was  $33,960;  in  1876,  $125,500;  this  year  it 


VARIOUS   OTHER    PHRASES    AND   WORDS.         577 

is  much  more  =  In  1858  the  English  government  re- 
ceived $33,960  from  the  license  for  the  sale  of  pre- 
pared   opium  in  Hong  Kong;    in  1876,  $125,500; 
this  year  it  receives  much  more. 
Order  arm§  (M7.)  =  The  command  at  which  a  mus- 
ket is  brought  from  "shoulder"  to  a  position  with 
its  butt  resting  on  the  ground. 
"  Order  arms^^  is  one  of  the  commands  given  by 
the  drill-sergeant  in  the  drill,  and  by  the  colonel  at 
dress-parade  =  Bringing  the  gun  from  "shoulder"  to 
a  position  with  its  butt  resting  on  the  ground,  is  one 
of  the  motions  of  the  drill,  and  at  dress-parade. 
Orderly  book  {Mil.)  — A  book  for  every  company, 
in  wliicli  the  sergeants  write  general  and  regimen- 
tal orders. 
In  galloping  over  the  field,  the  cavalry-sergeant 
lost  his  orderly  book  —  In  galloping  over  the  field,  the 
sergeant  lost  the  book  which  contained  the  general 
and  regimental  orders. 
Orderly  officer  {Mil.)  =  The  oflBcer  of  the  day ;  one 
who  has  charge  of  aft'airs  for  the  day. 
The    orderly    officer    was    disposed     to    be    very 
strict  =  The   ofiicer   who   had  charge  of  aflfairs  for 
the  day  was  inclined  to  administer  them  with  strict- 
ness. 
Orderly  room  {Mil.)  =  A  room  in  barracks,  used  as 
the  public  ofiice  of  a  regiment. 
The  orderly  room  v^^as  large  and  well  lighted  =  The 
room  in  the  barracks  which  was  used  as  a  public 
office,  was  large  and  well  lighted. 
Orderly,  or  orderly-sergeant  {Mil.)  —  K  non-com- 
missioned officer  appointed  to  wait  upon  the  general 
and  other  officers,  in  carrying  messages,  and  the 
like. 
The  orderly  was  shot  in  the  arm,  while  carrying 
orders  from  the  general  to  the  colonels  The  officer 
appointed  to  wait  upon  the  general,  was  shot  in  the 
arm,  while  conveying  a  message  from  the  general  to 
the  colonel. 
Order  of  the  day  (Legislative  bodies)  =  A  succession 
of  business  appointed  for  a  specified  day.  {a) 
Immediately  after  the  opening  of  the  session,  the 
senate  took  up  the  order  of  Hie  day  =  A&  soon  as  the 
session  commenced,  the  senate  proceeded  to  transact 
the  succession  of  business  which  had  been  previously 
appointed  for  that  day. 
Order§  in  council  =  1.  Orders  issued  by  the  king 
in  council  for  the  temporary  regulation  of  matters  . 
which  concern  trade  and  international  intercourse. 
.  38 


678         VARIOUS   OTHER   PHRASES    AND   WORDS. 

2.  An  official  annonncement  or  new  regulation  by 
the  Privy  Council  of  the  Board  of  trade. 
1.  Some  new  orders  in  council  are  published  in  the 
morning  papers  =  Some  new  regulations  concerning 
trade,  which  issue  from  the  king  in  council,  are  pub- 
lished in  the  morning  papers. 
Organic   bodies  =  Such   as   possess   organs,  on   the 
action  of  which  depend  their  growth  and  perfec- 
tion. 
Animals   and  plants  are  organic  5oc?^es=I  Animals 
and  plants  are  such  bodies  as  possess  organs,  on  the 
action  of  which  depend  their  growth  and  perfection. 
Org^anic  law  or  laivs  =  A  law  or  system  of  laws,  or 
declaration  of  principles  fundamental  to  the  exis- 
tence and  organization  of  any  association  political 
or  otherwise. 
The  Constitution  of  1Y87  is  the  organic  law  of  the 
United  States  =  The  Constitution  adopted  in  1787  is 
the  declaration  of  principles  fundamental  to  the  ex- 
istence and  organization  of  the  United  States. 
Ornamental  shrubbery  =  Shrubs  cultivated  for  or- 
nament. 
Much  pains  are  taken  to  beautify  grounds  about 
houses,  by  the  cultivation  of  ornamental  shrubbery  = 
Much  pains  are  taken  to  beautify  grounds  about 
houses,  with  shrubs  cultivated  for  ornament. 
Other  than  =  Different  from ;  besides. 

Can  you  not  trim  my  dress  in  some  other  way  than 
this  ?  =:  Can  you  not  trim  my  dress  in  some  different 
way  from  this? 
Out  of  hearing  =  Too  far  off  to  hear,  {a) 

I  called  to  him  to  come  back,  but  he  was  out  of 
hearing  —  I  called  to  him  to  come  back,  but  he  had 
gone  so  far  I  could  not  make  him  hear. 
Out  of  season  =  Not  in  the  proper  time  or  season  ; 
at  an  improper  time,  (a) 
Mirth  is  out  of  season  in  the  time  of  mourning  = 
The  time   of  mourning  is  an  improper   time   for 
mirth.     You  can  not  get  Florida  oranges  now ;  it  is 
out  of  season  for  them = You  can  not  get  Florida 
oranges  now;  it  is  not  the  proper  season  for  them. 
Out  of  sight =lN'ot  in  sight;  not  seen,  {a) 

"  Out  of  sight,  out  of  mind  "  =  What  is  not  seen  is 
apt  to  be  forgotten.     We  watched  the  balloon,  till 
it  was  out  of  sight  =  We  watched  the  balloon,  till  it 
was  no  longer  in  sight. 
Out  of  the  perpendicular  =  Inclined  from  a  per- 
pendicular position,  (c) 
The  corner  post  of  the  house  is  out  of  perpendicu- 


VARIOUS  OTHER  PHRASES    AND  WORDS.         579 

lar =The  corner  post  of  the  house  is  inclined  from  a 
perpendicular  position. 
Out-patient  {Med.)  =  A  person  who  receives  medical 
aid  from  a  hospital,  but  does  not  lodge  within  its 
walls. 
Mr.  A.,  under  treatment  at  the  hospital  for  a  lame 
arm,  is  an  out-patient =Mx.  A.  is  receiving  medical 
treatment  at  the  hospital,  for  a  lame  arm ;  but  he 
does  not  lodge  at  the  hospital. 
Outitanding     account§,    (of    any     one.)  =  Unpaid 
debts,  due  him. 
It  is  supposed  that  the  outstanding^  accounts  of  the 
company  which  has  just  suspended,  will  more  than 
pay  their  debts = It  is   supposed   that   the   unpaid 
debts  of  the  company    which   has  just  suspended, 
will  more  than  pay  what  they  owe. 
Over  against  =  Opposite ;  in  front,  (a) 

My  house  is  over  against  the  Orphan  Asylum = My 
house  is  opposite  the  Orphan  Asylum.     Over  against 
the  church  stands  a  hospital  =  Opposite  the  church 
stands  a  hospital. 
Over  and  over  =  Repeatedly ;  once  and  again,  (a) 

He  said  the  verses  to  himself,  over  and  over^  to 
learn  them  by  heart  =  He  said  the  verses  to  himself 
repeatedly,  in  order  to  learn  them  by  heart. 
Over  the  way  =  On  the  opposite  side  of  the  street. 
(a) 
The  telegraph  operator  lives  over  the  way  =  The 
telegraph  operator  fives  on  the  opposite  side  of  the 
street.  . 


Pale  as  a  corpse  =  Pale  in  the  extreme ;  very  pallid. 
His  sickness  has  made  him  look  pale  as  a  corpses 
His  sickness  has  made  him  pale  in  the  extreme. 
Pampas  =  Yast  plains,   without   vegetation,   except 
during  the  three  months  of  the  rainy  season,  when 
they  yield  fine  grass. 
Pampas  are  found  in  the  southern  part  of  Buenos 
Ayres,  in  South  America  =  Yast  plains  without  vege- 
tation, &.,  called  pampas  are  found  in  the  southern 
part  of  B.uenos  Ayres,  in  South  America. 
Paper  money  =  Notes  or  bills  issued  by  authority, 
and  promising  the  payment  of  money,  circulated  as 
the  representative  of  coin. 

.One  of  the  framers  of  the  Constkution  of  the 
United  States,  said  that  it  was  a  favorable  moment 


580        VARIOUS    OTHER   PHRASES  AND   WORDS. 

to  slmt,  and  bar,  the  door  against  paper  money  =  One 
of  the   framers   of  the   United    States  Constitution 
said,  that  it  was  a  favorable  moment  to  shut,  and 
bar,  the  door  against  notes  or  bills  issued  by  author- 
ity, and  promising  payment  of  money,  circulated  as 
the  representative  of  coin. 
1.  Pardon   me.     2.  I  beg   pardons  Forgive   me; 
excuse  me; — 1.  A  phrase  used  when  one  asks  for 
excuse  or  makes  an  apology.     2.  Often  used  when 
a  person  means  civilly  to  deny,  or  contradict,  what 
another  affirms ;  also  when  one  does  not  hear  a  re-" 
mark,  and  wishes  to  have  it  repeated. 
1.  Pardon  me  for  interrupting  you,  but  did  you 
....?  =  Excuse  me  for  interrupting  you,  but  did 
you  .  .  .  .  ?     ^.  Iheg  your  pardon^  what  you  say  is 
not  exactly  correct  =  Excuse  me,  what  you  say  is  not 
exactly  correct. 
Parliamentary  trains  A  train,  which,  by  enact- 
ment of  Parliament,  is  obliged  to  be  run  by  rail- 
way companies  for  the  conveyance  of  third  class 
passengers,  at  a  reduced  rate.     (Eng.) 
Part  and  parcels  An  essential  portion,  a  part,  {c) 
"  She  herself  was  part  and  parcel  of  the  race  and 
place  "  =  She  herself  was  an   essential   part  of  the 
race  and  place. 
Particular  average  =:  The  damage  or  partial  loss 
happening  to  the  ship,  or  cargo,  or  freight,  in  conse- 
quence of  some  fortuitous  or  unavoidable  accident. 
Particular   average   is    borne    by    the    individual 
owners  of  the  article  damaged,  or  by  their  insurers 
=  The  damage  or  partial  loss,  happening  to  ship  or 
cargo  or  freight,  through  some  unavoidable  accident,- 
is  borne  by  the  individual   owners   of  the   article 
damaged  or  by  their  insurers. 
Part  of  §peeeli  {Oram.)  — A.  class  of  words  of  a 
particular   character.     The   noun   is   one  part  of 
speech ;  the  verb  is  another. 
There  are  nine  parts  of  speech  in  English  gram- 
mar =  There  are  nine  classes  of  words  of  a  particular 
character  in  English  grammar. 
Party  spirit  =  Devotion  to  party;  interest  in  and  en- 
thusiasm for  one's  party,  (a) 
Excessive   and   unreasonable  party  spirit  is   pro- 
ductive of  much  harm  =  Excessive  and  unreasonable 
devotion  to  party  produces  much  harm. 
Pa§8  away,  to  =  To  go  by ;  to  be  spent,  (a) 

The  seasons  pass  away  rapidly  =  The  seasons  go 
by  rapidly. 
Pa§§  from  ntoutb  to  mouth,  to  =  To  spread ;  to 
gain  currency,  (c) 


VARIOUS    OTHER   PHRASES   AND   WORDS.         681 

The  report  of  the  merchant's  failure  passed  from 
mouth  to  mouth  =  The  report  of  the  merchant's  failure 
spread,  by  one  person  telling  another. 
Passed     midshipman  =  A    midshipman    who    has 
passed  examination,   and  is  a  candidate  for  pro- 
motion to  the  rank  of  lieutenant,  (a) 
Mr.  A's  son  is  passed  7mdshipman  =  M.r,  A's  son 
has  passed  his  examination  as  midshipman,  and  is  a 
candidate  for  promotion  to  a  lieutenancy. 
Passing  notice  =  Slight  attention ;  mere  attention,  (a) 
Tlie  editor  said  that  the  ceremonies  at  the  unveil- 
ing of  the  statue,   called  for  more  than  a  passing 
notice  =  The  editor  said  that  the  ceremonies  at  the 
unveiling  of  the  statue  demanded  more  than  mere 
mention.  • 
Pass  in  review,  to  =  To  be  reviewed,  or  brought  to 
mind. 
The  life  of  the  prisoner  passed  in  review  before 
him,  as  he  was  confined  in  the  prison  =  The  life  of 
the  prisoner  was  reviewed  by  him,  as  he  was  con- 
fined in  the  prison. 
Passive  commerce  =  Commerce  in  which  the  pro- 
ductions  of    a   country  are   carried  by  foreigners 
in  their  own  ships,  (c) 
Passive  commerce  builds  up  the  shipping  interests 
of  other  countries,  instead  of  our  own  =  Carrying  on 
commerce  by  means*  of  foreign  ships,  builds  up  the 
shipping  interests  of  other  nations  tlian  our  own. 
Passive  voice  =  That  form  of  the  verb  by  which  its 
subject  is  represented  as  the  object,  or  person  af- 
fected by  the  action. 
In  the  sentence  William  was  struck  by  John,  the 
verb  "  was  struck  "  is  in  the  passive  voice=ln  the  sen- 
tence William  was  struck  by  John,  "  was  struck  "  is 
that  form  of  the  verb  which  represents  its  subject 
as  the  person  who  receives  the  blow. 
Pass    orders   (M7.)= Written  directions  to  guards, 
sentinels,  &c.,  to  allow  the  bearer  to  pass  through 
a  camp. 
I  applied  to  the  commanding  general,  and  he  gave 
me  pass  orders  —  I  applied  to  the  commanding  gen- 
eral, and  he  gave  me  a  paper  containing  written 
directions  to  the  sentinels  to  allow  me  to  pass. 
Patron  saint  {Rom.   Cath.   Church)  =  One  canonized 
by  the  Rom.  Cath.  Church  and  regarded  as  the  pe- 
culiar protector  of  a  country,  community,  or  indi- 
vidual. 
Saint  Patrick  is  held  (by  Rom.  Catholics)  to  be  the 
jmtron  saint  of    Ireland  =  St.  Patrick   is   regarded 
as  the  peculiar  protector  of  Ireland. 


582         VARIOUS  OTHER    PHRASES  AND  WORDS. 

Pay  dear,  to  =  To  pay  a  large  price ;  to  obtain  at 
great  cost,  (a) 
Mr.  F.  paid  dear  for  his  education,  for  he  ruined 
his  health  by  study  =  Mr.  F.  obtained  his  education 
at  great  cost,  since  he  ruined  his  health  by  study. 
Pay  homage,   to  — To  show  reverence;    to  render 
respect,  especially  by  external  action,  (c) 
All  who  come  into  the  presence  of  the  pope,  must 
pay  homage  to  him  =  All  who  come  into  the  presence 
of  the  pope,  must  show  him  reverence. 
Pay  in  advance,  to  =  To  pay  before  an  equivalent 
is  received,  (a) 
The  principal  of  the  seminary  requires  his  pupils 
to  pay  in  advance =The  principal  of  the  seminary 
requires  his  pupils  to  pay  before  the  instruction  is 
given. 
Pay  the  forfeit,  or  the  penalty,  to  =  To  suffer  the 
punishment,  (a) 
The  murderer  paid  the  penalty  of  his  crime  on  the 
gallows  =  The  murderer  suffered  the  punishment  of 
his  crime  by  hanging. 
Per  annum  =  By  the  year ;  annually. 

The  agent  of  the  life  insurance  company  receives 
one  thousand  dollars  per  annum  =  The  salary  of  the 
agent  of  the  life  insurance  company  is  one  thousand 
dollars  by  the  year. 
Per  centum,  or  per  cent.=:By  the  hundred. 

Interest  on  government  bonds  is  four  and  a  half 
per  cent.  =  Government  bonds  yield  four  and  a  half 
cents  on  a  hundred  cents. 
Pervading^  §pirit  =  The  spirit  or  feeling  which  char- 
acterizes all  one's  conduct,  {b) 

The  pervading  spirit  of  Howard  was  philanthropy 
=  The  spirit  which  characterized  Howard's  conduct 
was  philanthropy. 
Personal  action  ((7om.  Xaii;)  =  An  action  brought  for 
the  recovery  of  personal  property,  for  the  enforce- 
ment of  some  contract  or  to  recover  damages  for  its 
breach,  or  for  the  recovery  of  damages  for  the  com- 
mission of  an  injury  to  the  person  or  property. 
[Bouvier.] 
Personal  actions  arise  either  upon  contracts,  or  for 
wrongs  and  injuries  =  Actions  for  the  recovery  of 
personal  property,  for  the  enforcement  of  some  con- 
tract, or  for  the  recovery  of  damages  for  breach  of 
contract  or  commission  of  an  injury,  arise  either 
upon  contracts  or  for  wrongs  and  injuries. 
Philosopher's   stone  =  A   substance   which   it  was 
formerly  supposed  could  change  the  baser  metals 
to    gold;    any   thing   which  produces   great   and 


VARIOUS  OTHER  PHRASES   AND  WORDS.        583 

good  results  from  things  which  are  evil  or  unfor- 
tunate. 

Contentment  is  the  true  philosopher^ s  stone  in  life 
=  Contentment  changes  the  ills  and  sorrows  of  life 
to  blessings. 
Physical  education  =  Training  of  the  bodily  organs 
and  powers  with  a  view  to  the  promotion  of  health 
and  vigor. 
In  the  American  schools,  physical  education  is  re- 
ceiving more  attention  than  formerly  =  The  training 
of  the  bodily  organs  and  powers  so  as  to  keep  them 
healthy,  and  make  tliem  vigorous,  is  more  regarded 
than  formerly  in   American  schools.     The  physical 
education  of  children  is  of  the  first  importance  —  The 
training  of  the  bodily    organs,   &c.  of  children,   is 
very    necessary   to    the    promotion   of  health   and 
vigor. 
Piece    of   information  =  ^N'ews ;    tidings;    intelli- 
gence, (c) 
The  morning  paper  contained  quite  an  interesting 
piece  of  information^  concerning  the  removal  of  the 
Indians  =  The  morning  paper  contained  quite  inter- 
esting news,  concerning  the  removal  of  the  Indians. 
Pig^eon  English  =  The  barbarous  and  childish  dialect 
of  English,  in  use  in  Chinese  ports,  between  the 
English    and    American    merchants,    and    native 
traders. 

The  vocabulary  of  Pigeon  English  is  very  limited 
=  The   dialect   of  English    used    by   English   and 
American    residents   of  China  in  their  intercourse 
with  native  traders,  is  very  limited  in  its  vocabulary. 
Pillar  box  (Eng.)  =  A  box  attached  to  a  pillar  in  the 
streets,  for  the  mailing  of  letters. 
In  London,  pillar  boxes  are  found  at  convenient 
distances  =  In  London,  letter-boxes  attached  to  pil- 
lars in  the  street,  for  convenience  in  mailing  letters, 
are  found  at  suitable  distances. 
Pinched  i^^ith  hunger  =  Distressed  on  account  of 
hunger,  (h) 
The  hunting  party  who  were  lost  in  the  woods, 
were  pinched  ivith  hunger  —  The  hunting  party  who 
were  lost  in  the  woods,  suffered  pain  on  account  of 
hunger. 
Pitched  battle  =  A  battle  in  which  the  hostile  forces 
have  firm  or  fixed  positions,  as  distinguished  from 
a  skirmish  or  light  combat. 
The   battle  of  Gettysburg   (U.    S.    1863)   was   a 
pitched  battle  =  The  battle  of  Gettysburg  was  one  in 
which  the  hostile  forces  had,  or  occupied  fixed  posi- 
tions, instead  of  moving  about  in  slight  combat. 


584        VARIOUS  OTHER    PHRASES  AND    WORDS. 

Pitted  against  =  Antagonistic    to  ;    in    competition 
with,  (c) 
In  many  important  suits  at  law  Webster  was  pitted 
against  Choate=rIn   many   important   suits    at   law 
Webster  and  Choate  were  the  opposing  counsel. 
Place  to  one's  credit,  to  =  To  give  credit  for.  (a) 
The  banker  placed  to  the  credit  of  the  meixhant  the 
interest  paid  on  his  note  =  The  banker  gave  the  mer- 
chant credit  for  the  interest  paid  on  his  note. 
Play  of  colors  =  The  appearance  of  several  prismat- 
ic colors  in  rapid  succession,  on  turning  an  object. 
The  play  of  colors  in  the  kaleidoscope  is  remark- 
ably   beautiful  =  An    endless    variety   of  beautiful 
prismatic  colors  can  be  seen  in  rapid  succession,  on 
turning  a  kaleidoscope. 
Play  one's  cards  ^well,  to  =  To  act  judiciously  and 
skillfully,  (c) 
Mr.  C,  the  politician  who  wishes  to  be  nominated 
for  congress,  j9?a?/5  his  cards  well—Mx.  C,  the  politi- 
cian who  Welshes  to  be  nominated  for  congress,  is  act- 
ing judiciously  and  skillfully  to  that  end. 
Plea  of  abatement  {Law)  =  A.  plea  that  the  suit  of 
the  plaintiff  may  cease  for  the  time  being.     [Bur- 
rill  in  Worcester.] 
Pleas  of  justification  (Za?/;)  =  Pleas  which  assert 
that  the  defendant  has  purposely  done  the  act  of 
which  the  plaintiff  complains,  and  in  the  exercise 
of  his  legal  rights.     [Bouvier.] 
Plea  in  bar  {Law)  =  T\\Q  defendant's  denial  that  the 

plaintiff  has  any  cause  of  action.     [Bouvier.] 
Pleas  in  dischargee  (Zaw;)  =  Answers  of  the  defend- 
ant  admitting   the  demand  of  the  plaintiff,  and 
showing  that  it  has  been  discharged  by  some  mat- 
ter of  fact.     [Bouvier.] 
Plea  to  tbe  action  {Law)  —  An  answer  to  the  merits 
of  a  cause  or  suit. 
The  defendant  put  in  a  plea  to  theaction=The  de- 
fendant ofiered,  in  defense,  a  reply  or  counter  state- 
ment as  to  the  merits  of  the  suit. 
Plummet   line  =  A  sounding   line ;  a  line  to  make 
soundings  with. 
Every  ship  is  supplied  with  a.  plum^net-line  =  Ever j 
ship  is   supplied  with   a   line   to   make   soundings 
with. 
Plunge-bath  =  A  bath  in  water,  deep   enough   for 
diving  and  swimming. 
I  took  a  plunge-bath  from  a  spring-board,  at  the 
river,  this  morning  =  I  took  a  diving  and  swimming 
bath,  in  the  river  this  morning. 
Plunging     fire    {Mil.)  =  A    discharge    of  fire-arms, 


VARIOUS   OTHER   PHRASES    AND  WORDS.        585 

poured  down  upon  an  enemy  from  some  eminence 
above. 
We  gave  the  banditti  2i  plunging  fire  as  they  passed 
beneath  us  =  We  gave  the  robbers  a  discharge  of  fire- 
arms from  the  rocks  overhead,  as  they  passed  through 
a  defile  in  the  mountains. 
Plurality  of  vote§=:The  excess  of  votes  cast  for  one 
individual  over  those  cast  for  any  one  of  several 
competing  candidates. 

Members  of  congress  are  elected  by  plurality  vote 
=  Members  of  congress  are  elected  by  the  excess  of 
votes  cast  for  one  individual,  over  those  cast  for  any 
other  one  candidate. 
Poet  laureate  =  An  officer  of  the  Queen's  household 
whose  business  is  to  compose  an  ode,  annually,  for 
the  Queen's  birthday  or  other  suitable  occasions. 
Tennyson  is   the  poet  laureate  in  England  =  Ten- 
nyson is  the  officer  of  the  Queen's  household,  whose 
business  it  is  to  compose  an  ode  on  special  occa- 
sions, as  birthdays,  &c. 
Point  a  moral,  to  =  To  use  for  the  purpose  of  moral 
instruction,  (c) 
The  temperance  lecturer  pointed  a  moral^  with  the 
case  of  the  man  who  was  frozen  to  death,  while  in- 
toxicated =  The  temperance  lecturer  used  the  case  of 
the  man,  who  was  frozen  to  death  while  intoxicated, 
to  give  force  to  his  instruction  on  the  subject  of 
temperance. 
Point,  or  matter  in   dispute  =  The  point  or  matter 
which  is  disputed  or  contested. 
The  matter  in  dispute  is  the  title  to  a  small  tract  of 
woodland  =  That  wliich  is  disputed  is  the  title  to  a 
small  tract  of  woodland. 
Point  of  honor  =  A   matter   which  concerns   one's 
self  respect,  or  the  esteem  of  others,  (p) 
Mr.  E.  makes  it  a  point  of  honor  to  keep  his  ap- 
pointments =  Mr.  E.  endeavors  to  keep  his  appoint- 
ments as  a  matter  of  self-respect. 
Point  out,  to  =  To  show ;  to  indicate  clearly,  (a) 
As  we  rode  through  the  state,  my  friend  pointed 
out  the  places  of  interest,  such  as  battle  fields,  old 
towns,  &c  =  As  we  rode  through  the  state,  my  friend 
showed  the  places  of  interest,  such  as  battle  fields, 
old  towns,  and  the  like. 
Point  to  be  §olveci  =  The.  thing  to  be  explained ;  or 
decided,  (c) 
The  point  to  he  solved  is,  whether  the  earliest  races 
of  I^orth  America  came  from  Asia = The  thing  to 
be  decided  is,   whether  the  earliest  races  of  IN^orth 
America  came  from  Asia. 


586        VARIOUS    OTHER  PHRASES  AND  WORDS. 

Police  force  =  The  police. 

Th.Q  police  force  is  not  a  military,  but  a  civil  organ- 
ization for  the  preservation  of  order  in  cities  =  The 
police  is  not  a  military,  but  a  civil  organization  for 
the  preservation  of  order  in  cities.     The  police  force 
of  Hartford,  Connecticut,    consisting  of  forty  nine 
men,  cost,   in  18Y8,  $54,700  =  The  police  of  Hart- 
ford, Connecticut,  consisting  of  forty-nine  men,  cost 
in  1878,  $54,700. 
Political    economy  =  That    branch    of  philosophy 
which  discusses  the  sources  and  methods  of  mate- 
rial wealth  and  prosperity  in  a  nation. 
Political  economy  is  studied  in  the  higher  schools 
and  colleges,  (U.  S.)  =  That  study  which  treats  of  the 
sources,    cfec.    of  material  wealth,  is  taught  in  the 
higher  schools  and  colleges. 
Political   world  =  That  portion  of  society  directly 
concerned  with,  or  interested  in,  political   affairs. 
^\\Q  political  world  is  quite  agitated,  with  rumors 
of  the  abdication  of  the  king  =  That  portion  of  soci- 
ety  directly  interested  in  political  affairs,  is   quite 
agitated,    with    rumors  of   the   abdication    of  the 
king. 
Pontoon  bridge  ==  A  bridge  made  of  pontoons,  or 
light  frame  work,  easily  transported,  and  used 'in 
forming  a  bridge  quickly  for  the  passage  of  troops. 
Pontoon  bridges  are  used  in  military  campaigns  = 
Bridges  made  of  pontoons  are  used  in  military  cam- 
paigns. 
Popular  beliefs: A  belief  which  is  common,  which 
prevails  among  the  people. 
In  Ireland  it  is  a  popular  belief  that  St.  Patrick 
banished  snakes  from  the  country=In  Ireland  the 
belief  is  common,  that  St.  Patrick  banished  all  the 
snakes  from  the  country. 
Port  of  entry  —  A  harbor  where  a  custom-house  is 
established,  for  the  legal  entry  of  merchandise. 
New  York  is  the  chief  port  of  entry  in  the  United 
States  =  The   custom-house  in  New  York   receives 
more  imports  than  any  other  custom-house  in  the 
United  States. 
Posse§sory  action  or  suit  {Law)  =  An  action  or  suit 
brought  to  maintain  or  recover  possession. 

Possessory  action  has  been  laid  aside,  except  in 
Louisiana,  and  in  Scotch  law  ==  This  kind  of  action 
to  recover  or  maintain  possession  of  land,  tenements, 
and  hereditaments,  has  been  laid  aside,  except  in 
Louisiana  and  in  Scotch  law. 
Postal  district = A  limited  region  or  subdivision  of 


VAKIOUS  OTHER  PHRASES    AND  WORDS.        587 

territory,  with  reference  to  convenience  in  mailing 
and  distributing  letters,  &c. 
London  and  its  environs  are  divided   into   eight 
postal  districts  =  London  and  its  environs  are  divided 
into  eight  territorial  subdivisions,  for   convenience 
in  postal  matters. 
Postal  guides  A  book  issued  by  the  post-office  de- 
partment  giving   information    concerning   post-of- 
fice regulations,  mail  routes,  postage  rates,  and  the 
like. 

A  postal  guide  is  very  convenient  to  business  men 
=  A  governmental  book,  giving  full  information  con- 
cerning postal  matters,  is  very  convenient  for  bus- 
iness men. 
Post  mortem  examination  {3fed.)  =  An   examina- 
tion of  a  body  made  after  death. 
A  post  mortem  examination  of  his  father  revealed 
deep-seated   disease  =  Examination   of  the  body  of 
his  father,  after  death,  disclosed  deep-seated  disease. 
Pour  a  broadside  into,  to=iTo   discharge   all  the 
guns  on  one  side  of  a  ship  at  once,  (a)     To  assail 
.     powerfully  in  speech  or  by  writing,  (c) 

In  a  naval  fight,  in  the  war  of  1812,  the  United 
States  ship  Constitution  poured  several  broadsides  into 
the  English  ship  Guerriere  =  In  a  naval  fight,  in  the 
war   of  1812,  the  United   States  ship  Constitution 
several  times   discharged   all  her  guns  on  one  side 
simultaneously  at  the  English  ship  Guerriere.     The 
editor  poured  a  broadside  into  the  ranks  of  the  sup- 
porters of  the  tariffs  The  editor  powerfully  assailed 
the  supporters  of  the  tariff  in  a  written  argument. 
Poverty -stricit en  =  Poor ;  destitute  of   comforts   or 
necessities,  (a) 
Many  of  the  negroes  who  emigrated  from  Missis- 
sippi  to   Kansas,   were  poverty-stricken  when    they 
arrived  there  =  Many  of  the  negroes  who  emigrated 
from  Mississippi  to  Kansas,  were  destitute  of  com- 
forts when  they  arrived  there. 
Power  of  attorney  =  A  written  authority  given  to 
a  person  to  act  for  another. 
She   gave   her  son-in-law   a  power  of  attorney^  to 
transact  her  business  =  She  gave  her  son-in-law  writ- 
ten authority  to  act  for  her  in  the  transaction  of  bus- 
iness. 
Practical  joke  =  A  joke  put  in  practice  ;  a  joke  the 
fun  of  which  consists  in  something  done. 
A  practical  joke  is  often  a  trick  played  upon  a  per- 
son, or  an  attempt  to  put  him  in  a  ridiculous  position 
i=A  joke  the  fun  of  which  consists  in  something 
done,  is  often  a  trick  played  on  a  person,  or  an  at- 


588        VAKIOUS  OTHER  PHRASES  AND    WORDS. 

tempt   to   put    him  in  a  ridiculous  position.     An 
instance  of  a  practical  joke  would  be,  the   inviting 
some  one  to  sit  on  what  seems  to  be  a  chair,  and  he 
finds  no  seat  till  he  reaches  the  floor = An  instance 
of  a  trick  called  a  practical  joke,  played  on  some 
one,  would  be  the  inviting  him  to  sit  down  on  what 
seems  to  be  a  chair,  but  he  finds  no  seat,  till  he 
comes  down  hard  on  the  floor. 
Practicable  breach  (Mil.)  — One  admitting  of  easy 
entrance  by  an  assailing  party ;  especially,  one  when 
the  slope  of  the  debris  is  so  gentle  as  to  make  the 
ascent  easy  to  an  assailing  party. 
Practice-cruise  (U.  S.  E^aval  Academy)==A   cruise 
for  the  practice  of  cadet-midshipmen,  and  of  cadet- 
engineers. 
Tlie  ship  Constellation  was  out  on  a  practice-cruise 
in  1874,   three   months,  and  nine  days  =  The   ship 
Constellation  was  out  on  a  cruise,  in  1874,  for  the 
practice  of  cadet-midshipmen,  three   months,    and 
nine  days. 
Precatory  \irord§  —  Expressions  in  a  will,  praying  or 
requesting  that  a  thing  shall  be  done.     [Bouvier.]  . 
Courts  of  equity  have  construed  precatory  words 
as  creating  trusts = Courts  have   construed   expres- 
sions in  a  will,  praying  that  a  thing  shall  be  done,  as 
creating  a  trust. 
Precedent  condition  (Law)  =  A  condition  preced- 
ing the  vesting  of  an  estate  or  the  accruing  of  a 
right. 
In  the  United  States,    depositing   the  title-page, 
and  two  copies  of  the  book,  in  the  ofiice  of  the  li- 
brarian of  congress,  are  precedent  conditions  of  obtain- 
ing a  copyright  =  In  the  United  States,  if  one  would 
obtain  the  copyright  of  a  book,  he  must  first  deposit 
the  title-page  and  two  copies  of  the  book   in   the 
office  of  the  librarian  of  congress. 
Presentation  copy  =  A  copy  of  a  work  presented 
to  some  one  by  the  author,  as  a  testimony  of  re- 
spect. 
He  sent  a  presentation  copy  of  his  history  of  Hart- 
ford, to  his  friend,  the  professor  of  history  in  Yale 
college  =  He    sent  a  copy   of   his    new    history   of 
Hartford,  to  his  friend,  the  professor  of  history  in 
Yale,  as  a  testimony  of  respect. 
Present  to  the  mind  =  Distinctly  remembered,  (c) 
The  battle-scenes  are  present  to  the  mind  of  the  old 
soldier,  even  though  many  years  have  passed  =  The 
battle-scenes  are  distinctly  remembered  by  the  old 
soldier,  even  though  many  years  have  passed. 


VARIOUS    OTHER   PHRASES   AND   WORDS.         689 

Pres§  on,  to  =  To  make  one's  way  with  violence  or 
effort,  (a) 
We   pressed  on  through   the   crowd,  progressing 
slowly,  till  we  reached  the  doors  of  the  hall,  where 
we   showed   our   tickets   and   were   admitted  =  We 
made    our   way   with   effort,    and   slowly,    till    we 
reached  the  doors  of  the  hall,  where  we  showed  our 
tickets,  and  were  admitted. 
Pres§  one  hard,  to  =  To  earnestly  urge  or  entreat 
one.  (c) 
The  keeper  of   the  livery-stable  pressed  Mr.  B. 
hard,  to  sell  him  his  fine  trotthig  horse  =  The  keeper 
of  the  livery-stable  earnestly  urged  Mr.  B.  to  sell 
him  his  fine  trotting  horse. 
Presumptive     evidence     (Zfli^)=:"Any    evidence 
which  is  not  direct  or  positive."     [Bouvier.] 
Blackstone  the  author  of  Commentaries  on  law, 
says  that  '^ presmnptive  evidence  of  felony  should  be 
cautiously  admitted  "  =  Blackstone  says  that  indirect 
or  circumstantial  evidence  of  felony  should  be  cau- 
tiously admitted. 
Pretty   ivell  =  Well   in    some    degree;    moderately 
well;  quite,  (a) 
The  class  in  geometry  recited  pretty  well  to-day  = 
The  class  in  geometry  recited  moderately  well  to-day. 
Price-current  =  A  published  list  of  prevailing  prices, 
of  merchandise,  stocks,  specie,  &c. 
We   find   the   prevailing  prices   of  merchandise, 
stocks,  &c.,  in  the  price-current —  W e.  find  the  prevail- 
ing prices  of  merchandise,  stocks,  &c.,  in  the  list  of 
such  things  usually  published  in  the  daily  papers. 
Prick  up  the  ear§,  to  =  To  raise  the  ears ;  said  es- 
pecially of  the  ears  of  an  animal. 
The  horse  pricks  up  his  ears,  when  he  sees  some- 
thing unusual  =  The  horse  raises  his  ears,  when  he 
sees  something  unusual. 
Prima  facie  evidence  of  a  fact  (Z/at^)  =  That  evi- 
dence which  is  sufticient  to  establish  the  fact,  unless 
rebutted. 
When  buildings  are  fired  by  sparks,  emitted  from 
a  locomotive  engine,  in  passing,  it  is  prima  facie 
evidence  of  negligence  on  tlie  part  of  those  who  have 
charge  of  it  —  When  buildings  are  fired  by  sparks, 
emitted  from  a  locomotive  engine,  in  passing,  it  is 
sufficient  evidence  to  establish  the   negligence   of 
those  in  charge  of  it,  unless  rebutted. 
Primary     colors     or   primitive    colors  =:1.  {Opt.) 
The  seven  simple  colors  into  which  light  is  resolved 
when    transmitted    through    a   prism.      2.  (Paint) 
The  three  colors  blue,  yellow,  and  red. 


590        VARIOUS    OTHER  PHRASES  AND   WORDS. 

1.  The  primary  colors  in  optics  are  red,  orange, 
yellow,  green,  blue,  indigo,  violet  =  Red,  orange, 
yellow,  green,  blue,  indigo,  violet,  are  the  seven 
simple  colors  into  which  light  is  resolved  when 
transmitted  through  a  prism.  2.  In  painting,  the 
primary  colors  are  the  three  colors,  from  which  all 
other  colors  may  be  obtained  by  mixture = In  paint- 
ing, three  colors  blue,  yellow,  and  red  are  the  colors 
from  which  all  the  others  may  be  obtained  by  mix- 
ture. 
Prior  to=Previous  to;  before,  (a) 

His  coming  to  the  city  to  reside  was  prior  to  his 
marriage = His  coming  to  the  city  to  reside  was  pre- 
vious to  his  marriage. 
Prison    limits  =  A   definite  extent  of   space,  in    or 
around  a  prison,  within  which  a  prisoner  has  lib- 
erty to  go  and  come. 
The  debtor  was  not  confined  in  a  cell,  but  was  al- 
lowed prison  limits  — The  debtor  was  not  confined  in 
a  cell,  but  had  liberty  to  go  and  come,  at  pleasure, 
over  a  certain  space  in  or  around  the  prison. 
Private  act  {Law)  =  "  An  act  operating  only  upon 
particular  persons  and  private  concerns."  [Bouvier.] 
Private  acts  ought  not  to  be  noticed  by  courts,  un- 
less pleaded  =  Acts  operating  only  upon  particular 
persons  and  private  concerns,  ought  not  to  be  noticed 
by  courts,  unless  pleaded. 
Private    calendar  (Ze^.)=:The  list,  or  register  of 
private  bills,  or  those  which  specially  concern  in- 
dividual interests  rather  than  public  ones. 
The  bill  to  remunerate  Mrs.  C.  for  property  de- 
stroyed by  the  United  States  troops  during  the  war, 
is  on  the  private  calendar  =  The  bill  providing  for  the 
remuneration  of  Mrs.   C.  for  property  which  was 
destroyed  by  the  United  States  soldiers  during  the 
war,  is  on  the  list  of  private  bills. 
Private  nuisance    or  "wrong  =  A  nuisance  which 
afiects  individuals  specially. 
"It  is  a  private  nuisance  for  one  to  keep  hogs  or 
other  animals  so  as  to  incommode  his  neighbor,  and 
render  the  air  unwholesome."     [Bouvier.]  =  It  is  a 
nuisance  affecting  an  individual  for  one  to  keep  hogs 
or  other  animals  so  as  to  incommode  his  neighbor, 
and  render  the  air  unwholesome. 
Privileged  communication  {Law)  =  "  A.  statement 
made   in   good  faith  upon   any  subject   in   which 
the  party  communicating  has  an  interest,  or  in  ref- 
erence to  which  he  has  a  duty,  if  made  to  a  person 
having  a  corresponding  duty  or  interest,  although 
it  contain  criminatory  matter,  which  without  this 


VARIOUS    OTHER   PHRASES   AND   WORDS.         591 

privilege,  would   be   slanderous   and   actionable." 
[Bouvier.] 

Privileged  communications  are  allowable  not  only 
in  the  case  of  parties,  counsel,  witnesses,  jurors,  and 
judges  in  a  judicial  proceeding,  but  also  in  the  case 
of  legislators,  and  all  who,  in  the  discharge  of  public 
duty,  or  the  honest  pursuit  of   private  right,  are 
compelled  to  take  part  in  the  administration  of  jus- 
tice in  legislation  =  Communications  made  in  good 
faith,  by  a  person  having  an  interest  or  duty  in  re- 
spect to  the  subject  of  communication,  to  another 
person  having  a  corresponding  interest  or  duty,  al- 
though they  contain  matter  which  would  otherwise 
be  actionable,  are  allowable  in  the  case  of  parties  to 
a  suit,  counsel,  witnesses,  legislators,  &c.,  acting  in 
their  official  capacity. 
I»rivileged  clebt§  {Law)  =  Debts  to  which  a  prefer- 
ence in  payment  is  given  out  of  the  estate  of  an 
insolvent. 
Parochial  and  other  local  rates,  and  clerks'  and 
servants'  wages  are  examples  oi privileged  debts  (Eng.) 
=  Parochial  and  other  rates,  and  clerks'  and  servants' 
wages,  are  examples  of  debts  to  which  preference  in 
payment  is  given,  out  of  the  estate  of  an  insolv- 
ent. 
Probate  court  =  A  court  for  the  probate  of  wills. 
Probate  duty  =  A  government  tax  on  property  pass- 
ing by  will. 
Probate  duty  is  imposed  in  England  =  A  govern- 
ment tax  is  imposed,  in  England,  on  property  pass- 
ing by  will. 
Produce   an   instance,  to  =  To  bring  forward   an 
occurrence  or  a  fact  in  proof  of  something,  (a) 
The  speaker  produced  an  instance  of  patriotism  and 
integrity  in  Mr.  Peed,  the  American,  who  refused 
to  be  bribed  in  the  Pevolutionary  war  =  The  speaker 
brought  forward  as  an  example  of  patriotism  and 
integrity,  the  refusal  of  Mr.  Peed,  the  American,  to 
be  bribed  in  the  Pevolutionary  war. 
Productive  of,  to  be  =  To  produce ;  to  cause,  (a) 
Intemperance  is  productive  of  much  misery  =  In- 
temperance causes  much  misery. 
Pronii§§ory  note  (Za?^;)  =  "A  written  promise  to  pay 
a  certain  sum  of  money,  at  a  future  time,  uncon- 
ditionally."    [Bouvier.] 
When  a  promissory  note  is  indorsed,  it  is  exactly 
similar  to  a  bill  of  exchange  =  When  a  written  prom- 
ise to  pay  a  certain  sum  of  money,  at  a  future  time, 
unconditionally,   is    indorsed,   it  is  exactly   similar 
to  a  bill  of  exchange. 


592        VARIOUS    OTHER  PHRASES  AND   WORDS. 

Proof-§lieet  {Print.)  =  A  trial  impression  from  types, 
an  engraved  plate,  &c.,  taken  for  correction. 
Proof-sheets  of  tlais  book  come  in  from  the  electro- 
tjper's  every  day  =;  Trial   impressions   from   types, 
taken  for  correction,  come  in  every  day,  from  the 
electrotyper's. 
Pro  rata  —  In  proportion ;  proportion. 

The  assets  of  the  bankrupt  estate  were  divided 
jpro  rata  among  the  creditors  =  The  assets  of  the  bank- 
rupt estate  were  divided  among  the  creditors  in  pro- 
portion to  their  claims. 
Protracted    meetings  A    religious    meeting   con- 
tinued for  many  successive  days.     (U.  S.) 
A  jirotr acted  meeting   has  been  in  session  in  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  church  all  this  week  =  A  re- 
ligious meeting  has  been  in  session  in  the  Methodist 
church  all  this  week. 
Proud  flesli  =  A  fungous  growth  or  excrescence  of 
flesh  in  a  wound  or  ulcer. 
Proud  flesh  interferes  with  the  healing  of  a  wound 
or  an  ulcer = If  a  fungous  growth  or  excrescence  of 
flesh  arises  in  a  wound  or  ulcer,  it  hinders  the  heal- 
ing of  it. 
Provided   that  =  On    condition   that;    with   under- 
standing that;  in  case  that. 
The  penalty  for  this  oflense  shall  be  imprison- 
ment, provided  that  the  provisions  of  this  act  shall 
not  apply  to  actions  committed  prior  to  the  passage 
of  the  act  =  The  penalty  for  this  offense  shall  be  im- 
prisonment, on  condition  that  the  provisions  of  this 
act  shall  not  apply  to  actions  committed  prior  to  the 
passage  of  the  act. 
Proximate    causes  That   which   immediately  pre- 
cedes and  produces  the  effect.     A  proximate  cause 
is  distinguished  from  a  predisposing  cause. 
The  proximate  cause  of   his  son's  malarial  fever 
was  local  miasma ;  but  the  predisposing  cause  was 
general  debility  =  The  cause  which  immediately  pre- 
ceded and  produced  his  son's  fever,  was  local  mias- 
ma ;  but  the  predisposing  cause  was  general  debility. 
Public  law  =  Law  of  nations. 

Dr.  Woolsey,  late  president  of  Yale  college,  is  an 
authority  on  the  subject  of  public  law  —  T>v.  ^Voolsey 
is  an  authority  on  the  subject  of  the  law  of  nations. 
Public  opinion  =  Common  opinion;  the  prevailing 
belief  or  feeling. 
In  New  England  public  opinion  is  in  favor  of  ob- 
serving the  Christian  Sabbath  =  In  New   England 
the  prevailing  belief  or  feeling  favors  the  observance 
of  the  Christian  Sabbath. 


VAKIOUS    OTHER   PHRASES   AND   WORDS.         593 

Public  ii^ar=:  A  war  between  independent  sovereign 
states  or  nations. 
There  is  no  pnhlic  war  in  Europe  at  the  present 
time,  (Nov.  1879)  =  There  is,  at  the  present  time,  no 
war  in  Europe  between  independend  sovereign  states. 
Public  works  —  Strictly,  military  and  civil  engineer- 
ing works  constructed  at  the  public  cost. 
The  jetty  at  the  mouth  of  the  Mississippi,  is  one 
of  the  more  recent  public  works  =  The  jetty  at  the 
mouth  of  the  Mississippi,  is  one  of  the  more  recent 
works  of   civil  engineering,   constructed  at  public 
cost. 
Put  in  tunc,  to  =  To  put  in  harmonious  adjustment ; 
to  harmonize. 
Mr.  A.  has  come  to  put  the  piano  ^Vi  tune  =  Mr.  A. 
has  come  to  put  the  piano  into  harmonious  adjust- 
ment. 
Put  onc'§  head  into  a  hornet's  nest,  to  =  To  get 
into  trouble  by  meddling,  (c) 
By  advising  concerning  the  marriage  of  Mr.  A. 
and  Miss  B.  Mr.  C.  has  put  his  head  into  a  hornefs- 
7265^= By  giving  advice  concerning  the  marriage  of 
Mr.  A.  and  Miss  B.  Mr.  C.  has  got  into  trouble. 
Put  one's  self  forward,  to  =  To  make  one's  self 
prominent  in  a  bold  or  conceited  manner,  (a) 
Mr.  F.  always  puts  himself  forward =Mr.  F.  makes 
himself  prominent  in  a  bold  and  conceited  manner. 
Put  one's  self  in  the  place  of  others,  to  =  To  do 
by  others,  or  to  judge  of  others  as  we  would,  if  we 
were  in  their  place,  or  could  look  at  things  as  they 
do.  (a) 
Our  judgments  of  others  would  often  be  more 
charitable,  if  we  could  put  ourselves  in  their  place  — 
Our  judgments  of  others  would  often  be  more  char- 
itable, if  we  could  look  at  things  as  they  do. 
Put  on  short  allowance,  to  =  To  limit  to  the  use 
of  a  small  quantity,  (a) 
The  water  in  the  reservoir  was  so  low,  that  the 
people  of  the  city  were  put  on  short  allowance  =  The 
water  in  the  reservoir  was  so  low,  that  the  people 
of  the  city  were  limited  to  the  use  of  a  small  quan- 
tity. 
Put  pen  to  paper,  to  =  To  commence  writing;  to 
write,  (c) 
Some  authors  make  thorough  mental  preparation, 
before  they  put  pen  to  paper  =  Some  authors  make 
thorough  mental   preparation  of  a  subject,  before 
they  commence  writing. 
Put  to  the  proof,  to  =  To  test,  (a) 

The  speed  of  the  officer's  horse  was  put  to  the 
39 


594         VAKIOUS    OTHER   PHRASES  AND   WORDS. 

'proofs  in  pursuing  the  robbers  =  The  speed  of  the 
officer's  horse  was  tested,  in  pursuing  the  robbers. 


Q. 

Qualified  fee  {Law)  —  K  fee  or  estate  which  has  a 
qualification  subjoined  to  it,  and  which  must  be 
terminated   whenever   the    qualification   is   at   an 
end. 
A  grant  to  a  man  and  his  heirs,  tenants  of  the 
manor  of  Dale,  is  an  example  of  a  qualified  fee  —  K 
grant  to  a  man  and  his  heirs,  in  their  character  as 
tenants  of  the  manor  of  Dale,  is  an  example  of  an 
estate,  which  has  a  qualification  attached  to  it,  and 
which  must  come  to  an  end,  when  the  qualification 
is  at  an  end. 
Qualified  indorsement  {Law)  =  "  A  transfer  of  a  bill 
of  exchange  or  promissory  note,  without  any  lia- 
bility to  the  indorser."     [Bouvier.] 
The  words  usually  employed  to  make  an  indorse- 
ment, a  qualified  indorsement^  are  "without  recourse" 
=  The  words  usually  employed  to  make  a  transfer 
of  a  bill  of  exchange  or  promissory  note,  without 
any  liability  to  the  indorser,  are  "  without  recourse." 
Qualified    negative    {Legislation)  =  The    power     of 
negativing  bills  which  have  passed  the  two  houses 
of  the  legislature ;  a  power  vested  in  the  president, 
governor,  or  other  officer,  but  subject  to  be  over- 
ruled and  defeated  by  a  subsequent  vote  of  the  two 
houses,  passed  in  conformity  with  the  provisions 
of  the  constitution. 
The  President  of  the  United  States  is  vested  with 
a  qualified  7iegative=The  President  of  the  United 
States  is  vested  with  the  power  of  negativing  bills 
which  have  passed  the  two  houses'  of  the  legislature, 
subject  to  be  overruled  and  defeated  by  a  subsequent 
vote. 
Qualified  property = Property  which  depends   on 
temporary  possession,  as  that  in  wild  animals  re- 
claimed, or  in  something  found;  any   ownership 
not  absolute. 
The  wild  deer  which  he  caught,  and  is  taming  in 
his  park,  is  qualified  property= The  wild  deer  which 
he  caught,  and  which  he  is  taming  in  his  park,  is 
his  property  only  so  long  as  he  keeps  it  from  escaping. 
Qualitative  analysis   ((7/?em.)  =  Analysis  for  deter- 
mining the  constituent  elements  of  a  compound, 
without  regard  to  quantity. 


VARIOUS  OTHER    PHRASES    AND  WORDS.        595 

A   qualitative   analysis   of  water  was  made   by  a 
chemist  =  An  analysis  of  water  was  made  by  a  chem- 
ist, which  showed  its  constituent  elements  to  be  oxy- 
gen and  hydrogen. 
Quantitative  analy§i8  ((7Ae?7i.)  =  That  method  of  an- 
alysis which  determines  the  proportional  quantity 
of  each  of  the  elements    which  make  up  a  com- 
pound. 
A  quantitative  analysis  of  water  was   made  by  a 
chemist  =  An   analysis  of  water  was  made,  which 
showed  the  proportion  of  oxygen  and  hydrogen  in 
weight  to  be,  88.9  parts  of  oxygen  and   11.1  parts 
of  hydrogen. 
Qnantity   of  estate  (Zat^)  =  The  degree  of  interest 
in  an  estate,  or  its  time  of  continuance ;  as  in  fee, 
for  life,  or  for  years. 
Mr.  E's  quantity  of  estate  which  accrued  to  him  by 
his  father's  death,  is  the  use  of  one-fourth  of  the 
property  as  long  as  he  lives = Mr.  E's  amount  of  in- 
terest in  his  father's  estate,  is  the  use  of  one-fourth 
of  it  as  long  as  he  lives. 
Quarter  faee  =  A  face  turned  away  so  that  but  one 
quarter  is  visible. 
A  quart£r  face  photograph   of  President   Lincoln 
was  presented  to  him=z:A  photograph  of  President 
Lincoln,  with  the  face  turned  so  that  but  one  quar- 
ter is  visible,  was  presented  to  him. 
Quartermaster-general    (J/i7.)  =  The    chief    officer 

in  the  quartermaster's  department. 
Queen  consorts  The  wife  of  a  reigning  king. 

Queen  Victoria  was  never  queen  consort  — Q^Meen 
Victoria  was  never  the  wife  of  a  reigning  king. 
Queen-dowager  =  The  widow  of  a  king. 

Queen  Victoria,  though  a  widow,  is  not  a  queen 
dowager  —  Queen  Victoria,  though  a  widow,  is  not 
the  widow  of  a  king. 
Queen-mother  =  A  queen-dowager  who  is  also  moth- 
er of  the  reigning  king  or  queen. 
Queen   Victoria,  though   the   mother   of  several 
children,  is  not  queen-mother  =  Queen  Victoria,  though 
mother  of  several  children,  is  not  mother  of  a  reign- 
ing king. 
Queen  regent  =  A  queen  who  governs. 

Queen  Victoria  is  queen  regents  Queen  Victoria  is 
a  queen  who  governs,  in  distinction  from  queen  con- 
sort. 
Queen's  beneh  =  A    court    of  record    in   England, 

which  is  so  called  during  the  life  of  a  Queen. 
Queen's  counsel  =  Barristers  who  have  been  called 


596         VAKIOUS    OTHER   PHRASES   AND   WORDS. 

within  the  bar,  and  selected  to  be  counsel  for  the 
Queen. 
Queen's  evidence  {Eng.  Law.)z=iThQ  accomplice  in 
a  crime  who  is  admitted  for  the  crown  against  his 
associates. 
One  of  the  robbers  of  the  bank  of  England  turned 
queen'' s  evidence^  Or\e  of  the  accomplices  in  the  rob- 
bery of  the  bank  of  England  was  admitted  for  the 
crown  against  his  associates. 
Question  at,  or  in  issue  =  The  matter  which  is  con- 
tested, or  disputed,  (a) 
One  question  at  issue  among  naturalists  is  the  origin 
of  the  human  race,  whether  it  was  by  development 
or  by  creative   act  =  One  contested    subject  among 
naturalists  is,  whether  the  origin  of  the  human  race 
was  by  development  from  simpler  forms,  or  by  cre- 
ative act. 
Question     of   privilege    {Parliamentary    usage) -A. 
question  which  concerns  the  security  of  a  member 
of  a  legislative  body  in  his   special  privileges  as 
such. 
All  questions  of  privilege  are  allowed  to  supersede, 
for  the  time  being,  any   other  question,  which  may 
then  be   under   consideration  —  All  questions  which 
concern  the  security  of  a  member  of  a  legislative 
body  in  his  special  privileges  as  such,  are  allowed  to 
supersede  for  the  time  being,  any  other  question, 
which  may  then  be  under  consideration. 
Quicken  one's  pace,  to  =:  To  increase   one's   speed, 
(a)  _ 

The  whip  is  used  to  quicken  the  horse'' s  pace  =  ^\iQ 
whip  is  used  to  increase  the  speed  of  the  horse. 
Quick  time  =  Time  of  marching,  in  which  one  hun- 
dred and  ten  steps,  of  the  same  length  as  in  com- 
mon time,  are  taken  in  one  minute. 

Quick  time  is  sometimes  increased  to  double-quick 
=  The  time   of  marching,  in  which  110  steps  are 
taken  in  a  minute,  is  sometimes  increased  to  165 
stops  in  a  minute. 
Quite  another  thing  =  Entirely  different,  (c) 

Mr.  A.  thought  his  sick  child  had  a  fever,  but  the 
doctor   found   his   disease   quite  another   thi7ig=  The 
doctor  found  the  disease  of  Mr.  A's  sick  child  some- 
thing entirely  diiferent  from  fever. 
Quite  the  contrary  =  Completely  different ;  exactly 
opposite,  (a) 
I  thought  the  study  of  history  would  be  uninter- 
esting, but  I  found  it  quite  the  contrary  =  At  first  I 
thought  the  study  of  history  would  be  uninterest- 
ing but  I  found  it  to  be  exactly  opposite  to  that. 


VARIOUS   OTHEfi  PHRASES  AND  WOBDS.        597 


E. 

Railway-plant  =  The  tools,  machinery,  locomotive, 
trucks,  &c.  for  building  and  working  railways. 
Railway-plant  is  an  English  term  =  In  England,  the 
tools,  machinery,  locomotive,  &c.  for  building  and 
working  railways,  are  called  by  the  term,  railway- 
plant. 
Random  §liot  =  A  shot  not  aimed  toward  any  par- 
ticular object. 
I  fired  a  random  sJwt  in  the  woods,  and  killed  a 
partridge  =  In  the  woods,  without  aiming  at  any  par- 
ticular object,  I  fired  and  killed  a  partridge. 
Rank  and  file  (Mil.)  =  The  whole  body  of  common 
soldiers,  including  also  corporals. 

The  esprit  de  corps  of  the  rank  and  file  is  excellent 
r=The  animating  spirit  of  the  whole  body  of  com- 
mon soldiers  is  excellent. 
Rankle  in  the  torea§t,  to  =  To  rage  within,  (c) 

The   feeling  of  envy  ranhles  in  the.  breast  of  the 
boy,  who  lost  the  prize  at  schools  The  feeling  of 
envy  rages  in  the   boy,  who  failed   to   obtain   the 
prize  at  school. 
Reading  of  a  bill  (Legislatian)  =  The  formal  recital 
of  a  bill  by  the  proper  oflicer,  before  the  house 
which  is  to  consider  it. 
A  bill  must  pass  to  its  third  reading  before  final 
action  can  be  taken  upon  it  =  A  bill  must  be  form- 
ally recited  before  the  house  which  is  to  consider  it, 
three  times  by  the  proper  oflacer  before  final  action 
can  be  taken. 
Ready  to  burst  =  Crowded  full,  (c) 

His  barn  was  ready  to  burst  with  hay = His  barn 
was  crowded  full  of  hay. 
Ready  to  drop=Yery  weary;  exhausted.  (6) 

The  traveler  who  made  the  ascent  of  Mt.  Blanc, 
returned  to  his  hotel,  ready  to  drop  with  fatigue  = 
The  traveler  who  ascended  Mt.  Blanc,  returned  to 
his  hotel  very  weary. 
Real  aetion  {Law)  =  An  action  or  suit  for  the  recov- 
ery of  real  property,  as   lands,  tenements,  or  here- 
ditaments. 
The  law  student  has  been  examining  the  law  con- 
cerning real  actions  =  The  law  student  has  been  ex- 
amining the  law  concerning  suits  for  the  recovery 
of  real  property. 
Real  estate  =  Lands,  tenements;  property  in  houses 
and  lands. 


598        VARIOUS    OTHER  PHRASES  AND  WORDS. 

Real  estate  is  opposed  to  personal  property  =  Prop- 
erty in  houses  and  lands  is  opposed  to  personal  or 
movable  property. 
Reason  in  a  circle,  to.     Argue  in  a  circle,  to  = 

To  use  two  or  more  unproved  statements  to  prove 
each  other;  inconclusive  reasoning,  (a) 
To  say  that  Mr.  A.  is  a  good  man  because  he  be- 
longs to  an  excellent  party,  and  that  the  party  is  an 
excellent  party  because  it  contains  such  good  men  as 
Mr.  A.,  is  reasoning  in  a  circle  ■=  To  say  that  Mr.  A. 
is  a  good  man   because   he   belongs  to  an  excellent 
party,  and  that  the  party  is  an  excellent  party  be- 
cause its  contains  such  good  men  as  Mr.  A.,  is  using 
one  unproved  statement  to  prove  another. 
Recall  to  life,  to  =  To  cause  to  live  again. 

The  widow  would  gladly  recall  to  life  her  deceased 
husband  if  possible  =  The  widow  would  gladly  cause 
her  husband,  who  died,  to  live  again  if  possible. 
Receivings  office  {Eng.)  =  An  office  for  the  depositing 
of  mail  matter. 
The  receiving  offices  in  London  are  closed  at  night 
and  on  Sundays  =  The  offices  for  the  deposition  of 
mail  matter,  which  are  found  in  all  parts  of  London, 
are  closed  at  night  and  on  Sundays. 
Receiving  §liip  =  A  ship,  on  board  which  newly  en- 
gaged soldiers  are  received  and  kept  till  drafted  for 
service. 
A  receiving  ship  is  anchored  in  the  harbor  =  A  ship, 
on  board  which  newly  engaged  soldiers  are  received 
and  kept  till  drafted  for  service,  is  anchored  in  the 
harbor. 
Reciprocity    treaty,    or    treaty    of    reciprocity 
{Intejmational  Law)  =  A  treaty  concluded  between 
two  countries,  conferring  equal  privileges  as  regards 
customs  or  charges  on  imports,  and  in   other  re- 
spects. 
Reconnai§ance  in  force  (Ml)  =  A  demonstration 
or  attack  for  the  purpose  of  discovering  the  position 
and  strength  of  the  enemy. 
Gen.  Lyon  made  a  reconnaisance  in  force  a  few  days 
before  the  battle  of  Wilson's  creek  (U.  S.  1861)  = 
Gen.  Lyon  made  an  attack  for  the  purpose  of  dis- 
covering the  strength  of  the  enemy,  a  few  days  be- 
fore the  battle  of  Wilson's  creek. 
Red  as  fire  =  Fiery  red. 

One  of  the  emigrants  had  on  a  shawl  red  as  fire = 
One  of  the  emigrants  had  on  a  fiery  red  shawl. 
Redeem  one'§  pledge,  to  =  To  fulfill  one's  prom- 
ises, (c) 
The  father  redeemed  his  pledge,  that  he  would  take 


VARIOUS  OTHER    PHRASES  AND  WORDS.        599 

his  family  to  the  sea-side  this  summers  The  father 
fulfilled  his  promise,  that  he  would  take  his  family 
to  the  sea-side  this  summer. 
Red  man,  or  redskin  =  One  of  the  copper-colored 
aborigines  of  America ;  Indians. 
On  the  first  coming  of  white  men  from  Europe  to 
America,  red  men  occupied   the   country  =:  Copper- 
colored    aborigines   were   inhabitants   of  America, 
when  white  men  first  came  from  Europe. 
Reduce  to  powder,  to  =  To  bring  to  the  condition 
of  fine  particles. 
Borax  must  be  reduced  to  a  very  fine  powder^  before 
it  is  administered  to  infants  =  Borax  must  be  brought 
to  the  condition  of  very  fine   particles,  before  it  is 
administered  to  infants. 
Reform  school  =  A  school  established  by  a  state  or 
city  government  for  the  confinement,  instruction, 
and  reformation  of  juvenile  ofienders,  and  of  young 
persons  of  idle,  vicious,  and  vagrant  habits.    (U.  S.) 
There  is  a  reform  school  at  Meriden,  Connecticut, 
which  is  maintained  by  the  State  =  There  is  a  school 
for  the  confinement,  instruction,  and  reformation  of 
juvenile  offenders,  and  of  young  boys  of  vicious  and 
vagrant  habits,  which  is  maintained  by  the  state. 
Regulation  s\rord,  cap,  uniform,  &c.  (i/?-7.)  =  A 
sword,  cap,  uniform,  &c.,  of  the  kind  prescribed 
by  ofiicial  regulations. 
The  colonel  appeared  at  parade,  in  regtdation  uni- 
form =  The  colonel  appeared  at  parade,  wearing  the 
uniform  prescribed  by  ofiicial  regulations. 
Regular  troops  =  Soldiers  of  a  permanent   army, — 
•    opposed  to  militia. 

England  has  regidar  troops  stationed  in  many  of 
her  colonies  =  England  has  soldiers  of  her  permanent 
army  stationed  in  many  of  her  colonies. 
Religious  liberty = Freedom  of  religious  opinion  or 
worship. 
A  government  must  secure  religious  liberty^  or  it 
can  not  be  considered  a  free  government  =  Freedom 
of  religious  opinion  and  worship  is  a  necessary  at- 
tribute of  a  free  government. 
Remain  over,,  to  =  To  be  left  after  other  things  have 
been  removed  or  destroyed. 
After  Jesus  had  fed  the  five  thousand,  with  five 
loaves  and  two  small  fishes,  what  remained  over  filled 
twelve  baskets  full  =  After  Jesus  had  fed  the  five 
thousand  men,  with  five  loaves  and  two  small  fishes, 
twelve  baskets  full  of  the  fragments,  that  were  left 
of  the  loaves,  were  gathered  up.     The  veteran  sol- 
diers sat  down  to  a  bountiful   dinner  on  battle-flag 


600        VARIOUS  OTHER    PHRASES   AND  WORDS. 

daj,  and  wli^t  remained  over^  was  given  to  visitors, 
who  had  come  to  see  the  parade  =  The  veteran  sol- 
diers sat  down  to  a  bountiful  dinner,  battle  flag  day, 
and  what  was  left  after  they  had  eaten,  was  given 
to  visitors  who  had  come  to  see  the  parade. 
Remotely  or  distantly  related  =  1.  At  some    dis- 
tance by  birth,  (h)     2.  Distant  in  connection,  ih) 
1.  My  father's  great-uncle,  is  only  distantly  related 
to  me  -  My  father's  great-uncle  is  distant  from   me 
by  birth.     2.  Agriculture  and  astronomy  are  remotely 
re?afe(i=  There  is  a  slight  or  distant  connection  be- 
tween agriculture  and  astronomy. 
Repeat  as   a  parrot,  to  =  To  recite   from  memory 
without  understanding,  (c) 
Sometimes  children  repeat  their  lessons  as  a  parrot 
repeats  w^ords= Sometimes  children  recite  their  les- 
sons from  memory,  without  understanding  them. 
Representative  government  =  A    government    in 
w^iich  the  washes  of  the  people  are  made  known, 
and  their  rights  secured,  by  rulers  or  law-makers 
chosen  by  themselves ;  a  government  having  a  leg- 
islative  body   chosen    wholly  or   in  part   by   the 
people. 
In  the  war  of  the  Revolution,  the  Americans  con- 
tended for  the  right  of  representative  government— In 
the  Var  of  the  Revolution  the  Americans  fought  for 
the  right  of  having  some  part  in  the  making  of 
their  laws,  by  means  of  legislators  chosen  by  them- 
themselves. 
Republican  party  (U.  8.)  =  One   of  the   two   great 
political  parties,  w^hich  had  its  origin  (1856)  in  the 
hostility  of  the  people  to  the  extension  of  slavery 
and  tlie  slave-power,  which  asserts  the  right  of  the 
national  government  to  use  force,  if  necessary,  in 
executing  the  federal  laws,  which  is  pledged  to  the 
support  of  all  classes  in  the  equal  enjoyment  of 
civil  rights,  which  eiFected  the  resumption  of  specie 
payments,  and  which  has  established  and  maintains 
a  national  banking  system. 
The  Repuhlican  party  in  the  United  States  has  held 
the  national  power  for  five  consecutive  presidential 
terms,  (20  years)  =  That  party  in  the  United  States 
which,   arising  in    1856,  opposed   the   extension  of 
slavery ;  which  makes  more  prominent  the  doctrine 
of  national  sovereignty  than  that  of  state  rights; 
which  is  pledged  to  support  all  classes  of  citizens 
in  the  equal  enjoyment  of  civil  rights ;  and  which 
has  established  and  maintains  a  national  banking  sys- 
tem, has  been  in  power  for  ^yq  consecutive  presi- 
dential terms,  (20  years). 


VARIOUS    OTHER   PHRASES  AND  WORDS.         601 

Repugnant  to  =  Distasteful  to ;  oiFensive  to.  (a) 

The  tilth  of  the  Esquimaux's  hut  was  repugnant  to 
the  traveler's  tastes = The  filth  of  the  Esquimaux's 
liut  offended  the  tastes  of  the  traveler.     It  was  re- 
pugnant to  the  feelings  of  the  executioner,  to  put  the 
murderer  to  deaths  To  execute  the  murderer  was 
distasteful  to  the  executioner. 
Reserve  fund  =  A  sum  of  money  kept  back  for  a 
special  purpose. 
The  Secretary  of  the  United  States  Treasury  was 
fortunately  able  to  accumulate  gold  in  the  treasury, 
for  a  reserve  fimd,  to  be  used  when  resumption  of 
specie  payments  should  take  place  =  The  Secretary 
of  the  United  States  Treasury  was  fortunately  able 
to  accumulate  gold  in  the  treasury,  which  was  to 
be  kept  for  use  when  specie  payments  should  be  re- 
sumed. 
Residuary  legatee :=  The  person  to  whom  the  resi- 
due of  personal  estate  is  bequeathed. 
The  American  Board  of  Foreign  Missions,  as  re- 
siduary  legatee^  has  recently  come  into  the  possession 
of  $1,000,000  =  The  American   Board   of   Foreign 
Missions,  to  whom  tlie  residue  of  a  certain  man's 
personal  estate  was  bequeathed,  has  come  into  the 
possession  of  $1,000,000. 
Resolved  =  Declared,   by   resolution    or   vote.      (In 
deliberative  assemblies  this  word  is  prefixed  to  res- 
olutions, or  statements  which  embody  the  opinions 
or  the  wishes  of  the  assembly). 
At  a  meeting  of  the  citizens,  the  following  resolu- 
tion was  passed:    Resolved^    That  the  public   con- 
venience  and   safety   require  some   change  at   the 
railroad  crossing  =  At  a  meeting  of  the  citizens,  the 
opinion  of  the  assembly  was  publicly  expressed  by  a 
vote  to  the  effect,  that  there    ouglit    to    be    some 
change  at  the  railroad  crossing,  for  the  sake  of  pub- 
lic convenience  and  safety. 
Resulting  use  {Law)=zA  use  (right  or  profit)  which 
being  limited  by  the  deed,  expires  or  can  not  vest, 
and  thence  returns  to  the  party  who  granted  it. 
Retails  The  sale  of  commodities  in  small  quantities 
or  at  second  hand. 

:e  sells  flour  and  wheat  at  retail=Jie  sells  flour 
and  wheat  in  small  quantities.     The  retail  price  of 
goods  is  more  than  the  wholesale  price  ==  The  price 
of  goods  purchased  in  small  quantities,  is  greater 
than  when  they  are  purchased  in  large  quantities. 
Retired  list  {Mil.  or  Naut.)  =  A  list  of  officers  re- 
tired from  public  service. 
General  C.  is  on  the  retired  Zi5^= General  C.  is  on 


602        VARIOUS    OTHER  PHRASES  AND  WORDS. 

the  list  of  officers  who  have  ceased  to  be  in  active 
service. 
Retiring^  pension  =  A  pension  granted  to. a  public 
officer,  on  his  withdrawal  from  office  or  service. 
His  retiring  pension  was  hardl}^  sufficient  -for  his 
support  =  Tlie   pension   granted   him   on   his   with- 
drawal from  public  service,  was  hardly  sufficient  for 
his  support. 
Retroactive  law=:A  law  which  operates  to  make 
criminal  or  punishable,  or  in  any  way  expressly  to 
affect,  acts  done  prior  to  the  passing  of  the  law, 
A  retroactive  law  is  unjust  in  principle  =  A  law 
which  operates  in  any  way  expressly  to  affect  acts 
done  prior  to  its  passage,  is  unjust  in  principle. 
Return  ball  =  A  plaything;    a  ball  attached  to  an 
elastic  string. 
Recently,  nearly  every  child  on  the  street  had  a 
return  hall  in  its  hand  =  Recently  nearly  every  child 
had  in  its  hand  a  ball,  attached  to  an  elastic  string, 
so  that  it  returned  to  the  hand  from  which  it  was 
thrown. 
Return  the  compliment,  to  =  To  make  return  for 
a  favorable  word  or  act ;  to  reciprocate  it.  (a) 
The  governor  invited  the  high-school  principal  to 
tea,  and  the  principal  afterward  returyied  the  connpli- 
meni  by  inviting  the  governor  to  visit  his  schools 
The  governor  invited  the  high-school   principal  to 
tea,  and  the  principal  reciprocated  the  compliment, 
by  inviting  the  governor  to  visit  his  school. 
Reverse  of  the  medal,  the  =  The  backside,  or  side 
opposite  to  the  chief  figure. 
I  did  not  see  the  reverse  of  the  7)iedal  or  coin  =  l  did 
not  see  the  backside  of  the  medal  or  coin. 
Ride  at  anchor,  to  =  To  be  anchored,  (a) 

The  ship  7-ides  at  anchor  in  the  bay  =  The  ship  is 
anchored  in  the  bay. 
Right  ahead  =  Directly  before. 

The  elephant  walked  right  ahead  of  the  camel  in 
the  menagerie  =  The  elephant  walked  directly  before 
the  camel  in  the  menagerie. 
Right  and  left  {Colloq.)=:ln  both  or  all  directions ; 
on  all  sides. 
The  bad  pupil  went  through  the  village,  whisper- 
ing his  insinuations  and  slanders  against  the  teacher, 
right  and  left=  The  bad  pupil  went  about  the  village, 
whispering  his  insinuations  and  slanders  against  the 
teacher  on  all  sides.     During  the  riot,  the  stones 
and  other  missiles  flew  right  and  left  =Durmg  the 
riot,  the  stones  and  other  missiles  flew  in  all  direc- 
tions. 


VARIOUS    OTHER  PHRASES  AND  WORDS.         603 

Right  of  eminent  domain  (Law)  =  ^' The  superior 
right  of  property  subsisting  in  a  sovereignty,  by 
which  private  property  may  in  certain  cases   be 
taken  or  its  use  controlled  for  the  public  benefit, 
without  regard  to  the  wishes  of  the  owner."    [Bou- 
vier.] 
It  is  well  settled  that  the  right  of  eminent  domain 
exists  only  in  cases  where  the  public  exigency  re- 
quires its  exerciser  It  is  well  settled  that  the  supe- 
rior right  of  property  subsisting  in  a  sovereignty,  by 
which  private  property  may  be  taken  for  the  public 
benefit,  exists  only  in  cases  where  the  public  ex- 
igency requires  its  exercise. 
Right  of  §eareh  (Maritime  law)  = "  The  right  exist- 
ing in  a  belligerent  to  examine  and  inspect  the  pa- 
pers of  a  neutral  vessel  at  sea."     [Bouvier.] 
On  the  continent  of  Europe  right  of  search  is  called 
the  right  of  visit  =  On  the  continent  of  Europe,  the 
riglit  existing  in  a  belligerent  to  examine  and  in- 
spect the  papers  of  a  neutral  vessel  at  sea,  is  called 
the  right  of  visit. 
Right  of  §upport  {Law)  =  An  easement  or  servitude 
by  which  the  owner  of  a  house  has  a  right  to  rest 
his  timbers  on  the  walls  of  his  neighbor's  house. 
I   have,  by   contract,  the   right  of  support   upon 
my  neighbor's  house  =  I  have,  by  contract,  the  priv- 
ilege of  resting  the  timbers  of  my  house,  upon  the 
walls  of  my  neighbor's  house. 
Ringing  of  or  in  the  ears  (Med.)  =  An  imaginary 
sound  in  the  head,  like  the  ringing  of  a  bell,  the 
noise  of  wind,  water,  &c.,  heard  in  health  or  sick- 
ness. 
A  ringing  of  the  ears  is  very  unpleasant,  and  is 
sometimes  the  precursor  of  deafness  =  An  apparent 
sound,  like  the  ringing  of  a  bell  or  the  running  of 
water,  is  very  unpleasant,  and  sometimes  indicates 
approaching  deafness. 
Rip  open,  to  =  To  open  by  tearing  or  cutting,  (a) 
They  ripped  open  the  boot  of  the  man,  whose  leg 
was  broken  =  They  cut  open  the  boot  of  the  man, 
whose  leg  was  broken. 
Rolling  flre  (Mil.)  =  A  discharge  of  muskets  by  sol- 
d.i^'s  in  line,  in  quick  succession,  and  in  the  order 
-^n  which  they  stand. 

A  rolling  fire  was  kept  up  by  the  soldiery  =  The 

soldiers,  standing  in  line,  discharged  their  muskets 

in  quick  succession,  and  in  the  order  of  their  position. 

Rolling    §toek    or  plants  The    locomotives    and 

vehicles  of  a  railway. 

The  New  York  and  New  England  railroad  h^ 


604        VARIOUS    OTHER  PHRASES  AND  WORDS. 

much  rolling  stock  =  The  I*Tew  York  and  ^f^ew  Eng- 
land  railroad  has  many  locomotives  and  vehicles. 
Roll  into  a  ball,  to  =  To  cause  to  assume  a  special 
form,  by  rolling  or  the  like,  (c) 
The  porcupine  rolls  himself  into  a  ball,  when  he  is 
attacked  by  an  enemy  =  The  porcupine  assumes  a 
spherical  form  like  a  ball,  when  he  is  attacked  by  an 
enemy. 
Roll  up,  to  =:  To  wrap  by  rolling  or  winding,  (a) 
The  engraving  was  rolled  up  in  a  sheet  of  tissue 
paper = The  engraving  was  wrapped  in  a  sheet  of 
tissue  paper  by  rolling. 
Roman  candle  =  A  kind  of  firework  (generally  held 
in  the  hand)  characterized  by  the  continued  emis- 
sion of  a  multitude  of  sparks,  and  the  ejection,  at 
regular    intervals,   of   brilliant    stars,   which    are 
thrown  upward  as  they  become  united. 
Many  thousands  of  Bom  an  candles  are  used  on  the 
Fourth  of  July = Many  thousands  of  the  kind  of 
firework,   which     emits    sparks,    and    at    intervals 
throws  out  an  explosive  star,  are  used  on  the  Fourth 
of  July. 
Round   a  period,  to  =  To   make  a  sentence   full, 
smooth,  and  flowing,  (c) 
Some  writers  round  their  periods  more  naturally 
and  easily  than  others  =  Some  writers  make  their 
sentences  smooth  and  flowing,  more  naturally  and 
easily  than  others. 
Round  of  cartridges  =  One  cartridge  to  each. 

The  regiment  went  into  battle  with  forty  rounds 
of  cartridges  =  The  regiment  went  into  battle  with 
forty  cartridges  to  each  man. 
Round  trip  =  A  journey  and  the  return,  (a) 

His  expenses  for  the  round  trip  to  California  were 
a  thousand  dollars  =  His  expenses  for  the  journey  to 
California  and  the  return  were  a  thousand  dollars. 
Royal  assents  In  England  the  assent  of  the  sover- 
eign to  a  bill   which  has  passed  both  houses  of 
Parliament. 
The  royal  assent  is  given  in  the  House  of  Lords  = 
The  assent  of  the  sovereign  to  a  bill  which  has 
passed  both  houses  of  Parliament,  is  given  in  the 
House  of  Lords  either  in  person  or  by  commissioners. 
Ruling^  pa§§ion  =  The  feeling  or  purpose  which  gov- 
erns one. 
The  ruling  passion  of  the  miser  is  the  love  of 
money  =  The  feeling  which  governs  the  miser  is  the 
love  of  money. 
Run  a  race,  to  =  To  run  in  a  competitive  trial  of 
'  speed,  (a) 


VARIOUS    OTHER  PHRASES  AND  WORDS.         605 

At  the  agricultural  fair,  two  men  ran  a  race  for  a 
prize  of  ten  dollars  =  At  the  agricultural  fair,  two 
men  ran  in  a  competitive  trial  of  speed  for  a  prize 
of  ten  dollars. 
Run  for  one's  life,  to  — To  run  in  order  to  escape 
great  danger,  (a) 
The  herdsman  was  crossing  the  field,  when  he 
was  pursued  by  a  bull,  and  forced  to  run  for  his  life 
=  The  herdsman  was  crossing  the  field,  when  he  was 
pursued  bj  a  bull,  and  forced  to  run  in  order  to  es- 
cape danger  to  his  life. 
Run  In  a  groove,  to  =  To  proceed  after  a  fixed 
method;  to  be  unvarying,  (c) 
The  school  runs  in  a  groove  —  The  school  is  con- 
ducted on  a  fixed  and  unvarying  method. 
Runnings  day§  {Naut.)  =  The  consecutive  days  occu- 
pied on  a  voyage,  including  Sundays. 
The  vessel  in  which  my  friend  sailed  for  India 
was  out  120  running  days  =  The  vessel  in  which  my 
friend   sailed   for   India   occupied   120   consecutive 
days,  Sundays  included,  in  the  voyage. 
Running^  fight  =  A  battle  in  which  one  party  flees 
and  the  other  pursues,  but  the  party  fleeing  keeps 
up  the  contest. 

General  Sigel  kept  up  a  running  fight  at  Carthage, 
(U.  S.  1861)  =  General  Sigel  was  forced  to  retreat 
by  superior  numbers,  but  fought  while  he  fled.     A 
running  fight  evinces  bravery  and  spirit  on  the  part 
of  the  fugitives  =  A  fight,  in  which  the  fleeing  party 
keeps  up  the  contest,  proves  that  they  possess  brav- 
ery and  spirit. 
Running  fire  (M7.)  =  A  constant  discharge  of  mus- 
ketry or  cannon. 
At  the  battle  of  Ball's  BluflP,  (U.  S.  1861),  the 
confederate  army  kept  up  such  a  running  fire^  that 
the  balls  rattled  like  hailstones  =  At  the  battle  of 
Ball's  Blufl'(U.  S.  1861),  the  confederate  army  dis- 
charged their  muskets  in  such  rapid  and  continued 
succession,  that  the  rattle  was  like  the  sound  of 
falling  hailstones. 
Running  titles  The  title  of  a  book  continued  from 
page  to  page  on  the  upper  margin. 
TIi^  book,  "The  Opium  Habit,"  has  a  running 
—ttile^The  title  of  the  book,  "The  Opium  Habit,"  is 
continued  from  page  to  page  on  the  upper  margin. 
Some  books  have,  and  some  do  not  have,  a  running 
title  — ^omQ  books  have,  and  some  do  not  have,  the 
title  continued  from  page  to  page  on  the  upper  mar- 
gin. 
Run  of  luck  — A  course  of  good  fortune. 


606        VARIOUS    OTHER  PHRASES  AND   WORDS. 

The  harness  makers  had  a  run  of  Inch  while  the 
war  lasted,  in  orders  for  saddles  and  harnesses  for 
the  army  =  The  harness  makers  had  a  course  of  good 
fortune,  while  the  war  lasted,  through  orders  for 
saddles  and  harnesses  for  the  army. 
Rusli  headlong,  to  —  To  engage  in  rashly  or  with 
undue  haste,  (c) 
As  soon  as  Mr.  A.  received  his  money,  he  rushed 
headlong  into  speculation  in  village  lots  =  As  soon  as 
Mr.  A.  received  his  money,  he  began  to  speculate 
rashly  in  village  lots. 
Rustic  work  {Arch.)  — \,  An  affected  imitation   of 
roughly  constructed  building  or  decoration,  pro- 
duced in  masonry  by  leaving  the  surfaces  of  stones 
rough,  and  the  like.     2,  ( Woodwork^  Furniture  for 
summer-houses,  &c.,  made  of  rough  limbs  of  trees 
fancifully  arranged. 
1.  I  saw  on  the  summit  of  Edgehill,  (Eng.),  a 
piece  of  rustic  work  in  architecture  =  I  saw  on  the 
sunmiit  of  Edgehill,   an   imitation   of  an   ancient 
tower  in  ruins,  built  of  rough  stone,  with  broken 
top,   and  covered  with  ivy.     2,  Rustic  woodwork  is 
not  so  much  in  fashion  now  as  it  once  was  =  Chairs 
for  summer-houses  and  lawns,  made  of  rough  limbs 
of  trees,  &c.,  are  not  so  much  in  fashion  now  as 
formerly. 


s. 

Safe  and  sound  =  Unharmed  and  in  good  condition  ; 
safely  and  in  good  health,  (a) 
Mr.  B.  has  been  to  California  and  returned,  safe 
and  sound^Wr.  B.  has  been  to  California  and  re- 
turned, safely  and  in  good  health. 
Sailing  orders  =  Orders  for  sailing. 

The  ship  Alert,  of  the  navy,  is  under  sailing  or- 
cfer5i=  The  ship  Alert,  belonging  to  the  navy,  has 
been  ordered  to  sea. 
Salt  as  torine  =:  Strongly  impregnated  with  salt ;  sat- 
urated with  salt. 

Make  your  pickle  for  the  cucumbers,  salt  as  brine 
=  Make  your  pickle  for  the  cucumbers,  saturated 
with  salt. 
Salt  water  =  1.  The  ocean.     2.  Water  impregnated 
with  salt;  sea-water. 
1.  Shad  return  to  the  salt  water  after  spawning— 
Shad  return  to  the  ocean   after  spawning.     2.  I  al- 
ways feel  better  as  soon  as  I  get  down  to  the  salt 


VARIOUS   OTHER    PHRASES   AND   WORDS.         607 

water  =  1  always  feel  better  as  soon  as  I  go  to  the 
sea-side,  where  the  water  is  impregnated  with  salt. 
Sati§fy  all  demands,  to  —  To  pay  all  debts  or  claims, 
(a) 
The  executor  will  satisfy  all  demands  npon  the  es- 
tate of  the  grocer  rr  The  executor  will   pay   all  the 
debts  of  the  grocer's  estate. 
Savanna  =  An    extensive    plain   of  grass,   affording 
pasturage  in   the  rainy  season,  and  having  a  few 
shrubs. 
A  savanna  differs  from  a  prairie  in  being  under  a 
zone  where  the  seasons  are  marked  as  wet  and  dry 
=:The  extensive  plains  of  grass,  &c.,  called  savannas, 
differ  from  prairies  in  being  in  a  climate  where  the 
seasons  are  marked  as  wet  and  dry. 
Saving  one's  presences  Without  disrespect  to.  (c) 
The  man  said  to  the  lawyer,  ^'  Saving  your  presence^ 
I  think  that  lawyers  as  a  class  are  sharpers  "  =  The 
man  said  to  the  lawyer,  "  Without  disrespect  to  you 
I  think  that  lawyers  as  a  class  are  sharpers." 
Scarcely  any  =  Very  few.  (a) 

There  are  scarcely  any  plums  on  the  tree  since  the 
storm  =  There  are  very  few  plums  on  the  tree  since 
the  storm. 
Scarcely  ever=:Karely ;  seldom,  (a) 

Scarcely  ever  does  the  common  oyster  contain  a 
valuable  pearl  =  Rarely  does  the  common  oyster  con- 
tain a  valuable  pearl. 
Scene  of  action  =  The  place  where  any  thing  hap- 
pens or  is  done. 
At  the  battle   of  Waterloo,   the   Prussian    army 
reached  the  scene  of  action  just  in  time  to  defeat  Na- 
poleon Bonaparte  =  At  the  battle  of  Waterloo,  the 
Prussian  army  reached  the  battle-field  just  in  time 
to  defeat  Kapoleon  Bonaparte. 
Scourg^e  of  tlie  human  race  =  A  person  or  disease 
which  inflicts  great  and  wide-spread  suffering  on 
men. 
In  some  countries  of  Africa  and  Asia,  as  Egypt, 
Syria,  and  Turkey,  the  plague  has  been  the  scourge 
of  the  human j^ace  =  ln  some  countries  of  Africa  and 
Asia,  as  Egypt,  Syria,  and  Turkey,  the  plague  has 
been  ardisease  which  inflicted  great  and  wide-spread 
suffering  on  men. 
Scratched  ticket  =:  A  ticket  from  which  the  names 
of  one  or  more  candidates  are  scratched  out. 
An  obnoxious  nomination  for  the  legislature,  re- 
sults in  scratched  tickets  =  An  obnoxious  nomination 
for  the  legislature,  results  in  the  scratching  of  the 
names  of  obnoxious  candidates  from  the  ticket. 


608         VARIOUS   OTHER  PHRASES    AND    WORDS. 

Search-warrant  {Law)  =  A    precept    authorizing   a 
person  to  enter  houses,   shops,    and   the   like,    to 
search,  usually  for  goods  stolen,  but  sometimes  for 
other  purposes. 
A  search-warrayit  should  be  given  under  the  hand 
and  seal  of  a  justice  of  the  peace,  and   dated  =  A 
precept  authorizing  a  person  to  enter  houses,  shops, 
and  the  like,  to  search  for  stolen  goods,  should  be 
given  under  the  hand  and  seal  of  a  justice  of  the 
peace,  and  dated. 
Seat  of  authority  =  The  place  or  post  of  government, 
or  power. 
In  the  Eoman  Catholic  church,  the  Vatican  at 
Rome  is  the  sea ^  of  authority  =ln  the  Roman  Cath- 
olic church,  the  Vatican  at  Rome  is  the   place  or 
post  of  authority. 
Secondary  evidence  =  That  species  of  proof  which 
is  admissible,  when  the  primary  evidence  can  not  be 
produced,  and  which   becomes  by  that  event  the 
best  evidence. 
Before  secondary  evidence  can  be  allowed,  it  must 
be  clearly  made  to  appear,  that  the  superior  evidence 
is  not  to  be  had  =  Before  that  species  of  proof  can 
be  allowed,  which  is  admissible  only  when  the  pri- 
mary evidence  can  not  be  produced,   it   must   be 
clearly  made  to  appear,  that  the  superior  evidence  is 
not  to  be  had. 
Second  edition,  a  =  The  whole  number  of  copies  of 
a  work  at  the  second  publication. 
That  error  in  the  date   of  the  battle   of  Shiloh, 
(U.  S.)  must  be  corrected  in  the  second  edition  of  the 
History  =  That  error  in  date  of  the  battle  of  Shiloh 
(U.  S.)  must  be  corrected  in  the  second  publication 
of  the  History. 
Second-hand  =  Not  new;  alreadj^  used  by  another; 
not  received  from,  the  original  source,  {a) 
The  newly  married  couple  have  bought  second-hand 
chairs  for  their  parlor  n:  The  newly  married  couple 
have  bought,  for  their  parlor,  chairs  which  are  not 
new.     The  reporter  had  only  a  second-hand  knowl- 
edge of  the  steam-boat  disaster  =  The  reporter  re- 
ceived his  knowledge  of  the  steam-boat  disaster  from 
another  person,  and  did  not  himself  witness  it. 
Second  story  — In    America,    the   second   range  of 
rooms  from  the  street-level. 
In  many  houses,  in  American  cities,  the  first  and 
second  stories  are  rented  separately  =  In  many  Ameri- 
can houses,  the  range  of  rooms  on  the  street-level, 
and  the  range  of  rooms  next  above,  are  rented  sep- 
'  arately. 


VARIOUS    OTHER   PHRASES   AND   WORDS.         609 

Seeing  =  In  view  of  the  fact  that;  considering;  tak- 
ing into  account  that ;  since. 
Seeing  you  are  so  hungry,  we   will   have   dinner 
early  =  We  will  have  dinner  early,  in  view   of  the 
fact  that  you  are  so  hungry.     Your  child  reads  well, 
seeing  that  he  has  attended  school  so  short  a  time=r 
Considering  that  your  child  has  attended  school  so 
little  time,  he  reads  well. 
See  land,  to  =  To  discern  tokens  of  success,  (c) 

Mr.  N.  has  long  tossed  on  the  sea  of  ill  fortune, 
but  now  begins  to  see  land=^l.r.  N.  has  long  experi- 
enced ill  fortune,  but  now  begins  to  discern  tokens 
of  success. 
See  one'§  \way  clear,  to  =  To  perceive   or   discern 
that  a  course  of  action  is  right  or  best  or  feasible,  (a) 
The  teacher  did  not  see  his  way  clear  to  make  the 
tour  of  Europe,  until  he  received  a  legacy  from  his 
aunt  =:  The  teacher  did  not  perceive  that  it  would  be 
feasible  for  him  to  make  the  tour  of  Europe,  until 
he  received  a  legacy  from  his  aunt. 
Self-made  man  =  A  man  who  has  risen  from  poverty 
or  obscurity  to  wealth,  fame,  or  power,  by  means 
of  his  own  talents  or  energies,  and  without  the  aids 
by  which  such  a  result  is  usually  obtained. 
It  is  said  of  General  Garfield,  that  he  is  a  self-made 
man  =  It  is  said  that  General  Garfield  is  an  example 
of  a  man   who  has  risen  from  poverty  to  a  .distin- 
guished place  in  life,  by  means  of  his  own  energies 
and  abilities,  and  without  the  aids  by  which  such  a 
result  is  usually  obtained. 
Send  ivord,  to  =  To  inform  by  message,  (a) 

Send  me  word  to-morrow  how  your  father  is  =  Let 
me  know  to-morrow  by  message  how  your  father  is. 
I  did  not  write,  but  I  sent  word  to  him  =  I  did  not 
write,  but  I  informed  him  by  message. 
Sergeant-majors  A  non-commissioned  officer,  who 
acts  as  assistant  to  the  adjutant. 
There  is  one  sergeant-major  in  a  regiment  =  There 
is  in  a  regiment,  one  non-commissioned  officer,  who 
acts  as  assistant  to  the  adjutant. 
Service    of  a   writ,  process,   &c.  (Za?^?)  =r  Judicial 
delivery,  or^onmiunication  of  a  writ,  &c. 
"  When  the  service  of  a  writ  is  prevented  by  the 
act  of  the  party  on  whom  it  is  to  be  served,  it  will, 
in  general,  be  sufficient  if  the  officer  do  every  thing 
in  his  power  to  serve  it."     [Bouvier]=When  the 
judicial  delivery  of  a  writ  is  prevented  by  the  act  of 
the  party  on  whom  it  is  to  be  served,  it  will  generally 
be  sufficient  if  the  officer  do  every  thing  in  his  power 

to  serve  it» 

40 


610         VARIOUS   OTHER    PHRASES   AND   WORDS. 

Set  an  example,  to  =  To  be  a  model  for  imitation ; 
to  do  anything  for  others  to  copy,  or  follow,  (a) 
Children  who  have  been  well  brought  up  at  home, 
set  a   good  example,  in  school  =  Children  who   have 
been  well  trained  at  home,  become  good  models  for 
imitation  in  scliool. 
Set  foot  on,  to=:To  step  upon,  (c) 

When  Columbus  and  his  sailors  had  set  foot  on  the 
shores  of  America,  (1492)  they  erected  a  crucifix = 
When  Columbus  and  his  sailors  had  stepped  on  the 
shores  of  America,  (1492)  they  erected  a  crucifix. 
Set   or   §ettled   purpose  =  The    determined  or  un- 
yielding purpose. 
It  is  the  settled  purpose  of  the  merchant,  to  build  a 
new  house  next  summer  =  It  is  the  determined  pur- 
pose of  the  merchant,  to  build  a  new  house  next 
summer. 
Set  speech  =  A  formal  speech,  carefully  prepared  be- 
fore delivery. 
All  his  public  addresses  seem  to  be  set  speeches  = 
All  his  public  addresses  seem  to  be  formal  speeches 
carefully  prepared  before  delivery. 
Set  tlie  law  at  defiance,  to=rTo  violate  the  law 
boldly,  (c) 
The  saloon  keeper  on  the  corner,  has  long  set  the 
law  at  deJiance=The  saloon  keeper  on  the  corner,  has 
long  violated  the  law  boldly. 
Settle  the  question,  to  =  To  decide  that  which  was 
before  doubtful  or  uncertain,  (a) 
The  return  of  the  sailor  who  was  supposed  to  be 
drowned,  settles  the  question  =  The  return  of  the  sailor 
decides  what  was  before  uncertain,  viz.,  whether  or 
not  he  was  drowned. 
Seven  uronders  of  the  world  =  The  Egyptian  pyra- 
mids,  the  mausoleum  erected  by  Artemisia,  the 
temple  of  Diana  at  Ephesus,  the  walls  and  hanging 
gardens  of  Babylon,  the  Colossus  at  Rhodes,  the 
statue  of  Jupiter   Olympius,  and  the   Pharos   or 
watch-tower  at  Alexandria. 
These  objects  received  the  name,  the  seven  wonders 
of  the  ivorld,  in  ancient  times = The  time  when  these 
seven  things  were  called  the  seven  wonders  of  the 
world,  was  long  ago,  and  before  the  days  of  modern 
invention. 
Shade   or   degree    of   difference  =  A   very   slight 
difference  or  variation,  (a) 
There  is  only  a  shade  of  difference  in  color,  between 
these  two  pieces  of  silk  =  These  two  pieces  of  silk 
difier  very  slightly  in  color. 
Shake   or  stagger   one's  faith  or  belief,  to  =  To 


VAKIOUS    OTHER  PHRASES  AND  WORDS.         611 

impair   one's    confidence;  to   render  uncertain  or 
doubting,  (c) 
The  charges  brought  against  the  banker's  honesty, 
shake  the  faith  of  the  community  in  him  =  The  charges 
brought  against   the   banker's  honesty,  impair  the 
confidence  of  the  community  in  him. 
Sharpen  tlie  wits,  to  =  To  arouse  the  mind  to  activ- 
ity ;  to  quicken  the  intellect,  (c) 
The  dull  boy  must  sharpen  his  wits,  if  he  would 
keep  his  place  in  his  class  =  The  dull  boy  must  rouse 
his  mind  to  action,  if  he  would  keep  his  place  in  the 
class. 
Slieep-iiralk  =  Land  where  sheep  are  pastured. 
Ship  of  the  line = A  vessel  of  war  carrying  seventy- 
four  guns  or  more. 
In  the  war  between  England  and  America  (1812), 
ships  of  the  line  were  employed  =  In  the  war  between 
England  and  America  (1812),  vessels  carrying  seven- 
ty-four guns  or  more  were  employed. 
Shippings  articles  =  Articles  of  agreement  between 
the  captain  of  a  vessel  and  the  seamen  on  board,  in 
respect  to  the  amount  of  wages,  length  of  time  for 
which  they  are  shipped,  &c. 
"  Shipping  articles  ought  not  to  contain  any  clause 
which  derogates  from  the  general  rights  and  priv- 
ileges of  seamen."    [Bouvier.]  =  The  terms  of  agree- 
ment between  the  captain  of  a  vessel,  and  the  sea- 
men on  board,  ought  not  to  contain  any  article  which 
derogates  from  the  general  rights  and  privileges  of 
seamen. 
Ship's   papers  =  *^  The  documents  required  for  the 
manifestation  of  the  ownership  and  national  char- 
acter of  a  vessel  and  her  cargo,  and  to  show  her 
compliance  with  the  revenue  and  navigation  laws 
of  the  country  to  which  she  belongs."     [Bouvier.] 
The  want  of  these  ship^s  papers  or  any  of  them 
renders   the  character  of  a  vessel  suspicious  =  The 
want  of  the  documents  required  for  the  manifesta- 
tion of  the  ownership  and  national   character  of  a 
vessel,  and  to  show  her  compliance  with  her  coun- 
try's revenue  laws,  renders  the  character  of  a  vessel 
suspicious. 
Shop  bill = A  tradesman's  hand-bill  or  business  an- 
nouncement. 
Shore    dinners  A   dinner   composed   of  articles  of 
sea  food ;  as  fish,  shell-fish,  chowder,  and  the  like. 
The  excursionists  had  a  shore  dinner  =  The  excur- 
sionists had  a  dinner   composed  of  articles  of  sea 
food. 


612        VARIOUS    OTHER  PHRASES  AND  WORDS. 

IShow  of  hands = The  raising  of  hands,  as  a  vote  in 
a  public  meeting. 
In  the  the  town-meeting  the  question  of  license 
or  no  license  to  sell  intoxicating  liquors  was  decided 
by  show  of  hands  =  In  the  town-meeting  the  question 
of  license  or  no  license  to  sell  intoxicating  liquors  was 
put  to  vote,  and  decided,  by  raising  the  hands. 
Show  of  reason  =  Appearance  of  argument;  plaus- 
ibility. 
The  senator  in  his  speech  maintained,  with  some 
show  of  reason^  that  government  ought  to  control  the 
telegraphic  lines  of  the  country  =  The  senator  in  his 
.   speech  maintained,  with  some  plausibility,  that  the 
government  ought  to  control  the  telegraphic  lines  of 
the  country. 
Shrapnel  shell  =  A  shell  filled  with  a  quantity  of 
musket  balls,  which,  wdien  the  shell  explodes,  are 
projected  still  further. 
The  shrapnel  shell  is  one  of  the  most  destructive 
shells  now  used  =  The  shell  filled  with  a  quantity  of 
musket  balls  which  are  thi'own  still  further  after  ex- 
plosion, is  one  of  the  most  desti'uctive  shells  now 
used. 
Sick  hay  =  In  vessels  of  war,  that  part  of  the  deck 

appropriated  to  the  use  of  the  sick. 
Sick    headache  =  A  variety   of  headache   attended 
with  disorder  of  the  stomach  and  nausea. 
Some  persons  have  periodical  attacks  of  sich  head- 
ache=  Some   persons   have   frequently  recurring  at- 
tacks of  headache,  with  disorder  of  the  stomach  and 
nausea.     Eiding  in  the  cars  always  gives  some  per- 
sons a  sick  headache  =  There  are  some  persons  who, 
when  they  ride  in  the  cars,  are  always  attacked  with 
a  headache  which  is  attended  with  nausea. 
Side-har  rules  {Bng.  Xaif.)  =  Kules  which  were  form- 
erly moved  for  by  attorneys  on  the  side-bar  of  the 
court,  but  now  may  be  had   of  the   clerk  of  the 
rules. 
Side-bar  rules  are,  that  the  sherijff  return  his  w^it, 
that  he  bring  in  the  body,  for  special  imparlance,  to 
be  present  at  the  taxing  of  costs,  and  the  like  =  Rules 
which  were  formerly  moved  for  by  attorneys  on  the 
side-bar  of  the  court,  but  now  may  be  had  of  the 
clerk  of  the  rules,  are  that  the  sheriff  return  his 
writ,  that  he  bring  in  the  body,  for  special  imparl- 
ance, to  be  present  at  the  taxing  of  costs,  and  the 
like. 
Side  hy  side  =  Close  together  and  abreast;  in  com- 
pany and  along  with. 
On  a  march  the  surgeon  and  the  chaplain  of  the 


VARIOUS    OTHER  PHRASES  AND   WORDS.         613 

regiment  generally  rode,  side  hy  side— On  a  march 
tlie  surgeon  and  the  chaplain  generally  rode,  close 
together  and  abreast. 
Siege-train  =  The  a^^paratns,  consisting  of  cannon, 

mortars,  &c.,  for  conducting  a  siege. 
Signal  post  or  signal  staff  =  A  pole  or  mast  upon 
which  a  flag  or  anything  else  may  be  displayed  for 
the  purpose  of  conveying  signals. 
Signal  telegraphs  A  telegraph  in  which   precon- 
certed signals,  made  by  a  machine,  or  otherwise,  at 
one  station,  are  seen  and  interpreted  at  another. 
Signal  telegraphs  were  made  much  use  of  by  Gen. 
Sherman  in  his   Georgia  campaign  =  Conveying  in- 
formation by  preconcerted  signals,  from  one  station 
to  another,  was  made  much  use  of  by  Gen.  Sher- 
man, in  his  Georgia  campaign. 
Sign  manual   {Eng.  Law)  =  \,  The  royal  signature 
superscribed  at  the  top  of  bills  of  grants  and  letters 
patent,  which  are  then  sealed  with  the  privy  signet, 
or  great  seal,  as  the  case  may  be,  to  complete  their 
validity.     2.  The  signature  of  one's  name  in  his 
own  handwriting. 
1.  The  charter  of  the  colony  of  Connecticut  has 
no  sign  manual  of  Charles  II.  at  the  top  of  the  page 
on  which  the  charter  was  written  =  The  charter  of 
the  colony  of  Connecticut  has    not    the    signature 
of  Charles  II.  at  the  top  of  the  page,  on  which  the 
charter  was  written.     2.  The  sign  manual  of  a  testa- 
tor is  necessary  to  the  validity  of  a  wills  The  signa- 
ture of  the  testator  in  his  own  handwriting  is  nec- 
essary to  the  validity  ot  a  will. 
Silent,  sleeping,  or  dormant  partner  =  A  partner 
who  takes  no  share  in  the  active  business  of  a  Arm, 
but  is  entitled  to  a  share  in  the  profits,  and  subject 
to  a  share  in  the  losses. 
It  is  not  necessary  to  give  notice  of  the  retirement 
of  a  dormant  partner  from  the  firm,  if  the  fact  of  his 
being  a  partner  be  unknown  to  all  the  creditors  of  a 
firm  =  It  is  not  necessary  to  give  notice  of  the  retire- 
ment of  a  partner   whose   name   and   transactions 
are  professedly  concealed,  if  the  fact  of  his  being  a 
partner  be  unknown  to  all  the  creditors  of  a  firm. 
If  it  be  known  to  some,  notice  must  be  given  to  those. 
Simple  contract  {Law)  =  Any  contract,  whether  oral 
or  written,  which  is  not  of  record  or  under  seal. 
Simple  contracts  answer  most  nearly  to  the  general 
definition  of  a  contract  =  Contracts,  oral  or  written, 
which  are  not  such  as  are  required  by  law  to  be  re- 
corded, or  ratified  by  seal,  answer  most  nearly  to  the 
general  definition  of  contract. 


614        VARIOUS    OTHER  PHRASES  AND  WORDS. 

(Simple  oblig^ation  {Civil  Law)  — '^  An  unconditional 
obligation ;  one  which  is  to  be  performed  without 
depending  upon  any  event  provided  by  the  parties 
to  it."     [Bouvier.] 
{Sinking  fund  =  A  sum  of  money  set  apart,  usually 
at  lixed  intervals,  to  the  redemption  of  the  debts 
of  government  or  of  a  corporation. 
The  sinking  fund  of  Hartford,  in  1879,  amounted 
to  $173,640  =  The  sum  of  money  set  apart  by  the 
city   of   Hartford,    for    the    redemption    of   debt, 
amounted  in  1879  to  $173,640. 
ISink.  money,  to  =  To   expend  money  foolishly   or 
without  profit,  (a) 
The  founders  of  a  daily  paper,  often  sink  much 
money  in  getting  the  paper  started  =  The  founders 
of  a  daily  paper,  often  expend  much  money  without 
profit  in  getting  the  paper  started. 
Sister§  of  charity  {Rom.  Caih.  CAi/rcA)  =  Communi- 
ties of  nuns  of  various  orders  engaged  in  works  of 
mercy. 
Sisters  of  charity  were  first  called  into  existence  in 
France  in  1634= Communities  of  nuns,  engaged  in 
works  of  mercy,  were  first  called  into  existence  in 
France  in  1634. 
ISister§  of  mercy  {Rom.  Cath.  Church)  =  A  religious 
order  founded  in  Dublin  in  the  year  1827.    Kote. — 
Th^  duties  of  sisters  of  mercy  are,  to  attend  lying- 
in  hospitals,  to  superintend  the  education  of  fe- 
males, to  ^asit  prisoners  and  the  sick,  and  to  attend 
persons  condemned  to  death. 
Sketch-book  =  A  book  for  sketches  or  other  outlines ; 
a  book  containing  rough,  or  but  partly  finished, 
drawings. 
The  tourists  took  their  sketch-hook  with  them  =  The 
tourists  took  with  them,  blank  books  for  sketches. 
(Slacken  one'§  gait  or  pace,  to  =  To  proceed  more 
slowly,  (c) 
The  horse  slackened  his  gait.,  as  he  began  to  ascend 
the  hill  =  The  horse  went  more  slowly,  as  he  began 
to  ascend  the  hill. 
Slant  of  -wind  {Naut.)  =  A  transitory  breeze  of  wind, 

or  the  period  of  its  duration. 
Slip  of  the  pen  =  The  error  of  writing  something 
different  from  what  was  intended. 
It  was  by  a  slip  of  the  joen,  that  Mr.  K's  letter  was 
directed  to  Sumter  street  instead  of  Sumner  street  = 
It  was  by  the  error  of  writing,  that  Mr.  K's  letter  was 
directed  to  Sumter  street  instead  of  Sumner  street. 
Slip  of  the  tongue  =  The  error  of  saying  one  thing 
while  intending  to  say  another. 


VARIOUS    OTHER  PHRASES  AND  WORDS.         615 

By  a  slip  of  the  tongue  Mr.  A.  said,  that  his  son 
Eved  in  Sacramento  instead  of  San  Francisco  =  By 
the  error  of  saying  one  thing,  while  intending  to  say 
another,  Mr.  A.  stated  that  his  son  lived  in  Sacra- 
mento instead  of  San  Francisco. 
Sleiglit  of  hand  =  Dexterity  of  hand;  legerdemain. 
The  children  were  very  much  interested  in  the 
exhibition   of  sleight  of  hand— The,   children   were 
very  much  interested  in  the  tricks  of  legerdemain. 
Sloop  of  war  =  A  vessel  of  war  rigged  either  as  a 
ship,   brig,   or   schooner,   and   mounting  between 
eighteen  and  thirty-two  guns. 
Small  arms  =  Guns  not  recpiring  carriages  for  their 
transportation  in  service. 
One  hundred  and  seventy-two  heavy  guns,  and  a 
great  quantity  of  small  arms,  were  captured  at  the 
taking  of  Yicksburg,  (U.  S.   1863)  =  One  hundred 
and  seventy-two  heavy  guns,  and  a  great  quantity 
of  guns  not  requiring  carriages  for  transportation, 
were  taken  at  Yicksburg,  (U.  S.  1863). 
Small  coin  =  Money  of  the  lesser  denominations. 

When  the  burglar  was    arrested,   nothing   was 
found  on  his  person  but  a  quantity  of  small  coin  = 
When  the  burglar  was  arrested,  he  was  found  to  be 
in  possession  of  nothing  but  a  quantity  of  money 
of  the  lower  denominations. 
Small  fruits  =  Fruits  raised  in  market-gardens, — such 
as  raspberries,  strawberries,  &c. 
He  is  engaged  in  raising  small  fruits  =  He  is  en- 
gaged in  raising  raspberries,  strawberries,  and  the 
like,  for  market. 
Smooth  log  (Naut.)  =  The  copy  of  the  first  draught 
of  a  log-book. 
The   smooth   log  of  the   ship  Alaska   which   has 
been  absent  two  years,  will  soon  be  sent  to  the  navy 
department  =  The  copy  of  the  first  draught  of  the 
log-book  of  the  ship  Alaska  which  has  been  absent 
two  years,  will  soon  be  sent  to  the  navy  department. 
So  and  80  =  A  certain  person,  not   mentioned   by 
name ;  an  indefinite  person. 
Mr.  So  and  so,  the  new  lodger,  over  the  way,  is 

quite  sick = Mr. (an  indefinite  person,  name 

not  known)  the  new  lodger,  over  the  way,  is  quite 
sick. 
Sober  reality  =  Serious  fact  or  condition,  (a) 

Death  is  a  sober  reality  in  man's  experience  =  Death 
is  a  serious  fact  in  man's  experience. 
So  called  =  That  which  is  called  so,  but  is  not  so,  in 
reality,  (a) 
"When  the    feudal  system  was  swept  away  in 


616        VARIOUS    OTHER  PHRASES   AND  WORDS. 

Japan,  the  so  called  king  of  Loochoo  became  simply 
an  ordinary  Japanese  subject,"  (London  and  China 
Telegraph)  =  When  the  feudal  system  was  swept 
away  in  Japan,  the  nominal  king,  (the  king  in  title 
biit  not  in  reality),  of  Loochoo,  became  simply  a 
Japanese  subject. 
Social  evil,  the  =  Prostitution ;  libertinism. 

The  morning  paper  has  an  editorial  on  the  social  evil 
=  The  morning  paper  has  an  editorial  on  libertinism. 
Social   science  =  The  science  of  all  that  relates  to 
the  social  condition,  the   relations  and  institutions 
which  are  involved  in  man's  existence,  and  his  well- 
being  as  a  member  of  an  organized  community; 
sociolog}^ 
A  few  persons,  interested  in  social  science,  met  last 
winter,  occasionally,  to  hear  papers  read  and  discuss 
them  =  A  few  persons,  interested  in  the  science  of 
what  relates  to  the  social  condition,  or  sociology, 
met  occasionally  last  winter,  to  hear  papers  read, 
and  discuss  them. 
Society  ver§e§  =:  The  lightest  kind  of  lyrical  poetry ; 
verses  for  the  amusement  of  polite  society. 
Several  Florence  ladies  and  gentlemen  have  pub- 
lished some  society  verses  under  the  name  of  Christ- 
mas Carols  =  Several  Florence  ladies  and  gentleman 
have  published  some  verses  for  the  amusement  of 
polite  society,  under  the  name  of  Christmas  Carols. 
So  far  forth  =  As  far ;  to  such  a  degree. 

/So  far  forth  as  you  shall  deserve  mention  for  your 
good  conduct,  you  shall  be  mentioned  =  To  such  a 
degree  as  you  shall  deserve  mention  for  your  good 
conduct,  you  shall  be  mentioned. 
So  far  a§  concerns  =  So  far  as  affects,  interests,  or 
relates  to.  (a) 
So  far  as  concerris  my  health,  America  is  as  ad- 
vantageous as  China  =  So  far  as  relates  to  my  health, 
America  is  as  advantageous  as  China.     jSo  far  as  it 
concerns  me,  or  so  far  as  I  am  concerned,  you  are  at 
liberty  to  use  this  room  =  So  far  as  it  affects  me,  you 
are  at  liberty  to  use  this  room.     So  far  as  it  concerns 
China  it  makes  no  difference  whether  Greece  ex- 
tends her  northern  boundary  or  not  =  It  makes  no 
difference,  so  far  as  it  affects  China,  whether  the 
boundary  of  Greece  is  extended  northwards. 
So  forth  =  Further  in  the  same  or  a  similar  manner ; 
more  of  the  same  or  a  similar  kind,  {a) 
The  fruit  merchant  has  received  a  supply  of  or- 
anges, lemons,  figs,  bananas,  and  so  forth  — The  fruit 
merchant  has  received  a  supply  of  oranges,  lemons, 
figs,  bananas,  and  other  fruits. 


VARIOUS    OTHER  PHRASES  AND  WORDS.         617 

So  help  you  Ood  =  A  phrase  in  a  judicial  oath,  by 
which  pledge  is  given  that  the  attestation  or  prom- 
ise is  made  under  an  immediate  sense  of  responsi- 
bility to  God. 
Before  testifying,  the  witness  is  sworn  to  testify 
to  the  truth,  the  whole  truth,  and  nothing  but  the 
truth,   ">&  help  you    6^oc^"=:  Before   testifying,  the 
witness  is  sworn  to  testify  to  the  truth,  the  whole 
truth,  and  nothing  but  the  truth,  giving  his  pledge 
that  his  testimony  is  made  under  an  immediate  sense 
of  responsibility  to  God. 
Solar  §ystem  {Astron.)  -  The  sun  together  with  the 
group  of  celestial  bodies,  which,  held  by  his  at- 
traction, revolve  around  him. 
The  earth  belongs  to  the  solar  system=The  earth 
belongs  to  the  system  of  planets  which  revolve  about 
the  sun. 
Solar   year  =  Year   as   measured   by   the    apparent 
motion  of  the  sun  in  the  heavens,  either  astronom- 
ical, or  civil.     The  astronomical  solar  year  is  the 
time  the  sun  takes  in  passing  through  the  twelve 
signs  of  the  zodiac.     The  civil  solar  year  is  the 
year,  consisting  of  an  exact  or  integral  number  of 
days,  as  determined  by  civil  governments. 
Somehow  or  other  =  In  one  way  or  another;  by 
some  method  as  yet  unknown  or  undetermined,  (c) 
Somehow  or  other,  the  invalid  must  be  persuaded  to 
take  a  journey  =  By  some  method  or  other,  the  in- 
valid must  be  persuaded  to  take  a  journey. 
Some  one  =  A  certain  person  or  things  as  yet  indefi- 
nite, (a) 

Some  one  must  be  the  first  to  cross  the  new  bridge 
=  A  certain  person,  whom  we  do  not  know,  must 
be  the  first  person  to  cross  the  new  bridge. 
Something^   else  =  Something   different;    something 
beside,  (a) 

The  boy  was  given  a  kite,  but  he  wanted  some- 
ihing  else  —  The  boy  was  given  a  kite,  but  wanted  some- 
thing different.     I  have  shown  you  my  horses  and 
my  cattle,  and  now  I  have  something  else  to  show^,  my 
dogs  =  I  have  shown  you  my  horses,  and  my  cattle, 
and  now  I  have  something  besides  to  show,  my  dogs. 
Sometime  ago  =  At  a  time  in  the  past  (more  or  less 
distant),  (a) 
The  merchant  announced,  sometime  ago,  that  he 
intended  to  retire  from   business   next   year  =  The 
merchant  announced,  at  sometime  in  the  past,  that 
he  intended  to  cease  doing  business  next  year. 
So  much  the  better  =  Still  better,  (a) 

Come  and  take  tea  with  me  to-day,  and  if  you  can 


618        VARIOUS    OTHER  PHRASES  AND  WORDS. 

spend  the  evening,  so  much  the  better  =  Come  and  take 
tea  with  me  to-day,  and  if  you  can  also  pass  the 
evening  with  me,  that  will  be  better  still. 

So  mucb  tlie  worsen  Still  worse,  (a) 

The  new  postmaster  is  uneducated,  and  if,  as  I 
hear,  he  is  not  very  honest,  so  much  the  worse =T]ie 
new  postmaster  is  uneducated,  and  if,  as  I  hear,  he 
is  not  very  honest,  the  matter  is  still  worse. 

Sooner  or  later  =  At  some  indefinite  future  time. 

/Sooner  or  later  we  all  must  die  =  At  some  time  in 
the  future  as  yet  indefinite,  we  all  must  die. 
So  so  =  Tolerably  well,  (a) 

How  do  you  feel,  this  morning?     I  am  so  so  = 
How  do  you  feel  this  morning  ?     I  am  tolerably  well. 
So  soon  a§  =  Immediately  at  or  after  another  event, 
(a) 
So  soon  as  the  rain  was  over,  the  family  went  to 
ride  =  Immediately  after  the  rain  ceased,  the  family 
rode  out. 
So  that  =  To  the  end  that ;  in  order  that ;  with  the 
efiect  or  result  that,  (a) 
The  road  is  raised  in  the  middle,  so  that  the  water 
may  flow  to  each  side  =  The   road   is   constructed 
with  an  elevation  in  the  centre,  in  order  that  the 
water  may  drain  to  either  side. 
So  then  =  Thus   then  it  is;    therefore;    the   conse- 
quence is.  (a) 
The  last  train  for  the  day  has  passed  this  station ; 
so  then  we  must  spend  the  night  here=!No  more 
trains  will  pass  this  station  to-day ;  we  must  there- 
fore pass  the  night  here.     So  then,  you  have  decided 
to  spend  your  vacation  at  the  White  Mountains  ?  = 
Thus  it  is  then,  you  have  concluded  to  pass  your 
vacation  at  the  White  Mountains  ? 
Sound  currency  {Com.)  =  A  currency  whose  actual 
value  is  the  same  as  its   nominal  value, — if  the 
phrase  applies  to  a  paper  currency,  it  indicates  that 
such  currency  is  on  a  par  with  gold  and  silver,  and 
convertible  into  those  metals. 
A  sou7id  currency  is  essential  to  commercial  .pros- 
perity =  A  currency  which  has  the  same  nominal  and 
actual  value,  or  which  is  at  any  time  convertible  into 
gold  and  silver,  is  essential  to  commercial  prosperity. 
Sound  the  alarm,  to  =  To  give  warning,  (a) 

The  editor  said  in  the  morning  paper,  that  the 
bridge  over  the  river  was  unsafe,  and  tliat  it  was  his 
duty  to  sound  the  alarm  =  Th.e  editor  said  in  the 
morning  paper,  that  the  bridge  over  the  river  was 
unsafe,  and  that  it  was  his  duty  to  give  warning. 


VARIOUS  OTHER  PHRASES  AND    WORDS.         619 

Sovereign  §tate  =  A  state  which  administers  its  own 
government,  and  is  not  dependent  on,  or  subject 
to,  another  power. 
Japan  is,  but  Bengal  is  not,  a  sovereign  state  =  Japan 
is  independent  of  all  other  powers,  but  Bengal  is  de- 
pendent on  Great  Britain. 
Spanking  breeze  =  A  strong  breeze. 

The  schooner  passed  Formosa  in  a  spanking  breeze 
=:The  schooner  passed  Formosa  in  a  strong  breeze. 
Spare  room  =  The  room  in   a  house   reserved   for 
guests. 
Is  the  spare  room  in  readiness  for  company  ?  =  Is 
the  room  which  is  reserved  for  guests,  in  readiness 
for  company  ? 
Speeie  =  Metallic  money  issued  by  public  authority. 
"  Specie  is  the  only  constitutional  money  in  the 
United  States."     [Bouvier.]  =  Metallic  money  issued 
by  public  authority,  is  the  only  constitutional  money 
in  the  United  States. 
Special  damages  =  "  The  damages  recoverable  for  the 
actual  injury  incurred  through  the  peculiar  circum- 
stances of  the  individual  case,  above  and  beyond 
those  presumed  by  law  from  the  general  nature  of 
the  wrong."     [Bouvier]. 
Special  damages  must  be  specially  averred  in  the 
declaration,  or  they   can    not   be  recovered  =  The 
damages  recoverable  for  the  actual  injury  incurred 
through  the  peculiar  circumstances  of  the  individual 
case,  above  and  beyond  those  presumed  by  law,  must 
be  specially  averred  in  the  declaration,  or  they  can 
not  be  recovered. 
Special  deposit = A   deposit    made   of  a   particular 
thing  with  a  depositary. 
When  a  special  deposit  has  been  made,  the  title  to 
it  remains  with  the  depositor,  and^  if  it  should  be 
lost,  the  loss  will  fall  upon  him  =  When  a   deposit 
has  been  made  of  a  particular  thing  with  a  deposita- 
ry, the  title  of  it  remains  with  the  depositor,  and  if 
it  should  be  lost,  the  loss  will  fall  upon  him. 
Special  jury=:  A  jury  consisting  of  persons  of  some 
particular  calling,  or  qualification,  which  is  called 
upon  the  motion  of  either  party,  when  the  cause  is 
supposed  to  require  it. 
The  case  is  to  be  tried  by  special  jury  =  The  case  is 
to  be  tried  by  a  jury  of  special  qualifications. 
Special  property  =  A  qualified  or  limited  propert}^, 
as  in  wild  animals,  things  found  or  bailed,  during 
possession. 
If  I  acquire  special  property  in  a  stray  horse,  I  am 
in  duty  bound  to  take  reasonably  good  care  of  the 


620        VARIOUS    OTHER  PHRASES  AND   WORDS. 

horse  =  If  I  acquire  a  qualified  property,  in  ahorse 
for  instance,  which  has  strayed  upon  my  farm,  I  am 
in  duty  boimd  to  take  reasonably  good  care  of  the 
horse.     Special  property  is  an  ownership  which  im- 
poses the  obligation  of  reasonable  diligence  in  pre- 
serving   the    property  =  A   limited  property,  as   in 
things  found,  imposes  the  obligation  of  reasonable 
diligence  in  preserving  the  thing  found. 
Speeiflc  character  (Nat.  Hist.)  —  A  circumstance  or 
circumstances  distinguishing  one  species  from  every 
other  species  of  the  same  genus. 
Scientific  men  are  not  agreed  as  to  what  it  is  that 
constitutes  the  specific  character  of  man  =  It   is  not 
agreed  among  scientific  men  what  the  circumstances 
are  which  make  men  specifically  different  from  other 
animals. 
Specific  duty=:A  duty  of  a  specific  fixed  amount  on 
certain    imports; — contrasted    with  an  ad  valorem 
duty^  the  amount  of  which  is  graded  according  to 
the  actual  market  value  of  the  article  taxed. 
Specific  gravity  =  The  ratio  of  the  weight  of  a  body, 
to  the  weight  of  an  equal  volume  of  some  other 
body,  taken  as  the  standard. 
Nineteen  is  tlie  specific  gravity  of  gold  =  Gold,  bulk 
for  bulk,  is  nineteen  times  heavier  than  water,  (the 
standard  for  solids  and  liquids). 
Specific   legacy  {Law)  =  A   bequest   of  a  particular 
thing,  as  of  a  particular  animal  or  piece  of  furni- 
ture, specified  and  distinguished  from  all  others. 
"If  the  specific  article  given  by  a  specific  legacy  be 
not  found  among  the  assets  of  the  testator,  the  leg- 
atee loses  his  legacy."     [Bouvier.]=If  the  specific 
article  given  by  particular  bequest,  be  not  found 
among  the  assets  of  the  testator,  the  legatee  loses 
his  legacy. 
Specific  name  {Nat.  Hist.)  =  The   name   which,    ap- 
pended to  the  name  of  the  genus,  constitutes  the 
distinctive  name  of  the  species. 
Spinal  column  {Anaf.)  =  Spine ;  backbone. 

The  spinal  column  is  the  central  organ  of  support, 
in  the  body  of  vertebrate  animals  ==  The  backbone 
is  the  central  organ  of  support,  in  the  body  of  verte- 
brate animals. 
Spirit  farm  =  The    exclusive    license    or    privilege, 
granted  by  government  to  the  highest  bidder,  to 
sell  spirits  in  certain  colonies  of  the  East.  | 

The  English  government  derives  revenue  from 
the  spirit  farm  in  Singapore  and  Penang ;  the  French 
government,  from  that  in  Saigon;  the  Dutch,  from 
that  in  Java = The  English  government  derives  rev- 


VARIOUS  OTHER    PHRASES  AND   WORDS.         621 

eniie  from  the  exclusive  license  for  tlie  sale  of  spirits 
in  Singapore  and  Penag;  the  French  government, 
from  the  license  in  Saigon,  and  the  Dutch  govern- 
ment, from  that  in  Java. 
Split  ticket  =  A  ticket    containing   candidates   from 
two  or  more  parties.     (U.  S.) 
Two  leading  parties   sometimes  nominate  a  split 
ticket^  to  defeat  a  third   obnoxious  party  =  The  two 
leading  parties   sometimes  nominate  a  ticket,  with 
candidates  from  each  party,  to  defeat  a  third  obnox- 
ious party. 
jSpoiitaneou§  combustion,  of  a  substance  =  A  tak- 
ing lire  of  itself,  by  the  evolution  of  heat,  through 
the  chemical  action  of  its  own  elements. 
Oil  and  cotton  are  substances,  which,  in  union,  are 
liable  to  spontaneous  combustion  =  Oil  and  cotton,  in 
union,  are  liable  to  take  fire  of  themselves,  by  the 
evolution  of  heat,  and  chemical  action. 
Springy  up  like  a  niu§tiroom,  to  =  To  appear  sud- 
denly and  grow  rapidly,  (c) 
His  great  trade  in   ready-made  clothing,  sprung 
up  like  a  mushroom  =  His  great  trade  in  ready-made 
clothing,  had  a  sudden  rise  and  rapid  growth. 
Stale  demand  =  A  claim  or  demand  which  has  not 
been  pressed  or  demanded  for  a  long  time. 
The  court  decided  that  his  claim  was  a  stale  de- 
mand, on  the  ground  that  there  had  been  an  unex- 
plained delay  of  twelve  years  =  The  court  decided 
that  his  claim  was  too  old,  on  the  ground  of  an  un- 
explained delay  of  twelve  years. 
Standing   rule§  =  Permanent    regulations   of  either 
branch  of  a  legislative  body,  adopted  by  each  for 
its  own  guidance. 
By  the  standing  rules  of  the  Board  of  Aldermen, 
of  Hartford,  the  mayor  presides  at  the  meetings  of 
the  Boards  By  the   permanent  regulations   of  the 
Board  of  Aldermen  of  Hartford,  the  mayor  presides 
at  the  meetings  of  the  Board. 
Standing     water  =  Water    not    flowing,    stagnant 
water. 
Standing  water  is  not   considered  so  good  for  pas- 
tures, as  running  water  =  Running  water  is  considered 
better  than  water  not  flowing,  for  the  use  of  cattle 
in  pastures. 
Stand  of  arms  =  A  musket  with  its  usual  append- 
ages. 
Each  soldier  has  a  stand  of  arms  =  Each  soldier  has 
a  musket,  bayonet  and  cartridge-box. 
Stand   on  end,  to  =  To  stand  upright  or   erect ;  to 
rest  on  its  end.  (c) 


622        VARIOUS   OTHER    PHRASES  AND  WORDS. 

It  is  said  that  fear  sometimes  causes  the  hair  to 
stand  on  end=  It  is  said  that  fear  sometimes  causes 
the  hair  to  stand  erect. 
Standing  orders  =  Permanent    directions    or    com- 
mands. 
The  policemen  have  standing  orders  to  arrest  all 
persons   who  are  causing  a  disturbance  in  the  street 
=  It  is  one  of  the  permanent  directions  given  to  the 
policemen,  to  arrest  all  persons  who  cause  a  disturb- 
ance in  the  street. 
IStand  §till,  to  =  To  remain  quiet ;  to  cease  from  mo- 
tion, (a) 
The  shepherd  could  not  count  his  sheep,  because 
they  did  not  stand  stiU=The   shepherd   could  not 
count  his  sheep,  because  they  did  not  remain  quiet. 
Staple   commodity  =  The  principal  commodity  pro- 
duced by  a  country,  for  exportation  or  use. 
Cotton   is   the   staple  commodity   of  some  of   the 
Southern  States  of  America = Cotton  is  the  principal 
thing  produced  by  some  of  the  Southern  States  of 
America  for  exportation. 
Star-spangled  banner  =  The    flag    of  the    United 
States. 
In  the  star-spangled  banner^  the  stars  represent  the 
number  of  the   states  =  In   the  flag  of  the   United 
States  the  stars  represent  the  number  of  the  states. 
State  paper  =  A  paper  relating  to  the  political  inter- 
ests, or  government  of  a  state. 
President  Abraham  Lincoln  wrote  admirable  state 
papers  =  President  Lincoln  wrote  admirable  messages, 
proclamations,  and  other  public  papers. 
State's  evidence  =  An  accomplice  in  a  crime,  who  is 
admitted  as  evidence  for  the  government. 
In  the  case  of  State  vs.  Bloke  and  others,  one  of 
the  murderers  turned  staters  evidence  =  ln  the  case  of 
State  vs.  Bloke  and  others,  one  of  the  accomplices 
in  the  murder,  was  admitted,  for  the  want  of  other 
evidence,  to  testify  for  the  government. 
Statute  of  limitations  {Law)  =  A  statute  assigning 
a  certain  time,  after  which  rights  can  not  be  enforced 
by  action. 
The  English  statute  of  limitations  {162S)  has  passed, 
with  some  modifications  into  the  statute-books  of  ev- 
ery state  in  the  United  States  except  Louisiana  = 
The   English   statute   of  1623,  assigning  a   certain 
time  after  which  rights  can  not  be  enforced  by  action, 
has  passed  with  some  modifications  into  the  statute- 
books  of  every  state  in  the  Union,  except  Louisiana. 
Stay  one's  hand,  to  =  To  restrain  one  from   doing. 


VARIOUS   OTHER  PHRASES    AND  WORDS.         623 

The  boy  was  about  picking  some  pears  from  Mr. 
O's  tree,  when  the  sound  of  approaching  footsteps 
staid  his   hand=T\iQ  boy  was  about  picking  some 
pears  from  Mr.  O's  tree,  when  the  sound  of  approach- 
ing footsteps  restrained  him  from  doing  it. 
Steeled  again§t  =  Insensible  to;  not  affected  by.  (c) 
The  tyrant  is  steeled  against  the  miseries  of  his  sub- 
jects -  The  tyrant  is  insensible  to  the  miseries  of  his 
subjects. 
Steer  for,  to  =  To  take  one's  way  to.  (c) 

As  soon  as  the  thief  was  released  from  jail,  he 
steered  for  the  dram-shop  =  As  soon  as  the  thief  was 
released  from  jail,  he  took  his  way  to  the  dram-shop. 
Steerag^e  pa§§eng^er  =  A  second  class  passenger  in  a 
passenger  vessel,  who  occupies  the  steerage. 
Many  emigrants  from  Europe  come  to  New  York, 
as  steerage  passe7igers  in  sailing  packets  =  Many  emi- 
grants from  Europe  come  as  second  class  passengers 
to  New  York,  in  sailing  packets. 
Step  by  §tep  —  Gradually ;  by  taking  one  step  after 
another,  (a) 
The  knowledge  and  control  of  steam-power  have 
been  gained  step  by  step  =  The  knowledge  and  control 
of  steam-power  have  been  acquired  gradually. 
Stepper  A  vast  plain,   generally  elevated,   slightly 
rolling,   free  from   wood,   but   not   without  large 
plants  and  herbs. 
There  are  many  steppes  in  south-eastern  Europe  = 
There  are  many  vast  plains  (as  above),  called  steppes, 
in  south-eastern  Europe. 
Still  as  a  mouse  =  Perfectly  still,  (a) 

The  child  heard  the  burglars  in  the  house,  and  for 
the  sake  of  safety  kept  still  as  a  mouse =The  child 
heard  the  burglars  in  the  house,  and  for  sake  of  safe- 
ty kept  perfectly  still. 
Still  less  =  Even  less ;  with  less  reason,  (a) 

One  would  not  wish  to  visit  the  White  mountains 
in  winter,  still  less  would  he  be  willing  to  live  there 
in  that  season  =  One  would  not  wish  to  visit  the 
White  mountains  in  winter,  even  less  would  he  be 
willing  to  live  there  in  that  season. 
Still  more  =  More  in  addition;  much  more,  (a) 

The  citizens  are  sorry  that  the  bank  has  failed; 

they  are  still  more  sorry  that  so  many  working  people 

lose  money  thereby  =  The  citizens  are  sorry  that  the 

bank  has  failed  ;  and  in  addition,  they  are  sorry  that 

so  many  working  people  lose  money  thereby. 

Sting  to  the  quiek,  to  =  Keenly  to  hurt,  9r  irritate 

the  feelings.  ( c) 

The  words  of  Mr.  A.  stung  his  brother  to  the  quick 


624        VARIOUS   OTHER    PHRASES  AND   WORDS. 

=:The   words  of  Mr.  A.  keenly  hurt  his  brother's 
feelings. 
Stirring^  events  =  Events  fitted  to  excite  one.  (a) 
The  days  of  the  war  were  full  of  stirring  events^ 
The  days  of  the  war  were  full  of  events  fitted  to  ex- 
cite one. 
Stock  in  trade  =  1.  The   goods  kept  for  sale  by  a 
shopkeeper.     2.  The  fittings   and  appliances  of  a 
workman. 
1.  His  whole  stock  in  trade  consists  of  ready  made 
clothing  =:Keady  made  clothing  is  all  that  he  keeps 
for   sale.     2,  The  blacksmith's   stock   in   trade   con- 
sists of  a  forge,  anvil,  hammers,  bar-iron,  (fec=The 
blacksmith's  appliances  and  tools,  consist  of  bar-iron, 
forge,  &c. 
Stone  age  =  A  supposed  pre-historic  age  of  the  world, 
when  stone  and  bone  were  habitually  used  as  the 
materials  for  weapons  and  tools — called  also  the 
flint  age ;  the  (so  called)  bronze  age  succeeded  to  this. 
Stop  short,  to  =  To  stop  abruptly,  {a) 

A  rock  had  fallen  into  the  highway,  and  the  horse 

stopped  short  on  reaching  it=:  A  rock  had  fallen  into 

the  highway,  and  the  horse  stopped  abruptly,  when 

he  reached  it. 

Straight   ticl£et  =  A   ticket   containing  the  regular 

nominations  of  a  party  without  change. 

The  mere  politician  always  votes  the  straight  ticket 
=  The  one  who  is  merely  devoted  to  the  advance- 
ment of  a  political  party,  always  votes  the  regular 
ticket,  without  change. 
Strain  one's  eyes,  to  =  To   harm    by  over-exertion  ; 
to  injure  by  causing  them  to  make  too  strong  an 
exertion,  (a) 
Nothing  can  strain  your  eyes  so  much  as  reading  by 
the  evening  twilight  =  You  can  do  nothing  that  will 
hurt  your  eyes  so  much,  as  forcing  them  to  read  by 
the  fading  twilight. 
Strategic  point  =  Any  point  or  region  in  the  theatre 
of  warlike  operations,  which  afibrds  to  its  possessor 
an  advantage  over  his  opponents. 
The   battle   of  Gettysburg,  (U.    S.    1863),  turned 
upon   the   possession,   by  the   army  of  the  United 
States,  of  the  excellent  strategic  point  in  the  heights 
about    Gettysburgh  =  The    battle    of    Gettysburgh 
turned  upon  the  possession  by  the  Union  army  of 
heights,  which  gave  great  advantage  over  the  con- 
federate army. 
Stress  of  iveather  =  Violent  winds;  force    of  tem- 
pests. 
The  fishing  fleet  was  driven  out  to  sea  by  stress  of 


VARIOUS   OTHER   PHRASES    AND   WORDS.         625 

vjeather  =  The  fleet  of  vessels,  fishing  for  cod,  was 
driven  out  to  sea  by  violent  winds. 
Stretch  of  imagination  =  Flight  of  fancy ;  an  exag- 
geration of  statement. 
I  think  it  is  only  by  a  stretch  of  imagination,  that 
you  say  you  have  seen  a  ghost  =  It  is  only  by  a  flight 
of  fancy,  that  you  say  you  have  seen  a  ghost. 
Strong  =  Eeaching  a  certain  degree  or  limit,  in  re- 
spect to  strength  or  numbers,  (a) 
The  army  was  twenty  thousand  strong  =  The  army 
numbered  twenty  thousand. 
Strong  verl>§  ( 6^ram.)  =  Yerbs  which  form  their  past 
tenses,  and  passive  participles,  not  by  adding  ed 
and  t,  but  by  vowel  changes,  as  break,  imperfect 
broke,  pass.  part,  broken. 
Strong   verbs    are   improperly   called   irregular   in 
many    grammars  =  Verbs    which    form    their    past 
tenses,  and  passive  participles,  by  vowel  changes  are 
improperly  called  irregular,  in  many  grammars. 
Stump   orator  =:  One  who  harangues  the  populace 
from  the  stump  of  a  tree  or  other  elevation.     (U. 
S.) 
It  requires  much  confidence  and  ready  wit,  to  be 
a  good  stump  orator  — li  requires  much  confidence 
and  ready  wit,  to  harangue  the  populace  successfully.. 
St.  Valentine's  day  =  The  14th  of  February. 

It  is  the  custom  of  children  and  other  young  peo- 
ple to  send,  on  St.    Valentine's  day,  anonymous  pro- 
fessions of  love  and  affection  =  It  is  the  custom  of 
children,   &c.,  to  send,  on  the  14th  of  February, 
anonymous  professions  of  love  and  affection. 
Subject   of  inquiry,   §tudy,   thought,   Ac.  ==  That 
which  is  inquired,  studied,  thought  about,  &c.  (a) 
In  the  historical  lesson  to-day,  the  French  Revo- 
lution (1793)  was  the  subject  of  study  =  ln  the  histor- 
ical lesson  to-day,  we  studied  concerning  the  French 
Revolution. 
Subject  to  examination,  to  =  To  cause  to  undergo 
examination ;  to  examine,  (a) 
The   chemist   subjected   to   examination   the   blood 
found  on  the  murderer's  shirt,  to  ascertain  if  it  was 
human  blood  =  The  chemist    examined    the    blood 
found  on  the  murderer's  shirt,  to  ascertain  if  it  was 
human  blood. 
Subject  to  trial  or  te§t,  to=:To  cause  to  undergo 
test,  or  experiment,  (a) 
The  chemist  subjected  gold  and  silver  to  trial,  to  see 
which  would  soonest  melt  =  The  chemist  experiment- 
ed with  gold  and  silver,  to  see  which  would  soonest 

melt. 

41 


626        VARIOUS   OTHER    PHRASES   AND    WORDS. 

Subscription  paper  =  A  paper,  soliciting  pecimiary 
aid  for  some  object,  and  containing  names  of  per- 
sons, who  give,  and  the  amounts  which  they  give. 
A  subscription  paper  was  circulated  to  raise  money 
for  fire-works,  for  a  celebration  of  the  Fourth  of 
July  =  In  order  to  exhibit  fire-works  on  the  Fourth 
of  July,  a  paper  was  circulated,  asking  the  people 
to  put  down  their  names,  and  the  amount  of  money 
which  they  would  give. 
Submarine    telegraphs  A    telegraphic    line,   laid 
under  water,  in  order  to  connect  stations  which  are 
separated  by  a  river,  strait,  or  other  body  of  water. 
The  first  submarine  telegraph  between  Europe  and 
America,  was  laid   in  1858  =  The   first  telegraphic 
line,  under  the  ocean  between  Europe  and  America, 
was  laid  in  1858. 
Such  and  §ueh  =  Certain  ;  some ; — used  to  represent 
the  object  indefinitely,  as  particularized  in  some 
way  not  then  mentioned. 
The  general  in   command  in  the  field  is  not  in 
high  favor  with  his  chief  at  the  head-quarters ;  and 
if  the  general  should,  for  instance,  issue  an  order 
forbidding  such  and  such  persons  to  enter  his  lines, 
his  chief  would  probably  countermand  the  orders 
The  general  commanding  in  the  field  is  not  in  high 
favor  with  his  chief;  and  if  he  should  issue  an  order 
forbidding   certain   persons   to   enter  his  lines,  his 
chief  would  countermand  it. 
Such  as  =  Of  the  like  kind  with;  like.;  those  which, 
(a) 
The  farmer  told   his  hired  man  to  sort  the  po- 
tatoes, and  to  put  such  as  were  too  small  for  mar- 
ket, in  a  bin  by  themselves  =  The  farmer  told  his 
hired  man  to  sort  the  potatoes,  and  to  put  those 
which  were  too  small  for  market,  in  a  separate  bin. 
Large  men,  such   as  my  neighbor,   ought   not   to 
climb  trees = Large  men,  like  my  neighbor,  ought 
not  to  climb  trees. 
Such  i§  the  case  =  It  is  true,  (a) 

Yesterday  the  ship  owners  feared  that  one  of  their 
vessels  which  is  over  due,  was  lost,  and  to-day  they 
have  learned  that  such  is  the  case  =  Yesterday  the 
ship  owners  feared  that  one  of  their  vessels  which  is 
over  due,  was  lost,  and  to-day  they  have  learned 
that  it  is  so. 
Summit  level  =  The  highest  level  of  a  canal  or  rail- 
road, or  the  like,  in  surmounting  an  ascent. 
The  railroad  between  Hartford  and  Willimantic 
reaches  its  sum.mit  level  at  Bolton  Notch  =  The  rail- 
road between  Hartford  and  Willimantic  reaches  its 


VARIOUS  OTHER  PHRASES    AND   WORDS.         627 

highest  level,  in  surmounting  the  range  of  hills,  at 
Bolton  Notch. 
Sum  totals  The  amount;  the  substance,  (a) 

The  sum  total  of  the  railroad  company's  receipts  for 
the  week,  was  ten  thousand  dollars  =  The  amount 
of  the  railroad  company's  receipts  for  the  week,  was 
ten  thousand  dollars. 
Superior  to,  to  be  =  To  surpass ;  to  excel,  (a) 

The  roads  of   England  are  superior  to  those   of 
America  =  The  roads  of  England  surpasss  those  of 
America. 
Supplemental  bill  (Equity)  =  A  bill  filed  in  addition 
to  an  original  bill  to  supply  some  defect  in  the 
latter,  which  can  not  be  remedied  by  amendment. 
A  supplemental  hill  may  be  filed  to  introduce  a 
party  who  has  acquired  rights  subsequent  to  the 
filing  of  the  original  bill = A  bill,  to  supply  some 
defect  of  the  original  bill,  may  be  filed  to  introduce 
a  party  who  has  acquired  rights  subsequent  to  the 
filing  of  the  original  bill. 
Surpri§e  party  =  A  party  of  persons  who  assemble 
by  agreement,  without  notice  of  their  coming  and 
without    invitation,    at   the   house   of  a   common 
friend.    (U.  S.) 
To  his  surprise  and  annoyance,  he  found  a  surprise 
party  J  on  his  return  home  =  To  his  surprise  and  an- 
noyance, he  found  a  party  assembled  without  in- 
vitation at  his  house,  when  he  reached  home. 
Suspen§ion  bridge  =  A  bridge  supported  by  chains, 
ropes,  or  wires,  which  usually  pass  over  high  piers 
or  columns  at  each  end.       , 
There  is  a  suspension  bridge  over  I^iagara  river  = 
There  is  over  Niagara  river,  and  between  the  United 
States  and  Canada,  a  bridge  supported  by  chains, 
and  wires,  resting  on  high  piers  at  each  end. 
Su§pen§ion  of  arm§  {AIil.)  =  A  short  truce  or  cessa- 
tion of  operations  agreed  on  by  the  commanders  of 
contending  forces,  as  for  burying  the  dead,  making 
proposals  for  surrender  or  for  peace,  &g. 
Once  during  the  siege  of  Yicksburg,  there  was  a 
suspension  of  arms,  for  the  burial  of  the  dead  =  Once 
during  the  siege  of  Yicksburg,  Generals  Grant  and 
Pemberton  agreed  upon  a  short  truce,  for  the  pur- 
pose of  burying  the  dead. 
S\i^arm  like  loeu§t8  or  like  bee§,  to  =  To  be  very 
numerous,  (c) 
The  beggars  sivarm  like  locusts^  at  many  of  the 
Eastern  ports  =  The  beggars  are  very  numerous,  at 
many  of  the  Eastern  ports. 
Sweat  of  one's  brow  =  Labor;  toil,  {a) 


628        VARIOUS    OTHER  PHRASES  AND   WORDS. 

The  coal  we  burn,  is  obtained  by  the  sweat  of  the 
miner^s  brow  =  The  coal  we  burn,  is  obtained  by  the 
toil  of  the  miner. 


T. 

Table  of  contents  =  A  summary  or  index  of  the 
matter  treated  in  a  book. 
A  table  of  contents  contributes  to  the  usefulness  of 
many  books  =  An  index  of  the  matter  makes  many 
useful  books  still  more  useful. 
Take  a  new  or  fre§li  lease  of  life,  to  =  To  return 
to  health ;  to  recover,  (c) 

Old  Mr.  A.  seems  to  have  taken  a  fresh  lease  of  life 
zrOld  Mr.  A.  seems  to  have  recovered. 
Take  a  ride,  to=:To  ride,  (on  horseback,  or  in  a 
carriage). 
The  housekeeper  was  so  busy,  that  she  could  not 
find  time,  during  a  whole  week,  to  take  a  ride  =  The 
housekeeper  was  so  busy, 'that  she  had  not  time,  for 
a  whole  week,  to  ride. 
Take  care !  =  Be  careful ;  exercise  caution,  (a) 

Take  care!  this  hole  in  the  side  walk  is  dangerous 
=  Be  careful,  this  hole  in  the  side  walk  is  dangerous. 
Take  credit  to  one's  self,  to  =  To  claim  for  one's 
self  tlie  credit  or  honor  of.  (c) 
Mr.  G.  takes  credit  to  himself  for  securing  a  new 
bridge  in  town  =  Mr.  G.  claims  for  himself  the  credit 
of  securing  a  new  bridge  in  town. 
Take  flre,  to  =  To  become  ignited;  to  burn,  (a) 
The   house    took  fire^   where   a   stovepipe    went 
through   wood- work  =  The   house    became    ignited, 
where  a  stovepipe  went  through  wood-work. 
Take  in  sail,  to=:To  diminish  the  amount  of  sail 
spread. (a) 
The  sailors  took  in  sail,  when  they  saw  the  storm 
approaching  =  The  sailors  lessened  the  quantity  of 
sail  spread,  when  they  saw  the  storm  approaching. 
Take  tlie  average,  to  =  To  find  the  mean,  (a) 

The  astronomer  takes  the  average  of  his  several  ob- 
servations, in  order  to  insure  greater  accuracy  =  The 
astronomer  finds  the  mean  of  his  several  observa- 
tions, in  order  to  insure  greater  accuracy. 
Take  tlie  law  into  one's  own  hands  =  To  take 
upon  one's  self  the  execution  of  a  law.  (a) 
A  mob  takes  the  law  into  its  own  hands,  when  it 
hangs  a  horse-thief  =  A  mob  takes  upon  itself  the 
execution  of  the  law,  when  it  takes  a  horse-thief 


VARIOUS    OTHER   PHRASES  AND   WORDS.         629 

out  of  the  hands  of  officers  of  the  law,  and  hangs 
him. 
Take  the  -will  for  the  deed,  to  =  To  be  satisfied 
with  the  willingness  or  wish  to  do  a  thing,  when  the 
doing  of  it  has  not  been  accomplished,  (a) 
I  can  not  visit  you  this  summer,  and  you  must  take 
the  will  for  the  deed-l  can  not  visit  you  this  summer, 
and  you  must  be  satisfied  with  my  wish  to  do  so. 
Takings  all  things  tog^ether  =  All  circumstances  or 
reasons  being  considered ;  on  the  whole.  («) 
Taking  all  things  together^  the  tourists  decided  to  go 
to  India   overland  =  All   circumstances  being   con- 
sidered, the  tourists  decided  to  take  the  overland 
route  to  India. 
Takings    one    things  irith    another  =  Taking    the 
mean;  on  an  average,  (a) 
You  will  find  that  this  is  a  fair  lot  of  apples,  tak- 
ing one  barrel  with  another  —  You  will  find  that  this 
is  a  fair  lot  of  apples,  on  an  average. 
Tar  and  feather,  to  =  To  smear  the  naked  person 
witli  tar  and  feathers  as  an  ignominious  punishment 
or  in  disapproval. 
The  boys  of  North  Carolina  tarred  and  feathered 
the  white  man,  who  married  a  negress  =  In  token 
of  their  disapproval  the  boys  applied  tar  and  feath- 
ers to  the  person  of  the  white  man,  who  married  a 
negress. 
Teach   the  youngr  idea  hour  to   §hoot,  to  =  To 
teach  it  how  to  grow,  or  make  progress,  (c) 
"Delightful  task  to  rear  the  tender  thought. 
To  teach  the  young  idea  how  to  shoot^^  =  lt  is  a 
pleasant  duty,  to  train  a  youthful,  unfolding  mind. 
Tear  asunder,  to  =  To  pull  apart ;  to  separate  vio- 
lently, {b) 
The    man's    limbs   were   torn   asunder,  by  being 
caught  in  the  machinery  of  the  mill  =  The  man's 
limbs  were  pulled  apart,  by  being  caught  in  the 
machinery  of  the  mill. 
Tender   one's   resignation  =  To   resign  by  giving 
the  proper  notice,  (a) 
Assistant   secretary  of  state  Seward   tendered  his 
resignation  last  week  =  Assistant  secretary  of  state 
Seward  resigned  last  week. 
Ten  to  one  =  The  probabilities  are  great  on  one  side ; 
it  is  almost  certain,  (b) 
Ten  to  one,  the  carriage  will  not  be  here  at  the 
appointed  time  =  It  is  as  much  more  likely  the  car- 
riage will  not  come  punctually,  as  ten  is  more  than 
one.     Mr.  A.  has  engaged  in  fruit  raising  without 
having  any  knowledge  of  that  business,  and  ten  to  one. 


630        VARIOUS  OTHER    PHRASES  AND  WORDS. 

he  will  lose  money  bj  it  =  As  Mr.  A.  has  engaged 
in  the  business  of  raising  fruit,  without  experience, 
the  probabihties  are  great  that  he  will  be  unsuccess- 
ful. 
Than— A  word  expressing  comparison,  used  after 
certain  adjectives  and  adverbs,  which  express  com- 
parison or  diversity,,  as  more^  letter^  other^  otherwise^ 
and  the  like,  (a) 
The  miser  lives  for  no  other  object  than  to  accumu- 
late moneys  The  miser  lives  solely  to  accumulate 
money.  He  shows  no  other  sign  of  old  age,  than 
white  hair = He  shows  no  sign  of  old  age,  except 
white  hair.  It  is  too  dark  to  drive  home,  and  I  can 
do  no  otherwise  than  accept  your  invitation  to  spend 
the  night  with  you  =  It  is  too  dark  to  drive  home, 
and  I  must  therefore  accept  your  invitation  to 
spend  the  night  with  you.  The  man  treated  his 
adopted  son  no  otherwise  than  he  did  his  own  son  = 
The  man  treated  his  adopted  son  in  the  same  man- 
ner as  he  did  his  own  son.  I  have  no  other  reason 
for  going  to  ^N^ew  York,  than  to  see  the  city = My 
only  reason  for  going  to  New  York,  is  to  see  the 
city.  The  witness  said  he  would  go  to  jail,  rather 
than  testify  against  his  friends  The  witness  said,  if 
he  must  choose  between  going  to  jail,  and  testifying 
against  his  friend,  he  would  do  the  former.  The 
traveler  said  he  would  rather  go  to  California  by 
rail,  than  by  steamer  ■=  The  traveler  said  he  should 
prefer  the  overland  route  to  California. 
The  adversary  =  Satan,  or  the  devil. 

"  Your  adversary  ^OQ^  about  seeking  whom  he  may 
devour."  [Scrip.]  =  Satan,  or  the  devil,  goes  about 
seeking  whom  he  may  destroy. 
The  arm  of  the  law  =  The  power  or  authority  of 
government. 
Some  persons  think  that  Mormonism  should  be 
suppressed  by   the  arm  of  the   law  —  Some  persons 
think  that  Mormonism  should  be  suppressed  by  the 
power  of  government. 
Theatre    of  ivar  =  The  region  of  operations  of  an 
army. 
Metropolitan  newspapers  usually  have  correspond- 
ents at  the  theatre  of  i^ar= Metropolitan  newspapers 
usually  have  correspondents  in  the  region  of  opera- 
tions of  an  army. 
The  Baeonian  method  =  The  method  in  philosophy 
of  reasoning  from  particulars  to  generals ;  inferring 
general  truths  from  the  observation  of  particular 
truths  or  facts. 
By  pursuing  the  Bacmiian  method^  Franklin  estab- 


VARIOUS    OTHER  PHRASES  AND  WORDS.         631 

lislied  the  identity  of  lightning  and  electricity  =  By 
pursuing  the  method  of  inferring  general  truths  from 
the  observation  of  particular  facts,  Franklin  proved 
that  lightning  and  electricity  are  the  same. 
Tlie  biter  bit — This  expression  is  used  when  a  sharp- 
er or  cheat  is  himself  overreached  in  a  bargain. 
The  horse  jockey  unwittingly  purchased  an  un- 
sound horse,  and  so  it  was  a  case  of  the  biter  bit= 
The  man  who  was  accustomed  to  sharp  dealing  in 
trafficking  in  horses,  unwittingly  purchased  an  un- 
sound horse,  and  thus  the  cheater  was  himself  cheated. 
The  bu§h  =  Thicket,  or  place  abounding  in  trees  or 
shrubs.     (British  colonies). 
Some  of  the  emigrants  have  settled  in  the  bush  = 
Some  of  the  emigrants  have  taken  up  their  abode  in 
the  thicket  or  woods. 
The  crowning  point  =  The  summit ;  the  perfection, 
the  height,  (c) 
The  crowning  point  of  the  clerk's  ambition,  was  to 
buy  a  home  for  himself  and  his  parents  =  The  height 
of  the  clerk's  ambition,  was  to  buy  a  home  for  him- 
self and  his  parents. 
The  dog  in  the  manger  =  A  churlish  fellow.     The 
allusion  to  the  fable  of  the  dog,  who  took  possession 
of  the  manger  of  an  ox,  and  by  growls  and  bark- 
ing kepttthe  ox  away  from  bis  hay. 
The  deaf  man  by  our  side  at  the  concert,  kept  up 
a  continual  buz  of  conversation,  and  proved  himself 
a  perfect  dog  in  the  manger = The  deaf  man  at  the 
concert  was  a  churlish  fellow,  for  he  could  not  him- 
self hear  the  music,  and  he  kept  us  from  enjoying  it 
by  his  continual  whispering. 
The  downs  {Eng.)  =  A   tract  of  bare,  sandy,   level, 
and  barren  land. 
The  downs  are  used  chiefly  for  pasturing  sheep  = 
Tracts  of  bare,  sandy,  barren  land  in  England,  called 
downs,  are  used  chiefly  for  pasturing  sheep. 
The  enemy  (MI)  =  The  opposing  force; — regarded 
as  a  collective  noun  and  construed  with  a  pronoun, 
or  verb,  either  in  the  singular,  or  the  plural. 

"We   have  met   the  enemy  and   they  are   ours" 
[Com.  Perry]  =  We  have  met  the  opposing  force  in 
battle  and  captured  them. 
Tlie  gentlemen  of  the  long  robe  =  The  lawyers. 
27^6  gentlemen  of  the  long  robe  are  numerous  in  Lon- 
don =  The  lawyers  are  numerous  in  London. 
The  Orand  L.ama  =  Boodhish  pontiff  of  Thibet,  and 

supreme  ruler  in  ecclesiastical  and  secular  affairs. 
The  greater  part  =  The  greater  measure  or  amount ; 
the  majority. 


632        VARIOUS   OTHER    PHRASES  AND  WORDS. 

The  child  spends  the  greater  part  of  his  time  in  play 
=  The  child  spends  the  larger  portion  of  his  time  in 
play.     The  greater  part  of  the  inhabitants  of  the  town 
are  farmers  =  A  large  majority  of  the  inhabitants  of 
the  town  are  farmers. 
Tlie  ground    sliding^  flrom  under  one  —  A  figure 
denoting  insecurity,  or  danger,  or  precariousness.  (c) 
The  man  who  had  long  held  the  office   of  state 
treasurer,  now  found  the  ground  sliding  from  under 
him  —  The  man  who  had  long  held  the  office  of  state 
treasurer,  now  found  that  his  position  was  becoming 
insecure. 
The  heart  in  the  right  plaee  =  Having  good  in- 
tentions; friendly,  (c) 
Mr.  M.  is  awkward  and  rough  in  manner,  but  his 
heart  is   in  the  right  place=M.\\  M.  is  awkw^ard  and 
rough  in  manner,  but  he  means  well,  that  is,  his  in- 
tentions are  good  and  his  feelings  kind. 
The  height  of  one's    ambition  =  That  which  one 
most   desires;  that   which   he  thinks   would  com- 
pletely satisfy  him. 
It  is  ilie  height  of  Mr.  A's  ambition.^  to  be  elected 
state  senator = That  which  Mr.  A.  most  desires  is,  to 
be  elected  state  senator. 
The  Horse-guards  =  The  head-quarters  of  the  Brit- 
ish army  in  London. 
The  Horse-guards  are  so  called  from  tlfe  mounted 
sentries  before  the  entrance  =  The  head-quarters  of 
the  British  army  in  London  are  called  Horse-guards, 
from  two  mounted  sentries  at  the  entrance. 
The    infernal    regions  =  The  place  of  punishment 
for  the  spirits  of  the  wicked. 
The   ancient   Greek   writers  gave  the  infernal  re- 
gions the  name  Tartarus  =  The  ancient  Greek  wait- 
ers gave  the  place  of  future  punishment  the  name 
Tartarus. 
The  inspired   penmen  =  The   writers  of  the   chris- 
tian scriptures. 
The  inspired  penmen  wrote  in  different  ages  of  the 
world,  and  in  various  countries  =  The  writers  of  the 
christian  scriptures  wrote   in  different  ages  of  the 
world,  and  in  various  countries. 
Their  name  is  Legion  =  They  are  a  great  number, 
a  multitude,  (c) 
How  many  diseases  we  are  liable  to !  their  name 
is  legion  =  How  many  diseases  we  are  liable  to  !  they 
are  a  great  number. 
The  last  stroke  =  The  final  act  in  performing  any 
work,  (a) 


VARIOUS  OTHER  PHRASES    AND  WORDS.         633 

The  painter  was  giving  the  last  stroke  to  his  picture, 
as  we  entered  the  room  =  The  painter  was  doing  the 
last  work  on  his  picture,  as  we  entered  the  room. 
Tlie  length  and  brcadtb  of  tlie  land  =  The  whole 
country,  (c) 
In   some   countries,  a  great   while   ago,    couriers 
went  through  length  and  breadth  of  the  land^  summon- 
ing the  people  to  war = In  some  countries,  a  great 
while  ago,  couriers  went  through  the  entire  country, 
summoning  the  people  to  war. 
The  life  of  the  party  or  company  =  A  person  who 
enlivens  the  party  and  gives  enjoyment  to  it.  {a) 
During  the  trip  to  the  White  mountains,  Mr.  B. 
was  the  life  of  the  party = During  the  trip  to  the  White 
mountains,  Mr.  B.  was  the  person  who  enlivened  the 
party  and  gave  it  enjoyment. 
The  long  and  the  §hort  of  it  =  The   whole;  the 
complete  statement,  (a) 
The  long  arid  the  short  of  it  is,  that  the  two  families 
could  not  agree  in  living  together,  and  so  they  sepa- 
rated =  The  whole  of  the  matter  amounts   to   this, 
that  the  two  families  could  not  agree  to  live  together, 
and  therefore  they  separated. 
The  many  =  The  greater  number ;  the  crowd,  (a) 
Few  are  rich,  the  many   are   poor  =  The  greater 
number  are  poor. 
The  march  of  intellect  =  Intellectual  progress  and 
its  results :  progress  in  knowledge,  (c) 
The  march  of  intellect  in  the  present  day  is  wonder- 
ful =  Intellectual  progress  and  the  results  of  it  in  the 
present  day,  are  wonderful. 
The    meridian    of  life  =  The    period   of  one's   full 
powers ;  middle  life,  (c) 
Men  in  the  meridian  of  life  should  take  life's  heavi- 
est burdens = Men  in  middle  life  ought  to  bear  life's 
heaviest  burdens. 
The   milk    of  human    kindne§§  =  Sympathy ;  hu- 
maneness, (c) 
Mrs.  R.  is  full  of  the  milk  of  human  kindness  =  Mrs>. 
B.  is  very  kind  and  sympathizing. 
The  more  =  To  a  greater  degree  ;  by  an  added  quan- 
tity ;  for  a  reason  already  specified. 
He   is   so   contrary,  and  ill-natured,  that   if  you 
should  express  a  repugnance  to  his  doing  any  thing, 
he  will  all  the  more  do  it  =  He  is  so  contrary,  and  ill- 
natured,  that  if  you  should  express  a  dislike  of  any 
thing  he  is  in  the  habit  of  doing,  he  v^dll  continue  to 
do  it  for  that  very  reason. 
The  more — the  more  =  By  how  much  more,  by  so 
much  more,  {b) 


634        VARIOUS  OTHER    PHRASES   AND  WORDS. 

The  more  nearly  full  the  moon  is,  the  more  light  it 
gives  =  TJie  light  of  the  moon  is  in  proportion  to  its 
fullness.     The  more  lovely  you  are,  the  more  you  will 
be  beloveds  By  how  much  more  lovely  you  are,  by 
so  much  more  you  will  be  beloved. 
The  other  day  =  At  a  certain  time  past,  not  distant, 
but  indefinite ;  not  long  ago.  (a) 
The  little  boy  broke  an  arm  the  other  c?a?/  =  The 
little  boy  broke  an  arm  not  many  days  since.     I  was 
at  the  bank  the  other  day  when  I  was  in  Hartford,  and 
drew  one  hundred  dollars  for  our  trip  =  I  was  at  the 
bank  not  long  ago  when  I  was  in  Hartford,  and  drew 
$100  for  our  trip. 
The  other  §ide  of  the  shields  The  opposite  view; 
the  other  side  of  the  story  or  the  argument,  (c) 
This  expression  arose  from  the  story  of  the  two 
knights,  who  disputed  and  fought  about  a  shield  set 
up  in  the  highway,  one  side  of  which  was  made  of 
silver  and  the  other  of  gold.     Coming  up  from  oppo- 
site directions  they  met  at  the  shield,  and  each  one 
maintained,  that  it  was  made  of  the  metal  which  was 
visible  from   his  side.     You  express   yourself  very 
strongly  about  the  electoral  commission  which  de- 
clared Mr.  Hayes  president,  but  you  must  look  at  the 
other  side  of  the  shield=Y on  express   yourself  very 
.  strongly  about  the  electoral  commission  which  de- 
clared Mr.  Hayes  president,  but  you  must  remember 
there  is  another  side  of  the  argument. 
The  pa§t  =  That  which  has  passed  by,  elapsed,  or 
gone ;  especially  time  elapsed. 
Tie  past  can  not  be  recalled = Time  which  has  gone 
by  can  not  be  recalled. 
The  pathetic  =  The   style    or  manner    adapted  to 
awaken  the  tender  emotions. 
In  his  speeches  on  the  Irish  famine,  he  dealt  con- 
siderably in  the  pathetic  =  The  style  of  his  speeches  on 
the  Irish  famine  was  adapted  to  awaken  the  tender 
emotions. 
The  picture  of  =  A  true  copy ;  a  close  imitation,  (a) 
John's  youngest  son  is  the  pictiire  of  his  father  = 
John's   youngest  son  strikingly  resembles  his  father. 
The    pink    of  perfection  =  Supreniely    excellent; 
highly  finished,  (c) 
The  scholars  think  their  teacher  is  the  pink  of  per- 
fection =  The  scholars  think  their  teacher  is  supremely 
excellent. 
The  poor = Those   who   are  destitute   of  property; 
the  indigent ;  the  needy. 
The  more  the  wealth  of  a  country  is  concentrated 
in  the  hands  of  a  few,  the  more  the  poor  are  increased 


VARIOUS    OTHER  PHRASES  AND  WORDS.         635 

=  The  poor  are  increased  in  proportion  as  wealth  is 
concentrated  with  a  few. 
Tlie  pre§sure  of  the  times  =  A  condition  of  difficul- 
ty or  embarrassment  in  the  business  world,  prevail- 
ing at  any  time,  (c) 
Owing  to  the  pressure  of  the  times^  the  firm  of  iron 
dealers  could  not  meet  their  liabilities  =  Owing  to  the 
embarrassed   condition   of  the   business  world,  the 
firm  of  iron  dealers  could  not  pay  their  debts. 
The  prime  of  life  =  Early    manhood;  not    yet    of 
middle  age.  (a) 
The  military  company  was  composed  of  persons 
in  the  prune  of  life=T\iQ  military  company  was  com- 
posed of  persons  in  early  manhood. 
The  ranks  =  The  order  or  class  of  common  soldiers. 
For  conduct  injurious  to  the  service,  Sergeant  A. 
was  reduced  to  the  ranks =¥ or  conduct  injurious  to 
the  service.  Sergeant  A.  was  degraded  to  the  station 
of  a  private  soldier. 
The  same  things  as  =  Identical  with ;  similar  in  ev- 
ery respect,  (a) 
To  deceive  by  actions  is  the  same  thing  as  lyings 
To  deceive  by  actions  is  identical  with  lying.     The 
backbone  is  the  same  thing  as  the  spine  =  The  back- 
bone is  identical  with  the  spine. 
The   sig^ns  of  the   times  =  The   indications   of  the 
present  day  regarding  any  matter,  (a) 
The  signs  of  the  times  show,  that  free  government  is 
spreading  in  the  earth  =  The  indications  of  the  pres- 
ent day  regarding  free  government  are,  that  it  is 
spreading  in  the  earth. 
The  smiles  of  fortune  =  The  favor  of  the  imaginary 
power  represented  as  determining  human  success ; 
good  fortune ;  prosperity. 
With  good  health,  good  looks,  a  good  estate,  and 
good  standing  in  society,  he  may  be  said,  in  school- 
girl phrase,   to   enjoy  the  smiles   of  fortune  =  With 
good  health,  good   looks,  a  good  estate,  and  good 
standing  in  society,  he  may  be  said,  in  school-girl 
phrase,  to  enjoy  the  favor  of  the  imaginary  power, 
which  is  represented  as  determining  human  success. 
The  sport  of  fortune  =  That  with   which   fortune 
plays,  or  which  is  driven  about  by  fortune. 
Mr.  R.  has  been  the  sport  of  fortune  all  his  life  = 
Mr.  R.  has  been  driven  about  by  fortune  all  his  life. 
The  tug  of  ^var=  A  particularly  difiicult  act;  some 
thing  requiring  the  utmost  exertion,  (c)  • 
The  horses  had  drawn  the  load  of  hay  to  the  foot 
of  the  steep  hill  near  the  barn,  and  then  came  the 
tug  of  war  =  The  horses  had  drawn  the  load  of  hay 


636        VARIOUS    OTHER  PHRASES  AND  WORDS. 

to  the  foot  of  the  steep  hill  near  the  barn,  and  then 
the  ntmost  exertion  was  required. 
The   under§igiied  =  The  person   or  persons  whose 
names  are  signed  at  the  end ;  the  subscriber. 
The    undersigned^  voters  of  this  city,  respectfully 
petition  the  mayor  and  common  council  of  Hartford 
=:The  subscribers,  voters  of  this   city,  respectfally 
petition  the  mavor  and  common  council  of  Hart- 
ford. 
The  very  thing  — The  word  "  very"  is  here  prefixed 
for  the  sake  of  emphasis. 
To  go  fishing  is  the  very  thing  I  wish  to  do  =  I  wish 
to  go  fishing  above  every  thing  else. 
The  wicked  (Scrip.)  =  Those  who  live  in  sin. 

"  God  is  angry  with  the  wicked  every  day "  Ps. 
vii.  11  =  God  is  angry  with  those  who  live  in  sin. 
The    witching   time    of  night  =  The  hour  of  the 
night  specially  suited  to  witchcraft  and  enchant- 
ment, (c) 
We  sat  up  beyond  the  witching  time  of  night,  watch- 
ing for  the  ghost  =  We  sat  up  till  after  the  hour 
specially    suited    to    witchcraft    and   enchantment, 
'watching  for  the  ghost. 

Thick  as  hail  =  Following  in  quick  succession,  (c) 
While   the   battle   raged   the  bullets  flew  thick  as 
Aai7=  While  the  battle  raged  the  bullets  followed 
each  other  in  quick  succession. 
Think  no  more  of,  to  =  To  forget ;  to  overlook,  (c) 
My  omission  to  call  on  you  when  I  was  last  in 
town,  W9.S  unintentional,  please  think  no  more  of  it  — 
My  omission  to  call  on  you  when  I  was  last  in  town, 
was  unintentional,  please  overlook  it. 
Throbbing  pain  {Med.)  =  A  pain  which  is,  or  seems 
to  be,  caused  or  augmented  by  the  pulsation   of 
arteries. 
In  extremely  violent  headache,  he  has  a  throbbing 
pain  with  it = When  he  has  a  violent  headache,  it 
seems  to  be  augmented  by  pulsation  of  arteries. 
Through-fare  ticket  or  trains  A    fare   or   ticket 
for  the  whole  distance  or  journey,  (a) 

What  is  the  throughfare  to  San  Francisco  by  rail  ? 
=What  is  the  fare  for  the  whole  distance  to  San 
Francisco  by  rail  ?     I  purchased  a  through-ticket  from 
Hartford  to  China = I  purchased  a  ticket  which  enti- 
tled me  to  journey  from  Hartford  to  China.     Is  this 
a   through-train  to  New  York  =  Does  this  train  go 
the  whole  distance  to  New  York? 
Through  Are  and  water  -  Through  many  and  se- 
vere obstacles,  or  dangers,  (c) 
Dr.  Livingstone  went  through  fire  and  water,  in  liis 


VARIOUS   OTHER   PHRASES    AND    WORDS.         637 

journeys  of  exploration  in  Africa=Dr.  Livingstone 
encountered  many  and  severe  obstacles,  in  his  jour- 
neys of  exploration  in  Africa. 
Through  the  medium  of=:By  means  of.  (a) 

America  formerly  received  her  teas,  through   the 
medium  of  English  traders  =  America   formerly   re- 
ceived her  teas  by  means  of  English  traders. 
Thu§  far  :=  To  a  certain  specified  degree  or  distance.  («) 
The   editor   had  written  thus  far^    when  he   was 
called  away  on  business  =:  The  editor  had  written  to 
this  point,  when  he  was  called  away  on  business.     I 
have  been  hunting  all  the  afternoon,  but  thus  far ^  I 
have  not  found  any  game  worth  shooting  =  I  have 
spent  all  the  afternoon  searching  for  game,  but  up 
to  the  present  time,  I  have  not  found  any  animals 
which  it  was  worth  while  to  kill. 
Till  now,  or  until  now  =  Hitherto ;  until  the  pres- 
ent time,  (a) 
Till  noiv^  the  supply  of  water  in  the  reservoir  has 
been  sufficient  for  the  city's  use  =  Until  the  present 
time,  the  supply  of  water  in  the  reservoir  has  been 
sufficient  for  the  use  of  the  city.     I  never  until  now 
knew    of   your   marriage  =  I   never   knew   of  your 
marriage  till  the  present  time. 
Till  then  =  Until  that  time,  (a) 

I  sliall  return  next  week ;  till  then  you  may  be  ex- 
cused from  reciting  =  I  shall  return  next  week ;  until 
that  time  you  may  be  excused  from  reciting. 
Time  after  time=: Many  times;  repeatedly,  (a) 
The  friends  of  the  intemperate  man  warned  him, 
time  after  time,  that  he   was  ruining   himself  =  The 
friends  of  the  intemperate  man  warned  him  many 
times  that  he  was  ruining  himself. 
Time  g^one  hy  =  Past  time,  (c) 

Time  gone  by  can  not  be  recalled  =  Past   time  can 
not  be  recalled. 
Time  of  lifers  Age.  («) 

Mr.  A.  who  is  sixty,  ought  not  to  go  into  a  new 
country  to  live,  at  his  time  of  life=Mr.  A.  who  is 
sixty,  ought  not  to  go  into  a  new  country  to  live,  his 
age  being  what  it  is. 
Time-table  =  A   register   or    tabular    statement   of 
times, — especially  the  times  of  arrival  and  depart- 
ure of  public  conveyances,  as  railroad  cars,  steam- 
boats, (fee. 
Many  time  tables  of  the  principal  railroad  lines  in 
the  United  States,  are  printed  and  given  away  yearly 
=  Many  printed  registers  of  th6  times  of  running, 
on  the  principal  railroad  routes  in  the  United  States, 
are  gratuitously  distributed  every  year. 


688        VARIOUS    OTHER  PHRASES  AND  WORDS. 

Time  to  spare  =  Time  not  occupied  ;  leisure,  (a) 
When  the  carpenter  has  time  to  spare,  he  will  build 
his  own  fence = When  the  carpenter  has  leisure,  he 
will  build  his  own  fence. 
Time  well  spent  =  Time  profitably  and  successfully 
employed,  (a) 

Cleaning  the  garden  of  weeds  was  time  well  spent 
=  It  was  time  profitably  employed,  to  clear  the  gar- 
den of  weeds. 
Time-worn  =  Yery  ancient,  (a) 

It  is  difficult  to  decipher  the  inscriptions  on  time- 
worn  monuments  =  It  is  difficult  to  decipher  the  in- 
scriptions on  very  ancient  monuments. 
Times  are  ebang^ed  =  Circumstances  are  different ; 
it  is  a  different  period,  {b) 
Times  are  changed  in  America  since  people  wore 
cocked  hats  and  wigs,  and  traveled   principally  on 
horseback  =  The  present  is  a  dififerent  period,  from 
that  in  which  people  in  America  wore  cocked  hats 
and  wigs,  and  traveled  chiefly  on  horseback. 
Title  deeds  (La?^)  =  "  Those  deeds  which   are  evi- 
dences of  the  title  of  the  owner  of  an  estate."  [Bouv.] 
The  person  who  is  entitled  to  an  inheritance,  has 
a  right  to  the  possession  of  the  title  deeds  =  The  per- 
son who  is  entitled  to  an  inheritance,  has  a  right  to 
those  deeds  which  are  evidences  of  his  title. 
To  a  certain  degree  or  extent  zz  Somewhat,  (a) 
In  the  state  of  Delaware  the  soil  is  sandy  to  a  cer- 
tain degree  =  In  the  state  of  Delaware  the  soil  is  some- 
what sandy. 
To  all  appearance  =  Apparently,  (a) 

To  all  appearance  this  is  a  genuine  diamonds  Ap- 
parently this  is  a  genuine  diamond. 
To  all  intents  and  purposes  =  Practically ;  really ; 
in  all  applications  or  senses,  (a) 
He  was  a  partner  in  the  crime  of  forgery  to  all  intents 
and  purposes  =  He  was  really  a  partner  in  the  crime 
of  forgery.     He  who  will  not  use  his  eyes  to  see,  is 
to  all  intents  and  purposes  as  blind,  as  he  who  can  not 
see=:He  who  will  not  use  his  eyes  to  see,  is  practi- 
cally as  blind,  as  he  who  can  not  see. 
To  and  nro=: Forward  and  backward;  hither    and 
thither. 

In  as  much  as  it  was  raining,  they  walked  the  pi- 
azza to  and  fro  =  Being  prevented  by  the  rain  from 
going  out,  they  walked  forward  and  backward  in  the 
piazza.  Between  two  and  three  hours  are  consumed 
in  my  going  to  and  fro,  from  my  house  to  my  work  = 
Between  two  and  three  hours  are  taken  up,  in  going 
forward  and  backward,  from  my  house  to  my  work. 


VARIOUS   OTHER   PHRASES   AND    WORDS.         639 

Together  with  =  l.  In  union  with,  (a)     2.  In  com- 
pany or  conjunction,  (a)     3.  In  mixture  with,  (a) 
1.  The  child's  stockings  were  knit  together  with  the 
woolen  drawers  =  The   stockings  of  the  child  were 
knit  in  union  with  the  drawers.     2.  The  man's  bad 
habits  together  with  his  great  age,  caused  his  death  = 
The  man's  bad  habits  in  conjunction  with  his  great 
age,  were  the  cause  of  his  death.     2,  They  went  to- 
gether uhth  their  father  to  the  river=They  went  in 
company  with  their  father  to  the  river.     3.  When 
he  was  sick  with  malarial  fever,  quinine  was  admin- 
istered   together   with   whiskey  =  When   he  was  sick 
with  malarial  fever,  quinine  was  given,  dissolved  in 
whiskey. 
Token  of  remembrance  =  Something  by  which  a 
person  or  event  is  remembered  or  recalled,  (a) 
When  the  two  friends  parted,  they  each  gave  the 
other  a  watch  as  a  token  of  remembrance  =  'Wheii  the 
friends  parted,  they  each  gave  the  other  a  watch,  as 
something  by  which  to  remember  one  another. 
To  one's  taste,  or  mind  =  In  a  manner  to  please 
or  satisfy  one.  (a) 
Mr.   B.  has  altered  his  house,  and  arranged  his 
grounds  to  his  taste  =  Mr.  B.  has  altered  his  liouse  and 
arranged  his  grounds,  in  a  manner  to  please  him. 
To  perfection  =  In  the  highest  degree  of  excellence ; 
perfectly. 
His  child  imitates  his  manner  to  perfection  —  The 
child  copies   his   father's   manner  perfectly.     Nast 
occasionally  hits  off  a  political  character  to  perfection 
—  Nast,  the  caricaturist,  sometimes  hits  off  perfectly 
a  political  character. 
Topple  over,  to  =  To  fall  forward ;  to  tumble  down. 

(?) 

The  spire  of  the  new  church  on  the  corner,  toppled 
over  in  the  last  storm  =  The  steeple  of  the  new  church 
on  the  corner,  tumbled  down  in  the  storm. 
To  say  the  leasts  Saying  as  little  as  can  be  said,  or 
as  ought  to  be  said ;  speaking  mildly,  (a) 
Some  of  the  man's  neiglibors  call  him  crazy ;  he 
is  weak  in  mind  to  say  the  leasts  Some  of  the  man's 
neighbors  call  him  crazy ;  it  is  speaking  mildly  to 
say  that  he  is  weak  in  mind.     The  man  may  not  be 
a  miser,  but  he  is  very  economical  to  say  the  leasts 
The  man  may  not  be  a  miser,  but,  saying  as  little  as 
can  be  said,  he  is  very  economical  (or  close). 
Toss  up  for,  to  =  To  throw  a  coin  into  the  air  on  a 
wager,  (c) 
The  horse  racers  tossed  up  for  the  inside  track  =:= 


640     ,    VARIOUS    OTHER   PHRASES   AND   WORDS. 

The  horse  racers  threw  a  coin  into  the  air,  to  decide 
which  horse  should  have  the  inside  track. 
Total    abstinence  =  An  entire  refraining  from  the 
use  of  intoxicating  liquors. 
He  who  finds  he  is  becoming  fond  of  wine,  should 
conclude  that  his  safety  lies  in  total  abstinence  =  He 
who  finds  he  is  becoming  fond  of  wine,  ought  to 
conclude,   that  his  safety  depends  upon  refraining, 
entirely,   from  intoxicating  liquors.     Many  persons 
think  that  it  is  the  duty  of  every  one  to  practice 
total  abstinence  =  Many  persons  hold  the  opinion,  that 
every  one  ought  to  refrain  wholly  from  the  use  of 
intoxicating  liquors,  as  a  beverage. 
To  the  be§t  of  one's  abilities  =  As  well  as  one  is 
able,  (a) 
The  mother  educated  her  children  to  the  best  of  her 
abilities  -  The  mother  educated  her  children  as  well 
as  she  was  able. 
To  the  end  of  time  =  So  long  as  time  shall  last; 
always,  (a) 
Men  will  differ  in  opinion  on  many  subjects  to  the 
end  of  time  =  Men   will  always  differ  in  opinion  on 
many  subjects. 
To  the  utmost  =  The  most  that  can  be ;  in  the  high- 
est degree,  (a) 
His  physical  constitution  has  been  strained  to  the 
utmost,  by  his  exposures  in  the  climate  of  the  Isthmus 
of   Darien=His    physical     constitution    has    been 
strained  in  the  highest  degree,  by  his  exposures  in 
the  climate  of  the  Isthmus  of  Darien. 
To  this  end  =  To  promote  the  object  aimed  at,  or 
the  desired  result,  (a) 
Edison  hopes  to  make  the  electric  light  available 
for  practical  purposes,  in  lighting  houses,  &c.,  and, 
to  this  end,  is  making  experiments  in  his  laboratory  = 
Edison  hopes  to  make  the  electric  light  available  for 
practical  purposes,  and,  to  accomplish  this  result,  is 
making  experiments  in  his  laboratory. 
To  wit  =  Namely ;  that  is  to  say.  (c) 

A  felony  is  any  crime  to  wit,  forgery,  robbery  and 

the  like,  punishable  with  death  or  imprisonment  in 

the  state  prison  =  A  felony   is   any  crime   namely, 

forgery,  robbery,  and  the  like,  punishable  with  death 

or  imprisonment.    (Massachusetts  and  New  York.) 

Trade  dollar — The  railroad  company  refuses  to  take 

trade  dollars.     Note. — The  trade  dollar  was  coined 

in  America  expressly  for  use  in  trade  with  Asia. 

It  is  heavier  than  the  Mexican  dollar,  and  finer 

than  the  U.  S.  dollar. 


VARIOUS   OTHER    PHRASES    AND   WORDS.         641 

Tramp  =  A  vagabond;  a  vagrant;  a  wandering  beg- 
gar; a  strolling,  idle,  worthless  man. 

A  tramp  came  up  to  tbe  door  to  beg  some  victuals 
=A  wandering  vagabond  came  up  to  the  door  to 
beg   some   victuals.     The    Connecticut  Legislature 
passed  a  law  to  rid  the  state   of  tramps  — H\\q  Con- 
necticut Legislature  passed  a  law  to  punish  and  check 
begging  and  vagabondism. 
Treasure  up  in  memory,  to  =  To  keep  in  memory 
for  future  enjoyment  or  use.  (a) 
The  student  treasured  up  in  memory  the  knowledge 
of  English  history,  which  he  gained  from  the  lectures 
=  The  student  retained  in  memory  for  future  use, 
the  knowledge  of  English  history,  which  he  gained 
from  the  lectures. 
Trestle  work  =  A  viaduct,  pier,  or  scaffold,  resting 
on  numerous  posts  or  piles,  which  are  usually  con- 
nected by  cross-beams. 
Railroads  are  sometimes  built  over  meadows,  on 
trestle-work  — ^QWvondi^    are    sometimes    built    over 
meadows,  on  a  scafibld  resting  on  numerous  piles. 
Trial  by  record  =  A  trial  which  is  had  when  a  mat- 
ter of  record   is  pleaded,  and   the   opposite  party 
pleads  that  there  is  no  such  record. 
In  a  trial  hy  record^  there  are  neither  witnesses  nor 
jury  =  In  a  trial,  the  issue  of  which  is  determined  by 
the  court's  inspection  of  the  record,  there  are  neither 
witnesses  nor  jury. 
Trigonometrical  survey  =  A  Burvey  on  a  large  scale 
by  means  of  a  series  of  triangles,  as  for  making  a 
geometrical  map  of  a  country. 
One  object  of  a  trigonometrical  survey  is  to  ascertain 
the  form  and  extent  of  a  country,  for  the  purpose  of 
constructing  an  accurate  map  =  One  object  of  a  sur- 
vey made  on  a  large  scale  by  means  of  a  series  of  tri- 
angles, is  to  ascertain  the  form  and  extent  of  a  coun- 
try, for  the  purpose  of  constructing  an  accurate  map. 
Triumphal  arches  =  Magnificent  structures  erected 
to  adorn  a  triumph  and  perpetuate  the  memory  of 
an  event. 
Some  European  cities  contain  triumphal  arches  = 
Some  European  cities  contain  magnificent  structures 
to  perpetuate  the  memory  of  great  military  achieve- 
ments. 
Trough  of  the  sea  =  The  space  between  two  high 
^yvaves. 

The  sailor  dislikes  to  have  his  ship  get  into  the 
trough  of  the  sea  —  The  sailor  dislikes  to  have  his  ship 
get  into  the  space,  or  longitudinal  channel  between 
two  hierh  waves. 

^  42 


642        VARIOUS    OTHER  PHRASES  AND   WORDS. 

True  bill  (Law)  =  ''Wovds  indorsed  on  a  bill  of  in- 
dictment when  a  grand  jury,  after  having  heard  the 
witnesses  for  the  government,  are  of  opinion  that 
there  is  sufficient  cause  to  put  the  defendant  on  his 
trial."    [Bouvier.] 
Twelve  at  least  of  the  grand  jury  must  concur,  in 
order  to  the  finding  of  a  true  M= Twelve  at  least 
of  the  grand  jury  must  concur,  in  order  to  the  find- 
ing that  there  is  a  cause  to  put  the  defendant  on  his 
trial,  and  to  the  indorsement  of  the  bill  of  indict- 
ment with  the  words,  true  bill. 
True  time  =  Mean  time  as  kept  by  a  uniformly  going 
clock,  once  rightly  adjusted. 
True  time  is  regulated   by  the  average  or  mean 
motion  of  the  sun,  and  not  by  its  apparent  motion = 
Mean  time  as  kept  by  a  unifonnly  going  clock,  is 
regulated  by  the  average  or  mean  motion  of  the  sun 
and  not  by  its  apparent  motion. 
True  to  nature  =  Like  the  reality ;  resembling  an 
object  or  a  scene;  natural,  (a) 
The  young  lady's  crayon  sketch  of  the  meadows 
and  river  below  the  city,  is  true  to  nature  =  The  young 
lady's  crayon  sketch  of  the  meadows  and  river  below 
the  city,  is  natural.     Mrs.  Siddons'  acting  was  con- 
sidered  wonderfully   true  to  nature  =  'M.rs.    Siddons' 
acting  was  considered  wonderfully  natural. 
Trustee  process  {Law.)  =  A  process  by  which  a  cred- 
itor may  attach  his  debtor's  goods,  effects,  and  cred- 
its, in  the  hands  of  a  third  person. 
Trustee  process  is  called  factorizing  process  in  the 
states  of  Yermont  and  Connecticut  =  The  process  by 
which  a   creditor  may  attach  •  his    debtor's   goods, 
effects,  and  credits  in  the  hands  of  a  third  person,  is 
called  factorizing  process  in  Yermont  and  Connecti- 
cut. 
Tubular  bridge  =  A  bridge  in  the  form  of  a  hollow 
trunk  or  tube,  made  of  iron  plates  riveted  together. 
Turn  aside,  to  =  To  go  out  of  the  path ;  to  go  in 
another  direction,  (a) 
The  boy  who  was  going  to  school,  turned  aside  to 
play  in  the  frog  pond  =  The  boy  going  to  school 
went   out   of  the   way   to   play  in  the  frog  pond. 
"And  Moses  said,  I  will  now  iwm  aside,  and  see 
this  great  sight,  why  the  bush  is  not  burnt,"  [Exo- 
dus iii.  3.]=  And  Moses  said,  I  will  now  go  one  side, 
and  see  this  great  sight,  why  the  bush  is  not  burnt. 
Turn  a\iray  from,  to  =  To  deviate  from ;  to  abandon. 

If  we  turn  away  from  the  path  of  right,  we  shall 
suffer  =  If  we  deviate  from  the  path  of  right,  we 


VAKIOUS    OTHER  PHRASES  AND  WORDS.         643 

shall  suffer.  The  bible  teaches  us  to  turn  away  from 
idols,  and  serve  the  living  and  true  God  =  The  bible 
teaches  us  to  abandon  idols,  and  serve  the  living 
and  true  God. 

Turn  down,  to  =  To  fold  or  double  down,  (a) 

Some  persons  turn  down  the  corner  of  the  leaf  on 
the  page  where  thej  cease  reading  =  Some  persons 
fold  down  the  corner  of  the  leaf,  on  the  page  where 
they  cease  reading. 

Turn  under,  to  -  To  bend  or  fold  under,  (a) 

Wlien  the  carpet  is  too  large  for  the  room,  we 
turn  the  edge  under —  ^hen  the  carpet  is  too  large 
for  the  room,  we  fold  the  edge  under. 

Tutelary  saints  A  saint  (or  canonized  person)  who 
is  supposed  to  guard  or  protect  some  person  or 
thing. 
According  to  the  belief  of  the  Eomish  Church, 
Saint  Patrick  is  the  tutelary  saint  of  Ireland  =  Ac- 
cording to  the  belief  of  the  Romish  Church,  Saint 
Patrick  is  the  saint  who  protects  and  favors  Ireland. 
Tammany  was  the  name  of  an  Indian  chief,  who,  in 
the  United  States,  has  been  popularly  canonized  as 
a  saint^  and  adopted  as  the  tutelary  genius  of  one 
branch  of  the  democratic  party  =  Tammany  was  the 
name  of  an  Indian  chief,  who  has  been  popularly 
canonized  as  a  saint,  and  adopted  as  the  guardian 
saint  of  one  branch  of  the  democratic  party. 

T'wist  together,  to  =  To  unite  by  twisting. 

The  strands  of  a  rope  are  twisted  together,  to  give 
the  rope  size  and  strength  =  The  strands  of  a  rope 
are  united  by  twisting,  in  order  to  make  the  rope 
large  and  strong. 


TJ. 

Ultramontane   doctrines = Extreme  views  of  the 
pope's  rights  and  supremacy. 
TJltamontane  doctrines,  when  spoken  of  north  of  the 
Alps,  denote  doctrines  maintained  by  Italian  writ- 
ers, on  the  other  side  of  the  Alps  =  Extreme  views 
of  the  pope's  rights  and  supremacy  are  called  ultra- 
montane  by  people  north  of  the  Alps,   to  denote 
doctrines  maintained  by  Italian  writers. 
Unburden   one's  mind,  to  =  To  relieve  by  telling 
one's  thoughts  or  feelings,  (a) 
The  citizen  went  to  the  mayor's  office,  and  un- 
hurdened  his  mind,  respecting  the  city  expenses  =:  The 
citizen  went  to  the  mayor's  oflfice,  and  relieved  him- 


644        VARIOUS    OTHER  PHRASES  AND   WORDS. 

self  by  expressing  his  opinions  respecting  the  city 
expenses. 
Under    ea§y   sail  =  Sailing    with    an    easy   motion. 

(«) 

The  first  day  out,  on  the  voyage  to  Charleston, 
we  were  under  easy  sail  all  day  =  We  were  sailing 
with  a  an  easy  motion  all  day,  the  first  day  of  our 
voyage  to  Charleston. 
Under-ground  =  Below  the  surface  of  the  ground. 
There  is  an  under-ground  railroad  in  the  city  of 
London  =  There  is  a  railroad,  below  the  surface  of 
the  ground,  in  the  city  of  London. 
Under  the  auspiees  of  =  Through  the  influence  of; 
under  the  patronage  of;  by  protection  extended,  or 
favor  shown,  (c) 
In  the  more  restricted  sense,  we  understand  that 
civil  law  is  the  law   compiled  under  the  auspices  of 
the   emperor    Justinian  =  In    the    more    restricted 
sense,  we  understand  that  civil  law  is  the  law  com- 
piled under  the  patronage  of  the  emperor  Justinian. 
Advertisements    announce    an    entertainment,    for 
July  30th,  under  the  auspices  of  the  society  for  the 
relief  of  widows  and  orphans  =  Advertisements  an- 
nounce that  there  will  be  a  festival,  under  the  pat- 
ronage of  the  society  for  widows  and  orphans,  and 
for  the  help  of  widows  and  orphans. 
Under  tlie  head  of  =  Included  in  a  subject — follow- 
ing it  in  the  treatment  or  arrangement,  {a) 
Trade  and  exchanges  between  nations,  come  un- 
der the  head  of  commerce  =  International  trade  and 
exchange   are    included   in   commerce.      Painting, 
sculpture,  and  engraving,  come  under  the  head  of  the 
fine  arts  =  The  fine  arts  include  painting,  sculpture, 
and  engraving. 
Under  the  mask,  cloak,  or  pretense  of  religion 
=  By  pretending  to  be  religious,  (c) 
Under  the  mash  of  religion,  the  man  gained   the 
confidence  of  the  people  =  By  pretending  to  be  re- 
ligious, the  man  gained  the  confidence  of  the  people. 
Under  the  seal  of  secrecy  =  With  the  promise  that 
it  should  be  kept  secret,  (c) 
The  merchant  told  his  neighbor  the  amount  of 
his  income,  under  the  seal  of  secrecy  =zThe  merchant 
told  his  neighbor  the  amount  of  his  income,   with 
the  promise  that  it  should  be  kept  secret. 
Unhoped    for=z]^ot   hoped   for;    unhoped;    unex- 
pected. 
The  patient  had  been  so  long  given  up  by  his 
friends,  that  his  restoration  to  health  was  an  unhoped 
for  recovery  =  The  patient  had  been  so  long  given 


VARIOUS    OTHER  PHRASES  AND  WORDS.         645 

up  by  his  friends,  that  his  recovery  was  unexpect- 
ed. 
Union  by  the  first  intention  {Surg.)  =  The  process 
by  which  the  opposite  surfaces  of  recent  wounds, 
when  they  are  kept  in  contact  with  each  other, 
grow  together  and  unite  without  suppuration, — the 
result  of  a  self-healing  power  in  living  bodies. 
The  surgeon  told  him  that  the   healing   of  his 
wound  was  a  case  of  union  by  Hie  first  intention  =  The 
surgeon  told  him  that  his  wound  had  healed  without 
suppuration. 
Unite  witb,  to  =  To  join  with  ;  to  mix.  (a) 

Prussia  united  with  England,  to  defeat  Napoleon  = 
Prussia  joined  with  England,  in  fighting  against 
I^apoleon.  Oil  will  not  U7iite  with  water =011  will 
not  mix  with  water. 

Unit  of  powers  For  steam-engines,  the  power  re- 
quired to  raise  33,000  pounds  one  foot  in  a  minute ; 
a  horse-power. 
One  unit  of  power,  or  one  horse-power,  is  equiva- 
lent to  the  performance  of  33,000  units  of  work  per 
minute = The  power  required  to  raise  33,000  pounds 
one  foot  in  a  minute,  is  equivalent  to  the  perform- 
ance of  33,000  units  of  work  per  minute. 
Unit  of  lieat  =  The  heat  necessary  to  raise  the  tem- 
perature of  one  pound  of  ordinary  cold  water  one 
degree  Fahr. 
Unit  of  work  {Mech.)  =  The  work  expended  in  rais- 
ing one  pound  to  the  height  of  one  foot ;  called  a 
fjot-pound. 

The  unit  of  work  is  that  measure  or  standard  by 
which   quantities   of    work    are    measurable  =  The 
work  expended  in  raising  one  pound  to  the  height 
of  one  foot,  is  that  measure  by  which  quantities  of 
work  are  measurable. 
Unlawful  assembly  =  "  A  disturbance  of  the  public 
peace,  by  three  or  more  persons  who  meet  together 
with  an  intent  mutually  to  assist  each  other  in  the 
execution  .of  some  unlawful  enterprise  of  a  private 
nature,  with  force  and  violence."     [Bouvier.] 
If  the  persons  in  an  unlawful  assembly  move  for- 
ward in  the  execution  of  their  unlawful  enterprise, 
it  is  then  a  rout ;  if  they  actually  execute  their  de- 
sign, it  amounts  to  a  riot  =  If  the  persons  meeting 
to  do  an  unlawful  act,  move  forward  in  the  execu- 
tion of  their  purpose,  it  is  then  a  rout ;  if  they  ac- 
tually execute  their  design,  it  amounts  to  a  riot. 
Unnrritten  law  =  That  part  of  the  law  of  England 
and  the  United  States  which  is  not  derived  from 
express  legislative  enactment,  or  at  least  from  any 


64:6        VAEIOUS    OTHER  PHRASES  AND  WORDS. 

enactment  now  extant  and  in  force  as  such.     This 
law  is  now  generally  contained  in  the  reports  of 
judicial  decisions. 
Upper  ^iirorks  (Naut.)  =  The  parts  above  water  when 
a  ship  is  properly  balanced  for  a  voyage,  or  that 
part  which  is  above  the  main  wale. 
The  ship  came  into  port,  with  her  upper  works 
damaged  by  a  collision  with  an  iceberg  =  The  ship 
came  into  port,  with  the  parts  above  water  damaged 
by  a  collision  with  an  iceberg. 
Upon  wliich=:On  the  ground  of  which;  in  conse- 
quence of  which,  (a) 
The  superintendent  of  the  railroad  received  infor- 
mation that  a  train  had  broken  through  a  bridge, 
upon  which  he  prepared  to  go  at  once  to  the  place  of 
the  accidents  The  superintendent  of  the  railroad 
received  information  that  a  train  had  broken  through 
a  bridge,  in  consequence  of  which  he  prepared  to  go 
at  once  to  the  place  of  the  accident. 
Upside  down = With  the  upper  part  undermost,  (a) 
I  found  two  passenger  cars  at  the  foot  of  the  em- 
bankment,  upside  down=l   found  two   passengers 
cars,  with  the  upper  part  undermost,  at  the  foot  of 
the  embankment. 
Up  stair§  =  The  higher  rooms  of  a  house,  or  those 
above  the  first  floor. 
It  is  common  to  have  the  bedrooms  up  stairs  =  lt 
is   common  to  have  the  bedrooms  in   the   higher 
rooms  of  the  house. 
Up  to  =  Up  to  the  time  of;  until,  (a) 

The  boy  lived  at  home,  up  to  the  death  of  his 
father  =  The  boy  lived  at  home,  until  the  death  of 
his  father. 
Up  to  this  time  =  Until  this  time ;  thus  far.  (a) 

Up  to  this  time  nothing  has  been  heard  from  the 
vessel,  which  sailed  a  month  ago  =  Thus  far  nothing 
has  been  heard  from  the  vessel,  which  sailed  a  month 
ago. 
Use  or  exercise  one's  oi«rn  discretion,  to  =  To  act 
freely  according  to  one's  own  judgment,  (a) 
The  teacher  must  use  his  own  discretion^  as  to  the 
methods  of  teaching  =  The  teacher  must  act  accord- 
ing to  his  own  judgment,  as  to  the  methods  of 
teaching. 


VARIOUS    OTHER  PHRASES  AND  WORDS.         647 


Tacant  §accession  =  "  An  inheritance  for  whicli  the 

heirs  are  unknown."     [Bouvier.] 
In  case  of  vacant  succession^  the  inheritance  falls  to 
the  state  =  In  the  case  of  an  inheritance,  for  which 
the  heirs  are  unknown,  the  inheritance  becomes  the 
property  of  the  state. 
Talue    received — A    phrase  usually  employed  in  a 
bill  of  exchange  or  promissory  note,  to  denote  that 
a  consideration  has  been  given  for  it. 
For  value  received^  I  promise  to  pay  Mr.  A.  one 
hundred  dollars,  on  demand,  with  interest  at  6  per 
cent.  =  For  the  consideration  of  one  hundred  dollars 
received,  I  promise  to  pay  Mr.  A.,  one  hundred 
dollars,   on   demand,  with   interest  at  6  per  cent. 
Thirty  days  after  date,  pay  to  the  order  of  Smith  & 
Co.  fifty  dollars,  value  received',  and  charge  to  our 
account. 
Taiitage-g^round  =  Superiority  of  state  or  place ;  the 
place  or  condition  which  gives  one  an  advantage 
over  another. 
He  graduated  at  college  with  distinguished  honor, 
and  from  this  vantage-ground  set  forth  in  his  profes- 
sional life  =  He  graduated  with  distinguished  honor 
at  college,  and  from  this  condition  of  superiority 
began  his  professional  life. 
Tariation   of   the   needier  The  deviation  of   the 
direction  of  the  magnetic  needle  from   the   true 
north  and  south  points  of  the  horizon. 
The  variation  of  the  needle  is  owing  to  the  fact, 
that  the  magnetic  pole  and  the  true  pole  of  the  earth 
do  not  coincide  —  The  deviation  of  the  direction  of 
the  magnetic  needle  from  the  true  north,  is  owing 
to  the  noncoincidence  of  the  magnetic  and  the  true 
poles. 
Tenial    §in      {Rom.    Cath.     Theol)  =  A.    sin    which 
weakens,  but  does  not  destroy  sanctifying  grace. 
In  the  Romish  Church  vejiial  sins  are  distinguished 
from  mortal  or  deadly  sins = In  the  Romish  Church 
sins  which  weaken,  but  do  not  destroy,  sanctifying 
grace,  are  distinguished  from  deadly  sins. 
l^entilate  a  question  or  subject,  to  =  To  make  it 
public;  to  expose  it  to  examination  and  discussion. 

The  Gazette  was  the  first  newspaper  to  ventilate 
the  subject  of  the  severe  punishment  practiced  in  our 
schools  =  The  Gazette  first  brought  up  for  examina- 


648        VARIOUS    OTHER  PHRASES  AND  WORDS. 

tion  and  discussion  the  matter  of  the  severe  punish- 
ment, practiced  in  our  school. 
Very  many  =  A  very  large  number,  (a) 

Very   many   of  the   inhabitants   of  the   city  are 
absent  in  the  summer^  A  very  large  number  of  the 
inhabitants  of  the  city  are  absent  in  the  summer. 
Vexa'tiou§  suit  {Law)  — A.  suit  commenced  for  the 
purpose  of  giving  trouble,  or  without  cause. 
To  make  a  suit  vexatious^  it  must  have  been  insti- 
tuted maliciously  =  The  suit  must  have  been  institu- 
ted maliciously,  in  order  to  make  it  a  suit  for  the 
"purpose  of  giving  trouble,  or  without  cause." 
Vexed   question  =  A   question  difficult  of  decision 
and  causing  much  discussion ;  an  inquiry  carried 
on  with  great  pertinacity  of  discussion. 
The  subject  of  the  national  currency  has  been  a 
vexed  question  in  the  United  States  Congress  =  The 
subject  of  the  national  currency  has  been  discussed 
in  the  United  States  Congress  with  great  pertinacity. 
The  origin  of  species  is  a  vexed  question  =  The  origin 
of  species  is  a  question  difficult  to  decide,  and  caus- 
ing much  discussion. 
Violent  death  =  Death  produced  by  force;   an  un- 
natural death. 
He  became  dissipated  in  college,  went  to  Califor- 
nia,   and   met   with   a  violent  death,  in   a  drunken 
brawl = He  became  dissipated  in  college,  went  to 
California,  and  was  killed  by  a  blow  on  the  head,  in 
a  drunken  brawl. 
Visible    ehurcb,  the  =  The    apparent    church     of 
Christ;  the  whole  body  of  professed  believers  in 
Christ. 
All  Christians  who  make  a  public  profession  of 
faith,  are  members  of  the  visible  church  =  All  Christ- 
ians who  make  a  public  profession  of  faith,  belong 
to  the  body  of  professed  believers  in  Christ. 
Visible  horizon  =  The  circle  which  bounds  our  view 
and  is  formed  by  the  apparent  meeting  of  the  earth 
and  heavens. 
Yenus  is  about  45°  above  the  visible  horizon  a  little 
before  sunrise,  at  the  present  time,  {Nov.  25,  1879) 
=  Yenus  is  about  45°  above  the  circle  which  bounds 
our  view,  a  little  before  sunrise  at  the  present  time. 
Vis  inertiaB=r:l.  The  resistance  of  matter.     2.  Inert- 
ness; inactivity. 
1,  Some  force  is  required  to  overcome  the  vis  in- 
ertice  of  a  rock,  when  you  wish  to  start  it,  and  roll  it 
down  a  precipice  =  Some  force  is  required  to  over- 
come the  resistance  of  the  rock,  when  3^ou  wish  to 
start  it  and  roll  it  down  a  precipice.     2.  The  vis  in- 


VARIOUS   OTHER   PHRASES    AND   WORDS.         649 

ertioe  of  tliat  man  is  something  wonderful  =  The  in- 
ertness of  that  man  is  something  wonder fuL 
Ti§iting^  committee  —  A  body  of  persons   appointed 
or  chosen  to  visit  and  inspect  some  public  institu- 
tion, as  a  school,  hospital  and  the  like. 
The  visiting  committee   was  in  the  center  school  to- 
day =  The  persons  selected  to  visit  and  inspect  the 
schools,  went  to  the  center  school  to-day. 
Ti§itiiig[  pliysician  —  A  physician  who  visits  the  hos- 
pital at  certain  stated  times,  and  is  not  constantly 
in  attendance. 
The  Hartford  hospital  has  six  visiting  physicians  = 
There  are  six  physicians  appointed  to  visit  the  hos- 
pital in  Hartford,  at  certain  stated  times. 
Vital  statistics  =  Statistics   respecting   the  duration 
of  life,  and  the  circumstances  affecting  its  duration. 
The  terms  of  life-insurance  companies  are  based 
upon  a  comparison  of  vital  statistics =T\\q  iQ\'\n^  oi 
life-insurance  companies  are  based  upon  a  compari- 
son of  statistics  respecting  the  duration  of  life,  and 
the  circumstances  affecting  its  duration. 
Voice  of  the  tempter  =  Temptation ;  allurement,  (c) 
The  young  man  listened  to  the  voice  of  the  tempter^ 
and  put  a  sum  of  money  upon  the  gaming  table  = 
The  young  man  yielded  to  temptation,  and  put  a 
sum  of  money  upon  the  gaming  table. 
Voluntary  conveyance  =  "  The  transfer  of  an  estate 
made  without  any  adequate  consideration  of  val- 
ue." *  [Bouvier.] 
Wlienever  a  voluntary  conveyance  is  made,  a  pre- 
sumption   of   fraud   properly   arises  =:  Whenever    a 
conveyance  of  an  estate  without  valuable  considera- 
tion is  made,  a  presumption  of  fraud  properly  arises. 
Voluntary  escape  (Z«?/;)=:"The  giving  to  a  prison- 
er, voluntarily,  any  liberty  not  authorized  by  law." 
[Bouvier.] 

If  the  offense  of  the  prisoner  was  a  felony,  a  vol- 
untary escape  is  a  felony  on  the  part  of  the  officer = 
If  the  oflPense  of  the  prisoner  was  a  felony,  the  giv- 
ing to  him  voluntarily  any  liberty  not  authorized  by 
law,  is  a  felony  on  the  part  of  the  officer. 
Vulnerable    point  ==  Weak    point;    the    point    that 
would  sufier  by  attack,  (c) 
The  vuhierahle  point  of  the  senator's  character,  is 
his  want  of  decision  =  The  weak  point  of  the  sena- 
tor's character,  is  his  indecision. 


650        VAEIOUS  OTHER  PHBASES   AND  WOEDS. 


Wager-policy  (Law)  =  ''  A  policy   made   when   the 
insured  has  no  insurable  interest."     [Bouvier.] 
Wager-policies,  being  against  the  policy  of  the  law, 
are  void  =  Policies  made  when  the  insured  has  no 
insurable  interest,  being  against  the  policy  of  the 
law,  are  void.      Wager-policies  are  generally  known 
by  the  clauses,  "  interest  or  no  interest,"  "  without 
further  proof  of  interest  than  the  policy,"  and  the 
like = Policies  made  when  the  insured  has  no  insura- 
ble interest  are  generally  known  by  the  clauses  "  in- 
terest or  no  interest,"  and  the  like. 
Waiting  for  dead  men's  §hoes  =  Looking  for  lega- 
cies, (b) 
Mr.  H.  says  he  is  tired  of  waiting  for  dead  men^s 
shoes  =  Mr.  H.  says  he  is  tired  of  looking  for  legacies. 
War  department  =  That  department  of  a  govern- 
ment which  takes  charge  of  all  matters  pertaining 
to  war. 
The  Eight  Hon.  H.  C.  E.  Childers  is  at  the  head 
of  the  war  department  in  the  present  administration. 
(England,  1880)  =  The  Eight  Hon.  H.  C.  E.  Chil- 
ders is  at  the  head  of  the  department  of  government 
which  takes  charge  of  all  matters  pertaining  to  war. 
(England,  1880.) 
Warehousing  system  =  An  arrangement  for  lodging 
imported  articles  in  the  custom-house  stores,  with- 
out payment  of  duties,  until  they  are  taken  out  for 
home  consumption.     If  re-exported,  they  are  not 
charged  with  a  duty. 
The  object  of  the  warehousing  system  is  to  facilitate 
and  encourage  commerce  by  exempting  the  importer 
from  the  payment  of  duties  until  he  is  ready  to 
bring  his  goods  into   markets  The   object   of  the 
arrangement  for  lodging   imported   articles  in  the 
custom-house   stores,   without   payment   of  duties, 
until  they  are  taken  out  for  home  consumption,  is 
to  facilitate  and  encourage  commerce. 
Warrant  of  attorney  =  Written  authority  given  by 
a  client  to  his  attorney  to  appear  for  him  in  court, 
and  to  suffer  judgment  to  pass  against  him  by  con- 
fession in  favor  of  some  specified  person. 
A  warrant  of  attorney  to  confess  judgment  should 
contain  not  only  a  grant  of  authority,  but  a  designa- 
tion, by  name  or  description,  of  the  person  who  is  to 
execute  it  =  A  written  authority  from  a  client  to  his 
attorney  to  appear  for  him  in  court,  and  to  suffer 
judgment  to  pass  against  him  by  confession  in  favor 


VARIOUS  OTHER   PHRASES   AND  WORDS.         651 

of  some  specified  person,  should  contain  not  only  a 
grant  of  authority,  but  a  designation,  by  name  or 
description,  of  the  person  who  is  to  execute  it. 
^War  to  the  knife  =  An  unyielding,  merciless  con- 
test, (c) 
The  two  factions  of  the  liberal  party  have  declared 
war  to  the  Jcmfe=  The  two  factions  of  the   liberal 
party  have  resolved  upon  an  unyielding  and  severe 
contest. 
'Wa§te  land  =  Any  tract  of  surface  not  in  a  state  of 
cultivation,  and  producing  little  or  no  useful  herb- 
age or  wood. 
The  proportion  of  waste  land  is  greater  in  Africa 
than  in   Europe  =  The   proportion    of  uncultivated 
land,  producing  little  or  no  useful  herbage  or  wood, 
is  greater  in  Africa  than  in  Europe. 
Water-privilege  =  The  advantage  of  a  water-fall  in 
streams  sufficient  to  raise  water  for  driving  water 
wheels,  or  a  place  affording  such  advantage. 
The  water-privilege  at  Holyoke,  Massachusetts,  fur- 
nished by  a  fall  of  60  feet,  with  a  capacity  of  30,000 
horse-powers,  and   made  available  by  a  dam  1,019 
feet  long  and  a  system  of  canals,  and  furnished  to 
manufacturers  (of  whom  there  are  now  44  compa- 
nies) at  the  annual  rental  of  $300  for  one  "mill 
power"  (which  is  the  unit  of  measurement  adopted 
and  is  equivalent  to  65  horse-powers),  is  the  greatest 
water-privilege  in  America=The  advantage  of  water 
fall  for  manufacturing  purposes  at  Holyoke,  Massa- 
chusetts, furnished   by  a  fall   of   60   feet,   with   a 
capacity  of  30,000  horse-powers,  and  made  available 
by  a  dam  1,019  feet  long,  and  furnished  to  manu- 
facturers at  the  annual  rental  of  $300  for  one  "mill 
power,"  is  the  greatest  water-privilege  in  America. 
Water-proof  =  Impervious   to   water;    resisting  the 
action  of  water. 
The  stage-driver  has  a  ^^a^er-proo/"  coat = The  stage- 
driver  has  a  coat  which  is  impervious  to  water. 
Way  of  thinking  =  Opinion ;  belief,  (c) 

According  to  some  persons'  way  of  thinking,  women 
ought  to  have  the  privilege  of  votings  In  the  opin- 
ion of  some  persons,  women  ought  to  have  the  priv- 
ilege of  voting. 
"Wedded  to  an  opinion  =  Yery  positive  and  tena- 
cious in  a  belief;  unwilling  to  yield  one's  opinion,  (c) 
The  man  is  so  wedded  to  his  opinion  against  public 
schools,  that  he  will  not  suffer  his  children  to  attend 
them  =  The  man  is  so  positive  and  tenacious  in  his 
belief  that  public  schools  are  not  best,  that  he  will 
not  suffer  his  children  to  attend  them. 


652         VARIOUS   OTHER    PHRASES  AND  WORDS. 

Wedding — golden,  silver,  tin,  etc.  =  The  celebra- 
tion of  certain  marriage  anniversaries  of  a  married 
pair,  (a) 
The  silver  wedding  occcurs  on  the  twenty-fifth  an- 
niversary of  marriage  and  is  sometimes  signahzed 
by  a  gathering  of  friends  and  the  gift  of  articles  of 
silver  to  the  couple.     Tlie  golden  wedding  occm*s  on 
the  fiftieth  anniversary  and  the  gifts  are  golden  arti- 
cles.    The  diamond  wedding  on  the  sixtieth   anni- 
versary,  with   diamond   gifts.      Other   earlier   and 
lesser  anniversaries  are  the  wooden  wedding^  occurring 
five  years  after  marriage,  accompanied  with  gifts  of 
wooden  articles;  tin  wedding  at  the  end  often  years, 
with  gifts  of  tin  ware ;  and  the  crystal  wedding  fif- 
teen years  after  marriage,  in  which  the  gifts  are  of 
glass. 
llVeekly  tenant  =  A  tenant  paying  rent  by  the  week, 

and  liable  to  removal  on  a  week's  notice. 
IVell  enough  =  Sufliciently  well,  (a) 

I  know  your  taste  well  enough  to  be  certain,  that 
you  will  enjoy  the  concerts  I  know  you  sufficiently 
well  to  be  certain,  that  you  will  enjoy  the  concert. 
Well-founded  =  Having   a   good   foundation;  just; 
reasonable;  proper,  {a) 
"We  have  a  loell-founded  suspicion  of  those  who 
flatter  us  =  We  have  a  proper  suspicion  of  flatterers ; 
or  the  suspicion  we  have  of  flatterers  is  just. 
Well-nigh  =  Almost ;  nearly,  (a) 

The  mother  was  well-nigh  broken-hearted,  when 

she  heard  of  the  death  of  her  son  =  The  mother  was 

almost  broken-hearted,  when  she  heard  of  the  death 

of  her  son. 

Well-regulated  =  Orderly ;  methodical;  disciplined. 

A  well-regulated  household  is  essential  to  domestic 
comfort  =  A  household  w^ith  order  and  discipline  is 
essential  to  domestic  comfort. 

"Well-ivorn  =  Much  impaired  by  use.  (c) 

The  captain's  coat  is  well-worn  =  ThQ  captain's  coat 
is  much  impaired  by  use. 

Were  I  or  it=:If  I  or  it  were,  (h)  *'  . 

Were  it  pleasant  weather,  I  would  stroll  in  the 
woods  this  morning  ==  If  the  weather  were  pleasant, 
I  would  stroll  in  the  woods  this  morning.  Were  I 
disengaged,  I  would  accompany  you  to  the  depot  = 
If  I  were  not  occupied,  I  would  accompany  you  to 
the  depot.  ISTote — This  inverted  form  of  the  sub- 
junctive is  also  similarly  used  with  the  other  auxili- 
aries, couM^  did,  had,  might  and  the  like — as,  could 
I,  for,  If  I  could ;  Did  I,  for,  If  I  did,  etc. 


VARIOUS    OTHER   PHRASES  AND  WORDS.         653 

Wliat  i§  tlie  reason ?=: Why?  (a) 

What  IS  the  reason  Jolm  was  not  at  school  yester- 
days Why  was  not  John  at  school  yesterday. 
What  it  will  fetcli  or  bring  =  The  sum  for  which 
it  can  be  sold,  (c) 
Mr.  C.  was  about  to  leave  town,  and  was  obliged 
to  sell  his  horse  and  carriage,  for  what  they  ivould 
fetch  — My.   C.   was  about  to  leave  town,   and   was 
forced  to  sell  his  horse  and  carriage,  for  whatever 
sum  he  could  obtain  for  them. 
Wheel  about,  to  =  To  change  to  the  opposite  di- 
rection, (c) 
As  the  farmer  was  driving  to  the  city,  he  met  a 
man  who  wished  to  visit  his  farm,  whereupon  he 
wheeled  about  and  drove  home  again = As  the  farmer 
was  driving  to  the  city,  he  met  a  man  who  wished 
to  visit  his  farm,  whereupon  he  turned  to  the  oppo- 
site direction,  and  drove  home  again. 
Whisper  in   the   ear,   to  =  To   inform  gently  and 
cautiously,  (c)  * 

The  valet  whispered  in  the  king's  ear,  that  one  of 
his  courtiers  was  treacherous  =  The  valet  gently  and 
cautiously  informed  the  king,  that  one  of  his  court- 
iers was  treacherous. 
"White  a§  a  sheet  =  Yery  pale;  pallid. 

She  fainted  away,  from  extreme  weakness,  and 
turned  luhite  as  a  sheet  =  ^he  fainted  away  from  ex- 
treme weakness,  and  became  very  pale. 
White  lie  =  A  comparatively  venial  falsehood,  (c) 
The  doctor  told  the  patient  a  white  lie  in  saying 
that   the   medicine   was   not   mineral,  wishing   the 
patient  to  take  a  medicine,  which  the  patient  had  a 
prejudice  against  =  The  doctor  told  the  patient  an 
untruth  supposed  to  be  justifiable,  in  saying  that 
the  medicine  was  not  mineral,  wishing  to  administer 
a  medicine,  which  the  patient  disliked. 
IVhite  of  an  egg  =  The  albumen,  or  jfJellucid  viscous 
fluid  which  surrounds  the  yolk. 
Frosting  is  made  by  beating  together  sugar,  and 
the  white  of  eggs  —  Frosting  for  cake  is  made  by  Ijeat- 
ing  together  sugar,  and  the  viscous  fluid  about  the 
yolk  of  eggs. 
Whole    blood   (Xaz^)  =  Relationship   through  both 
father  and  mother ;  blood  which  is  derived  from  the 
same  couple  of  ancestors. 
Brothers  and  sisters  are  said  to  be  of  the  whole 
blood  if  they  have   the   same   father   and  mother  = 
Brothers   and   sisters   are   said   to  be   of  the  blood 
which  is  derived  through  the  same  couple  of  ances- 
tors, if  they  have  the  same  father  and  mother. 


654        VARIOUS    OTHER  PHRASES  AND  WORDS. 

IVholesale  price  =  Price  of  things  bj  the  piece  or 
quantity. 
The  vjholesale  jprice  of  an  article  is  always  less  than 
the  retail  price  =  The  price  of  things  by  the  piece  or 
quantity,  is  always  less  than  the  retail  price. 
"Wholesale  store  =  A  store  in  which  goods  are  sold 
by  the  piece,  or  in  large  quantities,  (a) 
The  innkeeper  bought  a  hogshead  of  sugar,  at  the 
wholesale  stores  The  innkeeper  bought  a  hogshead 
of  sugar,  at  the  store  where  goods  are  sold  only  in 
large  quantities. 
l¥icle   apart  =  Far  from  each  other ;  widely  separa- 
ted, (a) 
The  homes  of  the  father  and  the  son,  one  of  whom 
lives  in  America,  and  the  other  in  China,  are  wide 
apart  — The.  homes  of  the  father  and  the  son,  one  of 
whom  lives  in  America,  and  the  other  in  China  are 
far  from  each  other. 
\ride  of  =  Far  from,  (c) 

The   statement   of  the   witness   was   wide  of  the 
truth  —  The  statement  of  the  witness  was  far  from 
the  truth. 
Wife's  equity  (Laiv)  =  "  The  equitable  right  of  a  wife 
to  have  settled  upon  her  and  her  children  a  suita- 
ble provision  out  of  her  estate  whenever  the  hus- 
band can  not  obtain  it  without  the  aid  of  a  court 
of  equity."     [Bouvier.] 
The  wife'^s  equity  to  a  settlement  is  binding,  not 
only  upon  the  husband,  but  upon  his  assignee,  under 
the  bankrupt  or  insolvent  laws  =  The  equitable  right 
of  a  wife  to  have  settled  upon  her  and  her  children 
a  suitable  provision  out  of  her  estate,  is  binding  not 
only  upon  the  husband  but  upon  his  assignee,  under 
the  insolvent  laws. 
Wild  fowl  =  Wild  birds;  untamed  fowls,  especially 
such  as  are  hunted  as  game. 
The  waters  6f  northern  America  abound  in  wild 
fowl,  in  summer  =  The  waters  of    northern  America 
abound,  in  summer,  in  untamed  fowls. 
Wild  land  =  1.  Land  not  cultivated,  or  in    a   state 
that  renders  it  unfit  to  be  cultivated.     2.  Land  not 
settled  and  cultivated.     (U.  S.) 
1.  There  is  a  good  deal  of  wild  land  in  Afghanis- 
tan =  There  is  much  land  in  Afghanistan  unfit  to  be 
cultivated.     2.  There  is  much  ivild  land  in  the  west- 
ern United  States  =  There  is  much  land  not  settled 
and  cultivated  in  the  western  United  States. 
In  no  wise  =  By  no  means ;  in  no  manner,  (c) 

*'  Whosoever  shall  give  to  drink  unto  one  of  these 
little  ones  a  cup  of  cold  water  only,  he  shall  in  no 


VARIOUS    OTHER   PHRASES   AND   WORDS.         655 

wise  lose  his  reward."  [Matthew  x.  42]  =  Whosoever 
shall  give  to  drink  unto  one  of  the  little  ones  a  cup 
of  cold  water  only,  he  shall  by  no  means  lose  his  re- 
ward. 
IVith   a  toad  grace  =  With  behavior   indecent  and 
unbecoming. 
Mr.  A.  declined  Mr.  B's  invitation  to  dinner  with 
a  had  grace ^Mr.  A.  declined  Mr.  B's  invitation  to 
dinner  with  unbecoming  want  of  civility. 
"With  a  view  to  =  With  the  aim,  intention,  or  design. 
Qn  his  return  from  the  Pacific  coast,  he  stopped 
in  Colorado  ivith  a  view  to  some  investment  in  silver 
mines  =  On   his   return  from   the   Pacific  coast,  he 
stopped  in    Colorado,  with  the  intention   to   invest 
money  in  some  silver  mine.     The  bell  of  the  loco- 
motive is  rung  at  railroad  crossings,  with  a  view  to 
prevent  accidents  =  The   bell  of  the  locomotiv:^   is 
rung  at  railroad  crossings,  for  the  purpose  of  pre- 
venting accidents. 
With  closed  doors  =  None  being  admitted ;  in  se- 
cret ;  by  one's  self,  (a) 
The  senate  had  a  session  to-day  ivith  closed  doors  = 
The  senate  liad  a  secret  session  to-day. 
W^ith  dry  eyes = Without  weeping;  unafi'ected.  (c) 
Few  persons  can   look   upon  the   execution  of  a 
murderer,  with  dry  eyes  — Yew  persons  can  look  upon 
the  execution  of  a  murderer,  and  not  be  affected. 
With  good  grace  =  With  behavior,  considered  as  de- 
cent and  becoming. 
The  boy  was  not  very  much  in  the  wrong,  and 
his  reprimand  was  too  severe ;  but  he  took  it  with 
good  ^mce= The  boy's  conduct  had  not  been  much 
out  of  the  way,  and  the  reprimand  which   he   re- 
ceived was  too  severe,  but  he  took  it  in  a  decent  and 
becoming  manner. 
W^ith  heart  and  soul  =  Heartily ;  earnestly,  (c) 

The  merchant  entered  into  the  project  of  estab- 
lishing a  new  bank,  with  heart  and  sow?=  The  mer- 
chant entered  heartily  into  the  project  of  establish- 
ing a  new  bank. 
W^ithin  call = Near  enough  to  be  summoned  to  come, 
(a) 
His  regular  physician  is  not  within  caZZ=:  His  regu- 
lar physician  is  not  near  enough  to  be  summoned  to 
,  come.     The  mother  told  the  child  to  rap  if  he  want- 
ed any  thing,  for  she   would  be   within  call—T\ve 
mother  told  the  child  to  rap  if  he  wanted  any  thing, 
for  she  would  be  near  enough  to  hear,  and  come  to 
him. 


656         VARIOUS    OTHER   PHRASES   AND   WORDS. 

l¥ithiii    hearing = Within    the    distance   at  which 
sound  may  be  heard,  (a) 
He  lives  within  hearing  of  the  waves  of  the  sea  = 
He    lives   where   the   sound   of  the  waves  can   be 
heard. 
Witliin  range   of=l.  Within    the   compass,  reach, 
scope,  command  of.  (a)     2.  Within  the  horizontal 
distance  to  which  a  shot  is  carried,  {a) 
1.  A  knowledge  of  the  future,  is  not  within  the 
ran^e  o/*  unassisted  human  faculties=A  knowledge 
of  the  future,  is  not  within  tlie  compass  of  the  un- 
assisted human  faculties.     2,  We  were  not  harmed, 
for  we  were  not  within  the  range  of  the  enemy's  bat- 
teries =  We  were  uninjured,  for  we  were  beyond  the 
distance  to  which  the  enemy's  batteries  could  send 
their  shot. 
IVttliin   reach  =  Able  to  be  reached ;  easily  obtain- 
able, {a) 
The  boy  picked  all  the  apples  which  were  within 
reach^  as  he  stood  on  the  ladder = The  boy  picked  all 
the  apples  which  he  could  reach,  while  standing  on 
the  ladder. 
'Within  the  hound§  of  possibility — An    emphatic 
expression  for  possible,  (c) 
Tlie  physician  said  that  it  was  not  ^i;^^/^m  the  hounds 
of  possihiUtTj^  that  the  paralytic  should  recover  =  The 
physician  said  that  it  was  not  possible  for  the  para- 
lytic to  recover. 
IVith  one  consent  =  Unitedly ;  in  agreement,  {a) 
With  one  consent  the  children  started  to  spend  the 
holiday  in  the  woods = In  agreement  of  purpose,  the 
children  started  to  spend  the  holiday  in  the  woods 
"With  one  voice  =  United  in  opinion  or  vote,  (c) 
The  people  were  requested  to  vote  upon  the  ques- 
tion of  repairing  the  highway,  and  with  one  voice  they 
voted  to  repair  it  =  The  people  were  requested  to  vote 
upon  the  question   of  repairing  the  highway,  and 
they  were  united  in  voting  that  they  wished  it  re- 
paired. 
"Without    a  parallel  =  Unequaled ;  having  nothing 
like  it.  (6) 
The  rapid  travel  of  the  present  day  is  without  a 
2)araUel  — The   rapid   travel  of  the  present  day  has 
nothing  equal  to  it,  or  similar  to  it  in  the  past. 
Without  ceremony  =  Informally ;  unostentatiously. 

(«) 
The  neighbors  called  upon  the  new  comer  without 
ceremony— The  neighbors  called  upon  the  new  comer 
informally. 


VAKIOUS   OTHER    PHRASES  AND  WORDS.         657 

llf'lthout    day  =  Without  appointment   of  a  day   to 
assemble  again ;  finally  dismissed,  (c) 
The  General   Assembly   of  Connecticut  has  ad- 
journed  without  day^ThQ  Legislature  of  Connecti- 
cut has  adjourned  without  fixing  a  day  to  assemble 
again. 
l¥itbout  exception = No  one  (person  or  thing)  being 
excepted;  universally,  (a) 
The  teacher  required  an  excuse  of  every  pupil, 
without  exception^  who  was  absent  the  previous  day  = 
The  teacher  required  an  excuse  of  every  pupil  who 
was  absent  the  previous  day,  no  one  being  excepted. 
IVitbout  limil  =  Unlimited  ;  unbounded,  (a) 

The  space  in  the  heavens  above  us  is  without  limit 
=  The  space  in  the  heavens  above  us  is  unbounded. 
H^ithout  measure  =  Immoderately ;    excessively,  (c) 
The  snow  falls  in  the  Himalaya  without  measures 
The  snow  falls  in  the  Himalaya  in  excessive  quan- 
tity. 
IVithout  recourse — "Words  sometimes  added  to  the 
indorsement  of  a  negotiable  instrument,  to  protect 
the  indorser  from  liability  to  the  indorsee  and  sub- 
sequent holders. 
The  words   without  recourse  limit  or  qualify  the 
liability  of  the  indorser,  in  a  manner  di  fie  rent  from 
what  the  law  generally  imports  as  his  true  liability  = 
These  words,  if  added  to  the  indorsement  of  a  ne- 
gotiable instrument,  to   protect  the  indorser  from 
liability  to  the  indorsee,  limit  or  quality  the  liability 
of  the  indorser,  in  a  manner  difterent  from  what  the 
law  generally  considers  his  true  liability. 
l¥ltliout    reserve  =  Freely  and  fully;  without   re- 
straint, (a) 
He  told  me  his  plans  without  reserve  =  116  told  me 
his  plans  freely  and  fully. 
li¥ithout  stint  =  Without  limit  or  restraint,  (c) 

By  going  to  the  woods  chestnuts  maybe  had  with- 
out stint  ^'By  going  to  the  woods  chestnuts  maybe 
procured  without  limit. 
l¥ith  rapid  strides  =  Eapidly.  (c) 

After  three-score  and  ten  years,  old  age  advances 
with  rapid  strides  =  After  the  age  of  seventy  years, 
old  age  advances  rapidly. 
"With  the  best  intentions  =  In  kindness ;  meaning 
well,  (b) 
In  his  ignorance  the  boy  pointed  the  traveler  to 
the  wrong  road,  but  he  did  it  with  the  best  intentions  = 
In  his  ignorance  the  boy  directed  the  traveler  to  the 
wrong  road,  but  he  did  it  meaning  well. 
With  the  exception  of  =  Except ;  exflp^^^;3B^^i^r^^^v^ 

43  ^Y^^  OP  THR        ^ 


658        VARIOUS   OTHER    PHRASES  AND  WORDS. 

With  the  exception  of  one  point,  the  horse  is  admi- 
rably adapted  to  the  postman's  use  =  Except  in  one 
particular,  the  horse  is  admirably  adapted  to  the 
postman's  use. 
lil^ord  for  \irord  =  In  the  exact  words,  (a) 

The  orator  delivered   the  speech  he  had  written 
word  for  word  =  The  orator  delivered  his  speech,  in 
the  exact  words  in  which  it  was  written. 
\l^ord  of  honor  =  A  promise,  the  violation  of  which 
would  dishonor  the  person,  (a) 
He  gave  me  his  word  of  honor,  that  he  would  at- 
tend to  my   business  on  arriving  at  the   city  =  He 
promised  me  most  seriously,  that  he  would  attend  to 
my  business  on  arriving  at  the  city. 
'Working  account  =  lhe  statement  of  expenses  in- 
curred in  carrying  on  a  business,  or  in  managing 
the  affairs  of  a  corporation. 
The  working  account  of  the  China  Fire  Insurance 
Company  for  1879  showed  a  balance  at  credit,  of 
over  $152,000  r=  The  statement  of  the  expenses   in- 
curred in  conducting  the  business  of  the  China  Fire 
Insurance  Company  in  1879  showed  a  balance  on 
the  credit  side  of  more  than  $152,000. 
"Working  to\rard§  =  Tending  to ;  producing  slowly. 

Matters  are  working  towards  a  change  of  teachers 
in  the  school  =  Matters  are  tending  towards  a  change 
of  teachers  in  the  school. 
World'§  end  ==  The  end  or  most  distant  part  of  the 
W'Orld. 
His  wife  would  follow  him  to  the  world's  end=  His 
wife  would  follow  him  to  the  most  distant  part  of 
the  world. 
T'Torth  it§  -weight  in  gold  =  Yery   valuable  or  use- 
ful, (c) 
The  new  steam  iire-engine  is  worth  its  weight  in 
gold  =  111.0  new  steam  fire-engine  is  very  valuable 
and  very  useful. 
Would-be  =  Desiring  or  professing  to  be;   pretend- 
ing to  be.  {a) 
The  would-be  poet  has  a  production  in  the  new^s- 
paper  =  The  man  who  professes  to  be  a  poet  has 
written  one  of  his  poetical  pieces  for  the  newspa- 
per.    The  would-be  prince  was  pronounced  to  be  a 
pretender  =  The  man  wdio  claimed  to  be  a  prince, 
was  pronounced  to  be  a  pretender. 
Wound  the  feelings,  to  =  To  hurt  the  feelings ;  to 
cause  to  suffer  in  feeling,  (a) 
The  son  wounded  thefather'*s  feelings,  by  his  ingrat- 


VARIOUS    OTHER  PHRASES  AND   WORDS.         659 

itnde  =  The  son  hurt  the  father's  feelings,  by  his  in- 
gratitude. 
Wrapped  up  in  one's  self  =  Intensely  selfish,  (a) 
It  is  very  disagreeable  to  see  a  person  wrapped  up 
in  himself  =  It  is  very  disagreeable  to  see  a  person 
who  is  intensely  selfish. 
Writ  of  entry  =  A  writ  issued  for  the  purpose  of  ob- 
taining possession  of  land,  from  one  who  has  un- 
lawfully entered  and  taken  possession. 
The  use  of  ivrits  of  entry   has   long   since   been 
abolished  in  England ;  but  they  are  still  in  use  in  a 
modified  form  in  some  of  the  United   States  =  The 
use  of  writs  issued  for  the  purpose  of  obtaining  pos- 
session of  land  from  one  who  has  unlawfully  entered 
and  taken  possession,  has  been  long  since  abolished 
in  England ;  but  they  are  still  in  use  in  a  modified 
form  in  some  of  the  United  States. 
Writ  of  error  {Law)  =  A.n  original  writ,  which  lies 
after  judgment  in  an  action  of  law,  in  a  court  of 
record,  to  correct  some  alleged  error  in  the  proceed- 
ings, or  in  the  judgment  of  the  court. 
The  writ  of  error  commands  the  judges  of  a  court 
of  record,  in  which  final  judgment  has  been  given, 
in  some  cases  themselves  to  examine  the  record,  in 
others  to  send  it  to  another  court  to  be  examined  =r 
An  original  writ,  which  lies  after  judgment  in  an 
action  at  law,  in  a  court  of  record,  to  correct  some 
alleged  error,  commands  the  judges  of  the  court,  in 
some  cases  themselves  to  examine  the  record,  in  oth- 
ers to  send  it  to  another  court  to  be  examined. 
Write  in  cipher,  to  =  To  use  a  private  alphabet  in 
writing,  in  order  to  keep  the  message  secret,  (a) 
In  time  of  war  it  is  common  for  the  ofticers  to 
write  to  the  government  in  cipher  =  In  time  of  war,  it 
is  common  for  the  officers,  in  writing  to  the  govern- 
ment, to  use  a  private  alphabet  in  order  to  keep  the 
message  secret. 
"Written  laws  =  Statutes ;  laws   deriving  their  force 
from  express  legislative  enactment,  as  contradistin- 
guished from  unwritten  or  common  law. 
IVrit  of  habeas  corpus  {Law)  =  A  writ  having  for 
its  object  to  bring  a  party  before  a  court  or  judge — 
especially  one  to  inquire  into  the  cause  of  a  per- 
son's imprisonment  or  detention  by  anotlier,  with  a 
view  to  protect  the  right  to  personal  liberty. 
Mr.  Kearney,  who   was  imprisoned  in  California 
for  riotous  disturbance,  was   released  on  a  writ  of 
habeas   corpus  =  Mr.  Kearney,  who  was  imprisoned  in 
California  for  causing  a  tumult  in  the  street,  was  re- 
leased by  a  writ  inquiring  into  the  cause  of  his  im- 


660        VARIOUS    OTHER  PHRASES  AND  WORDS. 

prisonment,  and   designed  to  protect  his  right  to 
personal  liberty.     The   writ  of  habeas  corpus  is  the 
most  famous  writ  in  the  law,  and  is  often  called  the 
great  writ  of  liberty  =  The  writ  directed  to  a  person 
detaining  another,  and  commanding  him  to  produce 
the  body  of  the  prisoner  at  a  certain  time  and  place, 
is  the  most  famous  writ   in   the  law,  and  is  often 
called  the  great  writ  of  liberty. 
•  "Writ  of  possession  {Law)=A   precept  directing  a 
sheriff  to  put  a  person  in  peaceable  possession  of 
property  recovered  in  ejectment  or  writ  of  entry. 
He  has  obtained  a  writ  of  possession  against  the 
man  who  claimed  the  farm  =  He  has  obtained  a  pre- 
cept directing  the  sheriff  to  put  him  in  peaceable 
possession  of  the  farm  which  was  claimed  by  anoth- 
er man,  whose  claim  was  not  sustained  in  law 
l¥rong[8ide  out = Inside  out.  (a) 

The  child  put  on  his  Qto(5kmgs  wrong  side  out = 
The  child  put  his  stockings  on  inside  out. 


T. 

Year  after  year = One  year   after   another;  many 
years,  (a) 
The  two  neighbors   regularly  journeyed   to  the 
mountains,  in    company,  year  after  year =The  two 
neighbors  regularly  journeyed  to  the  mountains,  in 
company,  for  many  years. 
Yielding^  and  payings  (Law) — "  These  words,  when 
used  in  a  lease,  constitute  a  covenant  on  the  part 
of  the  lessee  to  pay  the  rent."  [Bouvier.]     The  fol- 
lowing sentence  is  an  example  of  the  way  in  which 
these  words  are  sometimes  inserted  in  leases. 
Yielding  and  paying  therefore  unto  the  said  party 
of  the  first  part,  his  heirs  or  assigns,  yearly,  and  ev- 
ery year  during  the  said  term  hereby  granted,  the 
yearly  rent  or  sum  of  five  hundred  dollars,  in  equal 
quarter-yearly  payments. 
Your  bumble  servant,  or  Your  obedient  servant 
Phrases  of  civility,  used  more  especially  in  closing 
a  letter,  and  expressing  the  willingness  of  the  writer 
to  do  service  to  the  person  addressed. 


SUPPLEMENT. 


While  the  main  body  of  this  work  was  being  electrotyped,  other  phrases 

were  accumulating  on  the  hands  of  the  author,  and  before  that  portion  of  it  was 

completed,  they  had  increased  to  such  an  extent  that  it  was  found  expedient  to 

make  a  supplement,  especially  for  the  reason  that  the  plates  of  much  of  the  work 

had  already  been  cast.     In  order  to  give  the  book  greater  completeness,  further 

collections  of  phrases  have  been  made  from  sources  not  heretofore  examined,  as 

already  stated  in  the  preface. 

(661) 


IDI0MATI9    PHEASES. 


Accept  service,  to  {Law)  =  To  agree  that  a  writ  or 
process   shall   be   considered  as  regularly  served, 
when  it  has  not  been. 
Accepting  service  bj  an  attorney  for  a  defendant,  is 
for  the  purpose  of  avoiding  the  necessity  of  another 
writ  or  process  being  served  on  his  client  =  Agree- 
ment by  an  attorney  for  a  defendant,  that  a  writ  or 
process  shall  be  considered  as  regularly  served,  when 
it  has  not  been,  is  for  the  purpose  of  avoiding  the 
necessity  of  another  writ  or  process  being  served  on 
his  client. 
Acquire  currency,  to  =  To  be  put  in  circulation.; 
to  be  made  public,  (c) 
The   story  has   somehow   acquired  currency^  that 
the  savings  bank  is  not  sound  =  By  some  means,  the 
report  has  been  put  in  circulation,  that  the  savings 
bank  is  not  in  good  financial  condition. 
Admit  of,  to  =  To  be  capable  of;  to  allow,  (a) 

He  would  like  to  assume  the  duties  of  an  ofiice- 
holder,  but  his  health  does   not  admit  of  it  =  His 
health  does  not  allow  him  to  assume  the  duties  of  an 
oflice-holder,  as  he  would  be  pleased  to  do. 
Ad¥i§e  witli,  to  =  To  consult  for  the  purpose  of  tak- 
ing the  opinion  of  others. 
He  has  gone  to  advise  with  his  physician,  about 
going   to    Colorado  =  He  has  gone  to  consult  with 
his  physician,  about  going  to  Colorado. 
Against  the  collars  At  a  disadvantage,  or  against 
the  ii^clination. 
It  is  w^orking  against  the  collar,  for  that  boy  to 
study  =  It  is  working  against   the   inclination,  and 
therefore  at  a  disadvantage,  for  that  boy  to  study. 
All  the  betters  Wholly  the  better;  that  is,  better 
by  the  whole  difference,  (a) 
With  good  principle  and  temper,  it  is  all  the  better, 
if  there  be  some  difference  in  the  tastes  of  married 
people  =  It  is  wholly  better,  if,  with  good  principle 
and  temper,  there  be  a  difference  in  the  tastes  of 
married  people. 

(663) 


664  IDIOMATIC    PHRASES. 

All  the  rage,  to  be  =  To  be  the  subject  of  eager 
desire ;  to  be  sought  after  beyond  measure ;  to  be 
very  fashionable,  (a) 
The  wearing  of  suits  is  all  the  rage  with  young 
men,  just  now  =  It  is  very  fashionable,  at  present,  for 
young  men  to  dress  in  a  suit  of  clothes  of  which  all 
the  garments  are  made  from  the  same  piece. 
Along  of  =  Owing  to ;  on  account  of.  (c) 

The  old  woman  said,  that  it  was  all  along  of  the 
moon,  that  the  beans   would  not  grow = The   old 
woman  said  that  the  beans  would  not  grow,  because 
they  were  planted  in  the  wane  of  the  moon. 
Along-§liore  =  By  the   shore  or  coast ;    lengthwise, 
and  near  the  shore. 
The  steamer  Great  Eastern  was  anchored  along 
shore^  at  Staten  Island,  for  quarantine  =  The  steamer 
Great  Eastern  was  anchored  by  the  shore,  at  Staten 
Island,  for  quarantine. 
Along-§ide  {Naut.)  =  Side  by  side. 

The  sail-boats  Lucy  Ann  and  Sarah  Jane  lie  along- 
side of  each  other  at  the  pier = The  sail-boats  Lucy 
Ann  and  Sarah  Jane  lie  side  by  side,  at  the  pier. 
Arrive  at,  to  =  To  reach  or  gain  by  progressive  effort 
or  motion;  to  come  to.  (a) 
After  being  at  sea  twelve  days,  we  arrived  at  Liv- 
erpool =  After  a  voyage  of  twelve  days,  we  reached 
Liverpool. 
At  all — A  phrase  much  used  by  way  of  emphasis, 
usually  in   interrogative   and   negative   sentences, 
signifying,  in  the  least  degree ;  to  the  least  extent ; 
under  any  circumstances,  (a) 
How  she  is  dressed!     Has  she  any  taste  at  all?  = 
How  she  is  dressed !     Has  she  the  least  degree  of 
taste  ?     He  exercises  no  economy  at  all,  in  his  per- 
sonal  expenses = He   exercises   no   economy,  under 
any  circumstances,  in  his  personal  expenses. 
At  home = At  one's  own  house,  or  lodgings,  (a) 

Shall  you  be  at  home  this  evening  ?  =  Shall  you  be 
at  your  own  house  this  evening  ? 
At  one'§  wit'§  end,  to  be  -  To  be  without  resources 
or  expedients ;  to  be  puzzled  or  perplexed,  (a) 
The  meat  which  was  ordered  for  dinner  failed  to 
come,  and  the  housekeeper  was  at  her  wiCs  e7id  to 
know  what  to  do  =  As  the  meat  which  was  ordered 
for  dinner  failed  to  arrive,  the  housekeeper  was  with- 
out resources,  or  perplexed  to  know  what  course  to 
pursue.     The   Yankee  so  abounds   in  contrivance, 
that  it  is  long  before  he  comes  to  be  at  his  wifs  end= 
The  Yankee  is  so  full  of  contrivance,  that  it  is  long 
before  he  has  exhausted  the  last  expedient,  or  plan. 


IDIOMATIC    PHRASES.  666 

At  the  hand  of=  Bv  the  bestowal  of;  as  a  gift  from, 
(a) 
"  Shall  we  receive  good  at  the  hand  of  God,  and 
shall  we  not  receive  evil?"  (Job  ii.  10.)  =  Shall  we 
receive  good  as  a  gift  from  God,  and  shall  we  not 
receive  evil  ? 
At  the  instance  of  =0n  the  solicitation,  application, 
(a) 
At  the  instance  of  the  Governor,  Dr.  Eitel  of  Hong 
Kong  has  formed  a  society  for  the  protection  of 
women  and  children  =  On  the    solicitation    of  the 
Governor,  Dr.  Eitel  of  Hong  Kong  has  formed  a 
society  for  the  protection  of  women  and  children. 
At  the  point  of  the  bayonet  =  By  military  force ; 
by  compulsion,  (a) 
Last  month  one  member  of  parliament  spoke  of 
the  opium-trade,  as  forced  on  the  Chinese    at  the 
point  of  the  bayonet  =  L,SiSt  month  one  member  of 
parliament  spoke  of  the  opium-trade,  as  forced  on 
the  Chinese  by  military  power. 


B. 

Back  an  anchor,  to  =  To  lay  down  a  small  anchor, 

ahead  of  that  by  which  the  ship  rides,  and  fastened 

to  it,  to  prevent  its  coming  home. 

On  account  of  the  violent  winds,  it  was  necessary 

to  back  the  anchor  —  On  account  of  the  violence  of  the 

winds,  it  was  necessary  to  lay  down  a  small  anchor, 

ahead  of  the  sheet  anchor,  with  its  cable  fastened  to 

the  sheet  anchor,  to  prevent  the  latter  from  coming 

home. 

Back  a§tern,  to  (Naut.)  =  In  rowing,  to  manage  the 

oars  in  a  direction  contrary  to  the  usual  method,  so 

as  to  move  a  boat  stern  foremost. 

To  back  astern  is  the  same  as  to  back  the  oars  =  To 

manage  the  oars  in  a  direction  contrary  to  the  usual 

method,  so  as  to  move  a  boat  stern  foremost,  is  the 

same  as  to  back  the  oars. 

Back  a  -warrant,  to  {Law) — This  is,  for  a  justice 

of  the  peace,  in  the  county  where  the  warrant  is  to 

be  executed,  to  sign  or  indorse  a  warrant  issued  in 

another  county,  to  apprehend  an  offender. 

Mr.  Mills,  justice  of  the  peace  in  Hartford  county, 

was  called  upon  to  back  a  warrant,  which  had  been 

issued  in  Middlesex  county,  for  the  apprehension  of 

a  horse-thief  =  Mr.   Mills,  justice  of  the  peace  in 

Hartford  county,  was  called  upon  to  indorse  a  war- 


IDIOMATIC    PHRASES. 

rant,  issued  in  Middlesex  county,  for  the  arrest  of  a 
liorse-thief  who  had  escaped  into  Hartford  county. 
Back  down,  to  =  To  withdraw  from  an  engagement 
or  contest,  (a) 
Mr.  A.  complained  that  Mr.  B.  had  backed  doivn, 
after  betting  a  champagne  supper  on  the  election  = 
Mr.  A.  complained  that  Mr.  B.  had  withdrawn  from 
his  engagement,  after  betting  a  champagne  supper 
on  the  result  of  the  election. 
Back  the  field,  to  =  In  horse-racing,  to  bet  against 
a  particular  horse  or  horses,  that  some  one  of  all 
the  other  horses  in  the  field  will  beat  them. 
Back  the  oar§,  to  {Naut.)  —  To  row  backward  with 
the  oars. 
In  landing,,  it  is  sometimes  necessary  to  hack  the 
oars  —  In  landing,  it  is  sometimes  necessary  to  row 
backwards  with  the  oars. 
Back  up,  to  =  To  support,  sustain,  become  responsi- 
ble for.  (a) 
The  boys  petitioned  the  principal  for  a  holiday, 
depending  on  the  assistant  teachers  to  hack  them  uip 
—  The  boys  petitioned  the  principal  for  a  holiday, 
depending  on  the  assistant  teachers  to  support  them 
in  their  request. 
Bar  from,  to  =  To  shut  out  from ;  to  exclude  from. 

The  public  are  barred  from  access  to  the  Museum 
on    Sundays  =  The  public   are   excluded  from    the 
Museum  on  Sundays. 
Bear  one  company,  to  =  To  accompany ;  to  attend ; 
to  go  witli.  (c) 

"  His  faithful  dog  shall  bear  him  company ^  [Pope] 
zrHis  faithful  dog  shall  go  with  him. 
Bear  down,  to  =  To  overthrow,  or  crush  by  force. 
(6)  .         _ 

The  second  brigade  of  infantry  was  borne  down^ 
by  the  impetuous  charge  of  the  calvary  =  The  second 
brigade  of  infantry  was  overthrown  by  the  impetu- 
ous charge  of  the  calvary. 
Bear  down  upon,  to  {Naut.)  —  To  drive  or  tend  to ; 
to  approach  with  a  fair  wind. 
The  welcome  ship  bore  down  upon  the  dismantled 
brig,  and  took  off  the  passengers  and  crew  =  The 
welcome  ship  approached  the  dismantled  brig  with 
a  fair  wind,  and  took  off  the  passengers  and  crew. 
Bear  in  \irith,  to  (iVaw^.)=:To  run  or  tend  towards. 
The  ship  bears  in  with  the  land,  and  now  we  can 
make  out  its   nationality  =  The   ship   runs   toward 
the  land,  and  now  we  can  make  out  its  colors. 
Bear  off,  to  {Naut)  =  To  steer  away  from  land. 


IDIOMATIC    PHRASES.  667 

After  leaving  the  ITarrows,  we  hore  off,  and  soon 
were  out  of  sight  of  land  =  After  leaving  the  Nar- 
rows, we  steered  away  from  land,  and  were  soon  out 
of  sight  of  the  highest  hills. 
Bear  off,  to  =  To  carry  away,  (a) 

Samson  bore  off  the  gates  of  Gaza  on  his  shoulders 
=  Samson  carried  away  the  gates  of  Gaza  on  his 
shoulders. 
Bear  out,  to  =  To  support,  maintain,  or  justify,  (a) 
The  passages  which  you  quote  from  the  bible,  do 
not  bear  you  out  in  your  statements  =  The  quotations 
which  you  make  from  the  bible,  do  not  justify  you 
in  making  such  statements.     Facts  do  not  bear  out 
the  ancient  theory,  that  the  sun  revolves  round  the 
earth  =  The  ancient  theory,  that  of  the  revolution 
of  the  sun  around  the  earth,  is  not  sustained  by 
facts. 
Beat  about,  to  =  To  try  to  find ;  to  search  by  vari- 
ous means  or  ways,  (c) 
They  beat  about,  in  the  dark,  a  long  time ;  but  the 
missing  boys  could  not  be  found  =  They  searched, 
in  the  dark,  a  long  time,  but  the  missing  boys  could 
not  be  found. 
Beat  back,  to  =  To  compel  to  retire,  or  return,  (a) 
The  enemy  attacked  the  earthworks  on  the  hill, 
but  were  beaten  back  =  The  enemy  attacked  the  earth- 
works on  the  hill,  but  were  compelled  to  retire.     The 
vessel  was  beaten  back  by  the  violence  of  the  storm = 
The  vessel  was  compelled  to  return  by  the  storm. 
Beat  down,  to=:l.  To  break,  destroy,  throw  down, 
by  beating  or  battering,  as  a  wall,  (a)     2.  To  press 
down,  or  lay  flat,  as  by  treading,  or  by  a  current 
of  water,  or  by  violent  wind,  (a) 
1.  Walls  of  ancient  cities  were  sometimes  beaten 
down  in  war  =  Walls  of  ancient  cities  were  some- 
times broken  down  by  battering  rams  in  time  of 
war.     2.  All  the  Indian  corn  was  beate^i  down  by  the 
storm  =  The  fields  of  Indian  corn  were  all  laid  flat, 
by  the  violence  of  the  storm. 
Beat  off,  to  =  To  repel ;  to  drive  back,  (b) 
^     The  enemy  were  beaten  off,  by  the  heavy  fire  of 
the   fort  =  The   enemy   were   driven   back,   by   the 
heavy  fire  of  the  fort.     The  dog  was  beaten  off  with 
a  cudgel = The  dog  was  driven  back  with  a  cudgel. 
Beat  up,  to  —  To  attack  suddenly ;  to  alarm  or  dis- 
turb, (c) 

Orders  were  received,  that  we  should  make  a 
night-march,  and  beat  up  the  enemy's  quarters  =  Or- 
ders came,  that  we  should  make  a  night-march,  and 
suddenly  attack  the  enemy's  quarters. 


668  IDIOMATIC    PHRASES. 

Beat  up  for,  to  =  To  go  about  to  enlist  into  the 
army,  (b) 
Lieutenant  D.  has  been  detailed  to  go  to  Hart- 
ford, and  beat  up  for  recruits  =  Lieutenant  D.  has 
been  detailed  to  proceed  to  Hartford,  and   enlist 
volunteers  into  the  army. 
Beat  up  and  down,  to  (Hunting)  =  To  run  first  one 
way,  and  then  another ; — said  of  a  stag. 
The  stag  beat  up  and  down,  and  after  a  long  chase, 
took  to  the  water,  and  escaped  =  The  stag  ran  first 
one  way,  and  then  another,  and  after  a  long  chase, 
took  to  the  water,  and  escaped. 
Ben^  the  brow,  to  =  To  knit  the  brow,  as  in  deep 
thought,  or  in  anger;  to  scowl;  to  frown,  (c) 
The  teacher   bent  his  brows,  when  he  heard   us 
whispering  =  The  teacher  frowned,  when  he  heard 
us  whispering. 
Betw^een  w^ind  and  w^ater  =  Exactly  in  the  right 
hue,  as  along  the  wave  line  of  a  ship ;  in  a  critical 
spot,  so  as  to  damage,  (c) 
Mr.   A.  was  noted  for  his  witty  retorts,  which 
usually  hit  his  antagonists  between  wind  and  water  = 
Mr.  A  was  noted  for  his  witty  retorts,  which  usually 
hit  his  opponents  in  a  critical  spot,  and  very  much 
to  their  damage. 
Beyond  one's  self  =  Beside  one's  self;  excessively 
affected  with  any  thing,  (c) 
He  was  beyond  himself  with  grief  at  the  loss  of  his 
five   children  =  He  was    excessively   affected    with 
grief  at  the  loss  of  his  five  children. 
Beyond  sea  (Law)  =  Out  of  the  state,  country  or 
kingdom. 
He  can  not  be  arrested  for  the  crime,  for  he  is 
beyond  sea  =  He  can  not  be  arrested  for  the  crime, 
for  he  is  out  of  the  country. 
Bind  over,  to  (Law)  =  To  oblige  by  bond  to  appear 
at  court. 
A  true  bill  was  found  against  him  for  arson,  and 
he  was  bound  over  to  the  next  term  of  the  Superior 
Court = A  true  bill  was  found  against  him  for  arson, 
and  he  was  obliged  by  bond  to  appear  at  the  next 
term  of  the  Superior  Court.  • 

Bind  to,  to  =  To  contract,  (c) 

His  second  son  is  bound  to  a  carpenter,  to  learn  the 
carpenter's  trade  =  His  second  son  is  contracted  to 
a  carpenter,  to  learn  the  carpenter's  trade. 
Bloel^  out,  to  =  To  begin  to  reduce  to  shape ;  to  lay 
out.  (b) 
I  have  blocked  out  a  plan  of  study = I  have  laid  out 
a  plan  of  study. 


IDIOMATIC    PHRASES. 

To  drive  by  a  current  of  air,  or  by 
the  wind,  (a) 
My  hat  was  blown  away='Kj  hat  was  taken  off 
my  head,  and  driven  away  by  the  wind. 
Blour  do^rn,  to  =  To  throw  down,  or  lay  flat,  by  the 
wind,  (a) 
Large  trees  were  blown  down  in  the  storm  =  Large 
trees  were  laid  flat  in  the  storm  by  the  wind. 
Blo-vr  off,  to=:To   let  off';  to  suffer  to   escape,  as 
steam,  (a) 
The  steam-boat  has  come   in  to  the  pier  and  is 
blowing  off  steam  =  The  steam-boat  has  come  in  to 
the  pier  and  is  letting  off  steam. 
Blow  out,  to  =  To  extinguish  by  a  current  of  air,  as 
a  candle,  (a) 
My  lamp  was  blown  out  at  an  open  windows  My 
lamp,  standing  at  an  open  window,  was  extinguished 
by  a  current  of  air. 
Blow  up,  to  =  To  fill  with  air;  to  swell,  (a) 

The  bladder  must  first  be  blown  up^  before  the 
leather  cover  of  the  ball  is  made  =  The  bladder  must 
first  be  filled  with  air,  before  the  ball  is  covered. 
Blow  upon,  to  =  To  blast ;  to  taint ;  to  bring  into  dis- 
favor or  discredit ;  to  render  stale,  ol*  worthless,  (c) 
"  Happily  for  him,  he  was  not  put  to  the  bar,  till 
the  credit  of  the  false  witness  had  been  blown  upon^ 
=  Happily  for  him,  he  was  not  put  to  the  bar,  till 
the  false  witness  had  been  brought  into  discredit. 
Blurt  out,  to  =  To   speak  out  with   unconventional 
frankness,  (a) 
Bishop  Burnet  was  apt  to  blurt  out  the  whole  truth, 
in  cases  when  other  men  would  have  kept  silence  = 
Bishop  Burnet  was  apt  to  speak  the  whole  truth  with 
unconventional  frankness,  in  cases  when  other  men 
would  have  kept  silence.     When  there  is  a  misunder- 
standing between  friends  they  are  fortunate  if  they 
possess  an  indiscreet  friend,  who  blurts  out  the  whole 
truth  =  When   there    is   a   slight   quarrel    between 
friends  they  are  fortunate  if  they  possess  an  indis- 
creet friend,  who  tells  the  whole  truth  with  uncon- 
ventional frankness. 
Boa§t  of,  to  =  To  brag  of  one's  self;  to  praise  one's 
self  extravagantly,  {a) 
He  is  very  much  given  to  boasting  of  his  achieve- 
ments =  He  is  very  much  given  to  praising  himself 
extravagantly,  by  bragging  of  his  successes. 
Boil  away,  to  =  To  evaporate  by  boiling,  (b) 

The  water  in  the  pot  has  all  boiled  away— The  wa- 
ter in  the  pot  has  all  evaporated  by  boiling. 
Boil  over,  to  -  To  run  over  the  top  of  a  vessel,  as 


670  IDIOMATIC     PHRASES. 

liquor  when  thrown  into  violent  agitation  by  heat, 
(a) 
In  some  kinds  of  assaying,  care  must  be  taken,  lest 
the  crucible  hoil  over— In  some  methods  of  determ- 
ining the  quantity  of  metal  in  an  ore,  care  must  be 
taken,  lest  the  contents  of  the  crucible,  when  thrown 
into  violent  agitation  by  the  heat,  run  over  the  top. 
Branch    out,    to  -  To   speak    diffusively ;  to   make 
distinctions  or  divisions  in  discourse,  ih) 
That  minister  is  in  the  habit  of  branching  out  in 
his  sermons  =  That  minister  is  in  the  habit  of  speak- 
ing diffusively  in  his  sermons. 
Break  a  house,  to  {Laiv)  =  To  remove  any  part  of  a 
house,  or  of  the  fastenings  provided  to  secure  it, 
with  violence  or  felonious  intent. 
Those  who  break  a  house,  in  the  legal  sense  of  the 
term,  are  called  house-breakers  =  Those  who  remove 
any   part  of  a   house,   or   of  tlie   fastenings,    with 
violence  or  felonious  intent,  are  called  house-break- 
ers. 
Break  a  je§t,  to  =  To  give  utterance  to  a  jest,  (c) 
James  was  so  vain  and  reckless  that  he  would 
break  a  friendship,  rather  than   not  break   a  jest  = 
James  was  so  Vain  and  reckless  that  he  would  break 
a  friendship,  rather  than  abstain  from  giving  utter- 
ance to  a  jest. 
Break  a  path,  a  road,  or  the  like,  to  =  To  open  a 
way  through  obstacles  by  force,  (a) 
Snow  sometimes  blocks  up  a  road  to  such  an  ex- 
tent, that  the  town  authorities  have'  to  break  a  j^ath 
=iSnow  sometimes  blocks  up  a  road  to  such  an  ex- 
tent, that  the  town  authorities  have  to  open  a  way 
through  the  snow-drifts  by  shoveling. 
Break  away,  to  =  l.  To   disengage   one's   self  ab- 
ruptly ;  to  come  or  go  away,  against   resistance,  (a) 
2,  To  become  dissipated,  as  the  clouds,  (a) 
1.  We  broke  away  from  our  friends,  who  were  en- 
joying themselves   hugely  at  the  springs,  so  as  to 
return  the  sooner  to  you  =  We  came  away  from  the 
springs,  much  against  the  wishes  of  our  friends,  so 
as  to  return  the  sooner  to  you.     2.  The  clouds  have 
broken  away  =  The  clouds  have  broken  up  and  disap- 
peared. 
Break  hulk,  to  =  To  destroy  the  entirety  of  a  load, 
by  removing  a  portion  of  it ;  to  begin  to  unload,  (a) 
Wheat  is  shipped  by  rail  from  Chicago  to  the  sea- 
board,   without    breaking    bulk  =  Wh.esit   is   sent  in 
freight-cars  from   Chicago  to  the  seaboard,  without 
destroying  the  completeness  of  the  shipment  by  re- 
moving a  part  of  it. 


IDIOMATIC     PHRASES.  671 

Break  cover,  to  =  To  burst  forth  from  a  protecting 
concealment,  as  game  when  hunted. 
The  fox  broke  cover,  and  the  hunters  shouted  the 
view-halloo  =  The  fox  burst  forth  from  his  hiding- 
place,  and  the  hunters  shouted  the  view-halloo. 
Break  forth,  to  =  To  issue ;  to  come  out  suddenly, 
(a) 
Mysterious,   rumbling   sounds   would    -sometimes 
break  forth  from  Mount  Moodus  =  Mysterious,  rumb- 
ling   sounds   would    sometimes   issue  from    Mount 
Moodus. 
Break  into,  to  =  To  force  one's  way  into ;  to  enter 
by  breaking,  (a) 
The  burglars  broke  into  the  house  opposite  to  us, 
last  nights  Burglars  broke  the  window  in  the  base- 
ment, and  entered  the  house  opposite  to  us,  last 
night. 
Break  jail,  to  =  To  escape  from  confinement  in  jail, 
usually  by  forcible  means,  (c) 

It  is  difficult  now,  to  break  jail  in  Hartford  county 
=  It  is  difficult  now  for  prisoners  to  escape,  forcibly, 
from  the  Hartford  county  jail. 
Break  joints,  to  =  To  lay  bricks,  shingles,  &c.,  so 
that  the  joints  in  one  course  shall  not  coincide  with 
those  in  the  preceding  course. 
Carpenters  break  joints  in  shingling,  in  order  that 
the  roof  may  not  leak  =:  Carpenters,  in  shingling,  lay 
the  shingles  so  that  joints  in  successive  courses  shall 
not  coincide,  in  order  that  the  roof  may  not  leak. 
Break  one's  mind,  to  =  To  disclose  one's  thoughts ; 
to  tell  what  is  in  one's  mind,  (c) 
It  would  afford  him  relief,  if  he  could  be  induced 
to  break  his  mi7id  to  you  =  It  would  relieve  him,  if  he 
could  be  induced  to  disclose  to  you  his  thoughts. 
Break  one's  urord,  to  =  To  violate  one's  promise. 
No  one  wishes  to  deal  with  a  person  who  is  accus- 
tomed to  break  Ids  word=  One  does  not  wish  to  have 
business  transactions  with  a  person  who  is  in  the 
habit  of  violating  his  promise. 
Break  open,  to  =  To  open  by  breaking,  (a) 

The  burglars  did  not  succeed  in  their  attempt  to 
break  open  tlie  safe=The  burglars  were  not  able  to 
open  the  safe  by  breaking  it. 
Break  out,  to  =  To  take  or  force  out  by  breaking. 
(a) 
The  boys,  in  playing  ball,  bi^oke  out  a  pane  of  glass 
in  the  school-house  =  The  boys,  in  playing  ball,  broke 
and  so  forced  out  a  pane  of  glass  in  the  school-house. 
Break  sheer,  to  {Naut.)  =  To  be  forced,  by  wind  or 
current,  out  of  a  position. 


672  IDIOMATIC     PHRASES. 

The  high  wind  has  made  the  schooner  hreah  sheer 
=  The  high  wind  has  driven  the  schooner  out  of  po- 
sition. 
Break  the  back,  to  =  l.  To  dislocate  the  joints  of. 
(a)    2.  To  disable,  (b) 
1.  The  hoy  fell  from  the  mast-head,  and  5ro//:e  his 
back  =  The  hoy  fell  from  the  mast-head,  and  disloca- 
ted the  joints  of  his  back.     2.  He  was  carrying  too 
heavy   a  load   of  mercantile   business  and   mining 
speculations,  and  it  broke  his  back  =  He  was  carrying 
too  heavy  a  load  of  mercantile  business  and  mining 
speculations,  and  it  disabled  him  -financially. 
Break  the  heart ,  to  =  To  bring  to  despair  or  hope- 
less grief;  to  cause  to  be  utterly  cast  down  by  sor- 
row, (a) 
The  conduct  of  his  vicious  son  broke  the  father's 
heart=The    conduct    of  his  vicious  son  made  the 
father  to  be  utterly  cast  down  with  sorrow.     The 
death  of  her  son  in  the  army  broke  the  mother's  heart 
=  The  death   of  her  son   in  the  army  caused  the 
mother  great  sorrow. 
Break  the  journey,  to  =  To  leave  the  train  and  stop, 
with  privilege  of  resuming  their  journey  on  the 
same  ticket. 
Tickets  of  the  Peninsula  and  Oriental  Steam  ISTav- 
igation  Co.  entitle  the  holder  to  break  the  journey  at 
!Newhaven,  Dieppe,  Rouen,  and  Paris  =  Tickets  of 
the  P.  &  O.  S.  ^N".  Co.  entitle  the  holder  to  leave  the 
train  and  stop  at  J^ewhaven,  Dieppe,  Rouen,  and 
Paris,  with  privilege  of  resuming  their  journey  on 
the  same  ticket. 

After  leaving  Paris,  passengers  can  break  their 
journey  at  any  three  principal  stations  between  Paris 
and  Yenice=:  After  leaving  Paris,  passengers  can 
leave  the  train  and  stop  at  any  three  principal  sta- 
tions between  Paris  and  Venice,  with  privilege  of 
resuming  their  journey  on  the  same  ticket. 
Break  throug^h,  to  —  To  force  a  passage,  (a) 

The  attacking  party  did  not  succeed  in  breaking 
through    the   first   lines    of  defense  =  The  attacking 
party  did  not  succeed  in  forcing  a  passage  through 
the  first  lines  of  defense. 
Break  upon  a  i»^heel,  to  =  To   execute  or  torture, 
as  a  criminal,  by  stretching  him  out  upon  a  cart- 
wheel, or  a  wooden  frame,  in  the  form  of  a  cross, 
and  breaking  his  limbs  with  an  iron  bar. 
Breaking  upon  a  wheel  was  a  mode  of  punishment, 
formerly  used   in    Germany  and    Frances  Punish- 
ing a  criminal  by  stretching  him  out  upon  a. cart- 
wheel, or  a  wooden  cross,  and  breaking  his  limbs 


IDIOMATIC    PHRASES.  673 

with  an  iron  bar,  was  formerly  practiced  in  Ger- 
many and  France.     Note. — This  mode  of  torture  is 
said  vto  have  been   first  employed   in  Germany,  in 
the  fourteenth  century.     In  France  its  use  was  re- 
stricted to  the  most  atrocious  crimes. 
Brea§t  up  a   hedge,  to  =  To  cut  the  face  of  it  on 
one  side,  so  as  to  lay  bare  the  principal  upright 
stems  of  the  plants. 
In  our  ride,   we  saw  men  hreasting  vp  the  hedge 
about  the  park  =  In  our  ride,  we  saw  men  cuttnig  the 
face  of  the  hedge  about  the  park,  so  as  to  lay  bare 
the  principal  stems. 
Breathe  one's  last,  to  =  To  die.  (a) 

He  breathed  his  last  in  great  tranquillity  of  mind  = 
He  died  in  great  tranquillity  of  mind. 
Bring  baek,  to=:To  recall,  (a)  ^ 

Your  conversation  brings  back  to  me  the  scenes  of 
youth  =:  The  conversation  recalls  the  scenes  of  youth. 
Bring   down,   to=:To    cause    to    come    down;  to 
humble,  or  abase,  (a) 
The  sophomore's  pride  was  brought  down^  by  his 
failure  in  examination  =  The  sophomore's  pride  was 
humbled  by  his  failure  to  pass  the  examination. 
Bring  forward,  to  =  To  cause  to  advance,  (a) 

Hon.  E.  B.  Washburne  was  instrumental  in  bring- 
ing General  Grant  forward^  in  the  early  months  of 
the  civil  war=:Hon.  E.   B.  Washburne  was  instru- 
mental in  causing  General  Grant  to  advance  or  be 
promoted,  in  the  early  months  of  the  civil  war. 
Bring  off,  to  =  To  bear  or  convey  away ;  to  procure 
to  be  acquitted ;  to  cause  to  escape,  (a) 
The  noted  criminal  lawyer  generally   brings  his 
clients  off=  The  noted  criminal  lawyer  generally  pro- 
cures the  acquittal  of  his  clients. 
Bring  out,  to  =  To  expose ;  to  detect ;  to  bring  to 
light  from  concealment,  (a) 
Trial  by  jury  does  not  always  serve  to  bring  out 
the  truths  Trial  by  jury  does  not  always  serve  to 
bring  the  truth  to  light. 
Bring  to  book,  to  =  To  call  to  accoimt ;  to  require 
to  explain  or  prove,  (c) 
The  editor  was  brought  to  book  for  his  statement  re- 
garding the  ancestry  of  a  public  man  =  The  editor 
was  called  upon  to  prove  the  statement  which  he 
made  in  regard  to  the  ancestry  of  a  public  man. 
Bring   to  the  gang^ray,  to  {Naut.)  =  To   punish  a 
seaman,  by  tying  him  up  and  flogging  him  at  the 
gangway,  the  usual  place  of  punishment. 
The  first  mate  is  a  cruel  fellow ;  if  you  give  him 
44 


674  IDIOMATIC     PHRASES. 

a  word,  you'll  be  brought  to  the  gangway  =  The  first 
mate  is  a  cruel  fellow;  if  you  give  him  a  word,  you 
.  will  get  tied  up  and  flogged  at  the  gangway. 
Bring   up  tlie  rear,  to=:To    constitute    the    rear 
guard ;  to  be  in  the  rear. 
In  the  procession,  the  officers  of  the  city  govern- 
ment and  old  soldiers  were  in  front,  and  the  citizens 
brought  up  the  rear  =  ln  the  procession,  officers  of  the 
city  government  and  the  old  soldiers  occupied  the 
front,  and  the  citizens  followed. 
Brings   under,   to  =  To  subdue;  to   repress;  to   re- 
strain ;  to  reduce  to  obedience,  (a) 
It  was  not  easy  for  the  Romans  to  bring  the  Brit- 
ons under z=It  was  not  easy  for  the  Romans  to  sub- 
due the  Britons.     The  young  colt  is  very  spirited 
and  headstrong,  but  the  horse-trainer  will  bring  him 
under  =  The  young  colt  is  very  spirited  and  stubborn, 
but  the  horse-trainer  will  subdue  him. 
Broacli   to,   to   {N'aut.)  —  To    incline    suddenly    to 
windward,  so  as  to  lay  the  sails  aback,  and  expose 
the  vessel  to  the  danger  of  oversetting. 
By  an  accidental  jerk  of  the  tiller  to  one  side,  the 
sail-boat  was  made  to  broach  to^  and  the  sailing  party 
were  thrown  into  the  w^ater=:By  an  accidental  jerk 
of  the  tiller  to  one  side,  the  sail-boat  was  caused  to 
incline  suddenly  to  one  side,  and  the  sailing  party 
were  upset  into  the  water. 
Brood  over,  to  =  To  remain  long  in  close  or  anxious 
thought  about,  (a) 
He  broods  over  the  loss  of  his  property  by  fire,  so 
that  his  health  is  seriously  affected  =  He  thinks  so 
much  and  so  anxiously  concerning   the  loss   of  his 
property  by  fire  that  his  health  is  much  impaired. 
Burn  out,  to  =  l.  To  destroy  or  obliterate  by  burn- 
ing.    2.  To  burn  till  the  fuel  is  exhausted,  and  the 
fire  ceases,  (a) 
1.  We  read  in  history  of  the  cruel  punishment  of 
burning  out  the  eyes  =  We  read  in  history  of  the  cruel 
punishment  of  destroying  the  eyes  by  burning.     2. 
During  my  absence,  the  fire  in  the  stove  burned  out 
=  During  my  absence,  the  fire  in  the  stove  ceased  to 
burn,  because  the  coal  was  exhausted. 
Burnt  out    of    bouse  and    home,  to  toe  =  To  be 
driven  out  of  house,  &c.,  by  the  burning  of  it.  (a) 
By  the  great  fire  in  Chicago  in  18T1,  thousands  of 
people  were  burned  out  of  house  and  home—Jjy  the 
great  fire  in  Chicago  1871,  thousands  of  people,  were 
driven  out  of  their  homes,  by  the  burning  of  them. 
Burn  up,  to  =  To  consume  entirely  by  fire,  (a) 

My  neighbor's  house  was  burned  ui:)  last  year  =  My 


IDIOMATIC    PHRASES.  675 

neighbor's  house   was   entirely   consumed    by    fire 
last  year. 
Buy  in,  to=:To  purchase  stock  in  any  fund  or  part- 
nership, (b) 
Government  (U.  S.)  has  bought  in  all  the  five-twenty 
bonds  =  The  government  has  purchased  all  the  out- 
standing five-twenty  bonds. 
Buy  off,  to  =  1.  To  influence  to  compliance ;  to  cause 
to  bend  or  yield  by  some  consideration,  (a)     2,  To 
detach  by  a  consideration  given,  (a) 
1.  Conscience  is  sometimes  bought  off,  by  the  se- 
ductions of  flattery  =  Conscience  is  sometimes  made 
to  yield,  by  the  seductions  of  flattery.     2.  Govern- 
ment  has  sometimes  bought  off  members,  who   sat 
upon  the  opposition  benches  =  Government  has,  in 
former  days,  detached  members  of  parliament  from 
the  party  in  opposition,  by  some  gift  of  ofiice  or 
•  money. 

Buy  on  credit,  to  =  To  purchase,  on  a  promise,  in 
fact  or  in  law,  to  make  payment  at  a  future  day.  (a) 
1  bought  the  dictionary  on  credit  =  I  bought  it  on 
a  promise  to  pay  for  it  at  some  future  time.*    Bmjing 
on  credit  is  the  common  practice  in  mercantile  busi- 
ness =  The  common  practice  in  mercantile  business 
is  to  purchase  on  a  promise,  in  fact  or  in  law,  to 
make  payment  at  a  future  day. 
Buy  one's  time,  to — Said  of  an    apprentice,    who 
pays  his  master  for  an  unexpired  remainder  of  the 
time  for  which  he  is  bound  to  serve,  in  order  to  be 
released  from  his  indentures,  (b) 
After  James  had  served  three  years  of  his  appren- 
ticeship, he  bought  the  remainder  of  his  time=Mtev 
James  had  served  three  years  of  his  apprenticeship, 
he  paid  his  master  for  the  remainder  of  his  time,  for 
which  he  was  bound  to  serve,  in  order  to  be  released 
from  his  indentures. 
Buy  out,  to  =  To  purchase  the  share  or  shares  of  in  a 
stock,  fund,  or  partnership,  by  which  the  seller  is 
separated  from  the  company,  and  the  buyer  takes 
his  place,  (a) 
My  father  bought  out  Mr.  A's   interest  in  the  silk 
factory  =  My  fatlier  purchased  Mr,  A's  shares  in  the 
silk  factory,  and  took  his  place  in  the  business. 
Buy  tlie  refusal,  to  =  To  give  a  small  sum  of  mon- 
ey for  the  choice  of  purchasing  or  not  purchasing, 
at  a  fixed  price  at  a  specified  time. 
I  have  bought  the  refusal  of  this  house  and  farm  = 
I  have  given  a  small  sum  of  money  for  the  privilege 
of  buying  or  not  buying  this  house  and  farm,  at  a 
fixed  price,  one  week  from  to-day. 


676  IDIOMATIC    PHRASES. 

Buy  up,  to  =  To  exlianst  the  supply  of,  by  purchase; 

to  forestall  the  market,  (a) 

The  price  of  coal  is  advancing,  for  all  the  coal  in 

market  has  been  bought  up  by  speculators  =  The  price 

of  coal  is  rising,  for  the  supply  of  coal  in  the  market 

has  been  exhausted  by  speculators. 

In  anticipation  of  a  rise  in  price,  all  the  cotton 
has  been  bought  up  =  ^\\Q  market  of  cotton  has  been 
forestalled. 
By  common  consent  —  By  general  agreement ;  with- 
out dispute  or  opposition,  {b) 
By  common  consent,  tlie  village  green  was  used  as  a 
play-ground  for  the  cliildren  =  The  village  green  was 
used  as  a  play-ground  for  the  children,  no  one  mak- 
ing opposition  thereto. 
By  rote  =  By  repeating  mechanically,  without  exer- 
cise of  the  understanding,  (a) 
The  parrot  talks    by  ro^e= The   utterance  of  sen-' 
tences,  by  a  parrot,  is  mechanical  repetition  without 
understanding    of    the    meaning.     This   child   has 
learned  the  geography  lesson  by  rofer=This  child  has 
so  learned  or  memorized  tlie  lesson  in  geography  as 
to  recite  it  in  form  or  verbally,  without  attention  to 
the  meaning. 
By  tlie  job  =  At  a  stipulated  sum  for  the  piece,  or  for 
each  piece,  of  work  done,  {a) 
My  stonewall  was  built  by  thejob  =  'My  stone  wall 
was  built  for  a  stipulated  ,price,  for  the  whole  work. 
By  the  run  {Naut,)  =  Altogether,  instead  of  slacking 
off. 
When  they  were  casting  anchor,  they  let  the  cable 
go  by  the  run^When  they  were  casting  anchor,  they 
let  the  cabl^  go  altogether,  instead  of  slacking  it  off. 


o. 

Call  aiFay,  or  off  the   attention,  to=:To  distract 
the  attention;  to  divert  the  mental  application,  (b) 
My  attention  was  called  off  from  my  studies  by  the 
fire  alarm  =  The  alarm  of  fire  diverted  my  mind  from 
the  application  to  study  in  whicli  it  was  engaged. 
Call  back,  to  =  To  recall ;  to  summon  back,  (a) 
The  boy  had  gone  but  a  few  steps,  when  his  father 
called  him  back:=:T\\e  boy  had  gone  but  a  few  steps, 
when  his  father  recalled  him. 
Call  forth,  to  =  To  bring,  or  summon  to  action,  (a) 
His  devoted  wife,  and  his  five  little  children,  de- 
pendent on  his  exertions,  were  six  good  reasons  for 


IDIOMATIC     PHRASES.  677 

callwg  forth  all  his  energies = The  dependence  of  his 
devoted  wife  and  his  five  little  children  on  his  exer- 
tions, made  six  good  reasons  why  he  should  summon 
all  his  energies  into  action. 
Call  to  mind,  to  =  To  recollect ;  to  revive  in  memory. 

(«) 

The  photograph  often  makes  us  call  to  mind  some 
incident  of  former  intimacy  with  an  absent  friend  = 
The  photograph  often  makes  us  recollect  some  inci- 
dent of  our  former  intimacy  with  an  absent  friend. 
Call  to  remembrance,  to  =  To  recall ;  to  recollect, 
(a) 
Aged  persons  often  call  to  remembrance  the  scenes 
of  their  youth = When  persons  become  aged,  they 
often  recall  the  scenes  of  their  youthful  days. 
Carry  a\¥ay,  to  {Naut.)  =  To  break  off.  (a) 

The  main  topmast  was  carried  away  in  the  storm 
—  The  main  topmast  was  broken  off  in  the  storm. 
Carry  conviction,  to  =  To  cause  to  be  believed ;  to 
convince,  (c) 
That  newspaper  article,  concerning  the  importance 
of  common  school  education,  carries  conviction  to  all 
readers  =  That  newspaper  article,  treating  of  the  im- 
portance of  common-school  education,  convinces  all 
who  read  it. 
Carry  It,  to  =  To  prevail,  (c) 

When  a  man's  passions  carry  it,  he  will  suffer  loss 
When   a  man's   passions   prevail,  he   will  suffer 


Carry  off,  to  =  To  kill,  as  by  disease,  (a) 

Yery  many  are  carried  off  by  the  yellow  fever,  ev- 
ery year,  in  Cuba  =  Yery  many  are  killed   by  the 
yellow  fever,  every  year. 
Carry  on,  to  =  l.  To  promote,  advance,  or  help  for- 
ward; to  continue,  (a)     2.  To   manage,   or  proscr 
cute,  (a) 
1.  It  requires  men  and  money  to  carry  on  the  war= 
Men  and  money  are  needed  to  continue  the  war. 
1.  He  was  obliged  to  borrow  money,  to  carry  on  his 
silk  business  =  He  was  obliged  to  borrow  money,  to 
help  forward  his  manufacture  of  silk.     2.  My  broth- 
er has  secured  a  man  to  carry  on  his  farm  for  him=r 
My  brother  has  secured  a  man  to  manage  his  farm- 
ing for  him. 
Carry  out,  to  =  To  put  into  execution ;  to  bring  to  a 
successful  issue ;  to  accomplish,  (a) 

The  General  carried  out  the  plan  of  his  campaign 
=  Tlie  General  brought  the  plan  of  his  campaign  to  a 
successful  issue.     Mr.  A.  was  never  able  to  carry  out 


678  IDIOMATIC     PHRASES. 

liis  wish  of  visiting  Europe  =  Mr.  A.  never  succeeded 
in  putting  into  execution  his  wish  to  visit  Europe. 
Carry  tliroug^h,  to  =  To  support  to  the  end ;  to  sus- 
tain, or  keep  from  falling;  to  complete,  (a) 
It  takes  from  $3,000  to  $8,500  to  carry  a  student 
through  Yale  College = It  takes  from  $3,000  to  $3,500 
to  support  a  student  in  Yale  College,  to  the  end  of 
his   undergraduate  course.     His   good   constitution 
carried  him  through  his  long  sickness  with  yellow  fev- 
er =  His  good  constitution  kept   him   from   dying, 
when  he  was  sick  with  yellow  fever.     The  explorer's 
strong  constitution    candied  him  through   the    many 
hardships  of  his  journeys  The  health   and  strength 
of  the  explorer  sustained  him  through  his  journey- 
ings,  and  enabled  him  to  endure  the  hardships  of 
them. 
Cast  a  slur  upon,  to  =  To  speak  slightingly  or  re- 
proachfully of;  to  depreciate;  to  disparage,  (a) 
The  newspaper  casts  a  slur  upon  the  statesmanship 
of  the  presidential  candidate  =  The  newspaper  speaks 
slightingly  of  the  presidential  candidate's  qualifica- 
tions as  a  statesman. 
Cast  away,  to  (Naut.)  =  To  wreck,  as  a  ship,  (a) 

A  good  many  ships  have  been   cast  away  in  the 
Arctic  ocean  =  A  good  many  ships  have  been  wrecked 
in  the  Arctic  ocean. 
Cast  down,  to  =  1.  To  throw  down  (a)     2.  To  deject, 
or  depress,  as  the  mind,  (c) 
1.  Christian  martyrs  in  Madagascar  were  cast  down 
from  a  high  precipice  =  Christian  martyrs  in  Mada- 
gascar were  thrown  down  from  a  high  precipice.     2. 
He  was  exceedingly  cast  down,  by  being  cast   out 
from  the  presidency  of  the  bank = He  was  greatly 
depressed,  by  the  necessity  of  resigning  the  presi- 
dency of  the  bank. 
Cast  lots,  to  =  To  use  or  throw  a  die,  or  some  other 
instrument,  by  the  unforeseen  turn  or  position  of 
which,  an  event  is  by  previous  agreement  deter- 
mined, (a) 
When  the  hunting  party  returned  from  their  ex- 
pedition, they  cast  lots  to  decide  who  should  have  the 
tent,  which  they  had  purchased  in  common  =  On  re- 
•turning  from  their  expedition,  the  hunting  party 
decided,  by  throwing  a  die,  or  some  similar  means, 
who  should  possess  the  tent,  which  they  had  pur- 
chased  at    common  expense.     "The    soldiers    said 
among  themselves,  let  us  not  rend  it,  but  cast  lots 
for  it,  whose  it  shall  be."     John  xix.  24  =  The  sol- 
diers said  among  themselves,  let  us  not  rend  the  coat 
but  decide  by  lot  whose  it  shall  be. 


IDIOMATIC    PHRASES.  679 

Cast  off,  to  =  To  discard  or  reject;  to  drive  away; 
to  put  away ;  to  disburden,  (a) 
We  are  admonished  not  to  cast  off  fear,  nor  to  re- 
strain prayer = We  are  admonished  not  to  put  away 
the  fear  of  the  Lord,  nor  to  withhold  prayer. 
Cast  OM,  to  =  To  refer,  or  resign  to ;  to  charge  upon. 

(b) 
We  are  directed  to  cast  our  cares  on  the  Lord,  for 
he  careth  for  us  =  We  are  directed  to  resign  our 
cares  to  the  Lord,  for  he  careth  for  us.     He  cast  all 
the  blame  on  his  brother  =  He  charged  all  the  blame 
on  his  brother. 
Cast  one's  self  on,  to  =  To  resign  or  yield  one's  self 
to  the  disposal  of,  without  reserve,  (a) 
The  prisoner  confessed  his  crime,  and  cast  himself 
on  the  mercy  of  the  courts  The  prisoner  confessed 
his  crime,  and  resigned  himself  to  the  mercy  of  the 
court,  without  reserve. 
Cast  out,  to  =  To  reject,  or  turn  out ;  to  sencj  forth. 
"And  Sarah  said  to  Abraham,  Cast  out  the  bond- 
woman and  her  son,"  [Gen.  xxi.  10]  =  ^nd  Sarah 
said  to  Abraham,   send  forth  the  bondwoman  and 
her  son.     His  language  and  conduct  are  so  vile  that 
he  is  cast  out  from  decent  society = He  is  a  person  of 
such  vile  conduct  and  speech  that  he  is  rejected 
from  the  companionship  of  respectable  persons. 
Cast  youngr,  to=:To  miscarry,  (c) 

It  is  uncommon  for  a  healthy  animal  to  cast  her 
young  =  lt  is  uncommon  for  a  healthy  animal  to  mis- 
carry. 
Catcli   at,   to=:To    endeavor   to    seize    eagerly    or 
quickly,  (c) 
He  was  ashamed  of  his  fault,  and  willing  to  catch  at 
any  excuse,  for  the  purpose  of  extenuating  it  =  He  was 
ashamed  of  his  fault,  and  eagerly  endeavored  to  seize 
upon  any  excuse,  for  the  purpose  of  extenuating  it. 
Mr  Goodyear  caught  at  many  suggestions,  before  he 
perfected  a  plan  to  utilize  India-rubber  =;  Mr.  Good- 
year endeavored  eagerly  to  seize  upon  many  sug- 
gestions to  utilize  India-rubber*,  before  he  perfected 
his  combination  of  sulphur  and  India-rubber. 
Cateli  the  idea,  to  =  To  apprehend  the  meaning; 
to  understand,  (c) 
I  endeavored  to  explain  to  my  gardener  the  man- 
ner in  which  I  wished  my  garden  laid  out ;  but  he 
did  not  catch  my  idea  =  I  attempted  to  explain  to  my 
gardener  the  manner  in  which  I  wished  my  garden 
laid  out ;  but  he  did  not  apprehend  the  meaning  of 
my  statement. 


680  IDIOMATIC    PHRASES. 

Catch  up,  to  =  To  snatch ;  to  take  up  suddenly,  {a) 

As  soon  as  I  saw  the  deer,  I  caught  up  my  gun 

and  lired  =  As  soon  as  I  saw  the  deer,  I  snatched 

my  gun  and  fired. 

Challenge  the  array,  to  (Za?^)  =  To  except  to  the 

whole  panel  of.  jurors ;  to  claim  that  none  of  the 

jurors  shall  sit  in  trial. 

Challenging  the  array  is  made  either  by  reason  of 
the  partiality  of  the  sheriff  or  his  under  ofiicer  who 
arrayed  the  panel,  or  for  some  other  cause = Excep- 
tion to  the  whole  panel  of  jurors  is  taken,  either  by 
reason  of  the  partiality  of  the  sheriff  or  his  under  ofii- 
cer who  arrayed  the  panel,  or  from  some  other  cause. 
Chop  logic,  to=To  give  back  and  forth,  as  argu- 
ments, without  proving,  (c) 
Some  metaphysical  argumentation  is  merely  chop- 
ping logic  =  Some  metaphysical  reasoning  is  merely 
passing  arguments  back  and  forth,  without  proving 
any  tiling. 
Clap    Aold   of,  to  =  To  seize  roughly  or  suddenly. 

(^)       . 

The  policeman  clapped  hold  of  him,  just  as  he  was 
making  off  with  my  watch  =  The  policeman  seized 
him  suddenly,  just  as  he  was  running  off*  with  my 
watch. 
Clap  on,  to  =  To  add  or  put  on  quickly,  (c) 

I  caught  the  humming-bird,  by  clapping  my  hand 
on  it,  while  it  was  hovering  over  a  honeysuckle  =  I 
caught  the  humming-bird,  by  putting  my  hand  on  it 
quickly,  while  it  was  hovering  over  a  honeysuckle. 
Claur   off,  to   {Naut.)  =  To  turn   to  windward,  and 
beat,  to  prevent  falling  on  a  lee  shore. 
The   w^ind    chopped     about    and    blew    directly 
towards  the  shore,  and  the  schooner  had  to  claw  off 
=:Tlie  wind  shifted  suddenly  and  blew  towards  the 
shore,  and  the  schooner  had  to  beat  to  windward,  to 
prevent  falling  on  a  lee-shore. 
Clear   off  or  away,  to  =  l.  To  become  free  from 
clouds  or  fog.  (a)     2.  To  remove;  to  discharge,  as 
debt. 

1.  It  looks  now  as  though  it  would  clear  off  soon 
=  The  sky  looks  as  though  it  would  soon  become 
free  from  clouds.     2.  He  has  cleared  off  the  mortgage 
on  his  farm  =  He  has  discharged,  or  paid  up  the 
mortgage  on  his  farm. 
Clear  up,  to  =  To  make  plain  and  clear  to  the  un- 
derstanding, (a) 
White,  the  Shakespearean  scholar,  has  done  much 
to  clear  up  some  obscure  passages  in  Shakespeare's 
plays  =  The  Shakespearean  scholar,  "White,  has  done 


IDIOMATIC    PHRASES.  681 

rnucli  to  make  plain  to  the  understanding,  some  ob- 
scure passages  in  the  plays  of  Shakespeare. 
Closeted  with,  to  be  =  To  confer  with ;  to  have  a 
private  interview  with,  (c) 
The  secretary  of  the  treasury  luas  closeted  with  the 
President  this  morning,  and  it  is  surmised  that  some 
new  financial  measure  is  proposed  =  Some  new  fi- 
nancial measure  is  conjectured  to  be  in  preparation, 
for  the  secretary  of  the  treasury  had  a  private  inter- 
view with  the  President  this  morning. 
Collar  any  one,  to  =  To  catch  hold  of,  by  the  neck 
or  collar,  (c) 
The  pickpocket   was   collared  in    the    crowd  =  The 
pickpocket  was  caught  hold  of  by  the  collar  in  the 
crowd.  ' 

Come  after,  to=:l.  To  follow,  (a)     2.  To  come   to 
obtain,  {a) 
1.  July  comes  after  June  =  July  follows  June  in  the 
order  of  months.     2.  You  can  have  the  book,  if  you 
will  come  after  it  =  You  can  have  the  book,  if  you 
will  come  to  get  it. 
Come  at,  to=:l.  To  reach;  to  arrive  within  reach 
of;  to  gain,  (c)     2.  To  come  forward,  in  attack,  (a) 
1.  One  will  come  at  the  best  results  in  life,  by  cul- 
tivating the  spirit  of  meekness  and  obedience  =  One 
will  reach  the  most  satisfactory  results  in  life,  by 
cultivating  the  spirit  of  meekness  and   obedience. 
2.  One  day  my  neighbor's  dog  came  at  me,  and  threw 
himself  on  my  chest  =  One  day  my  neighbor's  dog 
attacked  me,  and  jumped  upon  my  chest. 
Come  away,  to  =  To  depart ;  to  leave,  (a) 

There  were  few  remaining  in   the  opera-house, 
when   I   came   away  —  T\\QVQ   w^ere   few   remaining, 
when  I  left  the  opera-house. 
Come  in,  to  =  To  become  fashionable;  to  be  brought 
into  use.  {a) 
The  present  clinging  style  of  dress  came  in  about 
two  years  ago  =  The  present  clinging  style  of  dress 
was  brought  into  use  about  two  years  ago. 
Come  into,  to  =  To  join  with ;  to  take  part  in ;  to 
agree  to.  (c) 
Sweden  and  Holland  came  into  a  triple  alliance 
with  England  against  France  in  1668  =  Sweden  and 
Holland  joined  with  England  in  a  triple  alliance 
against  France,  in  1668. 
Come  into  possession,  to  =  To  acquire ;  to  obtain,  (a) 
The  United  States  came  into  possession  of  Louisiana 
by  purchase  from  France  (1803)  =  The  United  States 
acquired  Louisiana  by  purchase   from  the  French 
(1803). 


682  '  IDIOMATIC    PHRASES. 

Come  in  for,  to  =  To  appear  and  claim  a  share  of. 
(a) 
All  who  take  part  in  capturing  a  vessel,  come  in  for 
a  share  of  the  prize-mone j  =  All  the  captors  of  a 
vessel  appear  and  claim  a  share  of  the  prize-money. 
Come  near,  to  =  l.  To  approach  in  place,  (c)     2.  To 
be  equal  to.  (c) 
1.  We  came  near  Farmington  on  our  return  from 
the  tower  on  Talcott  Mountain  =  We   approached 
Farmington  on  our  return  from  the  tower.     2.  It 
is  a  question  whether  the  modern  works  of  art  and 
poems  come  near  the  ancient  masterpieces  =  It  is  a 
question  whether  the  modern  works  in  poetry  and 
art  are  equal  to  the  ancient  masterpieces. 
Come  out,  to  =  1.  To  become  public;  to  appear;  to 
be  published,  (a)     2.  To  end  or  come  to  an  issue, 
(a)     3.  To  be  introduced  into  society;  (said  of  a 
young  lady),  {h)  ^ 
1.  My  book  will  come  out  at  the  next  Christmas 
holidays  =: My  book  will  be  published  at  the  next 
Christmas  holidays.     2.  How  did  you  come  out  with 
your  investment  in  the  silver  mine  ?  =  To  what  issue 
did  your  investment  in  the  silver  mine  come?     How 
did  you  fare?     3.  Before  a  young  lady's  first  ap- 
pearance in  general  society,  which  is  called  her  com- 
ing out,  she  is  not  seen  at  parties,  except  in  her 
father's  houses  Before  a  young  lady's  first  appear- 
ance in  general  society,  or  her  introduction   into 
society,  she  is  not  seen  at  parties,  except  at  her 
father's  house. 
Come  round,  to  =  To  recover,  or  revive,  (c) 

He  is  very  sick,  but,  with  good  treatment  and  nurs- 
ing, will  come  round=lIe  is  very  sick,  but,  with  good 
treatment  and  nursing,  will  recover. 
Come  to  an  understanding,  to  =  Mutually  to  con- 
sent ;  to  agree,  (a) 
The  tw^o  sons  have  come  to  an  understanding  re- 
garding the  division  of  their  father's  property  =r  The 
two  sons  have  agreed  respecting  the  division  of  their 
father's  property. 
Come  to  liglit,  to  =  To  appear;  to  be  disclosed  or 
made  public,  (a)  . 

Since  the  defaulting  cashier  left  town,  many  new 

cases  of  his  dishonest  transactions  have  come  to  light 

=  Since  the   departure   of  the   defaulting   cashier, 

many  previously  unknown  instances  of  his  dishonest 

transactions  have  been  disclosed. 

Come  to  one's  iinowledg^e,  to  =  To  become  matter 

of  information  or  knowledge;  to  be  made  known 

to  one.  {a) 


IDIOMATIC    PHRASES.  683 

It  has  come  to  my  knowledge  that  the  principal  of 
the  scliool  intends  to  resign  at  the  close  of  the  term 
—  I  have  learned  that  the  principal  of  the  school  in- 
tends to  resign  at  the  close  of  the  term. 
Come  to  tlie  ear§  of,  to  =  To  be  communicated  to.  (c) 
When  the  intelligence  of  the  son's  idleness  came 
to  the  ears  of  his  father,  he  removed  him  from  school 
zzWhen  information  of  his  son's  idleness  was  com- 
municated to  the  father,  he  took  him  away  from  the 
school. 
Come   upon,   to  =  To   light    upon;    to    find    unex- 
pectedly ;  to  meet  with,  (a) 
In  reading  the  Bible,  I  caine  upon  this  verse  =  In . 
reading  the  Bible,  I  unexpectedly  found  this  verse. 
Commit  a  bill  {Legislation)  —  To  refer  or  intrust  it  to 
a  committee  or  others,  to  be  considered   and  re- 
ported. 
The  hill  on  divorce  was  committed  to  the  Judiciary 
Committee  =  The  bill  on  divorce  was  referred  to  the 
Judiciary    Committee,    to    be    considered   and   re- 
ported. 
Commit  to  memory,  to  =  To  learn  by  heart,  or  so 
as  to  repeat  from  memory ;  to  memorize,  (a) 
When  we  hear  a  public  address  that  has  been  com- 
mitted to  memory^  we  naturally  look  over  the  speak- 
er's shoulder,  to  see  his  prompter  =  When  we  hear  a 
public  address  that  has  been  memorized,  we  natu- 
rally look  over  the  speaker's  shoulder,  to  see  the 
man,  whose  duty  it  is  to  prompt.     The  young  man 
has  written  his  oration  for  graduation ;  he  has  now 
to  commit  it  to  memory  =  The  young  man  has  written 
his  graduating  oration ;  he  must  now  memorize  it. 
Compounding  a  felony  (Law)  —  "  The  act  of  a  party 
immediately  aggrieved,  who  agrees  with  a  thief  or 
other  felon  that  he  will  not  prosecute  him,  on  con- 
dition that  he  return  to  him  the  goods  stolen,  or 
who  takes  a  reward  not  to  prosecute."     [Bouvier.] 
Compounding  a  felony  is  an  indictable  offense,  pun- 
ishable by  fine  and  imprisonments  The  act  of   a 
party  immediately  aggrieved,   who  agrees  with   a 
thief  that  he  will  not  prosecute  him,  on  condition 
that  the  thief  return  the  stolen  goods,  is  an  offense 
punishable  by  fine  and  imprisonment. 
Conjure  up,  to  =  To  raise  up  or  bring  into  existence 
without  reason,  or  by  unnatural  means,  (a) 
It  was  a  very  simple  thing  in  itself, — that  boat- 
ride  ;  and  the  story  which  she  has  conjured  up  about 
it,  is  as  improbal3le  as  any  story  in  tlie  Arabian 
Nights  =  It  was  a  very  simple  affair, — that  boat-ride ; 
and  the  story  which  she  has  concocted,  without  a 


684  IDIOMATIC    PHKASES. 

shadow  of  reason,  is  as  improbable,  as  any  of  the 
Arabian  Nights'  stories. 
Count  on  or  upon,  to  =  To  rely  upon ;  to  trust  to ; 
to  expect,  (b) 
Mr.  F.  bought  land  for  building  lots  on  the  hill, 
counting  on  the  growth  of  the  city  in  that  direction 
=  Mr.  F.  purchased  land  on  the  hill,  suitable  for 
building  lots,  expecting  that  the  city  would  grow  in 
that  direction. 
€ro§§ed  in  love  =  Rejected  as  a  lover;  jilted,  (c) 
Early  in  life  he  was  crossed  in  love,  and  ever  since 
has  been  somewhat  peculiar  ==  When  he  was  young 
he  was  rejected  as  a  lover,  and  it  had  the  effect  to 
render  him  unlike  other  people. 
Cry  down,  to=:To  decry;   to  depreciate;    to   dis- 
praise, (c) 
"Men  of  dissolute  lives  cry  down  religion,  because 
they  would  not  be  under  its  restraints."  [Tillotson] 
=  Men  of  dissolute  lives  decry  religion,  because  they 
dislike  its  restraints.     When  men  dislike  any  thing 
they  straightway  begin  to  cry  it  down  — When  men 
dislike  any  thing  they  straightway  begin  to  dispraise 
it.     The  manufacturer  cried  down  the  cloth  of  his 
rival  in  business  =  The  manufacturer  spoke  depreci- 
atingly of  the  cloth  which  his  rival  in  business  man- 
ufactured. 
Cry    out,  to  =  To   exclaim;    to  scream;    to  clamor. 
(a) 
You  can  not,  any  one  of  you,  do  this.     What ! 
not  any  of  us  ?  they  all  cried  out  —  You  can  not,  any 
of  you,  do  this.     What!  not  any  of  us?  they  all  ex- 
claimed. 
Cry  out  again§t,  to  =  To  complain  loudly  of,  with  a 
view  to  censure ;  to  blame,  {b) 
The  press  generally  cried  out  against  the  unkind 
treatment  of  the  colored  cadet  by  his  fellow-students 
=  The  press  generally  blamed  the  unkind  treatment 
of  the  colored  cadet,  by  his  fellow-students. 
Cry  to,  to  =  To  call  on  in  prayer ;  to  implore,  (c) 
Men  in  trouble  cry  to  God  for  deliverance  =  Men 
in  trouble  call  on  God  in  prayer,  to  deliver  them. 
Cry  up,  to  =  To  enhance  the  value  and  reputation  of 
by  public  and  noisy  praise;  to  extol,  (c) 
What  is  cried  up  by  popular  applause,  is  not  al- 
ways the  most  worthy  =  It  is  not  always  the  most 
worthy  quality,  that  is  extolled  by  popular  applause. 
Cut   a  feather,  to^To  make  the  water  foam,  in 
moving,  (c) 
We  sat  in  the  stern  and  watched  the  boat  cutting 
a  feather ^We   sat   in  the  stern  of  the  boat,  and 


IDIOMATIC    PHRASES.  685 

watched   the    foam    which    she    made,    in   moving 
through  the  water. 
Cut   across,  to  =  To  pass  over  or  through,  in   the 
most  direct  way.  (a) 
Sometimes  our  walk  is  shortened,  by  cutting  across 
a  fields  Sometimes  our  walk  is  shortened  bypassing 
through  a  field  in  the  most  direct  way. 
Cut    and    come    ag^ain — An    expression    implying 
plenty,  no  lack. 
It  was,  cut  and  come  again^  at  the  news-boys  sup- 
per given  by  the  ladies  of  the  Women's  Christian 
Association  =  There  was  plenty,  and  no  lack  of  any 
thing  at  the  supper  given  to  the  news-boys  by  the 
Women's  Christian  Association. 
Cut  in  or  into,  to  =  To   interrupt ;    to  join  in  any 
thing  suddenly,  (c) 
It  is  very  impolite  to  be  always  cutting  m,  when 
another  person  is  talking = It  is  very  impolite  to  be 
constantly  interrupting,  when  another  person  is  talk- 
ing. 
Cut  or  »tlng  to  the  quick,  to  =  To  thrill ;  to  cause 
to  feel  deeply ;  to  cause  to  suffer  in  feeling,  (c) 
The  clerk  was  cut  to  the  quick  by  the  suspicion  of 
dishonesty  =  The  clerk  was  caused  to  suffer  in  his 
feelings  by  being  suspected  of  dishonesty. 


D. 

Dam  out,  to  =  To  keep  out  by  means  of  a  dam.  (a) 
The  Hollanders  dam  out  the  waters  of  the  ocean 
=  The  Hollanders  keep  out  the  waters  of  the  ocean 
witli  dikes. 
Dangle  about  or  after,  to  =  To  hang  upon  impor- 
tunately; to  beset,  {b) 
The  suitors  of  Penelope,  in  the  long  absence  of 
Ulysses,  dangled  about  her,  very  much  to  her  disgust 
=:The  suitors  of  Penelope,  the  wife  of  Ulysses,  be- 
set her  importunately,  very  much  to  her  disgust. 
Dead  level  =  A  monotonous  or  unvarying  plain,  (r) 
The  dead  level  of  the  prairies  renders  traveling 
over  them  tedious  =  The  unvarying  plain  which  dis- 
tinguishes    the     prairies     renders    traveling    over 
them  tedious. 
Dead  lock  =  An  interlocking  or  counteraction,  which 
produces  an  entire  stoppage,  (c) 
In  New  York,  travel  sometimes  comes  to  a  dead 
lock  m  Broadways  In  l^ew   York,  travel  is  some- 
times completely  stopped  by  the  crowd  of  carriages, 


IDIOMATIC    PHRASES. 

drays,  wagons,  etc.,  in  Broadway.     The  coming  of 
workmen  from  California  will  break  the  dead   lock 
between  the  piano  manufacturers  and  their  work- 
men in  New  York  =  The  coming  of  workmen  from 
California  to  work  in  the  piano  manufactories,  will 
put  an  end  to  stoppage  of  work  which  has  resulted 
from  the  disagreement  between  the   manufacturers 
and  their  workmen. 
Declare  one'§  self,  to  =  To  publish,  or  announce, 
one's  opinion,  (a) 
The  chief  nobility  and  gentry  declared  themselves 
for  William,  Prince  of  Orange,  on  his  advance  to 
London  (1688)  —  The  chief  nobility  and  gentry  an- 
nounced their  preference  for  the  Prince  of  Orange, 
on  his  advance  to  London. 
Deliver  up  or  over,  to  =  To  give  up  to  another's 
possession  ;  to  resign,  {b) 
The  retiring  warden  delivered  over  the  keys  of  the 
prison,  to  his  successor  =  The  retiring  warden  gave 
up  the  keys  of  the  prison  to  the  possession  of  his 
successor. 
Depress  the  pole,  to  =  To  cause  it  to  appear  lower, 
or  nearer  the  horizon,  (c) 
Depressing  the  pole^  in  sailors'  language,  is  caused 
by  sailing  towards  the  equator  =  Making  the  pole  to 
appear  lower,  or  nearer  the  horizon,  is  caused  by 
sailing  towards  the  equator. 
Dismount  cannon,  to  {Mil.)  —  To  throw  from  their 
carriages,  or  to  break"  the  carriages  or  wheels,  (c) 
After  the  calvary-charge,  five  dismounted  cannon 
were  found,  abandoned  by ,  the  retreating  enemy  — 
After  the  charge,  which  was  made  by  the  calvary, 
five   cannon,    thrown   from     their    carriages,   were 
found,  abandoned  by  the  flying  enemy. 
Dispense  ^ivitta,  to  =  To  permit  the  neglect  or  omis- 
sion of,  as  a  form,  a  ceremony,  an  oath;    to  sus- 
pend the  operation  of,  as  a  law;  to  give  up  or  do 
without,  as  services,  attention,  &c.  (a) 
I  am  obliged  to  you  for  coming  thus  far,  and  now 
that  I  see  the  house,  I  can  dispense  with  your  further 
escort  =  I  thank  you  for  coming  thus  far,  and  since 
I  see  the  house,  I  can  do  without  your  further  es- 
cort. 
Disposed  to  =  Inclined  to ;  minded  to.  (a) 

I  am  disposed  to  join  the  excursion  to  the  sea-side 

next  week  =  I  am  minded  to  join  the  excursion  to 

the  sea-side  next  week. 

Do  duty,  to  =  To  officiate;  to  discharge  the  duties 

of  an  office  or  station,  (p) 

During  the  absence,  in  Europe,  of  the  president 


IDIOMATIC    PHRASES.  687 

of  the  bank,  one  of  the  directors  does  duty  as  presi- 
dent =  While  the  president  of  the  bank  is  absent  in 
Europe,  one  of  the  directors  officiates  as  president. 
Do  honor,  to  =  To  treat  with  respect,  (a) 

You  do  me  great  honor  by  these  attentions  =  You 
treat  me  with  great  respect  by  these  attentions. 
Do  one  grood,  to  =  l.  To  benefit.     2.  To  gratify. 

1.  I  hope  your  stay  at  the  sea-side  has  done  you 
good—1  hope  your  stay  at  the  sea-side  has  benefited 
you.     2,  It  does  me  good  to  see  these  improvements 
in  the  village  =  It  gratifies  me  to  see  these  improve- 
ments in  the  village. 
Do  one's  best,  to  =  To  do  all  one  can,  or  as  well  as 
one  can. 
David  does  his  best  to  please  his  teacher  =  David 
does  all  he  can  to  please  his  teacher.     The  harness 
maker  did  his  hest^  in  making  a  harness  for  the  State 
Fair  =  In  making  a  harness  to  be  exhibited  at  the 
State  Fair,  the  man  wrought  as  good  and  as  beauti- 
ful work  as  he  was  capable  of. 
Do  one's  dilig^enee,  to  ;  give  diligence,  to  ;  use 
diligenee,  to  =  To  exert  one's  self;   to   make  in- 
terested and  earnest  endeavor. 
"  Givijig  all  diligence^  add  to  your  faith,  virtue," 
II.  Pet.  i.  5.  =  Make  earnest  endeavor,  and  add  to  your 
faith,  virtue.     The  school-boy  is  using  all  diligerice  to 
gain  the  prize  for  composition  =  The   school-boy  is 
earnestly  striving  to  gain  the  prize  for  composition. 
Do  or  say  over  again,  to  =  To  repeat ;  to  do  or  say 
a  second  time,  (a) 
The  tailor  made  the  coat  so  poorly,  that  he  was 
obliged  to  do  the  work  over  again  =  The  tailor  made 
the  coat  so  poorly,  as  to  render  it  necessary  for  him 
to  do  the  work  a  second  time. 
Do  over,  to  =  To  make  over ;  to  perform  a  second 
time,  (a) 
This  sewing  is  not  well  done;  you.  will  have  to 
pull  it  out,  and  do  it  over  =:This  sewing  is  not  w^ell 
done ;  you  will  have  to  pull  it  out,  and  perform  it  a 
second  time. 
Do  ivithout,  to  =  To  get  along  without:  to  dispense 
with,  (a) 
She  proposes  to  help  her  husband  over  his  busi- 
ness embarrassments,  by  doing  without  a  servant  = 
She  proposes  to  help  her  husband,  in  his  present 
difficulties,  by  getting  along  without  a  servant. 
Dote  upon,  to  =  To  be  excessively  or  foolishly  fond  ; 
to  love  to  excess,  (c) 
He  dotes  u^pon  his  wife  =  He  loves  his  wife  to  ex- 
cess. 


688  IDIOMATIC    PHRASES. 

Do\rii  with  the  helm  {Naut.) — An  order  to  piisli  the 

helm  to  leeward,  in  order  to  put  the  ship  about. 
Draw  a  cover,  to  =  To  clear  a  cover  of  the  game  it 
contains,  (c) 
We  drevj  the  cover ^  and  started  a  fox  =  We  cleared 
the  woods  of  the  game  they  concealed,  and  started 
a  fox. 
I>raw  in,  to  =  l.  To  bring  or  pull  in.  (a)     2.  To  en- 
tice ;  to  inveigle,  (a) 
1.  We  saw  the  fishermen  draw  in  the  net  =  We 
saw  the  fishermen  pull  in  the  net.     2.  The  prisoner 
pleaded  that  he  was  drawn  in  to  the  commission  of 
the  crime  — The  prisoner   pleaded  that  he  was  in- 
veigled, or  persuaded  by  deceptive  arts,  to  the  com- 
mission of  the  crime. 
Draw  lots,  to  =  To  determine  an  event  by  drawing 
one  from  two  or  more  things  whose  marks  are  con- 
cealed from  the  drawer,  (c) 
The  duelists  dreiv  lots  for  the  choice  of  position  = 
The  duelists  decided,  by  a  chance  drawing  of  sticks 
or  papers,  which  of  them  should  have  the  privilege 
of  choosing  his  position. 
Draw  near,  to  =  To  approach.  («) 

We  dreiv  near  the  end  of  our  journey  =  We  ap- 
proached the  end  of  our  journey.      Spring  draws 
near = Spring  approaches. 
Draw  on,   to  \Com.)  —  To  direct   the   payment   of 
money  by  an  order  or  bill  of  exchange,  {a) 
I  shall   be  obliged  to  draw   on    my   banker   for 
money  to  pay  the  expenses  of  my  journey  to  Cali- 
fornia =  It  will  be  necessary  for  me  to,  direct  my 
banker,  by  an  order,  to  furnish  me  money  for  the 
expenses  of  my  journey  to  California. 
Draw  over,  to  =  To  attract ;  to  entice ;  to  allure,  (b) 
He  was  drawn  over  from  the  opposition-benches 
to  the  side  of  government,  by  the  prospect  of  a 
lucrative  office = He  was  allured  from  the  opposition 
to  the  side  of  the  government,  by  the  prospect  of  a 
lucrative  office. 
Dream  away,  out,  &c.,  to  =  To  pass  in  reverie  or 
inaction,  (a) 
The  foolish  young  man  is  dreaming  away  his  time, 
and  allowing  his  fine  opportunities  to  go  by  unim- 
proved =:  The  foolish  young  man  is  passing  his  time 
in  inaction,  and  sufiering  his  fine  opportunities  to 
go  by  unimproved. 
Dre§§  up  or  out,  to  =  To  dress  elaborately,  or  pomp- 
ously, (a) 
It  ministers  to  the  vanity  of  little  girls,  to  dress 
them  up  like  ladies = It  tends  to  foster  the  vanity  of 


IDIOMATIC    PHRASES.  689 

little  girls,  to  dress  them  as  elaborately  as   some 
ladies  dress. 
Uriiik  liard,  to  =  To  be  intemperate ;  to  use  intoxi- 
cating liquor  excessively,  (a) 
He  drank  hard  during  the  latter  part  of  his  life  = 
He  was  intemperate  during  the  latter  part  of  his 
life. 
Drink  off,  to=:To  drink  the  whole  at  a  draught,  (h) 
This  medicine  is  bitter ;  but  the  child  drank  it  off 
w^ithout  a  word  =  This  medicine  is  bitter;   but  the 
child  drank  the  whole  of  it  at  a  draught,  without  a 
word. 
Drive  away  or  off,  to==To  constrain  or  oblige  to 
•    depart,  (a) 

Drive  away  the  cattle  from  the  .cornfield = Make 
the  cattle  depart  from  the  cornfield. 
Drive  feathers  or  down,  to  =  To  separate  the  light- 
est feathers  from  the  rest,  by  a  current  of  air.  (c) 
Driving  feathers  is  done  in  a  machine  =  Separating 
the  lightest  feathers  from  the  rest,,  by  a  current  of 
air,  is  done  in  a  machine. 
Drown  care,  to  =  To  dispel  or  forget  anxiety  or 
grief,  by  some  means,  (c) 
After  his  failure  in  business  he  sought  to  drown 
care  by  dissipation  =  After  failing   in    business,  he 
endeavored  to  dispel  his  grief  by  dissipation. 


E. 

Ease  a  ship,  to  (Naut.)  =  To  put  the  helm  hard-a-lee, 

or  regulate  the  sail,  to  prevent  her  pitching. 

Easiyig  a  ship  is  done  wlien  close-hauJed=:  When  a 

ship  is  close-hauled,  she  is  prevented  from  pitching, 

by  putting  the  helm  hard-a-lee,  or  regulating  the 

sail. 

Ease  off  or  aw^ay,  to  =  To  slacken  a  rope  gradually. 

(«) 

Ease  away^  is  sailors'  phrase  =  Instead  of.  Slacken 
the  rope  gradually,  the  sailors  say,  Ease  away. 
Eat  out,  tp  =  To  consume  completely,  (c) 

Vicious  habits  eat  out  the  life  of  the  soul = Vicious 
habits  completely  consume  the  life  of  the  soul.     The 
virtue  of  the  Eomans  was  eaten  out  by  luxury  and 
the  decay  of  faith  in  their  religion  =r  The  virtue  of 
the  Romans  was  completely  consumed  by  luxury 
and  irreligion. 
Employ  one's  self,  to  =  To  busy  one's  self;  to  devote 
one's  time  and  attention,  (a) 
45 


690  IDIOMATIC     PHRASES. 

In  the  intervals  of  work,  the  boys  employed  them- 
selves in  playing  ball  =  In  the  intervals  of  work,  the 
boys  devoted  their  time  to  playing  ball. 
Enjoy  one's  §elf,  to  =  To  feel  pleasure  and  satisfac- 
tion ;  to  be  happy,  (a) 
Did  you  enjoy  yourself  at  the  picnic  ?  =  Did  you 
find  pleasure  at  the  picnic  ? 
Exert  one'§  §elf,  to  =  To  use  endeavors ;  to   strive ; 
to  make  an  attempt,  (a) 
The  young  man  exerted  himself  to  please  his  em- 
ployer =  The  young  man  strove  to  please  his  em- 
ployer. 


F. 

Fall  among^,  to  =  To  come  among  accidentally  and 
unexpectedly,  (c) 
"  A  certain  man  went  down  from  Jerusalem  to 
Jericho,  and  ^Z/  a?7707i^  thieves,"  [Luke  x.  30.]=  A 
certain  man   traveling  from  Jerusalem  to  Jericho, 
came    unexpectedly    among   thieves.      "When    he 
sowed,  some  seed  fell  among  thorns,"  [Matt.  xiii.  7.] 
=:When    he   sowed,  some  seeds  came  down  acci- 
dentally among  thorns. 
Fall  aboard,  to  {Naut.)  =  To  strike  against ; — applied 
to  one  ship  coming  into  collision  with  another. 
In   a   dense   fog  east   of  Sandy  Hook,  the  ocean 
steamship    Queen  fell  aboard  of  the   Anchoria,  just 
forward  of  the  bridge  on  the  starboard  side  =  In  a 
dense  fog  east  of  Sandy  Hook,  the  ocean  steamship 
Queen  collided  with  the  Anchoria,  striking  her  just 
forward  of  the  bridge,  on  the  starboard  side. 
Fall  ealm,  to  =  To  cease  to  blow ;  to  become  calm. 

^^     . 

The  wind  blew  violently  for  a  time,  and  then  sud- 
denly fell  calm  =  The  wind  blew  violently  for  a  time, 
and  then  suddenly  ceased  to  blow. 
Fall  off,  to  =  l.  To  drop,  (a)     2.  To  depreciate;  to 
depart  from  former  excellence ;  to  become  less  in- 
teresting, (b)     3.  (Nant.)  To  tend   to   the   leeward 
of  the  point  to  which  the  head  of  the  ship  was  be- 
fore directed ;  to  fall  to  leeward. 
1.  Ripe   apples   are   beginning   to  fall  o^=Ilipe 
apples  are  beginning  to  drop  from  the  tree.     2.  Mr. 
X.  was  very  witty  in  his  earlier  writings,  but  now 
he  falls  off=  Mr.  X.  was  very  witty  in  his  earlier 
writings,  but  now  he  is  less  interesting. 
Fall  out,  to  =  To  happen ;  to  befall ;  to  chance,  (a) 


IDIOMATIC    PHRASES.  691 

How  did  it  fall  out  that  you  have  returned  so  soon  ? 
=  How  did   it  happen  that   you   have  returned  so 
soon? 
Far  from,  or  off  =  At  a  great  distance,  {a) 

His  daughter  in  China  \?>  far  from  the  home  of  her 
childhood  =:  His  daughter  in  China  is  at  a  great  dis- 
tance from  the  home  of  her  childhood. 
Feel  of,  to  —  To  examine  by  touching,  (a) 

The  blind  and  deaf  and  dumb  girl  used  iofeel  of 
others'   clothes  and  hands,   in   order  to   recognize 
them  =  The  blind  and  deaf  and  dumb  girl  used  to 
examine  other  peoples'  clothes  and  hands  by  touch- 
ing, in  order  to  recognize  them. 
Fetch  the  pump,  to  =  To  pour  water  in,  and  make 
the  pump  fetch  water  from  the  well,  ip) 
You  must  bring  some  water  to  fetch  the  pump ^  for 
the  water  has  leaked  out  =  The  water  has  leaked  out 
of  the  pump,  and  you  must  pour  some  in  the  top, 
and  make  the  pump  fetch  water  from  the  well. 
Fetch  up,  to==To  overtake,  {c) 

Wait  at  the  corner,  till  1  fetch  up  with  you = "Wait 
at  the  corner,  till  J  overtake  you. 
Fill  in,  to  —  To  insert  so  as  to  fill,  {a) 

When  a  macadamized  road  is  made,  large  stones 
are  first  laid  in  the  excavated  road-way,  and  then  the 
workmen  yiZ/ m  with  fine  stones  and  gravel = When 
a  macadamized  road  is  made,  large  stones  are  first 
laid  in  the  excavated  road- way,  and  then  the  work- 
men put  in  fine  stones  and  gravel  to  fill  the  bed. 
Find  one  in,  to  =  To  supply  one  with,  {a) 

The   farmer  pays  the  boy  eight  dollars  a  month, 
2indi  finds  him  in  clothes  =  The  farmer  pays  the  boy 
eight  dollars  a  month,  and  supplies  him  with  clothes. 
Find    one'§    account,  to  =  To    find    advantage    or 
profit ;  to  be  benefited  or  profited  by.  (c) 
I  do  not  see  how  you  will  find  your  account  in 
publishing  such  a  work=:I  do  not  see  how  you   will 
find  advantage  in  publishing  such  a  work. 
Find  out,  to  =  To  detect,  as  a  thief;  to  discover,  as  a 
secret,  (a) 
"Be  sure   your  sin  will  find  you  ow^."  [Scrip.]  = 
Be  sure  your  sin,  however  secret,  will  be  the  means 
of  exposing  you,  as  the  doer  of  it.     I  \i2i\Q found  out 
your  secret  =  I  have  discovered  your  secret. 
Fix  on,  to  =  To  settle  the  opinion  or  resolution  on 
to  determine  on.  (a) 
The  European  powers  at  the  Berlin  conference, 
fixed  on  a  northern  boundary  for  Greece  =  The  Euro- 
pean powers  at  the  Berlin  conference,  determined  on 
a  northern  boundary  for  Greece. 


692  IDIOMATIC    PHRASES. 

Flare  up,  to  =  To   become    suddenly  heated  or  ex- 
cited ;  to  break  into  a  passion,  (b) 
The  soldier  flared  up,  when  he  was  called  a  cow- 
ard =  The  soldier  became  suddenly  excited,  when  he 
was  called  a  coward. 
Flingr  airay,  to  =  To  reject ;  to  throw  away,  (a) 

I  bit  into  the  apple,  and  finding  it  w^onny,  I  flung 
it  away  =  I  bit  into  the  apple,  and  finding  it  wormy, 
threw  it  away. 
Flings  down,  to  =  To  throw  to  the  ground,  (a) 

The  suicide  accomplished  his  purpose,  by  going 
to  the   top   of  the  monument,  and  flinging  himself 
doivn  upon  the  pavement  below  =  The  suicide  accom- 
plished his  purpose,  by  going  to  the  top  of  the  mon- 
ument, and  throwing  himself  down  upon  the  pave- 
ment below. 
Flings  open,  to  =  To  throw  open ;  to  open  suddenly, 
or  with  violence,  (a) 
As  soon  as  the  Christmas  dinner  was  ready,  the 
doors  were  flung  open,  and  the  news-boys  rushed  in 
=  As  soon  as  the  Christmas  dinner  for  the  news-boys 
was  ready,   the  doors  were  thrown  open,    and  the 
boys  rushed  in. 
Fly  at,  to=:To  spring  forward;  to  rush  on;  to  fall 
upon  suddenly,  (a) 
While  he  was  getting  the  eaglets,  the  old  eagle 
flew  at  him,  and  compelled  him  to  retreat  =r  While  he 
was  getting  the  eaglets,  the  old  eagle  flew  upon  him 
suddenly,  and  compelled  him  to  retreat. 
Fly  off,  to  =  To  separate  or  depart  suddenly,  (a) 
When  I  was  driving  very  fast,  one  of  the  wheels 
of  my  wagon  flew  off=  When  I  was  driving  rapidly, 
one  of  my  wagon- wheels  suddenly  became  separated 
from  the  axletree.     Your  associate  is  not  trustwor- 
thy ;  when  you  most  think  you  can  depend  on  his 
support,  he  flies  of  on   some  worthless   pretext  = 
Your  associate  is  not  trustworthy;  when  you  most 
think  that  you  can  rely  upon  him,  he  suddenly  de- 
parts, on  some  worthless  pretext. 
Fly  open,  to  =  To  open  suddenly,  or  with  violence. 

The  lid  of  my  watch  flies  open,  when  I  touch  the 
spring  rr  The  lid  of  my  watch  opens  suddenly,  when 
I  touch  the  spring. 
Fly  out,  to  =  To  burst  into  a  passion,  (a) 

The  boy  has  been  indulged  so  much  and  restrained 
so  little,  that  he  flies  out  in  a  rage,  whenever  he  is 
crossed  in  anything  =  The  boy  has  been  indulged  so 
much  and  restrained  so  little,  that  he  bursts  into  a 
passion,  whenever  he  is  crossed  in  anything. 


IDIOMATIC    PHRASES.  693 

Follow  up,  to  =  To  pursue  closely,  (a) 

The  clew  to  the  mj^stery  was  slight,  but  hj  follow- 
ing it  up,  the  mystery  was  explain ed=:  The  clew  to 
the  mystery  was  slight,  but  by  pursuing  it  closely 
the  mystery  w^as  explained.     The   state  librarian  is 
folloiving  up  his  investigations  of  the  early  records  of 
the  states  The  state  librarian  is  earnestly  and  perse- 
veringly  pursuing  his  investigations  of  the  early  rec- 
ords of  the  state. 
For  effect  =  In  order  to  produce  an  exaggerated  im- 
pression, or  excitement,  (a) 
She  always  had  herself  in  mind,  and  what  she  did 
was  done/b?'  effect  =  ^\\q  always  had  herself  in  view, 
and  what  she  did,  was  done  to  produce  a  de6p  im- 
pression   upon    others,  of  her  importance  and  the 
like.     The  Roman  Emperor  Augustus  was  a  mere 
actor  all  through  life,  and  what  he  did  was  done/??- 
e^ec^=The  Roman  emperor  Augustus  was  a  mere 
actor  all  his  life,  and  what  he  did  was  done  to  pro- 
duce an  impression. 
Force,  to,  w^ith  a  following  adverb,  as  along,  auray, 
from,  into,  through,  out,  &c.  =  To  impel,  drive, 
extort,  get,  ifec,  by  main  strength  or  violence,  (a) 
A  promise  was /orcec? /rom  her  by  undue  exercise 
of  marital  authority  —  A  promise  was  extorted  from 
her  by  undue  exercise  of  her  husband's  authority.     I 
was  forced  along  the  hall,  against  my  wish,  by  the 
crowd  behind  =  I  was  driven  along  the  hall  against 
my   wish,  by  the  crowd  behind.     The    conquered 
people  were  forced  into  submission  to  the  government 
of  the  victors  =  The  conquered  people  were  obliged 
by  force  to  submit  to  the  government  of  the  victors. 
The  bill  was  forced  through  the  national  legislature, 
by  bribes  and  threats  =  The  bill  was  driven  through 
the    national    legislature,  by    bribes    and    threats. 
Formerly,  information  was  forced  out  of  reluctant  w^it- 
nesses   by    the    application  of  the    thumb-screw  = 
Formerly,  information  w^as  extorted  from  reluctant 
witnesses,  by  the  application  of  the  thumb-screw. 
Foreclo§e  a  mortgager,  to  {Law)  —  To  cut  him  off, 
by  a  judgment   of  court,  from  the  power  of  re- 
deeming the  mortgaged  premises. 
If  the  mortgager  is  foreclosed,  or  if  (as  is  commonly 
said)  the  mortgage  on  his  house  is  foreclosed,  his  right 
of  redemption  is  closed   forever = If  the  mortgager 
is  cut  off  from  the  power  of  redeeming  his  house  by 
a  judgment    of  court,   his    right  of  redemption  is 
closed  forever. 
Forestall  the  marKet,  to  =  To  buy  or  contract  for 
merchandise  or  provision  on  its  way  to  the  market 


694  IDIOMATIC    PHRASES. 

with  the  intention  of  selling  it  again  at  a  higher 
price ;  to  dissuade  persons  from  bringing  their  goods 
or  provisions  there ;  or  to  persuade  them  to  enhance 
the  price  when  there,  (a) 
Speculators  in  western  cities  sometimes   combine 
to  forestall  the  market  in  wheat  =  Speculators  in  west- 
ern cities  sometimes  combine  to  buy  up  all  the  wheat 
which  is  on  the  way  to  market,  with  the  view  of  sell- 
ing it  again  at  a  higher  price. 
Friend  at  court,  a  =  One  disposed  to  act  as  a  friend 
in  a  place  of  special  opportunity  or  influence. 
Eely  on  your  merits,  and  be  thankful  for  a  friend 
at  cozir^^  Make  yourself  deserving  of  success,  and  be 
thankful  also,  if  any  one  is  disposed  to  use  his  influ- 
ence in  your  favor. 


Oad  about,  to  =  To  ramble  or  rove  idly,  or  without 
any  fixed  purpose,  (c) 
This  boy  spends  much  time  gadding  ahout-T\\\9> 
boy  spends  much  time  idly  roving. 
Oain  over,  to  =  To  draw  to  another  party  or  interest ; 
to  win  over,  {a) 
Strong  efibrts  were  made  in  the  Chicago  conven- 
tion, to  ^am  delegates  over  to  Gen.  Grant  =  Strong 
efforts  were  made,  in  the  Chicago  convention,  to  win 
over  delegates  from  some  other  interest  to  that  of 
Gen.  Grant. 
Oain  the  wind,  to  {Naut.)  =  To  reach  the  windward 
side  of  another  ship. 
Two  fast-sailing  vessels  were  trying  their  speed  to- 
gether, and  one  fell  behind  at  the  first,  but  soon 
gained  the  wind  of  the  other  =  Two  fast-sailing  ves- 
sels were  trying  their  speed  together,  and  one  fell 
behind  at  the  first,  but  soon  reached  the  windward 
side  of  the  other  vessel. 
Oet  a  footings,  to  =  To   become  established;  to  ac- 
quire a  permanent  position,  (a) 

The  young  physician  has  got  a  footing  in  the  city 
=  The  young  physician  has  gained  a  permanent  prac- 
tice in  the  city. 
Get  a  mile,  or  other  distance,  to  =  To  pass  over  it 
in  traveling,  (b) 
By  the  time  we  had  got  ten  miles  on  our  way,  we 
were  fatigued  =  By  the  time' we  had  passed  over  ten 
miles  on  our  way,  we  were  fatigued. 
Get  away,  to  =  To  leave ;  to  escape,  (a) 


IDIOMATIC    PHRASES.  695 

The  boys  caught  a  young  fox,  and  tied  him  up  in 
the  shed,  but  he  got  away  in  the  nights  The  boys 
caught  a  young  fox,  and  tied  him  up  in  the  shed, 
but  he  escaped  in  the  night. 
Oet  before,  to  =  To  arrive  in  front,  or  more  forward ; 
to  pass,  (a) 
He  was  fond  of  driving   fast,  and  would  not  let 
any  one  get  before  him  =  He  was  fond  of  driving  fast, 
and  would  not  let  any  one  pass  him. 
Oet  between,  to  =  To  come  into  the  intermediate 
space ;  to  come  between,  {h) 
A  common  friend  of  the  two  angry  men,  got  be- 
tween them,  and   prevented    a    fight  =  A    common 
friend  of  the  two  angry  men,  came  between  them, 
and  prevented  a  fight. 
Get  by  heart,  to  =  To  learn  so  as  to  repeat  without 
aid ;  to  commit  to  memory. 

The  teacher  likes  to  have  us  get  our  lessons  by  heart 
=  The  teacher  wishes  us  to  commit  our  lessons  to 
memory. 
Oet  drunk,  to  =  To  become  intoxicated,  (a) 

If  a  man  never  tastes  intoxicating  liquors,  there 
will  be  no  danger  that  he  will  get  drunk  =  If  a  man 
never  tastes  intoxicating  liquors,  there  will  be  no 
danger  that  he  will  ever  become  intoxicated. 
Oet  forward,  to  =  To  proceed ;  to  advance.  ^) 

The  class  began  to  study  Latin  one  year  ago,  and 
are  getting  forward  quite  rapidly  =  The  class  began  to 
study  Latin  one  year  ago,  and  are  advancing  quite 
rapidly. 
Oet  out,  to  =  To  extricate  one's  self;  to  escape,  (a) 
It  is  easier  to  get  into  trouble  than  to  get  out  =lt 
is  easier  to  get  into  trouble,  than  to  extricate  one's  self 
from  it. 
Oet  over,  to  =  To  overcome,  (a) 

At  his  advanced  age,  it  is  impossible  for  him  to 
get  over  his  prejudice?  against  changes  and  new  cus- 
toms =  At  his  advanced  age,  it  is  impossible  for  him 
to  overcome  his  prejudices  against  changes  and  new 
customs. 
Oet  the  upper  hand,  to  =  To  master;  to  conquer; 
to  gain  control,  (a) 
Mr.  A's  horse  was  frightened   by  the  umbrella, 
and  got  the  upper  hand  of  the  driver = Mr.  A's  horse 
was  so  frightened  by  the  umbrella,  that  the  driver 
was  unable  to  control  him. 
Oive  a  handle,  to  =  To  furnish  an  occasion,  (c) 

Endeavor  always  so  to  conduct  yourself  as  to  give 
your  enemies  no  handle  to  find  fault  with  you  =  En- 


IDIOMATIC    PHEASES. 

deavor  always  so  to  conduct  yourself  as  to  give  your 
enemies  no  occasion  to  find  fault  with  yon. 
Give  awaj,  to  =  To  throw  overboard ;  to  betray,  as 
one  accomplice  by  another,  (b) 
Seven  convicts  attempted  to  escape  from  prison, 
but  they  were  arrested ;  a  traitor-convict  had  given 
away  his  friends  =  Seven  convicts  attempted  to  es- 
cape from  prison,  but  they  were  arrested ;  a  treach- 
erous convict  had  betrayed  his  friends. 
Oive  a  Rowland  for  an  Oliver  =  To  match  one  in- 
credible lie  by  another. 
Oive  back,  to=:To  return;  to  restore,  {a) 

It  was  naughty,  my  child,  to  snatch  tlie  ball  from 
your  elder  brother's  hand;  you  must  give  it  back= 
It  was  naughty  for  you  to  snatch  the  ball  from  your 
elder  brother's  hand ;  you  must  return  it  to  him. 
Oive  battle,  to  =r  To  engage  in  battle ;  to  attack,  (a) 
The  United  States  troops  came  upon  the  hostile 
Indians  in  a  ravine,  and  gave  them  baUle  =  Ymdmg 
the  hostile  Indians  in  a  narrow  valley,  the  United 
States   soldiers  attacked  them.     Gen.    X.   made  a 
forced  march  of  forty  miles  in  twenty-four   hours, 
gave  battle  and  routed  the  enemy  after  one  hour's 
fighting  =  Gen.  X.   made   a  forced  march  of  forty 
miles  in  twenty-four  hours,  attacked  the  enemy,  and 
routed^him,  after  one  hour's  fighting. 
Oive  currency  to,  to  =  To  cause  or  increase  the  pub- 
licity of;  to  circulate,  (c) 
Mrs.   A.,   her   aunt,  gave    currency  to  the   report 
that   the  young  lady   was    engaged'^  Mrs.   A.,  the 
aunt  of  the  young  lady,  circulated  the  report  of  her 
engagement. 
Oive  effect  to,  to  =  To  make  valid ;  to  carry  out  in 
practice. 
A  gift  of  five  dollars  to  the  poor  man  gave  effect  to 
words  of  sympathy  =  A  gift  of  five  dollars  to  the 
poor  man  carried  out  in  practice   words  of   sym- 
pathy. 
Oive  in  to,  to  =  l.  To  yield  assent;  to  adopt,  (c)     2. 
To  acknowledge  inferiority ;  to  yield,  (b) 
1,  It  shows  weakness  in  him  to  give  in   to  such 
views   on   the   subject  of  the  currency  =:  It    shows 
weakness  in  him  to  adopt  such  views  on  the  sub- 
ject of  currency.     1.  Fashion  makes  us  give  in  to 
some  customs  which,  without  this  sanction,  would 
be  condemned  =  Fashion  makes  us  adopt  some  cus- 
toms,  which,  without  this  sanction  would  be  con- 
demned.    2.  You  will  have  to  give  in  to  him,  for  his 
will  is  stronger  than  yours  =  You  will  have  to  yield 
to  him,  for  his  wiU  is  stronger  than  yours. 


IDIOM  A*riO     PHRASES.  697 

Oive  out,  to  =  To  show  in  false  appearance ;  to  make 

false  claims  to  be.  (a) 
There  was  a  man,  of  mixed  English  and  Indian 
descent,  who  gave  himself  ou^  to  be  the  lost  Dauphin, 
the  son  of  Louis  XYI^  There  was  a  man,  of  mixed 
English  and  Indian  descent,  who  made  false  claims 
to  be  the  lost  Dauphin,  the  son  of  Louis  XYI. 
Oive  over,  to  —  To  conclude  lost,  (a) 

He  rallied  and  recovered,  after  he  was  given  over 
by  his  physicians  =  He  rallied  and  recovered,  after 
he  was  concluded  to  be  lost  by  his  physicians. 
Oive  the  reins  to,  to  =  To  give   license  to ;  to  leave 
without  restraint,  (c) 
Napoleon  I.  gave  the  reins  to  his  ambition  for  con- 
quest =  IS^apoleon  I.  suffered  his  ambition  for  con- 
quest to  proceed  without  restraint. 
Oive  up,  to=:To  cease  from  effort;  to  yield,  (a) 
He  has  given  up  farming,  and  gone  to  the  city  to 
live  =  He  has  abandoned  agriculture  as  a  pursuit, 
and  removed  to  the  city. 
Oive  way,  to  (Naut.)  =  To  begin  to  row ;  or  to  row 
with  increased  energy,  (a) 

Give  way  J  boys,  the  tide  is  carrying  us  back  =  Eow 
harder  boys,  the  tide  is  carrying  us  back. 
Oo  ahead,  to  =  To  proceed ;  to  advance,  {b) 

The  young  man  is  going  ahead,  rapidly,  in  his  studies 
=  The  young  man  makes  rapid  progress  in  his  studies. 
Oo  astern,  to  {Naut.)  =  To  go  backwards,  as  from 
the  action  of  currents  or  winds. 
With  all  my  rowing  I  went  astern,  the  tide  was  so 
strongs  With  all  my  rowing  I  went  backwards,  on 
account  of  the  strong  tide. 
Oo  at,  to  =  To  apply  one's  self  to ;  to  undertake ;  to 
attack,  (a) 

I  have  taken  exercise ;  now  I  must  go  at  my  lesson 
i=PIaving  taken  exercise  I  must  now  apply  myself 
to  my  lesson. 
Oo  by,  to  =  To  act  or  do  according  to ;  to  conform 
to,  as  a  rule,  {a) 
"  Let  thine  eyes  look  right  on,  and  thine  eyelids 
straight  before  thee,"  is  a  good  rule  to  go  by,  when 
one  walks  in  the  street  ="  Let  thine  eyes  look  right 
on,  and  thine  eyelids  straight  before  thee  "  is  a  good 
rule  to  conform  to,  on  the  street.     If  you  do  not  go 
by  the  rule  in  working  out  the  problems  in  arithme- 
tic, you  will  make  mistakes  =  If  you  do  not  proceed 
according  to  the  rule  in  working  out  the  arithmetical 
problems,  you  will  make  mistakes. 
Oo  for,  to  =  To  be  in  favor  of;  to  support,  {a) 

A  few  sagacious  delegates  predicted,  early  in  the 


698       ■  IDIOMATIC     PfiRASES. 

convention,  that  the  majority  would  go  for  Garfield 
=  A  few  sagacious  delegates  predicted,  in  the  first 
days  of  the  convention,  that  the  majority  would  sup- 
port Garfield  as  candidate  for  the  presidency. 
Cro  into,  to  =  To  enter  into ;  to  speak  of.  {a) 

It  was  an  extremely  unpleasant  affair,    and  you 
must  excuse  me  from  going  into  all  the  details  =  It 
was  a  very  unpleasant  affair,  and  you  must  excuse 
me  from  entering  into  all  the  details. 
Go  or  §ail  large,  to  {Naut.)  -  To  have  the  wind  cross- 
ing the  direction  of  the  vessel's  course  in  such  way 
that  the  sails  feel  its  full  force ;  especially  to  have 
the  wind  on  the  beam  or  the  quarter. 

When  a  vessel  sails  large,  it  gains  its  highest  speed 
=  When  the  vessel  has  the  wind  on  the  beam  or  the 
quarter,  it  gains  its  highest  speed. 
Oo  on,  to  =  1,  To  proceed;  to   advance  forward,  (a) 
2.  To  be  put  on.  (a)      *• 

1.  Go  on  a,  mile  further,  and  you  will  find  the  inn 
=  Proceed  a  mile  further,  and  you  will  find  the  inn. 
2,  The  coat  goes  on  hard  —  The  coat  is  put  on  with 
difiiculty. 
Oo  out,  to  =  l.  To  become  extinct,  as  light  or  life. 
{a)     2.  To  become  public,  (a) 
1.  The  lamp  went  out  in  our  absence  =  The  lamp 
became  extinct  in  our  absence.     2,  The  report  went 
out  that  he  had  resigned = The  report  became  pub- 
lic that  he  had  resigned. 
Oo  to  tSie  wall,  to  =  To  be  hard  pressed,  or  pushed  to 
extremes ;  to  be  the  weaker  or  unsuccessful  party,  (c) 
In  the  struggle  against  the  civilization  of  Euro- 
pean races,  the  savage  tribes  of  North  America  have 
gone  to  the  wall— In  resisting  the  civilization  of  the 
European  races,  the  savage  tribes  of  North  America 
have  been  hard  pressed  and  forced  to  yield. 
Oo  to  work,  to=:To  begin  laboring;  to  commence 
operations ;  to  manage,  (a) 
It  is  time  to  go  to  worh  =  The  time  has  arrived  for 
commencing  work.     If  you  go  to  work  rightly,  you 
will  gain  his  friendship  =  If   you  manage  rightly, 
you  will  cause  him  to  become  friendly  to  you. 
Oo  upon,  to=:To  take  as  a  principle,  (a) 

It  is  not  prudent  to  go  upon  the  supposition,  that 
men  will  always  act  in  a  disinterested  way  =  It  is  not 
prudent  to  take  as  a  principle  the  supposition,  that , 
men  will  always  act  in  a  disinterested  manner. 
Orow  out  of,  to  =  To  issue  from,  as  plants  from  the 
soil,  or  as  a  branch  from  the  main  stem;  to  result 
from. 
Their  domestic  troubles  have  all  grown  out  of  a 


IDIOMATIC    PHRASES. 

willful,  unyielding  temper = Their  domestic  troubles 
have  resulted  from  a  willful,  un^delding  temper. 
Orow  togetlier,  to=:To  close  and  adhere;   to  be- 
come united  by  growth,  as  flesh  or  the  bark  of  a 
tree  severed,  (a) 
The  two  shoots  that  came  up  from  the  root,  have 
united  and  groiun  together  into  one   tree  =  The   two 
shoots  that  came  up  from  the  root,  have  become 
united  by  growth,  and  become  one  tree. 


H. 

Hang  back,  to  =  To  recede ;  to  go  reluctantly,  (h) 
Milton  represents  Eve  as  hanging  back,  when  about 
to  be  introduced  to  Adam  =  Milton  represents  Eve 
•  as  going  reluctantly,  when  introduced  to  Adam. 
Hang  out  the  red  flag,  to  =  To  give  signal  of  bat- 
tle, (c) 
The  ship-of-war  ordered  the  brig  to  lie  to  and  sur- 
render, but  instead  the  brig  hung  out  the  red  Jiag= 
The  ship-of-war  ordered  the  brig  to  lie  to  and  sur- 
render, but  instead  she  gave  signal  of  battle. 
Hang  over,  to=:To  threaten. 

My  friend  does  not  see  the  ruin  that  hangs  over 
him,  and  which  will  come  upon  him,  through  his 
lavish  and  prodigal  way  of  living  =  My  friend  does 
not  see  the  ruin  that  threatens  him,  and  which  will 
fall  upon  him,  through  his  lavish  and  prodigal  way 
of  living. 
Happen   on,  to==To  meet  with;    to  fall  or  light 
upon,  (b) 
I  happened  on  a  passage  in  Tacitus  the  other  day 
in  which  he  speaks  of  Divine  providence  =  I  met 
with  a  passage  in  Tacitus  the  other  day,  in  which 
he  speaks  of  Divine  providence. 
Hatch  out,  to  =  To  come  out  of  the  egg.  (a) 

The  best  time  to  apply  Paris-green  to  the  potato 
vines,  is  when  the  larvae  begin ,  to  Aa^cA  out=The 
best  time  to  apply  Paris-green  to  the  potato  vines,  is 
when  the  larvae  begin  to  come  out  of  the  egg. 
Have  a  care,  to  ==  To  take  care ;    to  be  on  one's 
guard,  (c) 
You  should  have  a  care  not  to  lose  your  money  in 
the  crowd  =  You  should  be  on  your  guard  not  to  lose 
your  money  in  the  crowd. 
Have  at  heart,  to  =  To  be  deeply  interested  in ;  to 
care  much  for.  (c) 
Mrs.  M.  has  at  heart  the  prosperity  of  the  orphan 


700  IDIOMATIC    PHRASES. 

asylum  =  Mrs.  M.  is  deeply  interested  in  the  pros- 
perity of  the  orphan  asylum. 
Have  in  contemplation,  to  =  To  intend  or  purpose ; 
to  have  under  consideration,  (a) 
He  has  it  in  contemplation  to  6nter  Amherst  Col- 
lege next  year  =  He  purposes  to  enter  Amherst  Col- 
lege next  year. 
Have  one's  hands  ftiU,  to  =  To  have  in  hand  all 
that  one  can  do ;  to  be  pressed  with  labor  or  en- 
gagements, {a) 
I  asked  the  principal  of  the  school  to  take  some 
private  pupils,  but  he  said  he  had  his  hands  full^  and 
could  not=:I  asked  the  principal  of  the  school  to 
take  some  private  pupils,  but  he  said  he  could  not, 
for  he  had  in  hand  all  he  could  do. 
Have  to  do  with,  to  —  To  be  concerned  or  engaged 
in ;  to  have  part  in.  {a) 
What  is  Mr.  A's  business?     He  has  to  do  with  the 
steam-ship    emigration    company  =  What    business 
does  Mr.  A.  follow?     He  is  concerned  in  the  steam- 
ship emigration  company. 
Head  down,  to  —  To  trim  or  cut  off.  (c) 

It  is  well  to  head  doivn  peach  trees  the  first  year 
of  their  growths  It  is  a  good  plan  to  cut  off  the 
heads  of  peach  trees,  the  first  year  of  their  growth. 
Head  off,  to  =  To  intercept ;  to  get  before,  (a) 

The  officer  headed  off  the  prisoner,  who  was  trying 
to  escape  =  The  officer  intercepted  the  prisoner,  who 
was  trying  to  escape. 
Heat  up,  to  =  To  make  hot ;  to  cause  to  grow  warm. 

Grapes  are  swelling  finely  in  the  bunch,  now  the 
ground  and  all  the  building  and  trellises  have  got 
heated  up  =  Grapes  are  swelling  finely  in  the  bunch, 
since  the  ground  and  all  the  buildings  and  trellises 
have  been  made  hot  by  the  sun. 
Heave  up,  to  =  To  relinquish ;  to  give  up.  (c) 

The  captain  said  that  his  wife  had  tried  to  make 
him  heave  up  his  plan  of  going  on  a  whaling  voyage 
=  The  captain  said  that  his  wife  had  tried  to  make 
him  relinquish  his  plan  of  going  on  a  whaling  voy- 
age. 
Hedge  a  het,  to=:To  bet  on  both  sides;  that  is, 
after  having  bet  on  one  side,  to  bet  also  on  the 
other  side,  in  order  to  guard  against  great  loss,  in 
any  event,  (a) 
The  young  man  had  bet  heavily  on  the  favorite 
horse,  and  now  he  thought  it  prudent  to  hedge  his 
bets  =  The  young  man  had  bet  heavily  on  the  last 
year's  winning  horse,  and  now  he  thought  it  best  to 


IDIOMATIC    PHRASES.  701 

bet  on  the  other  side,  to  save  himself  from  heavy 
loss,  whichever  horse  might  win. 
Hedg^e  up,  to  =  To  obstruct,  (a) 

We  often  hnd  the"  way  we  have  planned  to  go, 
hedged  up  against  ns  =  We  often  find  the  w^ay  which 
we  have  planned  to  go,  obstructed  so  that  we  can 
not  proceed. 
Hem  about,  around  or  in,  to  =  To  inclose  and  con- 
fine; to  surround;  to  environ,  (a) 
The  village  is  hemmed  about,  by  mountains  =  The 
village  is  surrounded  by  mountains. 
Helm  the  mid§liip§  or  rig^ht  the  helm  (Naut.) — An 
order  to  keep  the  helm  even  with  the  middle  of  the 
sliip. 
Help  forward,  to  =  To  advance  by  assistance,  (a) 
He  is  a  man  of  large  means  and  generous  dis- 
position, and  is  always  ready  to   help  forward  any 
good  w^ork  =  He  is  a  man  of  large  means  and  gener- 
ous disposition,  and  is  always  ready  to  advance  any 
good  w^ork  by  his  assistance. 
Help  on,  to  =  To  forward ;  to  promote  by  aid.  (a) 
I  have  a  project  for  a  picnic,  and  I  liave  come  to 
you,  to  get  you  to  help  it  07i  =  I  have  a  project  for  a 
picnic,  and  I  have  come  to  you,  to  get  you  to  pro- 
mote it  by  your  aid. 
Help  out,  to  =  To  aid  in  delivering  from  difficulty ; 
or  to  aid  in  completing  a  design,  (a) 
A  man  came  to  my  door  in  the  evening  and  said 
that  his  team  had  got  stalled,  and  he  asked  me  to 
take  my  horses  and  help  him  out— A.  man  came  to 
*me  and  said  that  his  team  was  set  fast  in  the  mud, 
and  he  asked  me  to  take  my  horses  and  aid  in  draw- 
ing his  team  out.     She  said  she  wanted  a  lobster-salad 
to  help  out  the  dinner  =  She  said  she  wanted  a  lobster- 
salad  to  aid  in  making  the  dinner  more  complete. 
Help  over,  to  =  To  enable  to  surmount,  by  assist- 
ance, (a) 
The  mother  helped  her  child  over  the  hard  places 
in  her  mental  arithmetic  =  The  mother  assisted  her 
child,  and  enabled  her  to  surmount  the  difficulties 
in  her  mental  arithmetic. 
Help  to,  to  =  To  supply  with ;  to  furnish  with,  (a) 
Shall  I  help  you  to  some  of  the  roast  beef?  —  Shall 
I  supply  you  with  some  of  the  roast  beef? 
Help   up,  to=:To  sustain;  also,  to  assist  in  rising, 
as  after  a  fall,  and  the  like,  (a) 
He  was  very  good,  and  helped  his  little  brother  up, 
every  time  he  fell  on  the  ice  =  He  was  very  good, 
and  assisted  his  little  brother  to  rise,  every  time  he 
fell  on  the  ice. 


702  IDIOMATIC    PHRASES. 

Hide  one's  self,  to  =  To  put  one's  self  in  a  condition 
to  be  safe ;  to  secure  protection,  (b) 

The  assassin  of  President  Lincoln  tried  to  hide 
himself  in  a  barn  =  The  assassin  of  President  Lincoln 
fled  into  the  country  and  went  into  a  barn,  to  get 
out  of  the  way  of  his  pursuers. 
Hing^e  on  or  upon,  to  =  To  depend  upon  as  a  con- 
dition ;  to  be  determined  by.  (a) 
His  purchase  of  a  house  in  the  village,  hinges  upon 
the  sale  of  his  farm  =  His  purchasing  a  house  in  the 
village,  depends  upon  the  selling  of  his  farm. 
Hint  at,  to  =  To  allude  to;  to  touch  slightly  on.  (a) 
It  is  a  delicate  matter,  this  want  of  harmony  be- 
tween them,  and  one  can  only  hint  at  it,  in  talking 
with  them  =  It  is  a  delicate  matter,  this  want  of  har- 
mony between  them,  and  one  can  only  touch  slightly 
on  it,  in  talking  with  them. 
Hit  off,  to  =  To  describe  with  hits,  or  characteristic 
strokes,  (h) 
In  Shakespeare's  Falstaif  the  character  of  a  boast- 
ful coward  is  hit  off  excellently  well  =  In   Shake- 
speare's FalstafF  the  character  of  a  boasting  coward 
is  described  with  characteristic  strokes. 
Hit  the  nail,  to  =  To  understand  a  matter,  {b) 

Secretary   Schurz   always  hits  the  nail,  when  he 
talks  on  financial  subjects  =  Secretary  Schurz  always 
speaks  understandingly,  when  he  talks  on  financial 
subjects. 
Hold  in,  to  =  To  restrain  one's  self,  (a) 

The  others  laughed  immoderately,  and  it  was  as 
much  as  I  could  do  to  hold  in  =  The  rest  laughed  ex- 
cessively, and  it  was  all  I  could  do  to  refrain  from 
laughing. 
Hold  off,  to  =  To  keep  at  a  distance,  (b) 

By  his  cold  and  distant  manners  he  holds  off  all 

who  are  not  intimate  with  him  =  By  his  cold   and 

distant  manners,  he  keeps  at  a  distance  all  who  are 

not  intimate  with  him. 

Hold  one's  own,  to=  1.  To  keep  good  one's  present 

condition;  not  to  fall  off,  or  lose  ground,  (a)     2. 

To  keep  up;  not  to  be  left  behind,  {Naut.)  (a) 

1.  Joseph  stood  among  the  first  five  in  his  class 

last  year ;  but  now  in  the  new  studies  of  this  year,  he 

has  hard  work  to  hold  his  own  =  Joseph  stood  among 

the  first  five  in  his  class  last  year;  but  now  in  the 

new  studies  of  this  year,  he  has  hard  work  to  keep 

his  ground.     1.  John  has  not  risen  any  higher  in  his 

class;  but  he  holds  his  ow;7i  =  John  has  not  risen  any 

higher  in  his  class,  but  he  does  not  lose  ground.     2. 

The  large  vessel  tried  to  pass  the  smaller  one,  but 


IDIOMATIC    PHRASES.  703 

the  smaller  one  held  her  own  =  The  larger  vessel  tried 
to  pass  the  smaller  one,  but  the  smaller  one  was 
not  left  behind. 
Hold  together,  to  =  To  be  joined ;  not  to  separate ; 
to  remain  in  union,  (a) 
The  new  mucilage  is  advertised  to  make  broken 
crockery  and  glass  ware  hold  together,  an  indefinite 
length  of  time  =  The  new  mucilage  is  advertised  to 
make  broken  crockery  and  glass  remain  in  union  an 
indefinite  period. 
Hold  up,  to  =  l.  To  raise;   to   lift;   to  sustain,  (a) 
2.  To  support  one's  self;  to  remain  unbent  or  un- 
broken, (a) 
1.  The  teacher  tells  the  little  scholars  to  hold  their 
heads  up,  when  they  reciter  The  teacher  tells  the 
little  children  to  lift  up  their  heads,  when  they  re- 
cite.    2.  He  holds  up  wonderfully  under  his  afilictions 
=  IIe  remains  wonderfully  unbroken  in  spirit,  un- 
der his  afflictions. 
Hold  \iritli,  to  =  To  adhere  to ;  to  co-operate  with ; 
to  agree  with,  (a) 
I  ?iold  with  the  sentiments  of  the  treaty,  on  the 
Chinese  question  =  I  adhere  to  the  sentiments  of  the 
treaty,  on  the  Chinese  question. 
Hue  and   cry   {Law)  =  A  loud  outcry  with  which 
felons  were  anciently  pursued,  and  which  all  who 
heard  it  were  obliged  to  take  up,  and  join  in  the 
pursuit     till  the  malefactor  was  taken;    in  later 
usage,  a  written  proclamation  issued  on  the  escape 
of  a  felon  from  prison,  requiring  all  persons  to  aid 
in  retaking  him. 
There  is  mention  of  hue  and  cry  as  early  as  Ed- 
ward I.  1272=  There  is  mention  of  the  outcry  with 
which  felons  were  anciently  pursued,  and  which  all 
who  heard  it  were  obliged  to  take  up,  as  early  as 
Edward  I. 
Hug  the  shore,  to  (Naut.)  —  To  go  or  keep  near  the 
shore. 
In  following  the  channel  of  the  Connecticut  river, 
steamboats  sometimes  hug  the  shore z=ln  keeping  the 
channel,  the  steamboats  on  the  Connecticut  river 
sometimes  go  near  the  shore. 


I. 

Impo§e  on,  to  =  To  pass  or  put  a  trick  or  deceit  on ; 
to  deceive  or  delude,  (a) 
He  was  too  wise  to  be  imposed  upon  by  fair  words 


704  IDIOMATIC    PHRASES. 

spoken  without  sincerity  =  He  was  too  wise  to  be 
deceived  by  fair  words  spoken  insincerely. 
In  balla§t,  to  be  =  To  have  no  lading  but  ballast 
and  the  needed  stores. 
When  the  exploring  vessel  sailed  for  the  Arctic 
ocean  she  was  in  ballast  — ^hon  the  exploring  vessel 
sailed  for  the  Arctic  ocean,  she  had  no  lading  but 
ballast,  and  the  necessary  stores. 
In  blank  {Law)  —  "  Without  restriction.     Applied  to 
indorsements  on  promissory  notes  where  no  indorsee 
is  named."      [Bouvier.] 
Indorsement  in  blank  is  the  usual  form,  when  one 
takes  a  check  to  a  bank  to  get  it  cashed  =  Indorse- 
ment without  naming   the   indorsee,  is   the   usual 
form  when  one  takes  a  check  to  a  bank  to  get  it 
cashed. 
In    common  =  1.   Equally   with    another,    or    with 
others.     2.  To  be  equally  used  or  participated  by 
two  or  more,  (a) 
1.  In  common  with  many  others,  we  have  faith  in 
the  healing  qualities  of  this  medicine  =  Equally  with 
many  others,  we  have  faith  in  the  healing  qualities 
of  this  medicine.     2.  My  room  mate  and  I  had,  each 
of  us,  a  bedroom,  and  we  used  a  third  room  in  com- 
mon for  study  =  My  room  mate  and  I  had,  each  of  u*s, 
a  bedroom,  and  a  third  room  was  equally  used  by  us 
for  study. 
In  forces  Of  unimpaired  efficacy;  valid;  not  sus- 
pended or  reversed,  (a) 
The  volume  of  revised  statutes  of  Connecticut 
contains  all  the  laws  that  are  still  in  force=The 
volume  of  revised  statutes  of  Connecticut  contains 
all  the  laws  that  are  valid. 
In   tlie   face   of  =  Over  against;    in  opposition   to. 
(a) 
The  young  lady  attended  the  ball,  in  the  face  of 
her  mother's  wishes  =  The  young  lady  attended  the 
ball,  in  opposition  to  the  washes  of  her  mother. 
In  the  good  graces  of,  to  be  =  To  have  the  favor 
or  friendship  of.  (a) 
Young  Mr.  C.  is  in  the  good  graces  of  the  governor, 
and  is  often  invited  to  dine  with  him  =  Young  Mr. 
C.  enjoys  the  favor  of  the  governor,  and  is  often 
invited  to  dine  w^ith  him. 
In  the  hands  of  =  Held  by;    possessed  by;    com- 
mitted to.  (a) 
One  of  Mr.  C's  houses  is  in  the  hands  of  a  real- 
estate  dealer,  for  sale = Mr.  C.  has  committed  one 
of  his  houses  to  a  real-estate  dealer,  for  the  purpose 
of  selling  it. 


IDIOMATIC     PHRASES.  705 

Indulge  in,  to  =  To  give  free  course  to ;  to  give  one's 
self  up  to ;  to  practice,    as  a  habit,  (a) 
lie  indulges  in  the  habit  of  late  risings  He  gives 
himself  up  to  the  habit  of  late  rising.     He  indulges 
in  the  useless  habit  of  tobacco-chewing  =  He  prac- 
tices the  useless  habit  of  chewing  tobacco. 
Inform  again§t,  to  =  To  communicate  facts  by  way 
of  accusation    against;    to   give   intelligence   of  a 
breach  of  law.  {h) 
An  orator  Tertulhis  informed  the  governor  against 
Paul  =  An  orator  communicated  facts  to  the  govern- 
or by  way  of  accusation  against  Paul. 
Insist  on  or  upon,  to  =  To  attach  great  importance 
to ;  to  be  persistent,  urgent,  or  pressing,  (a) 
I  will  go  with   you  if  you  insist  on  it  =  I  will  go 
with  you  if  you  attach  great  importance  to  it.     My 
friend  insists  on  my  visiting  him  =  My  friend  is  ur- 
gent that  I  should  visit  him. 


Join  battle,  to  =  Properly  to  meet  the  attack,  (h) 
The   confederates  joined  battle  with  the  national 
army  at  Chancellorsville  and  conquered  =  The  con- 
federates  met   the  attack-  of  the  national  army  at 
Chancellorsville,  and  conquered. 
Join  i§§ue,  to  (Za?/;)  =  To  ascertain  and  agree  upon 
the  material  point,  of  fact  or  of  law,  on  which  the 
cause  depends,  and  on  which   it   shall  be  put  to 
trial. 
The  parties  in  the  libel  case  have  joined  issue  = 
The  parties  in  the  case  of  libel  have  agreed  upon  the 
material  point  which  shall  be  submitted  to  the  court 
for  trial  and  decision. 


K 

Keep  l>aek,  to=:l.  To  reserve;  to  withhold,  {a)     2. 

To  restrain ;  to  prevent  from,  {a) 

The  physician   wishes  his  patient  not  to  heep  hack 

from  him  any  information  concerning  his  disease  — 

The  physician  wishes  the  patient  not  to  withhold  from 

him  any  information  relating  to  his  disease.     1.  He 

kept  hack  part  of  the  money,  when  he  pretended  to 

bring  it  all  =  He  withheld  part  of  the  money,  when  he 

pretended  to  bring  it  all.     2.  Judicious  control  keeps 

46 


706  IDIOMATIC     PHKASES. 

children  lack  from  much  evil  —  Judicious  control  re- 
strains children  from  much  evil.     2.  A  dike  is  con- 
structed along  the  bank  of  the  river,  to  keep  hack  the 
water  in  the  event  of  a  freshet  =  A  dike  is  built  along 
the  bank  of  the  river,  in  order  to  restrain  the  water, 
if  there  shall  chance  to  be  a  freshet. 
Keep  company  with,  to  =  l.  To  accompany;  to  go 
with,  ih)     2.  To  give  or  receive  attentions,  with  a 
view  to  marriage,  (h) 
1.  A  private  tutor  kept  company  with  the  lads  on 
their  journey  to  Europe  =  A  private  tutor  went  with 
the  lads  on  their  journey  to  Europe.     2.  He  kept  com- 
pany luith  her  five  years  before  marriage  =  He  paid 
her  attentions  with  a  view  to  marriage  ^yq  years 
before  they  were  united  in  matrimony. 
Keep  counsel,  to  =  To  hold  a  purpose,  &c.,  as  a  se- 
cret, (a) 
A  wife  who  can  not  keep  counsel  is  a  thorn  in  the 
side  —  A  wife  who  can  not  hold  a  purpose  or  commu- 
nication, secret,  is  a  source  of  annoyance. 
Keep  doirn,  to  =  To  hold  in  subjection  ;  to  restrain ; 
to  hinder,  (a) 
The  German  tribes  were  with  difficulty  kept  down, 
in  the  days  of  the    Roman   empire  =  The   German 
tribes  were  with  difficulty  held  in  subjection,  in  the 
days  of  the  Koman  empire. 
Keep  from,  to=:  To  abstain ;  to  refrain,  (b) 

"  Keep  thy  tongue  from   evil,  and   thy  lips  from 
speaking  guile."    [Ps.  xxxiv.  ISJ^Eefrain  your  ton- 
gue from  evil  conversation,  and  your  lips  from  de- 
ceitful speech. 
Keep  house,  to  =  To    live  in   a   separate  house  or 
apartments,  and  at  one's  own  table,  (a) 

We  are  keeping  house  in  the  country  this  summer 
z=We  are  living  in  a  house  by  ourselves  in  the  coun- 
try, and  at  our  own  table. 
Keep  or  lose  one's  balance,  to  =  To  preserve  or 
lose  one's  equilibrium,  (a) 
The  rope-walker  has  to  walk  slowly  and  carefully, 
in  order  to  keep  his  balance  =  The  rope-walker  has  to 
walk  slowly  and  carefully,  in  order  to  preserve  his 
equilibrium. 
Keep  one's  g^round,  to=:To  maintain  one's  position 
in  any  respect,  (b) 
Mr.  C.  the  teacher  keeps  his  ground  in  the  confi- 
dence of  the  committee,  and  the  respect  of  his  pupils 
z=Mr.  C.  the  teacher  continues   to  have  the  confi- 
dence  of   the  committee,   and   the   respect   of  his 
pupils. 
Keep  school,  to  =  1.  To  maintain  or  support  a  school. 


IDIOMATIC    PHRASES.  707 

2.  To  goA^ern  and  instruct  or  teach  a  school,  as  a 
preceptor,  (a) 
1.  The  town  keeps  sixteen  schools^TYie,  town  sup- 
ports  sixteen   schools.     2.  Most  country  schools  are 
now  kepi  by  young  ladies  =  Young  ladies  are  now 
teachers  of  most  of  the  country  schools. 
Keep  under,  to  =  To  restrain ;  to  control ;  to  hold 
in  an  inferior  or  subject  condition,  (a) 
He  has  a  violent  temper,  but  he  keeps  it  under = 
He  is  easily  enraged,  but  he  controls  his  angry  feel- 
ings. 
Knit  tbe  t>roTir§,  to  =  To  frown  ;  to  scowl,  (a) 

The  schoolmistress  has  acquired  the  unpleasant 
habit  of  knitting  her  brows =T\\e  schoolmistress  has 
acquired  the  bad  habit  of  scowling. 


Lap  boards,  sliing^les,  &c.,  to  =  To  lay  one  partly 
over  another. 
Carpenters   lap  shingles  about  two-thirds   of  the 
length  =  Carpenters  lay  one  shingle  over  two-thirds 
of  the  other. 
L.ay  before,  to  =  To  exhibit ;  to  show ;  to  present  to 
view,  (a) 
In  accordance  with  the  resolution,  the  President 
laid  the  correspondence  before  the  House  of  Repre- 
sentatives =  In    accordance    with    the   vote   of  the 
House,  the  President  presented  the  correspondence 
to  the  consideration  of  the  representatives. 
Lay  hand§  on,  to  =  To  seize,  (a) 

The  boy  boldly  claimed  .the  book  as  his  own,  and 
before  I  could  prevent  him,  he  laid  hands  upon  it, 
and  ran  away  =  The  boy  claimed  the  book  as  his  own, 
and  before  I  could  prevent  him,  he  seized  it  and  ran 
away. 
Lay  in  for,  to  =  To  make  overtures  for ;  to  engage  or 
secure  the  possession  of.  (b) 
I  have  laid  in  with  him  for  the  use  of  his  horse  in 
the  parade  to-morrow  =r  I  have  secured   his  horse  for 
my  use  in  the  parade  to-morrow. 
Lay  on,  to  =  To  strike ;  to  beat ;  to  give  blows  with 
vehemence,  (c) 
"  Lay  on,  Mojcduff?''  —  Strike  vigorously,  Macduff. 
Lay  over,  to  —  To  spread  over ;  to  cover  the  surface, 
(a) 
The  dome  of  the  capitol  has  been  laid  over  with  a 


708  IDIOMATIC    PHRASES. 

gilding  of  gold  =r  The   surface  of  the   dome  of  the 
capitol  has  been,  covered  with  a  gilding  of  gold. 
2>ay  to  one'§  charge,  to  =  To  charge  one  with ;  to 
accuse  one  of.  (a) 
The  beginning  of  the  rebellion  in  school  is  laid  to 
the  charge  of  young  11=  Young  H.  is  charged    with 
having  instigated  the  rebellion  in  school. 
L.ay  up,  to  =  1.  To  store ;  to  reposit  for  future   use. 
(a)     2.  To  confine  to  the  bed  or  chamber,  (a)     3. 
To  dismantle,  and  place  in  a   dock  or  some  safe 
place,  as  a  ship,  (a) 
1,  He  laid  up  considerable  money  while  he  was 
teaching  =  He  deposited  considerable  money  in  the 
savings-banks  while  he  was   teaching.     2.  He  was 
laid  up  four  weeks,  with  fever  =  He  was  confined  to 
his  bed  four  weeks,  with  fever.     3.  After  returning 
from  the  Arctic  ocean,  the  ship  was  laid  up  for  repairs 
=  After  returning  from   the  Arctic  ocean,  the  ship 
was  dismantled  and  placed  in  dock  for  repairs. 
Liay  wait  for,  to  =  To  be  in  ambush  ;  to  make  prep- 
arations to  surprise  or  attack  suddenly  and  unex- 
pectedly, (a) 
Gen.  Lyon    was   leading   a  column  of  two  regi- 
ments, when  suddenly  and  unexpectedly  he  was  fired 
upon  by  a  party  of  soldiers,  who  were  laying  ivait  for 
him  =  Gen.  Lyon  was  leading  a  column  of  two  regi- 
ments, when  suddenly  and  unexpectedly  he  was  fired 
upon  by  a  party  of  soldiers,  who  were  lying  in  am- 
bush, in  order  to  surprise  him. 
L<ay  waste,  to  =  To  destroy ;  to  desolate ;  to  deprive 
of  inhabitants,  improvements,  and  productions,  (a) 
War  has  often  laid  waste  countries  =  War  has  often 
deprived   countries    of  inhabitants,    improvements, 
and  productions. 
L<eak  out,  to  =  To  be  made  known ;  to  become  pub- 
lic, usually  in  a  clandestine  or  irregular  manner,  (a) 
The  reason  for  the  annulling  of  the  marriage  en- 
gagement of  Mr.  A.  and  Miss  B.  has  leaked  out  =  The 
reason  why  Mr.  A.  and  Miss  B.  annulled  their  mar- 
riage engagement  has  become  public. 
L.eave  off,  to  z=  To  desist  from ;  to  forbear ;  to  cease. 
(a) 
I  am  glad  to  learn  that  he  has  left  off  opium-smok- 
ing =  I  am  glad  to  learn  that  he  has  ceased  to  smoke 
opium. 
L.et  blood,  to  —  To  cause  blood  to  flow,  as  by  open- 
ing a  vein ;  to  bleed.  ( c) 
"Hippocrates  let  great  quantities  of  iZooc? "  =  Hip- 
pocrates abstracted  great  quantities  of  blood  from 
his  patients,  by  opening  a  vein. 


IDIOMATIC    PHRASES.  709 

L-et  drive,  to  =  To  send  forth  or  discliarge  with  vio- 
lence, (c) 
The  savages  were  concealed  in  a  thicket,  and  let 
drive  their  arrows  as  the  party  of  emigrants  passed  = 
As  the  party  of  emigrants  passed,  the  savages,  who 
were  concealed  in  a  thicket,  discharged  their  arrows 
with  violence. 
L-et  fly,  to  =:  To  send  forth  or  discharge  with  violence, 
as  an  arrow  or  stone,  (c) 
He  picked  up  a  stone,  and  let  fly  at  the  barking 
dog  =  He  picked  up  a  stone,  and  threw  it  violently 
at  the  barking  dog. 
LiCt  go,  to  =  To  allow  to  depart;  to  quit  hold  of;  to 
release,  (a) 

The  little  boy  said  to  the  big  boy.  Please  let  me  go 
=  The  little  boy  said  to  the  big  boy,  Please  quit  hold 
of  me. 
L-ct  loo§e,  to  =  To  suffer  to  go  free ;  to  remove  re- 
straint from ;  to  release,  (c) 
The  boy  let  his  caged  bird  loose^  and  it  flew  away  = 
The  boy  released  his  bird  from  the  cage,  and  it  flew 
away. 
Levyingr  iivar  {In  criminal  law)  =  "  The  assembling  of 
a  body  of  men  for  the  purpose  of  effecting  by  force 
a  treasonable  object."     [Bouvier.] 
All  who  perform  any  part,  however  minute,  or 
however  remote  from  the  scene  of  action,  and  who 
are  leagued  in  the   general   conspiracy,  are  consid- 
ered as  engaged  in   levying  war^  within  the  mean- 
ing   of   the    constitution  =  All   who    perform    any 
part,  and  who  are  leagued  in  the  general  conspiracy, 
are  considered  as  engaged  in  the  assembling  for  the 
purpose  of  effecting  by  force  a  treasonable  object, 
within  the  meaning  of  the  constitution. 
L.ie  at  one's  door,  to  =  To  b.e  attributable  to  one  ;* 
one  is  chargeable  with,  (c) 
The  public  desire  to  know,  at  whose  door  the  fault 
of  the  collision  between  the  two  steamers  lies  =  The 
public   wish  to  know,  who  is  chargeable  with  the 
fault  of  the  collision  between  the  two  steamers. 
Liie  hard  or  heavy,  to  =  To  press;  to  oppress;  to 
burden,  (b) 
His  guilt  lies  heavy  on  his  mind  =  His  guilt  burdens 
his  mind. 
Liie  in,  to  =  To  be  in  child-bed.  (c) 

A  lying-in  hospital  is  often  found  in  large  cities  = 
A  hospital  for  the  accommodation  of  women  during 
child-birth,  is  often  seen  in  large  cities. 
L.ie  in  the  way,  to  =  To  be  an  obstacle  or  impedi- 
ment, (a) 


710  IDIOMATIC    PHRASES. 

He  wishes  to  make  the  tour  of  Europe,  but  the 
lack  of  funds  lies  in  the  way  =  13.Q  wishes  to  travel 
through  Europe,  but  his  not  having  sufficient  money 
prevents  his  doing  so. 
liie  on  or  upon,  to=:To  be  matter  of  obligation  or 
duty.  Q>)  ^ 

It  lies  upon  this  son  to  make  provision  for  his  aged 
father  =  It  is  the  duty  of  this  son  to  provide  for  his 
aged  father. 
JAe  on  hand,  to  =  To  be  or  remain  in  possession ;  to 
remain  unsold  or  undisposed  of.  (a) 
Much  of  the  crockery  which  the  dealer  put  in  his 
store  has  gone  out  of  fashion,   and  lies  on  hand= 
Much  of  the  crockery  which  the  dealer  placed  in  his 
store  remains  unsold,  because  it  has  become  unfash- 
ionable. 
L«ie  to,  to  (Naut.)  =  To  be  checked  or  stopped  in  her 
course ; — said  of  a  vessel,  (a) 
The  pirate   ship  fired  a  shot  across  the  bows  of 
the  merchantman,  as  a  signal  for  her  to  lie  to  =  The 
pirate  vessel  fired  a  shot  in  front  of  the  merchant 
ship,  as  a  token  of  command  that  the  merchant  ship 
be  stopped  in  her  course. 
Liie  under,  to  :=  To  be  subject  to ;  to  sufi*er ;  to  be 
oppressed  by.  (a) 

He  lies  under  the  suspicion  of  ill-treating  his  wife 
=  He  is  suspected  of  ill-treating  his  wife,  and  sufiers, 
in  public  esteem,  from  that  suspicion. 
L-ie  with,  to  =  l.  To  lodge  or  sleep  with.  (c).     2.  To 
belong  to ;  to  be  the  duty  or  business  of.  (c) 
1.  Will  the  two  boys  lie  quietly  with  one  anoth- 
er ?  =  Will  the  two  boys  sleep  quietly  with  one  an- 
other?    2.  I  have  m.ade   Mr.   C.  an   offer   for  his 
farm;    it  lies  with  him  to  accept   or  reject   it=I 
have  offered  to  give  Mr.   C.  a  certain  amount  for 
his  farm,  and  it  belongs  to  him  to  accept  or  refuse 
the  offer. 
Ove  down,  to  =  To  live  so  as  to  subdue ;  to  live  till 
subdued,  (a) 
He  has  lived  down  the  slanderous  reports  about 
himself  =  He  has  lived  so  as  to  subdue  the  false  dis- 
creditable   reports    which    were    circulated    about 
him. 
Liive  with,  to  =  To  dwell  with ;  to  reside  with,  (a) 
Since  the  lad's  parents  died,  he  has  lived  with  his 
uncle = Since  the  death  of  his  parents,  the  lad  has 
resided  with  his  uncle. 
LiOoic  about,  to  =  To  look  on  all  sides  or  in  different 
directions,  (a) 
The  traveler  spent  two  months  in  London,  looking 


IDIOMATIC    PHRASES.  711 

ahout  the  city = The  traveler  spent  two  months  in 
London,  viewing  all  portions  of  the  city. 
Liook  after,  to  =  l.  To  attend;  to  take  care  of.     2. 
To  seek ;  to  search,  (a) 
1.  The   shepherd  boy   looks  after  his   flock = The 
shepherd  boy  attends  and  cares   for  his   flock.     2. 
What  are  you  looking  after  ?  =  What  are  you  in  search 
of? 
liOok  do\irn  on,  to=:To  regard  with  indifference  or 
contempt;  to  despise,  (a) 
Sometimes  rich  and  titled  persons  look  down  on 
the  humbler  classes  =  Sometimes  persons  who  have 
riches  and  titles  regard  those  who  are  in  humbler 
stations  with  indifference  or  contempt. 
Look   into,   to  =  To   examine;    to   inspect   closely. 

I  do  not  get  any  dividends  on  my  mining  stock ;  I 
must  look  into  the  matter  =  I  receive  no  dividends  on 
my  mining  stock;  I  must  examine  the  matter. 
LiOok  up  to,  to  =  To  venerate  or  respect,  (c) 

The  child  should  look  up  to  his  parents = The  child 
ought  to  respect  his  parents. 
Liook  upon,  to  =  To  regard ;  to  consider,  (a) 

I  do  not  look  upon  the  past  as  superior  in  wisdom 
to  tlie  present  =  I  do  not  regard  past  ages  as  having 
been  superior  to  the  present  in  wisdom. 
L«o§e  heart,  to  =  To  become  discouraged    to  grow 
timid,  (a) 
When  the  soldiers  saw  their  leader  fall,  they  lost 
heart  =  When  the  soldiers  saw  their  leader  fall,  they 
became  discouraged. 
L<o§e  one'§  heart,  to  =  To  fall  in  love,  (b) 

He  was  smitten  with  her  charms,  and  quite  lost 
his  heart  =  He  was  smitten  with  her  charms,  and  fell 
deeply  in  love. 
I^o§e  one'§  temper,  to  =  To  become  angry,  (a) 

In  discussing  politics,  Mr.  G.  is  very  apt  to  lose 
his  temper  — Irs.  talking  on  political  subjects,  Mr.  G. 
often  becomes  angry. 
Ijost  to  =  Alienated  from ;  destitute  of ;  insensible  to. 
(a) 
The  profligate  is  lost  to  shame  =  The  profligate  is 
insensible  to  shame  (does  not  feel  shame). 


M. 

Make  against,  to  =  To  tend  to  injure,  (a) 

The  testimony  of  this  last  witness  makes  against 


712  IDIOMATIC    PHRASES. 

the  plaintiff's  causes  The  testimony  of    this   last 
witness  tends  to  injure  the  cause  of  the  plaintiif. 
Make  a  mock  of,  to  =  To  turn  to  ridicule,  {a) 

It  is  a  mark  of  depravity,  to  make  a  mock  of  good 
advice  and  kind  rebuke  =  It  is  a  mark  of  depravity, 
to  turn  good  advice  and  kind  rebuke  into  ridicule. 
make  a  move,  to  =  To  make  a  movement;  to  effect 
a  change  of  position,  (a) 
You  are  checkmated  by  this  move  ivliicli  I  have 
just  made  —  1  have  eifected  a  change  in  the  position 
of  my  queen,  by  which  you  are  checkmated.     Dr. 
X.  made  a  good  move,  when  he  opened  an  office  in 
Hartford  =: Dr.  X.  made  a  good  change  in  his  posi- 
tion, w^hen  he  opened  an  office  in  Hartford. 
Make   or  g^ain   a  point,   to=:To   accomplish    that 
wliich  was  proposed ;  to  make  advance  by  a  step, 
grade,  or  position,  (a) 
The  railroad  company  has  gained  a  point,  by  the 
decision  of  the  court  that  a  through-ticket  does  not 
entitle  the  holder  to  stop  over  =  The  railroad  com- 
pany has  been  sustained  in  its  claim  or  action,  by 
the  decision  of  the  court,  that  a  passage  ticket  to  a 
distant  point  does  not  entitle  the  holder  to  leave  the 
train  before  reaching  there,  and  to  resume  the  jour- 
ney at  his  pleasure. 
Make  a  port,  a  country,  the  land,  &c.,  to  =  To 
reach,  or  arrive  at,  a  port,  country,  &c.  (a) 
After  being  out  from  New  York  twelve  days,  we 
made  the  port  of  Southampton,  England  =  After  hav- 
ing been  at  sea  twelve  days  from  New  York,  we 
reached  the  port  of  Southampton,  England. 
Make  account  of,  to  =  To  regard ;  to  esteem,  (a) 
He  makes  much  account  of  visiting  his   parents 
every  year  =:  He  esteems  highly  the  visit  which  he 
makes  to  his  parents  yearly. 
Make  con§cience  of,  or  a  matter  of  conscience, 
to  =:  To  act  according  to  the  dictates  of  conscience, 
or  to  scruple  to  act  contrary  to  its  dictates,  (a) 
Cromwell  taught  his  soldiers  to  make  the  doing 
of  their  duties  well,  a  matter  of  conscience—  Cromwell 
taught  his  soldiers  to  act  according  to  the  dictates 
of  conscience,  in  the  discharge  of  their  duties. 
Make  known,  to  =  To  cause  to  be  known ;  to  pub- 
lish, (a) 
Franklin  made  knoion  to  the  world  the  identity  of 
lightning  with  electricity  =  Franklin     published    to 
the  world  the  truth,  that  lightning  and  the  electric 
fluid  are  the  same. 
Make  money,  to  =  To  acquire  property  by  one's  ex- 
ertions, (a) 


IDIOMATIC    PHRASES.  713 

He  is  making  money  fast  with  his  patent  pills  and 
other  nostrums  =:  He  is  acquiring  property  last  with 
his  patent  pills  and  other  nostrums. 
make  nothings  for,  to  =  To  be  of  no  value  to ;  to 
have  no  effect,  (c) 
Mere  assertions  miake  nothing  for  an  argument  = 
Assertion  simply,  (without  proof)  has  no  efi'ect  in 
supporting  an  argument. 
make  nothiiiir  of,  to  =  Not  to  understand,  {a) 

I  could  make  not! Ling  o/"  his  statements  =  I  could 
not  understand  his  statements. 
make  oath,  to  {Law)  =  To  swear  in  a  prescribed 
form  of  law.  (a) 
This  witness  makes  oatli,  that  when  he  owned  the 
land  in  question,  the  brook  was  the  boundary  =  This 
witness  swears  in  the  prescribed  legal  form,  that 
when  he  owned  the  land,  the  brook  was  the  bound- 
ary. 
make    of,   to  =  l.  To    understand,  (a)      2.  To   con- 
sider; to  esteem;  to  cherish,  (a) 
1.  What  do  you  make  of  the  editorial  in  the  morn- 
ing paper  ?=  How  do  you  understand  what  is  said 
in  the  editorial,  in  the  morning  paper?     2.  The  lad 
has  always  been  made  more  of,  by  his  aunt  than  by 
his  uncle = The  lad  has  always  been  more  cherished 
by  his  aunt  than  by  his  uncle. 
make  off,  to  —  To  depart ;  to  go  away,  (a) 

The  dog  took  a  large  piece  of  meat  from  the 
pantry,  and  made  o^with  it  =  The  dog  seized  a  large 
piece  of  meat  from  the  pantry,  and  went  away  with  it. 
make   ready,   to  =  To   make   preparation;    to   get 
things  in  readiness,  (a) 
If  we  are  to  go  on  the  excursion,  we  must  make 
ready  the  night  beforehand  =  If  we  intend  to  join  the 
excursionists,  we  must  get  things  in  readiness  the 
night  previous. 
make  sail,  to  {Naut.)  =  To  increase  the  quantity  of 
sail  already  extended,  (a) 
In  the  afternoon  we  7nade  sail,  in  order  to  reach 
the  harbor  before  dark  =  In    the    afternoon  we  in- 
creased the  quantity  of  sail  already  extended,  in 
order  to  arrive  at  the  harbor  before  it  became  dark. 
make  §hm,  to  =  To  contrive  for  the  moment;  to 
manage,  (b) 
The  laborer  has  a  large  family  of  children,  but  if 
he  can  make  shift  to  support  them  till  they  are  old 
enough  to  work,  all  will  be  well  =  The  laborer  has 
many  children,  but  if  he  can  contrive  to  support 
them  till  they  are  old  enough  to  work,  all  wdll  be 
well. 


714  IDIOMATIC    PHRASES. 

MaKe  suit  to,  to  =  To  endeavor  to  gain  the  favor  of; 
to  court,  (c) 

He  would  be  glad  to  make  suit  to  the  banker's 
daughter,  but  does  not  receive  much  encouragement 
=  It  would  please  him  to  court  the  banker's  daugh- 
ter, but  his  attentions  are  not  encouraged. 
Hake  a  bed,  to  =  To  arrange  a  bed,  or  put  it   in 
order,  (a) 

The  new  chambermaid  is  just  over  from  Ireland, 

and  does  not  know  how  to  make  Ms  =  The   new 

chambermaid  is  just  over  from  Ireland,  and  does 

not  know  how  to  put  beds  in  order. 

MaKe  the  land,  to  (Naut.)  =  To  discover  land  from 

the  sea. 

There  was  much  rejoicing  when,  after  six  weeks 

sailing,  we  made  the  land  off  Long  Island  =  There 

was  much  rejoicing  when,  after  six  weeks  sailing,  we 

discovered  the  coast  of  Long  Island. 

make  way,  to=:l.  To  make  progress;  to  advance. 

(a)     2.  To  open  a  passage ;  to  clear  the  way.  (a) 

1.  The  wind  was  dead  ahead,  so  that  the  ship 
could  not  make  way  =  The  wind  was  directly  in  front 
of  us,  so  that  the  ship  could  not  advance.  1.  "The 
wind  came  about,  so  that  we  could  make  little  or  no 
way^^  =  The  wind  changed,  so  that  we  could  advance 
little  or  none  at  all.  2.  ''Make  way  for  the  proces- 
sion "  shouted  the  policeman  to  the  crowd  =  Open  a 
passage  for  the  procession,  shouted  the  policeman  to 
the  crowd.  2.  The  policeman  went  through  the 
crowd,  to  make  luay  for  the  procession  of  the  presi- 
dent and  suites  The  policeman  passed  through  the 
crowd,  in  order  to  open  a  passage  for  the  procession 
of  the  president  and  his  suite. 
Meet  half-nray,  to  =  To  make  equal  concessions  to. 
(a) 

The  two  neighbors  have  been  estranged  for  some 
years,  owing  to  a  dispute  about  a  piece  of  land; 
but  one  of  them  has  now  offered  to  meet  the  other 
lialf'Way^  in  becoming  reconciled  =  On  account  of  a 
dispute  about  a  piece  of  land,  the  two  neighbors 
have  been  unfriendly  in  feeling,  for  some  years ;  but 
now  one  of  them  has  expressed  his  willingness  to 
concede  or  yield  as  much  as  the  other  will,  in  order 
that  they  may  again  be  friends. 
Melt  away,  to  —  To  dissolve  or  disappear.  (&) 

Since  the  settlement  of  the  country  by  the  Euro- 
peans, the  North- American  Indians  have  been  stead- 
ily melting  away—  Since  the  Europeans  settled  in  the 
country,  the  E"orth-American  Indians  have  been 
steadily  disappearing. 


IDIOMATIC    PHRASES.  715 

]!M[u§ter  up,  to  =  To  gather  up ;  to  succeed  in  obtain- 
ing ;  to  obtain  with  some  eiFort  or  difficulty,  (a) 
The  man  who  was  hunting  could  not  muster  up 
courage  to  attack  the  bear,  which  he  saw  at  a  dis- 
tance =  The  man  who  was  hunting  could  not  sum- 
mon courage  to  attack  the  bear,  which  he  saw  at  a 
distance. 


]Voi§e  abroad,  to  =  To  spread  widely  by  rumor  or 
report,  (c) 
The  failure  of  the  great  banking  house  was  quickly 
noised  abroad  —  The  report  that  the  great  banking 
/house  had  failed  soon  spread  widely. 


o. 

Of  a  truth  =  In  reality;  certainly,  (c) 

Of  a  truth ^  the  scenery  among  these  mountains 
equals  any  which  I  saw  in  Switzerland=The  scen- 
ery among  these  mountains  is  certainly  as  fine  as 
any  which  I  saw  in  Switzerland. 
Off  one's  hand  =  Out  of  one's  possession  or  care,  (a) 
The  horse-dealer  said  he  had  a  lame  horse  which 
he  wished  to  get  off  his  hands  =  The  horse-dealer  said 
he  had  a  lame  horse  which  he  wished  to  get  rid  of. 
On  hail  =  Admitted  to  bail;    security  having  been 
given  for  due  appearance  at  court,  (a) 
The  man   who   was   arrested   for   assaulting  his 
neighbor  was  released  on  bail  =  The  man  who  was 
arrested  for  assaulting  his  neighbor  was  released, 
after  having  given  security  for  his  appearance  at 
court  at  the  proper  time,  or  when  he  shall  be  needed 
for  trial. 
On  guard  =  Acting  or  serving  as  guard,  (a) 

He  is  on  guard  from  9  to  12  o'clock  =  He  acts  as 
guard  from  9  to  12  o'clock. 
On  the  guard  =  In  a  watchful  state;  vigilant,  (a) 
We   must  be  on   our  guard   continually  against 
temptation  =  We  must  always  be  in  a  watchful  state 
against  temptation. 
On  the  nail  =  In  hand ;  immediately ;  without  delay 
or  time  of  credit,  (c) 
In  selling  his  house,  Mr.  A.  will  require  payment 
on  the  nail  =  ln  the  sale  of  his  house,  Mr.  A.  will 
demand  immediate  payment. 


716  IDIOMATIC    PHRASES. 

On  the  watch  =  Watchful ;  vigilant ;  circumspect,  (b) 
Mr.  B.  is  on  the  watch  for  an  opportunity  to  pur- 
chase a  fruit-farm  =  Mr.  B.  is  looking  for  an  oppor- 
tunity to  purchase  a  farm  suited  to  raising  fruit. 
On  trial  =  In  process  of  trial ;  being  tested,  (a) 

The  murderer  is  now  on  trial  =  The  trial  of  the 
murderer  is  now  proceeding.     I  have  taken  a  serv- 
ant on  trial  =  I  have  taken  a  girl,  to  test  her  fitness 
as  a  servant. 
One'§  own  man,  to  be  ==  To  have  command  of  one's 
self;  not  to  be  out  of  one's  own  control,  (c) 
Mr.  A's  son  is  in  the  employ  of  the  railroad  com- 
pany, and  IS  not  his  own  man  =  Mr.  A's  son  is  em- 
ployed by  the  railroad  company,  and  does  not  have 
control  of  his  own  time  and  services. 
Open  the  trenche§,  to  (Mil.)  =  To  begin  to  dig,  or 

to  form  the  lines  of  approach  to  a  besieged  city. 
Out  at  the  heels,  to  be  =  To  have  on  stockings  that 
are  worn  out ;  to  be  ragged ;  hence,  to  be  in  a  bad 
condition,  (c) 
Although  she  was  a  poor  widow,  she  would  not  suf- 
fer her  children  to  he-out  at  the  heels  and  the  elbows 
=  Although  she  was  a  widow  and  in  extreme  pover- 
ty, she  would  not  suifer  her  children  to  go  ragged. 


Pair  off,  to  =  To  go  in  pairs ;  hence,  to  agree  with 
a  member  of  the  opposite  party  that  both  shall  re- 
frain from  voting,  (a) 

Senators  A.  and  B.  paired  off,  on  the  revenue  bill 
=  Senators  A.  and  B.  mutually  agreed,  as  belong- 
ing to  opposite  parties,  to  withhold  their  votes  on 
the  revenue  bill. 
Part  ivith,  to  =  To  be  separated  from ;  to  resign ;  to 
lose,  (a) 
It  was  very  hard  for  us  to  part  with  the  servant 
who  had  been  in  our  family  so  many  years  =  It  w^as 
painful  for  us  to  resign  or  be  separated  from  the 
servant,  who  had  lived  in  our  family  so  many  years. 
Pass  into,  to  =  To  change  by  a  gradual  transition 
to  ;  to  become  by  successive  gradation,  (a) 
His  disease  has  passed  into  a  chronic  state  =  His 
disease  has  gradually  become  chronic. 
Pass  off,  to  =  To  impose  fraudulently  or  by  trick ;  to 
palm,  (a) 
The  stranger  who  attracted  so  much  attention, 
passed  himself  off  for  a  Russian  Count  =  The  stran- 
ger who  attracted  so  much  attention,  fraudulently 


IDIOMATIC    PHRASES.  717 

imposed  upon  people,  by  pretending  to  be  a  Russian 
Count.     The  rogue  passed  off  a  twenty-cent  coin  for 
a  quarter  of  a  dollar,  on  the  little  girl  =  The  rogue 
fraudulently  imposed  upon  the  little  girl  a  twenty- 
cent  coin,  for  twenty-five  cents. 
Pas§  one's  ^vord,  to  =  To  promise;  to  pledge  one's 
self,  (c) 
1  must  get  the  boat  for  my  boy;  for  I  have passeo? 
my  word  that  I  will  =  I  must  get  the  boat  for  my 
boy ;  for  I  have  promised  him  that  I  will  do  it. 
Pattern  after,  to  =  To  imitate ;  to  follow,  (c) 

M}^  son,  I  wish  you   to  p  Pern  after  the  wise  and 
good  =  My  son,  I  wish  you  to  imitate  wise  and  good 
persons. 
Pay  attentions  to,  to=:To  perform  acts  of  civility 
or  courtesy  toward,  {a) 
There  are  several  visitors  in  town,  and  I  wish  to 
pay  some  attentions  to  them=:I  wish  to  perform  some 
acts  of  courtesy  toward  several  visitors  in  town. 
Pay  for,  to  =  To   give  an   equivalent  for ;  to  make 
amends  for ;  to  atone  for.  (a) 
He  paid  for  his  carelessndfes  in  wetting  his  feet, 
with  a  severe  cold  =  He  atoned  for  his  carelessness  in 
wetting  his  feet,  with  the  severe  cold  which  resulted. 
Pay  off,  to  =  1.  To  make  compensation  to,  and  dis- 
charge, (a)     2.  To  retort  upon;  to  requite  (a) 
1,  When  tlie  ship  returned  from  the  voyage,  the 
crew  were  paid  off  =  On  the  return  of  the  ship  from 
the  voyage,  the  sailors  were  compensated  for  their 
services,  and  discharged.     2.  I  will  pay  him  off  for 
neglecting  to  invite  me  to  his  party  =  1  will  requite 
him  for  neglecting  to  invite  me  to  the  party  which 
he  gave. 
Pay  out,  to  (Naut.)  =  To  slacken,  extend,  or  cause  to 
run  out.  {a) 
The  fish  which  was  hooked,  darted  away  so  rap- 
idly that  we  were  obliged  to  pay  out  the  line  fasti= 
The  fish  which  was  hooked,   swam  oif  so   rapidly 
that  we  were  necessitated  to  let  the  line  run  out  fast. 
Play  off,  to  =  To  display ;  to  show,  (b) 

The  juggler  played  off  some  tricks,  for  the  amuse- 
ment of  the   children  =  The  juggler   showed   some 
tricks,  in  order  to  amuse  the  children. 
Play  one  false,  to  =  To  deceive ;  to  prove  unfaithful 
or  untrue  to  one.  (c) 
Mr.  A.  intrusted  his  partner  with  the  chief  man- 
agement of  the  business,  but  the  partner  plaijed  him 
false  =  Mr.  A.  was  deceived  by  his  partner,  to  whom 
he  had  intrusted  the  principal  conduct  of  the  bus- 
iness. 


718  IDIOMATIC    PHRASES. 

Pluck  up,  to  =  To  gather  np  ;  to  summon ;  to  rouse. 
(a) 
The  young  lady  could  not  pluck  up  courage  enough 
to  take  a  bath  in  the  sear:  The  young  lady  was  not 
able  to  rouse  sufficient  courage  for  a  bath  in  the  sea. 
Point  of  honor  =:  Scrupulousness  in  a  matter  affect- 
ing one's  honor.  («) 
One  should  make  it  a  point  of  honor  to  keep  his 
engagements  =  One  should  be  scrupulous,  out  of  re- 
gard for  his  honor,  in  keeping  his  engagements. 
Point  out,   to  =  To   show  by   the  finger   or  other 
means ;  to  indicate  clearly,  (a) 
In  the  last  number  of  the  magazine,  a  writer  ^omte 
out  some  of  the  dangers  besetting  our  country  ==  A 
writer  in  the  last  number  of  the  magazine  indicates 
clearly  some  dangers  which  threaten  our  country. 
Port  the  helm,  {Naut.)=:Aii  order  to  put  the  helm 
over  the  left  side  of  the  ship. 
Starboard  the  helm  {Naut.)  =  An  order  to  put  the 
helm  on  the  right  side  of  the  ship. 
Po§$es§ed  of,  to  toe  =  To  be  put  in  possession  of;  to 
be  made  or  become  the  owner  or  holder  of,  (a) 
At  the  time  of  his  death  he  was  possessed  of  a  mil- 
lion of  dollars  =  At  the  time  of  his  death  he  had  be- 
come the  owner  of  a  million  of  dollars. 
Pour  into,  to  =  To  enter  continuously,  or  in  great 
numbers,  (a) 
"Chinese  are  constantly ^ownn^  into  the  Straits 
Settlements."     [London  and    China  Telegraph.]  = 
Cliinese  are  entering  the  Straits  Settlements  in  great 
numbers. 
Pray  in  aid,  to  =  To  claim  the  benefit  of  an  argument. 
Especially  in  suits  or  actions,  in  which  there  are 
several  parties,  '' praying  in  aid^^  is  sometimes  used 
by  a  counsel,  who  claims  the  benefit,  on  behalf  of 
his  own  client,  of  an  argument  already  used  on  be- 
half of  some  other  party  in  the  suit  or  action  =  Es- 
pecially in  suits  or  actions  in  which  there  are  several 
parties,  "claiming  the   benefit  of  an  argument"  is 
sometimes  resorted  to  by  a  counsel,  who  claims  the 
benefit,  on  behalf  of  his  own  client,  of  an  argument 
already  used  on  behalf  of  some  other  party  in  the 
suit  or  action. 
Preach  up,  to  =  To  discourse  in  favor  of;  to  com- 
mend, (a) 
He  has  been  preaching  up  economy  to  me  =  He  has 
been  commending  economy  to  me. 
Prey  on  or  upon  =  1.  To  seize  and  devour  as  food. 
(a)    2.  To  waste  gradually ;  to  cause  to  pine  away, 
(a) 


IDIOMATIC    PHRASES.  719 

1.  The  (i2ki  preys  upon  mice  =  The  cat  seizes  mice, 
and  devours  them  for  food.     2,  His  financial  embar- 
rassments pre?/  upon  his  mind  =  His  financial  difficul- 
ties aifect  his  spirits  unfavorably. 
Privy  to  =:  Admitted  to  the  participation  of  knowledge 
with    another    of  a    secret    transaction;  privately 
knowing,  (a) 
He  was  too  honest  to  be  privy  to  the  plan  to  rob 
the  store,  and  not  tell  of  it  =  He  was  too  honest  to  be 
admitted  to  a  participation  of  knowledge  of  the  plan 
to  rob  the  store,  and  not  tell  of  it. 
Proud  of  =  Ready  to  boast;  contented;  elated,  (a) 
The   valedictorian   is  proud  o/"  his  success  =  The 
student   who   receives  the   highest   appointment  is 
elated  with  his  success.     The  father  is  proud  of  liis 
boy  =  The  father  is  ready  to  boast  of  his  boy. 
Put  a  §hip  into  commission,  to  (Naut.)  =  To  send  it 
forth  on  public  service,  after  it  has  been  laid  up. 
The  United  States  ship  Constellation  has  been  put 
into  commission  =  The  U.  S.  ship  Constellation,  after 
having  been  laid  up,  has  been  put  into  public  ser- 
vice, as  a  practice-ship  for  the  naval  academy. 
Put  by,  to  =  To  lay  or  thrust  aside,  (a) 

The  English  government  can  not  safely  put  by  the 
Irish  land  question  =  The  English  government  can 
not  safely  thrust  aside  the  question  of  the  tenure  of 
land  in  Ireland. 
Put  do^vn,  to=l.  To  lay  down;  to  deposit,  (a)     2, 
To  degrade;  to  baffle;  to  confute,  (a) 
1.  The  msiJi  put  down  the  money  on  the  counter, 
and  requested  the  cashier  to  give  him  a  bank  check 
=  The  man  deposited  the  money  on  the  counter,  and 
requested  the  cashier  to  give  him  a  bank  check.     2. 
He  was  put  down  in  the  arguments  He  was  confuted 
in  the  argument. 
Put  forth,  to  =  l.  To  thrust  out;  to  extend,  (a)     2. 
To   make   manifest;  to  exert,  (a)     3.  To  propose; 
to  make  public,  (a) 
1.  He  would  have  fallen,  if  he  had  not  put  forth 
his  hand  and  grasped  the  fences  If  he  had  not  thrust 
out  his  hand  and  grasped  the  fence,  he  would  have 
fallen.     2.  He  put  forth   his   strength    to    lift   the 
weights  He     exerted    his    strength   in  lifting  the 
weight.     3.  He  has  put  forth  a  book  describing  his 
adventures  in  a  foreign  country  =  He  has  published  a 
book    descriptive    of  his   experience   in    a    foreign 
land. 
Put  in,  to  =  To  introduce  with  difficulty,  (c) 

They  talked  so  eagerly  and  so  fast,  that  I  could 
scarcely  p?/^  in  a  word = They  talked  so  eagerly  and 


720  IDIOMATIC     PHRASES. 

SO  fast  that  it  was  with  difficulty  that  I  could  intro- 
duce a  word. 
Put  in  requisition,  to  =  To  render  necessary,  (a) 
At  one  time  during  the  voyage,  the  ship  sprang  a 
leak,  and  the  pumps  were  put  in  requisition  =  At  one 
time  during  the  voyage,  the  ship  commenced  to  leak, 
and  the  use  of  the  pumps  was  rendered  necessary. 
Put  throug^li,  to  =  To  secure  the  passage  of  through 
anything,  (a) 
The  bill  was  put  through  the  House  (Congress)  with 
'blind  haste  =1  The  passage   of  the  bill  through  the 
House,  was  secured  with  a  blind  haste. 
Put  to  rout,  to  =  To  defeat  and  disperse,  (a) 

The  arrival  of  the  government  troops  put  the  in- 
surgents  to   rout  =:Th.e  arrival   of  the   government 
troops   defeated   and  dispersed  the  body  of  insur- 
gents. 
Put  under  the  screw,  to  =  To  subject  to  a  severe 
trial,  (a) 
The  lawyer  put  the  witness  under  the  screw,  in  ex- 
amining him  =  In  examining  tlie  witness,  the  law- 
yer subjected  him  to  a  severe  trial. 


R 

Raise  a  bloclcade,  to  {Mil.)  =  To  remove  or  break 
up  a  blockade. 
A  blockade  may  he  raised  either  by  withdrawing  the 
ships  that  enforce  it,  or  by  dispersing  them  =  The 
party  enforcing  a  blockade  may  remove  it  by  with- 
drawing their  ships ;  and  the  party  suffering  a  block- 
ade may  break   it   up,  by  dispersing  the  enemy's 
ships. 
Reach  after,  at,  or  unto,  to  =  To  make  efforts  to 
attain,  (a) 
He  is  reaching  after  a  more  lucrative  situation  =:  He 
is  making  efforts  to  obtain  a  more   lucrative   situa- 
tion. 
RechLon  on  or  upon,  to  =  To  depend  upon ;  to  plan 
or  act  in  confident  expectation  of.  (a) 
In  introducing  his  bill  into  Congress,  the  senator 
reckoned  on  the  support  of  several  members  of  the 
opposite  party  — In  proposing  his  bill  to  Congress, 
the  senator  acted  in  confident  expectation,  that  it 
would  receive  the  support  of  several  members  of  the 
opposite  party. 
Reciion  \irith,  to  =  To  settle  accounts  with;  to  call 
to  account,  (a) 


IDIOMATIC     PHRASES.  721 

It  is  a  long  time  since  I  reckoned  with  the  mercliaiit 
=  1  have  not  settled  accounts  with  the  merchant  for 
a  lono;  time. 
Rely  upon,  to  =  To  rest  upon;  to  depend  npon;  to 
trust ;  to  confide  in.  {a) 
You  may  rely  upon  his  word,  for  lie  always  speaks 
the  truths  You  may   confide  in  his  statement,  for 
he  is  uniformly  truthful. 
Respect  the  person,  to=To  suifer  the  opinion  or 
judgment  to  be  influenced  or  biased  by  a  regard  to 
the  outward  circumstances  of  a  person,  to  the  det- 
riment of  right  and  equity,  (c) 
In  their  decisions,  judges  ought  not  to  respect  the 
jofrson  =  Judges  ought  not  to  suffer  their  judicial  de- 
cisions to  be  influenced  by  a  regard  to  the  outward 
circumstances  of  the  parties  to  a  cause. 
Result  from,  to  =  To  be  the  consequence  of;  to  be 
caused  by.  (a) 
His  deafness  results  from  a  fall  which  he  had  in  in- 
fancy =  His  deafness  is  caused  by  a  fall  which  he  had 
when  he  was  an  infant. 
Rest  assured,  to=To  feel  the  strongest  confidence; 
to  be  certain,  (a) 

You  may  rest  assured  that  I  shall  carry  out  your 
wishes  to  the  letter  =  You  may  feel  the  utmost  confi- 
dence that  I  shall  carry  out  your  wishes  exactly. 
Rise  in  the  -world,  to  =  To  prosper;  to   have  good 
fortune ;  to  attain  wealth  or  honor,  (a) 
If  one  would  rise  in  the  world,  he  must  be  faithful 
and  diligent  in  his  callings  He  who  would  be  pros- 
perous and  successful  in  life,  must  be  faithful  and 
diligent  in  the  business  he  pursues. 
Rising^  of  =  Upwards  of;  rather  more  than,  (c) 

An  energetic  widow  of  sixty  asked  a   gentleman, 
how  old  he  thought  she  might  be.     He  replied,  po- 
litely, "Well,  I  should  say,  rising  of  forty "  =  An  en- 
ergetic widow  of  sixty  asked  a  gentleman,  how  old 
he  thought  she   miglit   be.     He   replied,    politely, 
''Well,  I  should  say,  rather  more  than  forty." 
Roll  of  honor  =  A  list  of  persons  who  for  any  cause, 
as  scholarship,  bravery,  good  conduct,  etc.,  deserve 
particular  honorable  mention,  (a) 
The  name  of  Mr.  W's  daughter  was  on  the  teach- 
er's roll  of  honor,  at  the  close  of  last  term = Mr.  W's 
daughter  was  among  those  whom  the  teacher  regard- 
ed as  deserving   particular   honorable   mention  for 
scholarship  or  deportment,  during  the  last  term. 
Rub  out,  to=:To  efface;  to  obliterate,  (a) 

Chalk-marks  on  the  blackboard   may   be   rubbed 
47 


722  IDIOMATIC    PHRASES. 

out  with  an  eraser = Chalk-marks  on  the  blackboard 
may  be  eiFaced  with  an  eraser. 

Rub  up,  to  =  l.  To  polish;  to  clean;  to  renew.  2. 
To  excite ;  to  rouse  to  action,  (a) 
1.  Tell  the  servant  to  ruh  up  the  silver;  the  coal 
gas  has  tarnished  it  =  Order  the  servant  to  polish  the 
articles  which  are  made  of  silver,  for  the  gas  from 
the  burning  coal  has  discolored  them.  2.  I  can  not 
find  a  recipe  which  I  cut  froiri  the  paper ;  I  must 
rub  up  my  memory  and  recall  where  I  laid  it  =  I  am 
unable  to  find  a  recipe  which  I  cut  from  the  paper ; 
I  must  rouse  my  memory  to  action  and  recall  where 
I  placed  it. 

Run  a  race,  to  =  To  go  through  any  given  course. 

To-day's  sun  has  almost  run  his  race  =  The  sun  is 
almost  down. 
Run  a  tilt,  to  =  To  attack;  to  combat,  (c) 

Dr.  D.  has  been  running  a  tilt,  in  the  newspapers, 

against  the  prevailing  custom  of  having  three  meals 

daily  =  Dr.  D.  has  been  arguing,  in  the  newspapers, 

.  against  the  prevailing  custom  of  eating  three  times 

daily. 
Run  after,  to  — To  pursue;  to  search  for.  (a) 

Some  public  men  run  after  popularity  excessively 
=  Some  men  who  are  in  public  life  make  extrava- 
gant efforts  to  be  popular. 
Run  down  a  coa§t,  to=:To  sail  along  by  the  coast. 

The  explorers  ran  down  the  coast,  seekmg  a  conven- 
ient harbor = The  explorers  sailed  along  by  the  coast, 
in  search  of  a  convenient  harbor. 
Run  or  fall  foul  of,  to  =  To   come   into   collision 
with;  to  run  against;  to  stumble  over  or  upon,  (a) 
The  two  boys  ran  foul  of  one  another,  in  turning  a 
corner = One  boy   was   running  one  way  round   a 
street  corner,  and  another  was  running  in  an  oppo- 
site direction,  and  they  ran  against  one  another. 
Run  in  or  into,  to  =  To  enter ;  to  step  in.  (a) 

I  will  run  hito  my  sick  neighbor's  house,  and  see 
how  he  is  to-day  =  I  will  enter  my  sick  neighbor's 
house  and  inquire  after  his  health. 
Run  on,  to  =  l.  To  be  continued,  (a)     2.  To  talk  in- 
cessantly, (a) 
1.  Their  accounts  had  run  on  a  year  or  two  with- 
out a  settlements  Their  accounts  had  been  continued 
without  settlement,  for  a  year  or  two.     2.  You  never 
saw  such  a  person  to  run  on,  as  he  is  =  You  never  saw 
such  an  incessant  talker  as  he. 
Run  out,  to  —  To  waste ;  to  exhaust,  (a) 


IDIOMATIC    PHRASES.  723 

He  ran  out  his  property  in  a  few  years  after  the 
death  of  his  father  =  A  few  years  after  his  father 
died,  he  had  exhausted  his  property. 
Run  the  guard,  to  ==  To  pass  the  watch  or  sentinel 
without  leave,  (a) 
A  prisoner,  seeing  a  gate  open,  attempted  to  run 
the  guard  — A.  prisoner,  seeing   the  gate   open,  at- 
tempted to  pass  the  sentinel  without  leave. 
Run  on  or  upon,  to  =  To  press  with  jokes  or  ridi- 
cule; to  abuse  with  sarcasms;  to  bear  hard  on.  (a) 
It  shows  an  ungenerous  and  unfeeling  disposition 
to  run  upon  those  who  are  in  an  inferior  or  depend- 
ent position  =  It  shows  an  ungenerous  and   unfeel- 
ing disposition,  to  press  those  who  are  in  an  inferior 
or  dependent  position,  with  jokes  or  ridicule. 


s. 

Sail  under  false  colors,  to  =  To  pretend  to  be  what 
one  is  not.  (c) 
It  was  the  custom  of  pirates  to  sail  under  false 
colors^  in  order  to  deceive  vessels  which  they  wished 
to  approach  and  plunder = It  was  the  custom  of 
pirates  to  hoist  any  false  colors,  to  deceive  vessels 
which  they  wished  to  approach  and  plunder.  Ad- 
venturers, sailmg  under  false  colors^  sometimes  suc- 
ceed in  being  welcomed  in  good  society = Adven- 
turers, pretending  to  be  what  they  are  not,  some- 
times succeed  in  imposing  upon  people,  and  in  being 
received  in  good  society. 

Say  grace,  to  =  To  ask  God's*  blessing  and  render 
thanks  before  meat,  {a) 
Every  man  should  himself  say  grace  at  his  own 
table = Every  man  should  himself  ask  God's  bless- 
ing before  meat,  at  his  own  table. 
Say  over  or  tell  one's  beads,  to  =  To  repeat  one's 
prayers,  (a) 
I  went  to  a  morning  service  in  the  Koman  Catho- 
lic Cathedral,  and  saw  the  worshipers  on  their  knees, 
telling  over  their  heads  — \  attended  a  morning  service 
in  the  Roman  Catholic  Cathedral,  and  saw  the  wor- 
shipers kneeling  and  repeating  their  prayers. 
Screw  out,  to  —  To  unscrew ;  to  force  out ;  to  ex- 
tort, (c) 
He  is  a  learned  man,  but  you  are  obliged  to  screw 
his  knowledge  out  of  him  =  He  has  much  learning, 
but  it  requires  much  effort  on  the  part  of  others  to 
gain  information  from  him. 


724  IDIOMATIC    PHRASES. 

Screw  up,  to  =  To  tighten ;  to  force  by  pressure,  (a) 
The  carpenter  screwed  up  the  joints  of  the  table, 
which  had  become  loose  =  The  carpenter  tightened, 
by  means  of  screws,  the  joints  of  the  table  which 
had  become  loose. 
Search  out,  to  =  To  seek  till  found ;  to  find  by  seek- 
ing, (c)  ^ 
The  historian  has  searched  out  the  precise   spot 
where  the  battle  took  place  =  The  historian  has  dis- 
covered,  by    seeking,   the   precise    locality   of   the 
battle. 
Secure  arni§,  to  (M7.)  =  To  hold  a  musket  with  the 
muzzle  down,  the  lock  being  well  up  under  the 
arm,  in  order  to  secure  the  weapon  from  becoming 
wet. 
A  heavy  shower  came  up  during  parade,  and  the 
order  was  given  "  Secure  arms  "  =  Owing  to  a  severe 
shower  during  parade,  an  order  was  issued  for  the 
men  to  hold  their  muskets  with  the  muzzle  down, 
and  the  lock  under  the  arm,  in  order  to  protect 
them. 
Seek  after,  to=:To  make  pursuit  of;  to  attempt  to 
find,  (a) 
Specimens  of  ancient  furniture  and  crockery  are 
much  sought  after,  in  these  days  =  Now-a-days  there 
is  much  attempt  to  find  specimens  of  ancient  furni- 
ture and  crockery. 
Serve  up,  to  =  To  prepare  or  bring  forward,  as  food. 

The  large  Spanish  mackerel  caught  this  morning, 
was  served  up  at  dinner  =  The  large  Spanish  mackerel 
which  was  caught  this  morning,  was  cooked  and 
placed  on  the  table  at  dinner. 
Set  about,  to  =  To  begin,  (a) 

Tlie  spring  is  far  enough  advanced  for  me  to  set 
about  gardening=It  is  sufficiently  late  in  the  season 
for  me  to  begin  making  my  garden. 
Set  ag^ainst,  to  =  To  oppose ;  to  set  in  comparison. 

(«)  . 

The  farmer  is  very  much  set  against  having  the 

railroad   run    across   his    farm  =  The    farmer    very 

strongly  opposes  having  the  railroad  cross  his  farm. 

Set  aside,  to  {Law)  =  llo  annul  or  defeat  the  efiect 

or  operation  of,  by  a  subsequent  decision  of  the 

same,  or  of  a  superior  tribunal. 

The  supreme  court  of  the  United  States  set  aside 

the  judgment  of  the  Pennsylvania  state  court,  in 

the  case  of  the  State  vs.  the  Pennsylvania  Central 

railroad    company  =  The    United    States    supreme 

court  annulled  the  judgment  of  the  Pennsylvania 


IDIOMATIC    PHRASES.  726 

state  court,  in  the  case  of  the  State  vs.  the  Pennsyl- 
vania Central  railroad  company. 
Set  at  ease,  to  =  To  relieve  in  mind;  to  cheer;  to 
comfort;  to  encourage,  (a) 
The  wife  of  the  captain  of  the  vessel  which  was 
shipwrecked,  was  set  at  ease  by  learning  that  he  was 
saved  =  The  wife  of  the  captain  of  tlie  shipwrecked 
vessel  was  relieved  in  mind,  on  hearing  of  his  safety. 
Set  fire,  to  =  To  put  tire  to  for  the  purpose  of  burn- 
ing, {a) 
The  tramp  was  indicted  for  setting  fire  to  a  barn  = 
The  tramp  was  indicted  for  putting  fire  to  the  barn, 
for  the  purpose  of  burning  it. 
Set  lig[ht  by,  to  =  To  treat  as  of  no  importance ;  to 
slight;  to  despise,  (c) 
In  his  youth,  he  set  light  by  his  opportunities  of 
education  =  In  his  youth,  he  slighted  his  opportuni- 
ties of   acquiring  knowledge.     We  should  not  set 
light  by  the  advice  of  our  parents  =  We  should  not 
hold  lightly  the  advice  of  our  parents. 
Set  on  or  upon,  to  be=:To  be  fixed  upon  in  pur- 
pose ;  to  be  determined  upon,  (a) 
He  is  set  upon  investing  his  money  in  some  kind 
of  manufacturings  He  is  determined  to  invest  his 
money  in  some  branch  of  manufactures. 
Set  out,  to  =  l.  To  assign;  to  allot;  to  limit,  (c)     2, 
To  adorn ;  to  embellish,  (b) 

1.  "The  lot  that  Providence  has  set  out  for  him" 
=  The  part  or  station  which  Providence  has  assigned 
him.     2.  A  rich  habit,  set  out  with  jewels  =  A  costly 
dress,  adorned  with  jewels. 
Set  over,  to  =  To  appoint  as  superior,  ruler,  or  com- 
mander, (a) 
"And  Pharaoh  said  unto  Joseph,  I  have  set  thee 
over  all  the  land  of  Egypt "  [Bible]  =  Pharaoh  said 
to  Joseph,  I  have  appointed  thee  ruler  of  all  Egypt. 
Set  the  hand  to,  to  =  To  engage  in ;  to  undertake,  (a) 
He  was  always  careful,  before  setting  his  hand  to 
any  thing,  to  consider  whether  he  could  carry  it  suc- 
cessfully through  =  He  was  always  careful,  before 
engaging  in  any  thing,  to  consider  whether  he  could 
carry  it  through  successfully. 
Set  the  heart  at  re§t,  to  =  To  put  one's  self  at  ease ; 
to  quiet  or  tranquillize  the  heart,  (a) 
You  may  set  your  heart  at  rest  with  regard  to  your 
child's  prospects,  for  I  will  provide  for  her  =  You 
may  put  yourself  at  ease  with  regard  to  your  child's 
prospects,  for  I  will  provide  for  her. 
Settle  on  or  upon,  to=:l.  To  decide;  to  determine. 
(a)     2.  To  establish  by  gift  or  grant. 


726  IDIOMATIC    PHRASES. 

1.  The  school  committee  have  settled  on  a  teacher 
from  the  West,  as  principal  of  the  schools  The 
school  committee  have  decided  to  appoint  a  teacher 
from  the  West,  principal  of  the  school.  2.  Mr.  H. 
in  his  will,  settled  upon  his  old  housekeeper  an  annu- 
ity for  life,  of  Iiyq  hundred  dollars  =  In  his  will,  Mr. 
H.  established  a  yearly  gift,  during  life,  of  five 
hundred  dollars,  to  his  aged  housekeeper. 
Sew  up,  to  =  l.  To  inclose  by  sewing,  (a)  2.  To 
close  or  stop  by  sewing,  {a) 

1.  Feathers  are  sewed  up  in  cloth,  to  make  a  pillow 
=  Pillows  are  made  by  inclosing  feathers  in  a  piece 
of  cloth,  by  sewing.     2.  The  tailor  sevjed  up  a  rip  in 
the  sleeve  of  my  coat  =  The  tailor  closed  a  rent  in 
the  sleeve  of  my  coat,  by  sewing. 
Sheer   up,   to.   {Naut)  =  Ho   turn   and   approach  in 
nearly  a  parallel  direction. 
The  men  in  the  boat  sheered  up  to  their  compan- 
ions, who  were  signalling  them  to  approach  ==  The 
men  in  the  boat  turned  and  approached  their  com- 
panions in  nearly  a  parallel  direction,  being  signalled 
to  approach. 
Shift  about,  to  =  To  turn  quite  round  to  a  contrary 
side  or  opposite  point,  (a) 
Since  morning,  the  wind  has  shifted  about =Th.e 
wind  has  turned  quite  round  to  the  opposite  point 
of  compass,  since  morning. 
Shift  off,  to  =  To  put  away ;  to  disengage  or  disen- 
cumber one's  self,  as  of  a  burden  or  inconvenience. 

On  account  of  your  health,  you  must  endeavor  to 
shift  off  the  care  of  your  farm  =  On  accoimt  of  your 
health,  you  must  endeavor  to  disencumber  yourself 
of  the  care  of  your  farm. 
Short  of,  to  toe=:]S"ot  to  have  abundance  or  suffi- 
ciency ;  to  be  scantily  supplied,  (a) 
The  printer  is  short  of  help ^  this  week  =  The  print- 
er has  not  a  sufficient  number  of  persons  to  assist 
him,  the  present  week. 
Show  fight,  to  =  To  manifest  a  disposition  to  fight. 
(a) 
Seeing  a  man  run  away  with  his  watch,  he  gave 
chase  and  soon  caught  the  thief,  who  dropped  the 
watch  and  showed  fight  =8eGmg  a  man   run   away 
with  his  watch,  he  gave  chase  and  soon  caught  the 
thief,  who  dropped  the  watch  and  manifested  a  dis- 
position to  fight. 
Shrink  from,  to  =  To  turn  away  from,  in  dislike, 
unwillingness,  fear,  &c.  (a) 
He  shrinks  from  entering  official  life  because  of 


IDIOMATIC    PHKASES.  727 

its  responsibilities  =  He  dislikes  or  is  unwilling  to 
engage  in  official  duties,  because  of  the  responsibil- 
ity which  they  impose. 
Shrugs  the  §houlder§,  to  =  To  draw  up  the  shoul- 
ders,— a  motion   expressive  of  doubt,  dislike,  or 
fear,  (c) 
He  shrugged  his  shoulders  at  the  large  stories  of  the 
sailors: He  indicated  his  distrust  of  the  wonderful 
stories  of  the  sailor,  by  drawing  up  his  shoulders. 
Sbuffle  off,  to^rTo  push  off;  to  rid  one's  self  of.  (c) 
The  merchant  discovered  that  there  was  an  excess 
of  pennies  in  the  money  drawer,  and  directed  the 
clerk  to  shuffle  them  off  as  fast  as  possible  =:  Finding 
that  there  was  a  surplus  of  pennies  in  the  money 
drawer,  the  merchant  directed  his  clerk  to  get  rid 
of  them  as  fast  as  possible. 
Shuffle  up,  to  =  To  form  in  confusion,  haste,  or  with 
fraudulent  disorder,  (c) 
The  ambassador  shuffled  up  a  treaty  which  was  not 
satisfactory  to  either  nation  =  The  ambassador  hast- 
ily  framed   a   treaty   which  did  not  satisfy  either 
nation. 
Sign  off,  to  =  To  sign  the  temperance  pledge,  or  a 
pledge  of  total  abstinence,  (a) 
A.     Come,  Jack,  take  a  drink.     J.     No,  I  have 
signed  off—  A.     Come,  Jack,  take  a  drink.     J.     No, 
I  have  signed  the  temperance  pledge. 
Signify,  to,  used  impersonally  with  a  negative  =  To 
be  of  no  importance,  (a) 
It  does  not  signify  of  whom  I  purchase  my  clothes, 
if  only  I  get  good  ones  at  reasonable  prices  =  It  is 
of  no  importance  of  what  dealer  I  purchase  my 
clothes;    the  only  requisite  being,  to  secure  good 
clothes  at  reasonable  prices. 
Skip  over,  to  =  To  pass  without  notice ;  to  omit  or 
pass  lightly  over  in  reading,  {a) 
Some   books   are   to   be  read  throughout,  every 
word  of  them ;  in  reading  other  books  you  would  do 
well  to  ship  over  some  things  on  every  page  =  Some 
books  are  to  be  thoroughly  read ;  in  reading  others, 
you  would  do  well  to  omit  or  pass  lightly  over  some- 
thing  on    every   page.     In  reading   the  book,   he 
skipped  over  the  sentences  which  contained  French 
words  or  phrases  =  In  reading  the  book,  he  omitted 
the   sentences   which   contained  French  words    or 
phrases. 

Slight  over,  to  =  To  perform  superficially ;  to  treat 
carelessly,  (c) 
Do  not  slight  over  the  work  assigned  you  =  Do  not 
superficially  perform  the  work  assigned  to  you. 


728  '         IDIOMATIC    PHRASES. 

Slip  up,  to  =  To  fall  into  an  error,  or  fault ;  to  fail. 

James  has  slipped  up  in  his  calculations  about  the 
tobacco  crop  =  James  has  fallen  into  an  error  in  his 
conjectures  of  a  good  crop  and  high  prices,  in  to- 
bacco. 
Sound  in  damages,  to  {Law)  =  To  have  the  essential 
quality  of  damages, — said  of  an  action  brought  for 
damages  only. 
Speak  one's    mind,   to=To  be  outspoken,  frank, 
ingenuous.  (6) 
When  the  committee  asked  the  teacher  his  opin- 
ion of  the  new  arithmetic,  he  spoke  his  mind  freely 
zrWhen  tlie  opinion  of  the  teacher,  regarding  the 
new  arithmetic,  was  asked  by  the  committee,  he 
was  very  outspoken  in  the  expression  of  his  opinion. 
Spirit  and  tlie  letter  of,  tlie  =  The  literal  mean- 
ing (letter)  and  the  meaning  which  may  fairly  be 
given,  when  the  aims,  views,  purposes,  &c.,  of,  and 
the  ends  to  be  sought,  are   taken   into   account, 
(spirit),  (a) 
The  question  is  whether  the  banking  bill  is  in  ac- 
cordance with  the  spirit  and  the  letter  of  the  constitu- 
tion ■=.  The  question  is  whether  the  bill  is  in  harmony 
with  the  literal  meaning,  and  also  with  the  general 
character   and   purpose   and    end    which    may   be 
claimed  for  the  constitution. 
Split   hairs,   to  =  To   make   distinctions   of   useless 
nicety,  (c) 
The  philosophers  and  divines  of  the  middle  ages 
were  accustomed,  in  their  writings,  to  split  hairs = 
The  philosophers  and  divines  of  the  middle  ages 
were  accustomed,  in  their  writings,  to  make  dis- 
tinctions of  useless  nicety. 
Stamp  out,  to  =  To  crush ;  to  suppress,  (b) 

The   Chinese  government   could   stamp   out    the 
opium-trade,  if  she  could  close  her  ports  against  im- 
portation and  prohibit  home-production  =  The  Chi- 
nese government  could  crush  the  opium-trade,  if 
she  could  close  her  ports  against  importation,  and 
prohibit  home-production. 
Stand  trial,  to  =  To  sustain  the  trial  or  examination 
of  a  cause,  (a) 
Mr.  A.  has  concluded  to  stand  trial  in  the  suit 
brought  against  him,  and  not  propose  settlements 
Mr.  A.  has  decided  not  to  propose  settlement  in  the 
lawsuit  brought  against  him,  but  to  sustain  the  trial. 
Stand  to,  to=:To  remain  fixed  in  purpose  or  opin- 
ion ;  to  adhere  to ;  to  abide  by.  (a) 
Mr.  G.  offered  me  his  horse  for  $150;  but  did  not 


IDIOMATIC    PHEASES.  729 

stand  to  his  offer  =  Mr.  G.  did  not  adhere  to  the  pro- 
posal or  agreement  which  he  made,  to  sell  me  his 
horse  for  $150. 
§tand  to  §ea,  to  {Naut.)  =  To  direct  the  course  from 
land,  (a) 
All  things  being  in  readiness,  the  fleet  weighed 
anchor,  and  stood  to  sea  =  All   preparations   having 
been  made,  the  fleet  took  up  the  anchors,  and  direct- 
ed their  course  from  land. 
Start  for,  to  =:  To  become   a   candidate   for,   as   an 
office,  (c) 
He  has  started  for  a  seat  in  Parliament  =  He  has 
become  a  candidate  for  a  seat  in  Parliament. 
Step  in  or  into,  to  =  To   walk   or   advance   into  a 
place  or  state,  or  to  advance  suddenly  in.  (a) 
At  the  last  moment,  the  government  stepped  in 
and  prevented   the  dispatch  of  the  vessel  =  At  the 
last  moment,  the  government  advanced  suddenly  in 
and  prevented  the  dispatch  of  the  vessel. 
Stop  the  mouth,  to  =  To  silence  or  be  silent ;  to  put 
to  shame ;  to  confound,  (a) 
The  financial  success  of  the  new  railroad  will  stop 
the  mouths  of  those  who  asserted  that  it  could  not  be 
profitable  =  The  financial  success  of  the  new  railroad 
will  silence,  or  confound  those  who  asserted,  that  it 
could  not  be  profitable. 
Strilie  a  doeli^et,  to  =  To  give,  as  a  creditor,  a  bond 
to  the  Lord  Chancellor,  pledging  himself  to  prove 
that  his  debtor  is  insolvent.     {Eng.) 
When  a  creditor  strikes  a  docket,  a  commission  of 
bankruptcy  is  taken  out  against  the  debtor  =  When 
the  creditor  gives  a  bond  to  the  Lord  Chancellor, 
pledging   himself  to  prove  his  debtor  insolvent,  a 
commission  of  bankruptcy  is  taken  out  against  the 
debtor. 
Strilce  home,  to  =  To  deal  an  eflfective  blow,  (c) 
In  his  editorial  against  the  gambling  places  in  the 
city,  the  editor  strikes  hoyne—ln  his  editorial,  the  ed- 
itor deals  an  efiective  blow  against  gambling  in  the 
city. 
Strilie  or  tali.e  one's  fancy,  to  =  To  please  one ;  to 
accord  with  one's  liking  or  caprice,  (a) 
Mr.  E.  saw  a  spotted  Arabian  horse  which  struck 
his  fancy,  and  he  purchased  it  =  A  spotted  Arabian 
horse  which  Mr.  E.  saw,  pleased  his  taste,  and  he 
purchased  it. 
Striice  one'§  colors,  to  =  To  submit;  to  surrender. 

Cornwallis  and  his  army  struck  their  colors  at  York- 


780  IDIOMATIC    PHRASES. 

town,  Ya.,  1781  =  Cornwallis  and  his  army  surren- 
dered to  the  Americans  at  Yorktown,  Ya.,  1781. 
Strike  out,  to  =  To  make   a   sudden   excursion ;  to 
wander,  (c) 
While  we  were  in  the  CatskiE.  mountains,  a  few 
of  the  party  struck  out  into   a   course  of  midnight 
walks,  by  moonlight,  to  the  various  falls  =  While  we 
were  in  the  Catskill  mountains,  a  few  of  the  party, 
on  a  Sudden  took  to  midnight  excursions  by  moon- 
light, to  the  various  falls. 
Strike  root,  to  =  To  become  rooted ;  to  become  fixed 
or  established,  (a) 
The  virtues  of  industry  and  integrity,  which  that 
father  has  taught  his  son,  have  struck  deep  root  in  the 
son's  character  =  The  virtues  of  industry  and  integ- 
rity, taught  by  that  father  to  his  son,  have  become 
firmly  fixed  in  the  son's  character. 
Stitch  up,  to  =  To  unite  by  sewing,  (a) 

The  sailors  stitched  up  the  rent  in  the  sail  which 
was  made  by  the  wind  =  The  sailors  united  the  rent 
which  the  wind  made  in  the  sail,  by  sewing. 
Swear  in,  to  =  To  induct  into  ofiice,  by  administer- 
ing an  oath,  (a) 
The  newly  elected  justices  of  the  peace  have  been 
,  sworn  m  =  The  newly  elected  justices  of  the  peace 
have  been  inducted  into  ofiice,  by  the  administration 
of  the  oath  of  ofiice  to  them. 
S"weep  a^way,  to  =  To  drive  or  carry  along  or  ofi",  by 
a  long,  brushing  stroke  or  force,  or  by  fiowing  on 
the  earth,  (a) 
Bridges  are  swept  away  by  floods  =  Bridges  are  car- 
ried oft*  by  the  torrent  of  swollen  water.     If  British 
laws  were  imposed  in  their  entirety  on  Asiatic  sub- 
jects, then  many  of  the  customs  which  they  prize 
most  would  be  swept  away  at  once  =  If  British  laws 
were  imposed,  in  their  entirety,  upon  Asiatic  sub- 
jects, then  man}'-  of  the  customs  which  they  prize 
most,  would  be  carried  off  at  once. 


T. 

Take  advice,  to=To  consult  with  others,  {a) 

The  young  man  is  self-willed,  and  unwilling  "to 
take  advice  about  some  speculations  in  stocks  =  The 
young  man  is  self-willed,  and  unwilling  to  consult 
with  others  about  his  speculations  in  stocks. 

Take  air,  to  =  To  be  divulged;  to  be  made  public. 


IDIOMATIC    PHRASES.  731 

The  story  has  taken  air^  that  James  has  the  small- 
pox =  It  has  been  divulged,  that  James  has  the  small- 
pox. 
Take  alongr,  to  =  To  carry,  lead,  or  convey,  (a) 

I  am  going  to  the  woods  to  work,  and  will  take  my 
gun  along ;  I  may  see  some  game  =  As  I  am  going  to 
the  woods  to  work,  I  will  carry  my  gun  with  me,  for 
some  game  may  present  itself. 
Take  captive,  to  =  To  make  prisoners,  especially  in 
war.  (a) 
27,416  confederate  soldiers  were  taken  captive,  at 
the  final  surrender  of  Gen.  Lee  to  Gen.  Grant,  April 
9,  1865  =  27,416  confederate  soldiers  were  made  pris- 
oners, at  the  final  surrender  of  Gen.  Lee  to  Gen. 
Grant,  April  9,  1865. 
Take  fire,  to  =  To  become  ignited  or  inflamed,  (a) 
The  house  took  fire  from  a  defect  in  the  chimney 
=  The  house  became  ignited  by  reason  of  a  defect 
in  the  chimney. 
Take  ground,  to  =  To   announce   or  declare   one's 
self  firmly,  (a) 
Gen.  Hancock's  letter,  they  say,  will  take  ground 
in  favor  of  the  doctrine,  that  congress  makes  the 
laws  and  the  President  has  only  to  bow  to  its  will  = 
Gen.  Hancock's  letter,  they  say,  will  announce  firm- 
ly that  he  is  in  favor  of  the  doctrine,  that  congress 
makes  the  laws,  and  the  President  has  only  to  bow 
to  its  will. 
Take  horse,  to  =  To  set  out  to  ride  on  horseback. 

The  day  after  her  grandfather  was  married,  he  and 
his  bride,  and  several  others  took  horse  for  Amherst 
=  The  day  after  her  grandfather  was  married,  he  and 
his  bride,  and  several  others  set  out  to  ride  on  horse- 
back to  Amherst. 
Take  in  dudgeon,  ton  To  take  in  anger;  to  show 
resentment,  (c) 
The  governor  took  it  in  dudgeon  that  he  did  not  re- 
ceive the  customary  marks  of  respect = The  govern- 
or took  it   in  anger,  that  he  was  not  received  with 
the  customary  marks  of  respect. 
Take  it  ill,  to=:To  be  hurt  in  feeling;  to  be  grieved 
or  offended,  (a) 
The  school  l3oy  took  it  ill,  that  the  teacher  reproved 
him  for  idleness=The  school  boy  was  offended,  be- 
cause his  teacher  reproved  him  for  idleness. 
Take  one's  stand,  to  =  To  adopt  a  position  or  prin- 
ciple, (a) 
In  the  temperance  question,  Mr.  D.  takes  his  stand 
on  total  abstinence = In  the  matter  of  using  intoxi- 


782  IDIOMATIC    PHRASES. 

eating  liquors,  Mr.  D.  adopts  the  principle  of  wholly 
refraining  from  their  use.  Mr.  G.  takes  his  stand 
in  favor  of  electing  judges  instead  of  appointing 
them  =  Mr.  G.  advocates  electing  judges  instead  of 
appointing  them. 

Take  part,  to  =  To  share ;  to  join  in.  (a) 

All  the  members  of  the  graduating  class  are  to 
take  part  in  the  exercises  =  All  the  members  of  the 
graduating  class  are  to  participate  in  the  exercises. 
Do  you  expect  to  take  part  in  the  serenade  to-night? 
=  Do  you  expect  to  join  in  the  serenade  to-night? 

Take  passage  in,  to  =  To  sail ;  to  set  out  as  passen- 
ger in.  (a) 
Mr.  M.  took  passage  in  the  Genkai  Maru  for  Yoko- 
hama, on  his  way  to  England,  via,  San  Francisco  = 
Mr.  M.  sailed  in  the  Genkai  Maru  for  Yokohama, 
on  his  way  to  England,  via.  San  Francisco. 

Take  a  step  or  steps,  to  =  To  arrange ;  to  prepare ; 
to  make  a  movement  in  a  given  direction,  (a) 
He  has  not  yet  taken  a  step  towards  making  a 
change  in  his  plans  for  the  winter  =:  He  has  not  yet 
made  any  movement  towards  making  a  change  in 
his  plans  for  the  winter.  The  liquor  dealers  have 
taken  steps  to  test  the  constitutionality  of  the  present 
license  law = The  dealers  in  liquor  have  arranged  to 
test  the  constitutionality  of  the  present  license  law.  . 

Take  the  offensive,  to  =  To  be  the  attacking  party. 

In  the  American  civil  war,  the  confederate  states 
took  the  offensive^  by  firing  on  Fort    Sumter  =  In  the 
civil  w^ar  in  America,  the  confederate  states  made  the 
first  attack,  by  firing  on  Fort  Sumter. 
Take  the  initiative,  to  —  To  begin ;  to  attempt ;  to 
make  the  first  movement,  (c) 
The  railroad  company  has  taken  the  initiative  in  the 
construction  of  a  branch  road,  by  ordering  a  prelim- 
inary surveyor  The  railroad  company  has  made  the 
first   movement  towards  the  building  of  a  branch 
road,  by  directing  a  preparatory  survey. 
Take  the  reins,  to  =  To  assume  the  guidance  or  gov- 
ernment, (c) 
The  teacher  who  failed  to  govern  the  school  has 
left,  and   another   teacher  has  taken  the  reins  —  The 
teacher  who  failed  in  discipline  has  gone,  and  anoth- 
er teacher  has  assumed  control  of  the  school. 
Take  to  do,  to  =  To  take  to  task ;  to  reprove,  (c) 
The  teacher  took  him  to  do^  for  being  tardy  so  often 
=  The  teacher  took  him  to  task,  reproved  him,  for 
being  tardy  so  often. 


IDIOMATIC   PHRASES.  733 

Take  up  the  cross,  to  =  To  sacrifice  one's  own  will 
to  the  will  of  God.  {a) 
"  If  any  man  will  come  after  me,  let  him  deny 
himself,  and  take  up  his  cross  daily,  and  follow  me." 
[Luke  ix.   23]  =  If  any  one  will  be  my  iisciple,  let 
him  deny  himself,  and  daily  sacrifice  his  own  will  to 
the  will  of  God. 
Take  vent,  to  =  To  become  disclosed ;  to  be  made 
public,  (e) 
The  purpose  of  the  prince  to  visit  America,  has 
taken    vent  =  T\ie    purpose   of    the   prince   to   visit 
America,  has  been  made  public. 
Talk  of,  to  =  To  relate ;  to  tell ;  to  give  account,  (a) 
That  old  soldier  never  wearies  of  talking  of  the 
battles  in  which  he  was  engaged  =  That  old  soldier 
never  wearies   of  recounting   the   engagements   in 
which  he  took  part. 
Think  better  of  it,  to  =  To  change  one's  opinion  or 
purpose,  (a) 
A  leading  politician  at  first  said  that  he  would  not 
vote  for  Gen.  G.  for  president;  but  he  afterwards 
tho7ight  better  of  it^  and  voted    for  him  =  A  person, 
prominent  in  political  matters,  at  first  said  that  he 
w^ould  not  vote  for  Gen.  G.  as  president ;  but   he 
afterward  changed  his  purpose  and  voted  for  him. 
Think  g^oocl  or  -well,  to  =  To  approve ;  to  be  pleased 
or  satisfied  with ;  to  regard  as  expedient  or  proper. 
Whatever  you  may  think  it  good  to  do,  I  sliall  ap- 
prove it  =  Whatever  you  may  regard  as  proper  to  be 
done,  I  shall  approve  it.     The  service  being  over, 
James  thought  well  to  speak  to  the  clergyman,  who 
seemed  much  gratified  and  took  us  into  a  little  ves- 
try =  The  service  being  over,  James  thought  it  prop- 
er to  speak  to  the  clergyman,  who  seemed  gratified 
and  took  us  into  a  little  vestry. 
Throur  by,  to  =  To  lay  aside  and  neglect  as  useless, 
(a)  _  ■  _ 

That  coat  is  so  much  worn,  that  it  may  be  thrown 
hy  =  That  coat  is  so  much  worn,  that  it  is  proper  to 
lay  it  aside  as  useless. 
Throw  or  shed   light  upon,  to  =  To   make   more 
clear;  to  explain,  {h) 
Your  statement,   that  these    two   families    were 
neighbors  before  removing  to  the  city,  throws  light 
upon  their  present  intimacy  =  Your  statement,  that 
these  two  families  lived  near  each  other  before  remov- 
ing to  the  city,  serves  to  explain  their  present  in- 
timacy.    Your  statement  sheds  light  on  the  mysteri- 
ous occurrence  =:  Your  statements  helps  to  explain 
the  mysterious  occurrence. 


784  IDIOMATIC    PHRASES. 

Throw  off  the  scent,  to  =  To  divert  from  the  course 

of  pursuit ;  to  mislead  ;  to  deceive,  (c) 
The  policeman  who  had  tracked  the  thief  from  one 
street  to  another,  was  thrown  off  the  scent  by  being 
told  that  l^G  had  gone  down  to  the  wharfs  The  po- 
liceman had  tracked  the  thief  from  one  street  to  an- 
other, when  he  was  diverted  from  his  course  of  pur-' 
suit  by  being  told  that  he  had  gone  down  to  the 
wharf. 
Throw  open,  to  =  To  make  free  of  access;  to   re- 
move obstructions  to  entrance,  (a) 
The  Siamese  will  throw  o'pen  their  country,  if  they 
can  do  it  safely  :=  The  Siamese  will  remove  obstruc- 
tions to  foreigners  entering  their   country,  if  they 
can  be  persuaded  that  it  will  be  safe  to  do  so. 
Thrust  out,  to  =  To   drive  out   or  away ;  to   expel. 

(«) 

The  German  government  has  thrust  out  the  Jesuits 
=  The  German  government  has  expelled  the  mem- 
bers of  the  Jesuit  order. 
Tie  up  or  down,  to  =  To   confine;  to  hinder  from 
motion  or  action ;  to  restrain,  (a) 
Mrs.  A.  is  so  tied  up  to  the  care  of  her  large  fam- 
ily that  she  can  not  go  to  visit  her  sister  =  Mrs.  A.  is 
so  confined  at  home,  by  the  care  of  her  large  family, 
that  she  can  not  go  to  visit  her  sister. 
Tip  over,  to  =  To  overturn,  (a) 

The  horse  was  driven  around  the  corner  at  such  a 
furious  rate,  that  the  carriage  was  tipped  over  =  The 
horse  was  driven  so  rapidly  around  the  corner,  that 
the  carriage  was  overturned. 
Tip  up,  tor: To  turn  partly  over  by  raising  on  one 
end.  (a) 
2^tp  up  the  sofa,  and  I  will  remove  the  carpet  from 
under  it  =  Raise  the  end  of  the  sofa,  and  I  will  re- 
move the  carpet  from  under  it. 
To  come  =: Yet  to  arrive;  future,  (a) 

He  has  received  such  a  warning,  that  he  will  not 
probably  be  guilty  of  the  same  fault  for  some  time 
to  come  =  He  has  received  such   a  warning,   that  he 
will  not  probably  commit  the  same  fault  for  a  good 
while  in  the  future. 
To  one's   hand   or  hands  =  In  readiness;  already 
prepared,  (a) 
You  will  need  a  coat  for  your  journey,  and  if  you 
will  goto  the  tailor's,  you  will  find  one  already  made 
to  your  hands  =  You  will  need  a  coat  for  your  jour- 
ney, and  if  you  will  call  at  the  tailor's,  you  will  find 
one  finished  and  in  readiness  for  you. 
To  the  last = To  the  end;  till  the  conclusion,  (a) 


IDIOMATIC    PHRASES.  735 

His  mind  continued  clear,  to  the   lasi='SA^  mind 
continued  clear,  to  the  end  of  his  life. 
Touch  off,  to  =  l.  To  sketch  hastily,  (c)     2.  To  dis- 
charge, by  applying  fire  to  the  priming,  (a) 
1.  The  artist  had  only  time  to  touch  off  the  moun- 
tain, as  the  train   stopped   for   refreshments  =  The 
artist  had  only  time  to  sketch  the  mountain  hastily, 
while  the  train  stopped  to  allow  the  passengers  to 
take  refreshments.     2.  After  the  boy  had  loaded  his 
cannon,  he  was  afraid  to  touch  it  o^=  After  loading 
his  cannon,  the  boy  was  timid  in  regard  to  discharg- 
ing it  by  the  application  of  fire  to  the  priming. 
Trim  a  lamp,  to  =  To  make  it  ready  for  use  by  sup- 
plying oil  and  clipping  the  wick,  {a) 
The  servant  trims  the  lamps  every  mornings  Every 
morning  the  servant  makes  the  lamps  ready  for  use 
by  supplying  them  with  oil,  and  clipping  the  wicks. 
Trim  the  §ail§,  to  =  To  adjust  the  sails  in  the  most 
advantageous  manner. 
When  the  wind  changed,  the  order  was  given  to 
tri7n  the  sails  —  On  the  change  of  direction  of  the 
wind,  the  sailors  were  ordered  to  adjust  the  sails  so 
as  to  gain  the  most  advantage  from  it. 
Try  one'§  luck,  to  =  To  venture ;  to  attempt  some- 
thing the  issue  of  which  is  particularly  uncertain. 

(*)    .        . 

Having  received  the  advertisement  of  a  lottery 
firm  he  thought  he  would  try  his  luck^  and  so  pur- 
chased two  tickets  =  Having  received  the  advertise- 
ment of  a  firm  of  lottery  dealers,  he  decided  to  take 
the  chance  involved  in  the  purchase  of  two  tickets. 
Turn   in   the   mind,   to=:To    ponder   or  meditate 
upon,  (c) 
The  teacher  has  been  turning  in  his  mind^  how  to 
awaken  more  love  for  study  among  his  pupils  =  The 
teacher  has  been  pondering,  by  what  means  he  can 
awaken  more  love  for  study  among  his  pupils. 
Turn  the  enemy'§  flank,  to  {Mil.)  — To  pass  round 
and  take  a  position  behind  it,  or  upon  the  side  of 
it. 
Turn  to,  to  =  To  have  recourse  to;  to  refer  to.  (a) 
In  his  financial  embarrassment,  he   turned  to  his 
uncle  for  assistance  =  In  his  financial  embarrassment, 
he  had  recourse  to  his  uncle  for  assistance. 
Turn  to  advantage  or  profit,  to  =  To  make  advan- 
tageous or  profitable,  (a) 
He  turns  his  garden  to  profit,   by  raising    straw- 
berries for  market  =  He  makes  his  garden  profitable, 
by  raising  strawberries  for  market. 
Turn  upon,  to  =  To  retort ;  to  throw  back,  (a) 


736  IDIOMATIC    PHKASES. 

He  turned  the  arguments  of  his  opponent  upon 
himself  =  He  retorted  the  argument  of  his  opponent 
upon  himself. 


Venture  at,  on,  or  upon,  to  =  To  dare  to  engage 

in ;  to  attempt  without  any  certainty  of  success,  (c) 

It  is  rash  in  the  joung  man  to  ventwe  upon  that 

business  with  so  little  capitals  The  young  man  is 

rash,  in  attempting  to  carry  on  that  business  with 

so  little  capital. 


w. 

Ward  off,  to  =  To  repel ;  to  turn  aside,  as  any  thing 
mischievous  that  approaches,  (a) 
The  city  of  Memphis  has  been  attempting  to  ward 
off  the  yellow  fever,  by  making  a  better  system  of 
drainage  =  The  city  of  Memphis  has  been  attempt- 
ing to  repel  the  yellow  fever,  by  making  a  better 
system  of  drainage. 
IVear  the  ^willow,  to — Said  of  a  lover  forsaken  of, 

or  having  lost,  the  person  beloved,  (c) 
IVeigh  anchor,  to  =  To  heave,  or  raise  the  anchor 
out  of  the  ground,  (a) 
At  twelve  o'clock  precisely  the  ship  weighed  an- 
chor, and  we  set  sail  =  At  twelve  o'clock  precisely 
the  ship's  anchor  was  raised  out  of  the  ground,  and 
we  set  sail. 
Whip  in,  to^To  drive  in,  as  hounds  in  a  hunt, — 
hence,  to  collect  in  and  keep  from  scattering,  as 
members  of  a  legislative  body,  party,  &c.  (c) 
Many  members  of  the  party  were  disinclined  to 
vote  for  the  candidate  for  representative,  but  the 
party  leaders  are  whipping  them  m  =  Many  members 
of  the  party  were  inclined  not  to  accord  with  tlie 
nomination  for  representative,  but  the  party  leaders 
are  inducing  them  to  harmonize,  and  not  withdraw 
from  the  party. 
Win  one's  way,  to  =  To  advance  to  some  desired 
end  by  steady  industry,  (a) 
Lawyer  Blank  has  at  length  won  his  ivay  to  the 
head  of  his  profession  =  Lawyer  Blank  has  at  last 
advanced,  by  steady  industry,  to  the  head  of  his 
profession. 


IDIOMATIC    PHRASES.  787 

Wink  at,  to  =  To  tolerate  something  which  is  im- 
proper or  Avrong  b}^  purposely  failing  to  notice  it; 
to  pretend  not  to  see.  (a) 
The  assistant  teacher  wiiiked  at  the  frequent  tar- 
dinesses of  one  of  the  scholars,  who  lived  at  a  great 
distance  from   schools  The   assistant   teacher  pur- 
posely failed  to  take    notice  of    the  frequent  tar- 
dinesses of  a  scholar,  whose  home  was  distant  from 
the  school. 
Wipe  out,  to  =  To  eiface ;  to  obliterate,  (a) 

The  defaulter  can  not  icipe  out  the  shame  of  his 
dishonest  transaction  =  The  defaulter  can  not  efface 
the  shame  of  his  dishonest  deed. 
IVith  a  high  hand  =  In  an  overbearing  or  oppres- 
sive manner;  tyrannically,  (a) 
Kings  have  sometimes  ruled  their  people  with  a 
high  /ia«c?=:  Kings  have  sometimes  been  oppressive 
rulers. 
With  an  eye  to = Having  reference  to;  intending  or 
purposing.  (6) 
He  constructed  his  house  vnth  an  eye  to  architectu- 
ral beauty  =  In  the  construction  of  his  house,  he  had 
reference  to  the  beauty  of  its  architecture. 
Work  against,  to  =  To  hinder ;  to  oppose,  (a) 

This  newspaper  is  working  against  the  re-election 
of  Senator  D.  =  This  newspaper  opposes  the  re-elec- 
tion of  Senator  D. 
Work  at,  to  =  To  be  employed  or  engaged  upon,  (a) 
He  works  at  harness-making = He  is  employed  in 
making  harnesses. 
Worlc   to   -windward,  to   {Naut.)  —  To  sail  or  pl}^ 
against  the  wind  ;  to  beat. 
We  made  very  slow  progress,  for  we  had  to  work 
to  windiuard=  At  the  beginning  of  the  voyage  our 
progress  was  very  slow  because  we  were  obliged  to 
sail  against  the  wind. 
Work  upon,  to  =  To  arouse ;  to  excite;  to  influence.. 

(b) 
Mr.  A's  feelings  were  very  much  wrought  upon  by 
the  accounts  of  the  famine  in  Indian  Mr.  A.  was 
much  moved  with  sympathy  and  pity,  on  hearing 
of  the  famine  in  India. 
"Worm    out,   to  =  To   effect  by   slow   and  cautious 
methods ;  to  elicit ;  to  ascertain,  (a) 
I  shall  worm  the  secret  out  of  him  =  I  shall  elicit 
the  secret  from  him  by  cautious  management. 

48 


738  IDIOMATIC    PHBASES. 


T. 


Yearn  for  or  ton^ards,  to=:To  be  filled   with  a 

longing  desire  for;  to  be   rendered    uneasy  with 

longing  for. 
The  exile  yearns  for  his  native  land  =  The  exile  is 
filled  with  a  longing  desire  for  his  native  land. 
"Your  mother's  heart  yearns  toivard  you^^  —  Youv 
mother's  heart  is  rendered  uneasy  with  longing  for 
you. 
Yield  to  =  l.  To  comply  with.     2.  To  give  way;  not 

to  oppose.     3.  To  give  place,  as  inferior  in  rank  or 

excellence. 
1.  If  I  yield  to  your  wishes,  you  must  respect  my 
feelings  =  If  I  comply  with  your  wishes,  you  must 
respect  my  feelings.  2.  Old  people  don't  yield  read- 
ily to  new  customs  and  fashions  =  Old  people  do  not 
readily  give  way  to  new  customs  and  fashions.  3, 
There  was  a  long  struggle  between  the  two  scholars, 
before  it  was  decided  which  must  yield  to  the  other 
=:  There  was  a  long  struggle  between  the  two  schol- 
ars, before  it  was  decided  which  must  give  place  to 
the  other,  as  inferior  to  him  in  scholarship. 
Yield  up,  to  =  To  give  up,  as  something  claimed  or 

demanded ;  to  surrender ;  to  relinquish,  (c) 
Foreigners  can  obtain  from  the  Siamese  commer- 
cial concessions,  by  yielding  up  the  protection  given 
to  an  illicit  trade  =  Foreigners  can  obtain  from  the 
Siamese  commercial  concessions,  by  giving  up  the 
protection  which  is  now  afforded  to  an  illicit  trade. 
He  recognized  the  justice  of  my  claim,  and  yielded 
up  the  land  to  me  =  He  acknowledged  the  justice  of 
my  claim,  and  surrendered  the  land  to  me. 


COLLOQUIAL   PHEASES. 


Come  over,  to  =  To  get  the  better  of  one.  (c) 

You  can  not  come  over  me,  bj  such  a  one-sided 
proposition ;    I  should  have  all  the  labor,  and  you 
would  get  all  the  profits  You  can  not  get  the  better 
of  me,  by  such  a  one-sided  proposition;  I  should 
have  all  the  labor,  and  you  all  the  profit. 
€ros§  as  two  sticks  =  Very  ill-tempered ;  very  irri- 
table, (a) 
The  boy  has  been  refused  leave  to  go  fishing,  and 
is   cross  as  two  sticks  =  The  boy  has  been  denied  his 
request  to  go  fishing,  and  is  very  ill-tempered  in 
consequence. 

Feel  the  pulse  of,  to  =  To  seek  to  ascertain  one's 
opinion  or  feeling,  (a) 
The  article  in  the  morning  paper,  in  regard  to 
purchasing  ground  for  a  park,  was  designed  to  feel 
the  puke  of  the  community  =  The  article  in  the  morn- 
ing paper,  in  regard  to  purchasing  ground  for  a 
park,  was  designed  to  ascertain  the  opinion  or  feel- 
ing of  the  community  in  the  matter. 
Fly  off  at  a  tang^ent,  to  =  To  be  excited  or  hasty  in  ac- 
tion ;  to  pursue  a  strange  and  unexpected  course,  (c) 
You  can  not  rely  upon  Mr.  M. ;  he  is  apt  to  fly 
off  at  a  tangent  =  Mr.  M.  is  not  reliable ;  he  is  accus- 
tomed to  act  hastily  or  strangely. 
Free  and  easy  =:  Making  one's  self  at  home ;  charac- 
terized by  an  absence  of  formality,  (a) 
Intercourse  at  the  clubs  is  free  and  easy  =  lnteY- 
conrse  at  the  clubs  is  characterized  by  an  absence 
of  formality. 

Get  Into  a  roir,  to  =  To  engage  in  a  riotous,  noisy 

disturbance,  (b) 

Some  intoxicated  persons  got  into  a  row  last  night, 

down  on  Water  street  ==  Some  intoxicated  persons 

engaged  in  a  riotous,  noisy  disturbance  last  night, 

down  on  Water  street. 

Give  a  person  his  own,  to  =  To  answer  a  person 

(789) 


740  COLLOQUIAL     PHRASES. 

according  to  his   demerits;    to   return    what   one 
takes,  (c) 
The  gentleman  is  overbearing  and  sarcastic  in  his 
remarks,  but  our  friend  can  give  him  his  ow;7i  =  The 
gentleman  is  overbearing  and   sarcastic  in  his  re- 
marks, but  our  friend  can  answer  him  according  to 
his  demerits. 
Give  loo§e  to,  to  =  To  give  freedom  to ;  not  to  re- 
strain, (c) 
The  murderer  gave  loose  to  his  evil  passions  =  The 
murderer  did  not  restrain  his  evil  passions. 
Oo  in,  to  =  To  enter  for;  to  apply  one's  self  in  pur- 
suit of.  (a) 
Are  you  going  in  for  the  Douglas  Fellowship  ?  = 
Are  you  studying  to  compete  for  the  Douglas  Fel- 
lowship ?  ■ 
Ooings  on  =  Conduct;  deportment;  transactions,  (c) 
Such  goings  on  as  you  describe,   were  very  repre- 
hensible =  Such  conduct  as  you  describe,  was  very 
blamable. 

Happen  in,  to=:To  happen  to  come  in.  (a) 

She  happened  in^  just  as  we  were  speaking  of  her 
=  She  happened  to  come  into  the  house,  wdien  we 
were  talking  about  her. 
Hard  of  hearings  =  Having  the  hearing  impaired ; 
somewhat  deaf,  (a) 
Since  he  had  the  scarlet  fever,  he  has  been  hard 
of  hearing  —  Since  he  had  the  scarlet  fever,  he  has 
been  somewhat  deaf. 
Haul  over  the  eoals,  to  =  To  take  to  task ;  to  rep- 
rimand. (/>) 
Your  master  will  haid  you  over  the  coals  for  talking 
80  freely  about  his  private  concerns^  Your  master 
will  reprimand  you  for  talking  so  freely  about  liis 
private  affairs. 
Have  one's  doubts,  to  =  To  be  somewhat  doubtful ; 
to  distrust,  (c) 
Mr.   A.   is  nominated  for  mayor,  but  I  have  my 
doubts  about  his  fitness  for  the  office  =  I  am  some- 
what doubtful  as  to  Mr.  A's  fitness  for  the  office  of 
mayor,  to  which  he  has  been  nominated. 
Have  (all)  one's  wits  about  one,  to  =  To  be  know- 
ing, shrewd,  skiliful  or  self-possessed,  (a) 
If  he  had  had  his  wits  about  him^  lie  would  not  have 
taken  the  wrong  train  =  If  he  had  been  shrewd  or 
self-possessed,  he  would  not  have  entered  the  wrong 
train. 
Hazard  a  eoiyecture,  to  =  To  guess ;  to  surmise ; 
to  venture  an  opinion,  (c) 


COLLOQUIAL     PHRASES.  741 

I  hazard  the  conjecture  that  Mr.  E.  will  regret  hav- 
ing changed  his  business  =  I  venture  the  opinion 
that  Mr.  E.  will  regret  having  changed  his  business. 
Heart  and  soul  —  Heartily ;  earnestly ;  vigorously,  (a) 

The  older  members  of  the  school  entered,  heart 
and  soul^  into  the  plan  of  forming  a  reading  club  = 
The  older  members  of  the  school  heartily  favored 
the  project  of  the  formation  of  a  club  for  reading. 

In  §even  league  boots  =  Rapidly ;  with  speed,  (c) 
You  have  reached  here  early;    you   must   have 
come  in  seven  league  hoots  — Yovl  have  arrived  at  an 
early  hour ;  you  must  have  walked  very  rapidly. 
In  spite  of  one's  teetli  =  Despite  one's  efforts  to  the 
contrary ;  in  opposition  to  one's  settled  purpose,  [b) 
The  mechanic's  son  will  take  the  prize  for  scholar- 
ship over  you  in  spite  of  your  teeth  —  The  mechanic's 
son  will  win  the  prize  for  scholarship  from  you,  not- 
withstanding your  efforts. 

Jog  the  elbo^ir,  to  =  To  draw  attention ;  to  waken ; 
to  remind  a  person  of  a  thing,  {b) 
I  thank  you  for  jogging  my  elbow  in  the  midst  of 
that   lengthy   sermon  =  I   thank  you  for  wakening 
me  in  the  midst  of  that  lengthy  sermon. 
Jump  to  a  conclusion,  to  =  To  infer  hastily,  with- 
out investigation  or  proof,  (a) 
Observing  Mr.  A's  store  closed  one  day,  some  of 
his  neighbors  jumped  to  the  conclusion,  that  he  had 
failed  =  Seeing  Mr.  A's  store  closed  one  day,  certain 
of  his  neighbors  hastily  and  without  reason  inferred 
that  he  had  failed. 

Keep  in  -with,  to  =  1,  To  be  close  or  near,  (a)  (Naut.) 
2,  To  be  on  terms  of  friendship,  familiarity,  or  inti- 
macy with ;  to  secure  and  retain  the  favor  of.  (c) 
1.  For  several  hours  after  leaving  port,  the  ship 
was  kept  in  with  the  land  =  For  some  hours  after 
leaving  port,  the  ship  was  near  the  land.     2.  It  was 
important   that  he  should  keep  in  with  the  colonel 
of  the  regiment,  for  his  promotion  depended  on  the* 
recommendation  of  the  colonels  It  was  important 
that  he  should  secure  and  retain  the  favor  of  the 
colonel,  for  promotion  depended  on  the   colonel's 
recommendation. 

Liive  by  one's  ivits,  to  =  To  live  after  the  fashion  of 
one  who,  with  more  versatility  than  solidity,  lives 
on  expedients,  (a) 
He  has  no  visible  means  of  support;  he  lives  by 


742  COLLOQUIAL     PHRASES. 

his  wits,  I  suspect  =  He  lias  no  visible  means  of  sup- 
port ;  lie  lives,  I  suspect,  bj  various  shifts  and  ex- 
pedients, which  he  resorts  to  in  his  emergencies. 
Liook  round,  to  =  To  seek;  to  search:  to  inquire. 

Young  Dr.    A.   has    just   received   his   medical 
degree,  and  is   looking  round  for  a  good  location  = 
Young  Dr.  A.  has  recently  been  graduated  from  the 
medical  school,  and  is  seeking  a  suitable  location  .as 
physician. 
L<ook  up,  to  =  To  shovr  a  tendency  to  rise,  or  im- 
prove, (a) 
The  price  of  tobacco  is  looking  up ='^\\q  price  of 
tobacco  shows  a  tendency  to  rise. 

On  the  mending  hand,  to  be  =  To  be  convalescent 
or  improving,  (c) 
The  nurse  said  that  her  mistress  was  on  the  mend- 
ing hand—  The  nurse  said  that  her  mistress  was  con- 
valescent. 
Overrun  the  eon§table,  to  =  To  spend  more  than  a 
man  is  worth,  or  can  pay.  (c) 
With  his  extravagant  way  of  living,  he  is  in  dan- 
ger of  overrj^nwm^  the  constahle  —  y^\\)i\   his   extrava- 
gant  way  of  living,  he  is   in   danger   of  spending 
more  than  he  can  pay. 

Poke  flin  at,  to  =  To  make  a  butt  of;  to  ridicule ;  to 

jeer,  (a) 

Some  of  the  scholars  poked  fun  at  the  new  pupil, 
for  his  awkward  manners  and  blundering  speech  = 
Some  of  the  scholars  ridiculed  the  awkward  man- 
ners and  blundering  speech  of  the  new  pupil. 
Put   through,  to  =  To   carry   through   successfully. 

(«) 

He  is  very  energetic,  and  if  he  undertakes  to  do  a 
thing,  he  will  ^w^  it  through  =  HQ  is  very  energetic, 
and  if  he  undertakes  to  do  a  thing,  he  will  carry  it 
through  successfully. 

See  daylight,  to  =  To  begin  to  see  more  clearly  into 
a  thing,  (c) 
The  administrator  found  the  affairs  of  the  man 
who  died  without  a  will,  in  a  very  embarrassed  and 
complicated  state ;  but  after  investigation  he  said  he 
began  to  see  dayUght=ThG  administrator  of  the  in- 
testate man's  affairs  found  them  complicated  and 
embarrassed;  but  after  some  investigation,  he  said 
that  he  began  to  see  his  way  more  clearly  to  a  final 
settlement. 


COLLOQUIAL     PHKASES.  743 

ISluice  off,  to=:To  divert ;  to  lay  aside ;  to  get  rid  of, 

(as  by  a  sluice.)  (c) 
The  railroad  is  now  earning  a  good  income ;  but 
some  of  the  present  earnings  must  be  sluiced  off^  to 
repair  the  losses  of  past  years  —  The  railroad  is  now 
earning  a  good  income ;  but   some   of  the  present 
earnings  must  be  laid  aside,  to  make  up  for  the  losses 
of  the  previous  years. 
Spread  oiie'§  §elf,  to  =  To  be  pretentious,  exagger- 
ating, and  bombastic,  in  speech,  (a) 
You  may  expect  him  to  spread  himself^  if  he  deliv- 
ers the  Decoration-day  oration  =  If  he  delivers  the 
Decoration-day  speech,  you  may  expect  him  to  speak 
in  a  bombastic  and  pretentious  style. 
Stand  on  one's  o\¥n   legs,  to=iTo   support   one's 
self;  to  trust  to  one's  own  strength  or  efforts  with- 
out aid.  (c) 
His  father  is  obliged  to  render  him  assistance  in 
business  every  year;  he  can  not  stand  on  his  own  legs 
=  It  is  necessary  for  him  to  receive  assistance  in  bus- 
iness from  his  father,  every  year,  for  he  can  not  sup- 
port himself  by  his  own  unaided  efforts. 
Stop  over,  to  =  To  leave  a  train,  in  the  midst  of  a 
trip  or  journey,  with  the  privilege  of  resuming  the 
journey,  on  the   same   ticket,  and   without   extra 
charge  (a) 
The  N.  Y.,  IS".  H.,  and  H.  railroad  has  withdrawn 
the  privilege  of  stopping  over  =  Th.e  'N.  Y.,  N.  H., 
and   H.    railroad   has  withdrawn   the  privilege  of 
leaving  a  train  in  the  midst  of  a  journey,  and  re- 
suming the  journey  on  the  same  ticket,  and  without 
extra  charge. 

Talk  to,  to  =  To  advise   or   exhort,  or  to   reprove 

gently,  (a)     ^ 
He  was  obliged  to  talk  to  his  son  respecting  his 
conduct  =  It  was  necessary  for  him  to  advise  or  to 
reprove  his  son  gently,  on  account  of  his  conduct. 
Take  the  law  of,  to  =  To  prosecute  in  court,  {b) 
Mr.  A.  proposes  to  take  the  law  of  Mr.  B.  for  slan- 
der =  Mr.  A.  proposes  to  prosecute  Mr.  B.  in  court,  for 
circulating  false  and  injurious  stories  concerning  him. 
Take  the  wind  out  of  one's  sails,  to  =  To  circum- 
vent, as  between  the  wind  and  another;  to  gain  the 
advantage  over,  by  arts,  (c) 
That  sly  rogue  has  got  in  with  the  governor,  and 
taken  the  wind  out  of  your  sails  =  Th?it  secretly  mis- 
chievous fellow  has  insinuated  himself  into  the  favor 
of  the  governor,  and  gained  the  advantage  over  you, 
by  his  arts. 


744  COLLOQUIAL     PHRASES. 

The  dcatti  of,  to  toe  =  To  be  the  cause  of  death  to ; 
to  make  die.  (6) 
My  comrade  is  the  most  droll  and  amusing  fellow ; 
he  keeps  me  laughing  continuously,  and  will  he  the 
death  of  me  yet,  I  fear  =:  My  comrade  is  tlie  most 
droll  and  amusing  fellow;  he  keeps  me  laughing 
constantly,  and  will  be  the  cause  of  my  death,  I  fear. 
(Humorous  exaggeration.) 

Ups  and  dovrn§  =  Alternate  states  of  elevation  and 
depression,  or  prosperity  and  the  contrary,  (a) 
He  has  experienced  the  ups  and  downs  of  life  —  He 
has  had  alternate  states   of  prosperity  and  the  con- 
trary, during  his  life. 

Work  round,  to  —  To  come  round,  or  change,  slowly 
and  with  effort,  (c) 
He  has  been  much  embarrassed  in  business,  but 
matters  are  working  round ^  so  that  he  is  more  at  ease 
=  He  has  been  much  embarrassed  in  business,  but 
circumstances  are  slowly  changing,  so  that  he  is  less 
troubled. 


SLANG  AE"D  CAN"T  PHEASES. 


A  bone  to  pick  with  one,  to  have  =  To  have  an 
unpleasant  matter  to  settle  with  one.  (c) 
John  has  gone  over  to  see  Dick  who  blackballed 
him  at  the  club ;  he  says  he  has  a  hone  to  pick  with 
him  —  John  has  gone  to  see  Dick  who  blackballed 
him  at  the  club ;  he  savs  he  has  an  unpleasant  mat- 
ter to  settle  with  him. 
Acknonrledge    the    corn,  to  =  To    confess  having 
been  mistaken,  or  outwitted ;  to  confess  a  charge,  (c) 
A  peg  higlier  or  loiver  =  A  grade  higher  or  lower, 
in  rank,  etc.  (c) 
He  has  gone  a  peg  higher  in  official  service  =  He 
•  has  been  advanced  a  degree  in  official  service. 
A  thousand  of  brick — Said  of  a  thing  done  impet- 
uously or  powerfully,  (c) 
The  first  mate  used  to  come  down  on  offending ~[ 
sailors  like  a  thousand  of  hrick  =  T\\Q  first  mate  used 
to  storm  at  offending  sailors  with  impetuous  and 
passionate  language. 
An  ax  to  grind,  to  have  =  To  have  a  favorite  project 
which  allows  one  to  appear  generous,  while  he  is 
really  acting  from  selfish  motives,  (h) 
He  was  forward  in  securing  my  promotion,  but  I 
am  assured  that  lie  had  an  acce   to  grind  =  Ile  was 
forward  in  securing  my  promotion,  but  I  am  assured 
he  did  it  in  the  hope  of  getting  my  place. 

Bark  up  the  vrrong  tree,  to  =  To    act    under    a 
wrong  impression ;  to  try  in  vain  to  do  something 
for  which  one  is  not  qualified ;  to  address  the  wrong 
person,  (c) 
The  young  man  went  to  a  miserly  old  man  to 
borrow  some  money,  but  he  soon  perceived  that  he 
was  barking  up  the  wrong  ^ree  =  The  young  man  went 
to  a  miserly  old  man  to  borrow  some  money,  but  he 
soon  perceived  that  he  was  applying  to  the  wrong 
person. 
Beat   the   Dutch,  to — A  phrase  used  whenever  a 
particularly  astonishing  fact  is  announced,  (b) 
The  janitor  said,  that  it  beat  the  Dutch  how  the 
boys  could  get  into  his  room  and  take  the  key  from 

(745) 


746  SLANG    AND    CANT    PHRASES. 

under  his  pillow,  without  waking  him  =  The  janitor 
said  that  it  was  a  most  astonishing  thing,  that  the 
boys  could  get  into  his  room  and  take  the  key  from 
under  his  pillow,  without  waking  him. 
Blow  a  hurricane,  to  =  To  blow  furiously  or  with 
violence,  (e) 

Just  before  the  rain  fell,  the  wind  blew  a  hurricane 

=  Immediately  before  the  rain  fell,  the  wind  blew 

furiouslj^ 

By  a   long   chalk,  one  can  not  do  any  given  thing 

— An  expression  applied  to  one's  inability  to  do  a 

given  thing,  (c) 

You  can  not  beat  that  jump,  by  a  long  chalh  =  Yo\i 

'  are  wholly  unable  to  make  a  longer  jump  than  that. 

Clear  the  track,  to  =  To  get  out  of  the  way.  (b) 
"  Clear  the  track  there,"  said  the  baggage-man,  as 
he  wheeled  his  truck  along  the  platform  ==  Get  out  of 
the  way  there,  said  the  baggage-man  as  he  wheeled 
his  truck  along. 
Come  up  to  the  chalk,  to  =  Not  to  disappoint,  (c) 
Great  expectations  were  raised  by  Courtney's  early 
successes  in  rowing,  but  he  has  not  come  up  to  the 
■'  cAaZ^:=  Courtney's  early  successes  in  rowing  raised 
great  expectations,  but  he  has  created  great  disap- 
pointment in  his  late  contests. 
Count  no§e§,  to=:To  count  the  numbers  of  a  divi- 
sion. 
When  noses  were  counted  in  the  House  of  Lords,  on 
the  compensation  bill,  it  was  found  to  be  rejected  by 
282  to  51=:  When  the  contents  and  the  non-contents 
on  the  compensation  bill  were  counted  in  the  House 
of  Lords,  the  bill  was  found  to  be  rejected  by  282  to 

Cut  a  da§h,  to=:To  get  one's  self  looked  at  and 
talked  about  for  a  showy  appearance,  (c) 
Young  Foulard  is  cutting  a  dash  with  his  coach 
and  four-in-hand  =r  Young  Foulard  is  getting  him- 
self looked  at  and  talked  about,  driving  his  coach 
and  four-in-hand. 
Cut  a  swath,  to  =  To  make  a  show ;  to  do  something 
to  be  looked  at  and  talked  about,  (c) 
The  Y's  are  cutting  a  swath  with  their  millions  = 
The  Y's  are  making  a  great  show  with  their  exces- 
sive wealth. 

Bead  against  =  Decidedly  against,  (c) 

"  The  governor  is  dead  against  my  having  a  pistol," 
said  the  irreverent  boy^^My  father  is  decidedly  op- 
posed to  my  having  a  pistol,  is  what  the  boy  meant. 


SLANG    AND    CANT    PHRASES.  747 

Dead-broke  =  Ruined;  bankrupt,  (b) 

The  result  of  Gold's  operations  in  Wall-street  to- 
day, is  that  several  members  of  the  stock-exchange 
are  dead-broke  — The  result  of  Gold's  operations  in 
stocks  to-day,  is  that  several  members  of  the  stock- 
exchange  have  lost  every  thing. 

Face  it  out,  to  =  To  persist  in  an  assertion  which  is 
not  true;  to  maintain  without  changing  color,  or 
hanging  down  the  head,  (b) 
He  was  charged  with  the  falsehood,  and  witnesses 
were  present  to  prove  it,  but  he  faced  it  out— lie  was 
charged   with   the   falsehood,    and   witnesses    were 
present  to  prove  it,  but  he  persisted,  without  chang- 
ing color,  in  his  false  assertion. 
Face  the  music,  to^^To  show  one's  hand;  to  meet 
the  emergency,  (a) 
Tlie  teacher  said  he  did  not  like  to  give  his  views 
at  the  present  time  on  a  certain  theory,  but  as  the 
class  requested  it,  he   would  face   the  music  =  The 
teacher  said  he  did  not  like  to  give  his  view^s  at  the 
present  time  on  a  certain  theory,  but  as  the  class 
requested  him  to  do  so,  he  would  meet  the  emerg- 
ency. 
Fly  low,  to  =  To  keep  quiet,  so  as  to  escape  observa- 
tion ;  to  comport  one's  self  unostentatiously  and 
unambitiously.  (c) 
Some  of  the  ring-thieves,  who,  while  holding  of- 
fice, plundered  the  city  of  New  York,  have  fled  from 
the  country,  and  are  flying  low  somewhere  in  Eu- 
rope=Some  of  the  thieves,  who  forined  a  ring  and 
in  their  official  capacity  plundered  the  city  of  New 
York,  have  fled  from  the  country,  and  are  keeping 
quiet  somewhere  in  Europe,  to  escape  observation. 
Fret  one's   gizzard,  to  =  To  harrass  or  vex  one's 
self,  or  to  be  vexed. 
Sam.  Lawson,  who  was  lazy  and  disposed  to  take 
things  easy,  said  his  wife  was  always  fretting  her  giz- 
zard about  something r=  Sam.  Lawson,  who  was  lazy 
and  disposed  to  take  things  easy,  said  that  his  wife 
was  always  vexing  herself  about  something. 

Get  one's  dander  up,  to  =  To  get  into  a  passion,  (c) 

Jesse  has  a  hot  temper,  and  often  gets  his  darider 

up  =  Jesse  has  a  hot  temper,  and  often  gets  into  a 

passion. 

Oive  a  rap  on  tlie  knuckles,  to  =  To  reprimand ; 

to  blame ;  to  censure,  (c) 

The  editor  gives  the  city  council  a  rap  on    the 

JcnucJcles,  for  not  attending  to  the  sewage  of  the  city 


748  SLANG    AND    CANT    PHRASES. 

=  The  editor  blames  the  city  council  for  not  taking 
action  in  regard  to  the  city  sewage. 
Give  one  a  4lres§iiig,  to  =  To  chastise  one ;  to  flog 
him.  (c) 
The  father  gave  his  hoy  a  dressing  for  telling  him  a 
falsehoods  The  father  chastised  his  boy  for  lying  to 
him. 

Oo  it  blind,  to  =  To  engage  in  any  thing  hastily  and 
without  proper  deliberation,  (b) 
I  advise  you  to  make  thorough  inquiry  about  the 
enterprise  before  you  embark  in  it ;  don't  go  it  blind 
=  1  advise  you  not  to  embark   in    this    enterprise 
without  thorough  inquiry. 
Oo  the  whole  figure,  to  =  To  go  through  the  whole 
of  a  thing,  in  its  entirety,  (a) 
Mrs.  Croesus,  w^ho  w^ent  to  see  the  passion-play  in 
Ober-Ammergau  and  the  bull-fights  in  Madrid,  told 
her  New  York  friends  she  thought  she  would  go  the 
whole  figure— Mrs.  Croesus,  making  the  grand  tour 
of  Europe,  w^ent  to  see  the  passion-play  in  Ober- 
Ammergau  and  the  bull-fights  in  Madrid.     She  told 
her  JSTew  York  friends  she  thought  she  would  go 
the  whole  round  and  see  every  thing. 
Go  through  one,  to  =  To  strip  of  valuable  property. (Z)) 
The  thieves  chloroformed  the  old  gentleman  in  B. 
street  and  went  through  him  with  great  dispatch  == 
The  thieves  gave  chloroform  to  the  old  gentleman 
in  B.  street,  and  swiftly  took  from  him  every  valua- 
ble thing  they  could  find. 
Go  through  the  mill,  to  =  To  acquire  practical  ac- 
quaintance of  any  thing,  (generally  with  some  un- 
pleasant experience),  (a) 
If  you  really  think  of  taking  that  risk,  ask  Mr. 
A's  advice.     He  has  gone  through  the  mill  =  lf  you 
really  think  of  making  that  investment,  ask  Mr.  A's 
advice.      He  has  had  practical  acquaintance  with 
the  same  investment,  to  his  loss.      Beware  of  that 
mock  auction;  I  have  been  through  the  mz'ZZ^ Beware 
of  that  mock  auction;  I  have  had  experience  of  it 
to  my  loss. 

Go  to  the  had,  to  =  To  become  a  ruined  man,  or  a 

depraved  character,  (c) 

He  is  with  a  dissipated  set  of  men,  is  as  vicious  as 

any,  and  has  altogether  gone  to  the  bad=lle  is  with  a 

dissipated  set  of  men,  is  as  vicious  as  any  of  them, 

and  is  entirely  ruined  in  character. 

Hammer  at,  to  =  To  work  in  the  mind ;  to  labor  at 
intellectually,  (c) 
I  left  the  student  hammering  at  a  problem  in  arith- 


SLANG    AND    CANT    PHRASES.  749 

metic=:I  left  the  student  working  at  the  arithmetical 
problem. 
Hang  around,  to  =  To  pass  the  time  idly;  to  loiter. 

^«)     . 

Hanging  round  taverns  is  a  bad  way  of  spending 
one's  time  =  Loitering  about  taverns  is  a  bad  way  of 
spending  one's  time. 
Have  a  long  head,  to  =  To  be  sagacious  or  far-see- 
ing. (6) 
Leaders  in  the  state  usually  have  long  heads  — The 
persons  who  lead  in  civil  affairs  are  usually  shrewd 
and  far-seeing. 
Hold  one's  nose  to  the  grindstone,  to  =  To  op- 
press ;  to  keep  in  the  position  of  servitude,  (h) 
The  laws  which  regulate  the  relations  of  landlord 
and  tenant  in  Ireland,  enable  and  encourage  the 
landlord  to  hold  the  nose  of  his  tenant  to  the  grindstone 
=  The  law^s  which  regulate  the  relations  of  landlord 
and  tenant  in  Ireland,  enable  the  landlord  to  oppress 
his  tenant. 
How  is  that  for  high? — A  vulgar  expression  of 
wonder  at  the  greatness,  smallness,  meanness,  and 
the  like,  of  any  thing,  (c) 
My  horse  jumped  over  a  seven-foot  fence,  and  the 
stable-boy  said,  '^  IIoiu  is  that  for  highr^  =  Mj  horse 
jumped  over  a  seven-foot  fence,  and  the  stable-boy 
said,  AYas  not  that  an  astonishing  performance? 
Hug  one's  self,  to  =  To  congratulate  one's  self;  to 
chuckle,  (c) 
The  old  miser  hugged  himself  at  the  prospect  of 
twenty  per  cent,  income  from  his  investment  =  The 
old  miser  congratulated  himself,  on  the  prospect  of 
twenty  per  cent,  income  from  his  investment. 

Jump  a  claim,  to  =  To  seize  upon  land  in  the  ab- 
sence of  one  who  has  the  prior  claim  under  the  pre- 
emption laws,  and  in  disregard  of  his  rights,  (a) 
I  was  called  away  before  I  had  time  to  put  up  a 
house  on  the  quarter-section   of  government  land, 
which  I  had  selected,  and  in  my  absence  a  stranger 
jumped  my  claim  - 1  was  called  away  before  I  had 
time  to  build  a  house  on  the  government  land,  which 
I  had  selected,  and  in  my  absence  a  stranger  put 
up  a  log-cabin  on  my  claim,  in    disregard  of  my 
rights. 

Keel  over,  to — A  phrase  expressing  the  entire  over- 
throw of  a  man's  hope  or  circumstances,  (c) 
The  poor  fellow  has  keeled  over;  he  has  ruined  his 
health,  his  home,  and  his  fortune  by  drinking  =  The 


750  SLANG    AND    CANT    PHRASES. 

poor  fellow's  best  hopes  and  happy   surronndiiigs 
are  blighted  by  drinking. 
Keep  a  stiff  upper  lip,  to  =  To  manifest  persistent 
obstinacy ;  to  continue  firm ;  to  keep  one's  courage 
up.  (c) 
James  is  a  refractory  boy;    notwithstanding  his 
punishment,  he  keeps  a  stiff  upper  Up  =  J aines  is  a 
stubborn  boy ;  notwithstanding  his  punishment,  he 
shows  a  persistent  obstinacy. 
Knock  Into  a  cocked-Iiat,  to  =  To  demolish;    to 
disable  completel^^  (c) 
The  two  boys  have  been  fighting,  and  one  of  them 
is  JcnocJced  into  a  cocked-hat=The  two  boys  have  been 
fighting ;  and  one  of  them  has  been  completely  dis- 
abled. 

L-et  drive,  to  =  To  aim  a  blow ;  to  strike  with  force. 

He  got  angry  and  let  drive  at  his  servant  with  a 
cane  =  He  got  into  a  passion,  and  aimed  a  blow  at 
his  servant  with  a  cane. 
liCt  her  slide  =  Let  a  thing  or  person  go.  (a) 

When  the  Southern  States  (U.  S.)  seceded,  some 
northerners  were  disposed  to  say,  Let  the  Union  slide 
=  When  the  Southern  States  seceded,  some  north- 
erners were  disposed  to  say.  Let  the  Union  go. 

meet  with  a   chang^e,  to ;   Get  religion,  to  =  To 

experience  religion ;  to  become  a  convert  to  Chris- 
tianity, (b) 
Dolly  went  to  the  camp-meeting  simply  to  meet 
her  friends  and  have  a  pleasant  time,  but  she  was 
"struck  under  conviction,"  and  '''met  with  a  change^^ 
=  Dolly  went   to  the   camp-meeting  to   meet   her 
friends,  but  during  the  religious  services   she   was 
convicted  of  sin,  and  became  a  disciple  of  Christ. 
Miss  one's  fig^ure,  to  =  To  make  a  mistake ;  to  fail 
of  accomplishing  what  one  sets  out  to  do ;  to  com- 
mit a  vital  error,  {b) 
The  speaker  meant  to  ingratiate  himself  into  the 
favor  of  his  hearers  by  denouncing  the  government, 
but  he  missed  his  figure,  for  they  were  firm  support- 
ers of  the  government  =  The  speaker  meant  to  com- 
mend himself  to  the  favor  of  his  hearers,  by  de- 
nouncing the  government,  but  he  committed  a  vital 
error,  for  they  were  warm  supporters  of  the  govern- 
ment. 

Peer  along,  to  =  To  keep  at  work ;  to  make  persist- 
ent exertion,  (b) 


SLANG    AND    CANT    PHRASES.  751 

Harvard  had  quickened  her  stroke  to  forty,  while 
Yale  pegged  along  at  thirty-eight  to  the  minute  = 
Harvard  had  quickened  her  stroke  to  forty,  while 
Yale  kept  at  it,  persistently,  at  thirty-eight  to  the 
minute. 
Pitch  in  or  into,  to  =  To  attack ;  to  abuse,  {a) 

The  two  boys  pitched  into  one  another,  and  had  a 
fight  =  The  two  boys  attacked  one  another,  and  had 
a  tight. 
Play   the   devil  with,  to  =  To    interfere    with,  •  or 
molest  extremely ;  to  ruin,  (c) 
You  would  better  not  have  any  thing  to  do  with 
that  man,  for  lie  is  utterly  unprincipled   and   will 
play  the  devil  ivith  you  =  You  would  do  well  to  have 
no  dealings  with  that  unprincipled  man,  for  he  will 
be  likely  to  ruin  you. 
Pull  or  draw  the  i;rool  over  one's  eyes,  to  =  To 
impose  upon,  by  specious  and  plausible  talk.  («) 
The  South  Sea  Company  (1720)  dreio  the  wool  over 
the  eyes  of  raany  English  people^  and  induced  them  to 
invest  their  means  in  the  South  Sea  bubble  =  The 
South  Sea  Company  imposed,  by  a  most  extraordi- 
nary delusion,  upon  a  great  many  English  people, 
and  induced  them  to  invest  their  means  in  a  specu- 
lation, which  soon  burst,  and  ruined  thousands. 
Pull  up,  to=:To  stop,  (a) 

The  driver  cracked  his  whip  and  went  through 
the  village  with  great  display  of  fine  driving,  and 
pulled  up  at  the  inn  at  the  end  of  the  street  =  The 
driver  went  through  the  village  with  great  display 
and  flourish,  and  stopped  at  the  inn  at  the  end  of 
the  street. 
Put  that  into  your  pipe  and  smoke  it  =:  Digest 
that  if  you  can.     An  expression  used  by  one  who 
has  given  his  adversary  a  severe  rebuke. 
Tammany  was  not  admitted  into  the  democratic 
convention  at  Cincinnati,  and  Mr.  Kelly  the  Tam- 
many chief  can  put  that  in  his  pipe  and  smoke  it= 
Tammany  was  not  admitted  into  the   democratic 
convention  at  Cincinnati,  and  Mr.  Kelly  the  Tam- 
many chief  may  digest  that  rebuke  if  he  can. 

,Rip  out,  to  =  To  give  vent  to  hastily,  and  violently. 

He  is  too  apt  to  rip  out  an  oath,  when  greatly  ex- 
cited =  He  is  too  apt  to  give  utterance  hastily  to  an 
oath,  when  very  much  excited. 
Run  a  church,  to  =  To  exercise  an  ofiicious  charge 
and  management  of  a  church,  as  pastor,  (c) 
It  is  derogatory  to  a  pastor,  to  speak  of  his  run- 


752  SLANG    AND    CANT   PHKASES. 

ning  a  church  =  It  is  derogatory  to  a  pastor,  to  speak 
of  him  as  exercising  an  officious  charge  and  man- 
agement of  the  church. 

Send   packings,   to=:To   drive   away;  to   send   off 
rouglily  or  in  disgrace ;  to  dismiss  unceremoniously. 

The  servant  who  was  detected  in  purloining  linen, 
was   sent  packing  =  The   servant,  who   was   caught 
taking  linen  which  did  not  belong  to  her,  was  dis- 
missed unceremoniously,  or,  in  disgrace. 
Sit  on  the  fence,  to  =  To  be  in  a  position  of  inde- 
cision ;  neither  one  thing  nor  the  other,  especially 
in  politics,  (a) 
Mr.  Spicer  was  "  independent "  in  politics  for  a 
time;  but  he  has  got  through  sitting  on  the  fence^  and 
has  come  down  on  the  democratic  side = Mr.  Spicer 
called  himself  independent  in  politics  for  awhile; 
but  he  has  got  through  being  neither  one  thing  nor 
the  other,  and  now  calls  himself  a  democrat. 
>;^lop  over,  to  =  To  over-do  in  speaking,  with  a  cer- 
tain kind  of  effusiveness,  (c) 
Some  one  said  of  President  Lincoln  that  he  never 
slopped  over—^oTCiQ  one  said  of  President  Lincoln, 
that  he  never  was  effusive  in  speaking,  so  as  to  over- 
do the  matter. 
Smash-up  =  A  smashing  accident,  or  one  in  which 
something  is  broken  with  violence. 
The  account  of  a  collision  of  railroad  trains  is 
headed,  in  the  newspaper,  a  smash-up  —  The  account 
of  a  collision  of  railroad  trains  is  described  in  the 
newspaper  as  a  smashing  accident. 
Snake  out,  to  =  To  drag  or  draw,  as  a  snake  from  a 
hole,  (a) 
Tall  chestnut  trees  were  cut  down  in  the  woods, 
trimmed  close,  and  snaked  out,  for  use  as  poles  of  a 
telegraphic  line  =  The  chestnut  trees  were  cut  down 
in  the  woods,  trimmed  close,   and  dragged  out  for 
use  as  poles  of  a  telegraphic  line. 
Spin  street-yarn,  to  =  To  spend  much  time  talking 
in  the  street ;  to  tell  long  tales  in  the  street,  (c) 
A  good  house-wife  does  not  spend  her  time  in 
going  about  from  house  to  house,  nor  in  spinning 
street-yarns  — A  good  house-wife  does  not  spend  her 
time  in  going  about  from  house  to  house,  nor  in  tel- 
ling long  tales  in  the  street. 
Splice  the  main  brace,  to  (iVaw^.   Cant)  =  To  give 
'  or  drink  an  allowance  of  spirits,  as  in  cold  or  wet 
weather,  (c) 
Working  in  this  rain  storm  is  chilling  and  fatigu- 


SLANG   AND   CANT   PHRASES.  758 

ing;  let's  splice  the  main  brace=We  are  chilled   and 
fatigued,  working  in  this  rain   storm;  let  us  drink 
some  spirits. 
Sport    one'§    door    or  oak,   to    {Eng.    Univ.)=:To 
fasten  one's  outer  door,  in  token  that  visitors  are 
not  desired,  (a) 
Being  busily  engaged  in  study,  the  student  sported 
his  oor^3=  Being  much  occupied  with  his  studies,  the 
student  fastened  his  outer  door,  that  he  might  not 
be  disturbed  by  visitors. 
Spree  it,  to  =  To  be  on  a  drunken,  frolic,  (h) 

Jim.  Blow  lias  been  oif  to  the  city,  spreeirig  it,  for 
a  week  =  Jim.  Blow  has  been  oflf  to  the  city,  on  a 
drunken  frolic,  for  a  week. 
Star  it,  to  =  To  figure  as  the  center  of  attraction,  es- 
pecially in  theatricals,  (c) 
Mr.  A.  is  starring  it  at  the  B.  theatre  =  Mr.  A.  is 
the   central   figure  (person  of  chief  prominence  and 
attractiveness)  at  the  B.  theatre. 
Swear  off,  to=:To  renounce,  in  a  formal  manner,  (a) 
Jack  has  sivorn  off  from  all  kinds  of  drinks  Jack 
has  renounced,  in  a   formal   manner,  all   kinds  of 
drink. 

Tai<.e  a  §hine,  to  =  To  take  a  fancy,  or  liking,  (b) 
The  coachman  said  he  had  taken  quite  a  shine  to 
the  cook  =  The  coachman  said  he  had  taken  quite  a 
fancy  to  the  cook. 
Take  a  §iiaek,  to  =  To  take  a  morsel,  (c) 

He  said  that  he  had  only  just  time  enough  to  take 
a  snack  while  they  were   changing  horses  =  He  said 
that  he  had  only  just  time  enough  to  take  a  morsel 
while  they  were  changing  horses. 
Take  water,  to  (Boating  cant)  =  To  get  under  way, 
and  begin  rowing. 
Harvard  took  water  first,  and  went  evenly  along 
at  a  stroke  of  thirty-eight  to  the  minute  =  The  Har- 
vard crew  got  under  way  and  began  rowing  first, 
and  went  evenly  along  at  a  stroke  of  thirty-eight  to 
the  minute. 
Tlirow^n  on  oiie'§  l>eaiii-ends,  to  be  =  To  be  driv- 
en to  one's  last  shift,  (c) 
The  sailor  who  had  lost  every  thing  by  shipwreck, 
said  that  he  was  thrown  on  his  beam-ends  =  The  sail- 
or wdio  had  lost  every  thing  by  shipwreck,  said  that 
he  was  driven  to  his  last  shift. 
Tie  to,  to  =  To  attach  one  self  to ;  to  depend  on  for 
trustworthiness,  (c) 
The  candidate  for  congress  is  a  good  man  to  tie  to 
49 


754  SLANG  AND   CANT  PHRASES. 

=:  The  candidate  for  congress  is  trustworthy,  and  yon 
may  attach  yourself  to  him  safely. 
Tip  off,  to  =  To   pour   out,    as  liquor ;  to  drink  by 
raising  the  vessel  to  the  lips,  (c) 
He  stepped  into  the  saloon  and  ordered  a  glass  of 
beer,  which  he  tipped  off  hastily  =  He  entered  the 
saloon  and  ordered  a  glass  of  beer,  which  he  drank 
hastily. 
Toe  the  mark,  to  =  To  come  fully  up  to.  (a) 

The  principal  of  that  school  is  very  strict ;  you 
will   have  to    toe  the  mark  =  The   principal   of  that 
school  is  strict,  and  makes  his  scholars  come  fully 
up  to  his  requirements. 
Tuck  on,  to  =  To  charge  a  great  price ;  to  make  one 
pay  more  than  is  right,  (c) 
They  charged  you  a  dollar  a  yard  for  flannel,  did 
they  ?     Well,  they  did  tuck  it  on  —  They  charged  you 
a  dollar  a  yard  for  the  flannel,  did  they  ?     Well,  they 
did  charge  a  great  price. 

Up  to  the  elbows,  to  he  =:  To  be  wholly  occupied  or 
absorbed,  {a) 
Mrs.  Scissors  'w>up  to  the  elhoivs  in  dressmaking = 
Mrs.  Scissors  is  wholly  occupied  in  dressmaking. 

Wake  up  the  wrong  passen§^er,  to  —  To  be   mis- 
taken in  a  man  ;  to  catch  a  Tartar,  (c) 
When  France  attacked  Prussia  (1870)  she  found 
she  had  waked  up  the  wrong  passenger —  Whew  France 
attacked  Prussia  (1870)  she  was  whipt,  instead  of 
whipping  Prussia  as  she  expected. 
IVhip  the  devil  round  the  stump,  to  =  To  make 
false  excuses  to  one's  self  and  others,  for  doing 
what  one  likes ;  to  do  a  thing  indirectly. 
Wood  up,  to  =  To  take  on  wood ;  to  get  supplies  of 
wood  for;  (as  the  steam-engine   of  a  railroad   or 
steamboat.)  (a) 
Many    railroads  in  New  England   use  wood  for 
their  engines,  and  their  trains  stop  at  certain  places 
to  wood  up  =  Many  railroads   in   New  England "  use 
wood  for  their  engines,  and  their  trains  stop  at  cer- 
tain places  to  take  on  wood. 


TEEMS  AISTD  PHEASES 

OF  THE   STOCK  EXCHANGE.* 


iStock  exchange  =  An  association  or  body  of  stock- 
brokers who  meet  and  transact  business  by  certain 
recognized   forms,  regulations,  and  usages;  an  or- 
ganization of  agents  who  purchase  or  sell  stocks  or 
bonds  on  commissi6n. 
The  New  York  stock-exchange  includes  in  its  roll- 
call  over  one  thousand  names  =  The  New  York  asso- 
ciation bf  stock-brokers,  or  agents  who  buy  or  sell 
stocks  or  bonds  on  commission,  includes  in  its  roll- 
call  over  one   thousand   names.     All  duties  of  ad- 
ministration, of  legislation,  of  police,  in  the  N.  Y. 
stock-exchange  devolve  on  a  governing  committe,  con- 
sisting of  forty  members. 
The  regular  li§t  and  the  ft*ee  li§t  —  Securities  dealt 
in  by  the  Exchange,  and  placed  on  the  lists  after 
due  scrutiny  by  the  governing  committee. 
The  regular  list  must  be  called  in   order,  by  the 
Yice-President  in  the  chair  ==  Securities  dealt  in  by 
the  Exchange  and  placed  on  the  regular  list  must  be 
called  in  a  certain  established   order  by  the  Yice- 
President  in  the  chair.     The  free  list  may  or  niay  not 
be  called  at  the  option  of  members  =  The  securities 
dealt  in  by  the  exchange  and  placed  on  the  free  list, 
may  or  may  not  be  called  at  the  option  of  members, 
Oovernment  board  =  One  department  of  the  Stock 

exchange  which  deals  in  government  securities. 
Regular  board  =  The  department  w^hich  deals  in  all 
other  securities,  shares,  bonds,  &c. 
In   the  government  board,  and  the  regular  board 
secretaries  note  down  against  each  class  of  securities 
the  prices  offered  and  demanded,  and  every  import- 
ant feature  of  a  transaction  in  case  of  a  positive  sale 
=  In  the  department  of  the  Exchange  which  deals 
in  government  securities,  and  also  in  that  which  deals 
in  all  other  exchanges,  secretaries  note  down  against 
each  class  of  securities  the  prices  offered   and  de- 

*  A  few  cant  terms  of  the  Stock  Exchange,  as  bear,  lull,  &c.,  are  in 
the  preceding  lists. 

(755) 


756  TERMS    AND    PHRASES  OF 

nianded,  and  every  important  feature  in  a  positive 
sale. 
Ijong  room  =  A  chamber  provided  in  the  Exchange 
building,  where  members  may  bargain  with  mem- 
bers at  any  hour  throughout  the  day. 
In  the  long  room,  no  registry  is  made  of  bids  and 
offers  and  sales  =  In  the  chamber  where   members 
may  bargain  with  members  at  any  hour  of  the  day, 
no  registry  is  kept  of  the  bids  and  offers  and  sales. 
Casli,    in  l>roker'§  language  =  The  term   for   sale 
when  payment  and  delivery  are  to  take  place,  at  or 
before  2.15  P.  M.  of  the  day  of  sale. 
When  the  seller  wishes  money  at  once,  he  sells 
cash =When  the  seller  wishes  money  at  once,  he  sells 
on  condition  that  payment    and  delivery  shall  take 
place  at  or  before  2.15  P.  M.  of  the  day  of  sale. 
Regular,  or  regular  waj  —  The  term  for  sale  when 
the  delivery  is  to  be  made  at  or  before  2.15  P.  M. 
of  the  day  succeeding  that  of  contract. 
When  the  seller  hopes  to  get  a  better  price,  or  can 
not  make  a  delivery  of  stock  until  next  day,  he  sells 
regular  =  When  the  seller  hopes  to  get  a  better  price 
or  can  not  make  a  delivery  until  next  day,  he  stipu- 
lates.that  the  delivery  shall  be  made  at  or  before  2.15 
P.  M.  of  the  day  succeeding  the  contract. 
Buyer'§  option  =  The  term   of  sale  when  the  pur- 
chaser has  the  right  to  require  the  delivery  of  stock, 
upon  any  day  within  the  time  covered  by  the  op- 
tion. 
When  the  seller  is  ready  to  deliver  at  any  moment, 
he  sells  huyer^s  option  —  When  the  seller  is  ready  to 
deliver  at  any  moment,  he  gives  the  buyer  the  right 
to  require  the  delivery  of  stock  upon  any  day  within 
the  time  covered  by  the  option. 
Seller'§  options  The  term  of  sale  when  the  day  of 
delivery  is  at  the  convenience  or  pleasure  of  the 
person  making  the  sale,  within  the  time  stipulated 
at  the  moment  of  sale. 
When  a  longer  time  is  required  than  twenty -four 
hours  before  the  seller   can  make  delivery  of  stock, 
lie  sells  sellers  optio7i  =  W\\er\  a  longer  time   is  re- 
quired than  twenty-four  hours  before  the  seller  can 
make  delivery  of  stock,  he  sells  with  the  privilege 
of  delivering  the  stock   at  his  convenience,  on  any 
day  within  the  time  stipulated  at  the  moment  of 
sale. 
margin  =  A  sum  of  money  deposited  with  a  broker, 
by  a  person  speculating  in  stocks,  to   secure  the 
former  against  loss  on  funds  advanced  by  him. 
The  broker  told  his  customer,  "  I  will  buy  the  gov- 


THE   STOCK  EXCHANGE.  757 

emment  bonds  for  you,  if  yon  will  advance  one-tenth 
of  the  cost  and  pledge  the  balance  in  thirty  days. 
You  must  pay  me  an  eighth  of  one  per  cent,  com- 
mission, and  interest  of  seven  per  cent,  on  wliat  I 
lend  you.     I  shall  allow  you  seven  per  cent  interest 
on  what  you  leave  with  me,  and  you  will  be  insured 
against  the  risk  of  a  rise  in  the  bonds.     If  the  bonds 
fall,  you  must  correspondingly  increase  your  war- 
^m"=rThe  broker  told  liis  customer,  I  will  buy  the 
government  bonds  for  you,  if  you  will  advance  one- 
tenth  of  the  cost  and  pledge  the  balance  in  thirtjjj 
days.     If  the  bonds  fall,  you  must  correspondingly 
increase  the  amount  of  your  deposit  of  money  with 
me,  to  secure  me  against  loss. 
Buyer,  or  seller  3, 10,  30, 60, 00  —  Buyer's,  or  seller's 
option  for  3,  10,  30,  60,  or  90  days,  as  the  case  may 
be. 
Stock  bought  in  ''iily  at  123,  buyer  60,  in  order  to 
.make  a  corner  in  Ilarlaem  R.  R.  stock,  paid  a  dif- 
ference of  seventy-two  per  cent,  to  the  pool  who  held 
the  market  at  195  in  September = Stock  bought  in 
July  at  123,  the  buyer  having  the  privilege  of  de- 
manding the  delivery  of  the  stock  upon  any  day 
within  sixty  days,  paid  a  diiference  of  seventy-two 
per  cent,  to  the  pool  who  held  the  market  at  195, 
in  September. 
Differences  =  The    variation   between   the  price  at 
which  a  stock  is  bargained  for  and  the  rate  on  the 
day  of  delivery. 
On  two  days  of  the   middle   of  September  four 
thousand  shares  came  due  with  differences  mounting 
up  to  $100,000  in  favor  of  the  pool  who  had  made 
the  above-mentioned  corner  =  On  two  days   of  the 
middle  of  September  four  thousand  shares  came  due 
w^ith  variations  between  the  price  at  which  the  stock 
was  bargained  for  and  the  existing  rate  mounting 
up  to  $100,000  in  favor  of  the  pool. 
Pool  =  A  combination  of  persons  contributing  money 
to  be  used  for  the  purpose  of  increasing  or  depress- 
ing the  market  price  of  stocks,  with  a  view  to  the 
settlement  of  differences.     Also,  the  stock  or  mon- 
ey contributed    by   a   clique  to   carry  through   a 
corner. 
Corners  The  result  produced  by  a  combination  of 
persons,  who,  while  secretly  holding  the  whole  or 
the  greater  part  of  any  stock  or  species  of  property, 
induce  another  combination  to  agree  to  deliver  to 
them  a  large  further  quantity  at  some  future  time. 
When  the  time  arrives,  the  second  combination,  if 
the  corner  succeeds,  suddenly  finds  itself  unable  to 


758  TERMS    AND    PHRASES   OF 

buy  the  amount  of  stock  or  property  nec(  -sary  to 
enable  it  to  fulfill  its  contracts,  and  the  first  com- 
bination fixes  at  its  own  will  the  price  at  which 
difi'erences  must  be  settled. 

The  corner  breaks  when  those  who  agree  to  deliv- 
er succeed  in  procuring  the  stock  or  property,  and 
are  thus  enabled  to  fulfill,  their  contracts. 
Delivery  (good)  =  The  bringing  of  stock  to  the  buy- 
er in  exact  accordance  with  the  rules  of  the  Stock 
Exchange. 
^      In  the  case  of  buyer's  option,  the  buyer  can  de- 
mand delivery  any  day  within  the  time  covered  by 
the  option  =  In  the  case  of  buyer's  option,  the  buyer 
can  demand  that  the  stock  be  delivered  to  him  by 
the  seller  any  day  withing  the  time  covered  by  the 
option,  and  has  the  right  to  expect  that  it  be  done  in 
exact  accordance  with  the  rules  of  the  exchange. 
Collaterals  =  Bonds,  stocks,  and  the  like,  deposited 
with  a  bank  or  other  loan  house  as  security  for 
money  loaned. 
The  shorts  —  Tliose  who  are  unsupplied  with  stocks 
w^hich  they  have  contracted  to  deliver. 
64,000  shares  of  Haarlem  R.  K.  stock  were  bought 
by  a  pool  within  a  period  of  seven  weeks.     Settle- 
ment day  was  in  September.     Stock  bought  in  July 
at  123,  buyer  60,  paid  a  difi*erence  of  seven ty-tw^'o 
per  cent,  to  the  pool  who  held  the  market  at  195. 
The  shorts  were  frantic =64,000  shares  of  Haarlem 
w^ere  bought  by  a  pool  within   a  period   of  seven 
weeks.     Settlement  day  was  in  September.     Stock 
bought  in  July  at  123,  buyer  60,  paid  a  difierence 
of  seventy-two  per  cent,  to  the  pool  who  held  the 
market  at  195.     Those  who  had  contracted  to  sell 
to  the  pool  hoping  that  the  stock  would  fall  below 
123  before  they  should  be  called  on  to  deliver,  and 
who  were  unsupplied  with  stock,  were  frantic. 
T"wist  on  the  shorts  -  A  clique  phrase  used  where 
the  shorts  have  undersold  heavily,  and  the  market 
has  been  artificially  raised,  compelling  them  to  set- 
tle at  ruinous  rates. 
In  the  above  case,  (see  The  shorts)  a  meeting  of 
the  Board  was  called,  and  the  discussion  was  fierce 
and  protracted.     The   final   vote  decreed  that  con- 
tracts must  be  satisfied.     But  the  shorts  were  de- 
termined, and  the  pool  foolishly  gave  a  fresh  twist 
on  the  shorts^  running  the  stock  up  to  200. 
Buy  in,  to  =  To  purchase  stock  in  order  to  meet  a 
"short"  contract,  or  to  enable  one-  to  return  stock 
which  has  been  borrowed. 
Cover,  or  cover  one's  shorts,  to  =  For  one  who  has 


THE   STOCK  EXCHANGE.  759 

sold  stock,  and  the  market  rises,  to  buy  in  order  to 
protect  himself  on   the  day  of  delivery.     This  is 
"  covering  short  sales." 
lioad  one's  self  \i^itli   stock,  to  =  To    buy    stock 

heavily. 
Unload,  to=:  To  sell  out  a  stock  which  has  been  car- 
ried for  some  time ;  to  sell  out  stock. 
A  clique  in  'New  York  and  Newark  quietly  bought 
up  all  the  stock  of  Morris  Canal  at  thirty  or  forty 
per  cent,  below  par.     They  then  went  into  the  street 
and  made  enormous   time-purchases.     On   settling 
day  the  clique  unloaded  at  150,  clearing  nearly  three 
hundred  per  cent.  —  A  clique  in  New  York  and  New- 
ark quietly  bought  up  all  the  stock  of  Morris  Canal 
at  thirty  or  forty  per  cent,  below  par.     They  then 
went  into  the  street  and  made  enormous  time  pur- 
chases.    On   settling   day  the  clique  sold    out  the 
stock    at    150,  clearing  nearly  three   hundred   per 
cent. 
Call  loan  =  Money  loaned  on  collaterals,  on  condition 
that  it  may  be  demanded  at  any  moment. 
The  broker  took  the  government  bonds  to  a  bank, 
and  depositing  them  as  security  borrowed  90   per 
cent,  of  their  value,  as  a  call  loan  =  l^\\Q  broker  took 
the  government   bonds  to  a  bank,  and   depositing 
them  as  security  borrowed  90  per  cent,  of  their  val- 
ue, on  condition  that  the  money  miglit  be  demand- 
ed at  any  moment. 

iSettling   day  =  The  day  of  settlement;  the  day  ap- 
pointed in  the  contract,  for  delivery  and  payment. 
Forcing   quotations  =  Attempting   to  keep  up  the 
price  of  a  stock  and  to  prevent  its  falling  out  of 
sight ;  said  of  brokers. 
Forcing  quotations  is  generally  accomplished  by  a 
small  sale,  or  by  "  washing  "  =  Attempting  to   keep 
up  the  price  of  a  stock  and  prevent  its  falling  out 
of  sight,  is  generally  accomplished  by  a  small  sale, 
or  by  "  washing." 
Ballooning^  =  Working  up  a  stock  far  beyond  its  in- 
trinsic worth,  by  favorable  stories,  fictitious  sales, 
or  other  like  means. 
IVasliing  =  One   broker   arranging  with   another  to 
buy  a  certain  stock  when  he  offers  it  for  sale.     The 
bargain  is  fictitious,  and  the  effect,  when  not  de- 
tected, is  to  keep  it  quoted,  and,  if  the  plotters  buy 
and  sell  the  stock  to  a  high  figure,  to  afford  a  basis 
for  bona  fide  sales. 
In  those  days  (prior  to  1837)  washing  was  frequent 
at  the  Stock  Board  ==  In  those  days  the  practice  of 
one  broker  arranging  with  another  to  make  a  ficti- 


760  TEKMS    AND    PHRASES   OF 

tious  purchase  of  a  certain  stock   when  he  offered  it 
for  sale,  was  frequent  at  the  Stock  Board. 
Water  a  stock,  to=:To  increase  the  capital  stock  of 
a  company,  by  issuing  new  stock,  on   the  pretense 
that  accumulated   or   anticipated   profits   warrant 
such  increase. 
The  capital  stock  of  the  great  trunk  lines  of  rail- 
way has  been  watered  to  the  extent  of  $100,000,000 
within  the  past  eight  or  nine  years  (prior  to  1870)=: 
The  capital  stock  of  the  great  trunk  lines  has  been 
increased  to  the  extent  of  $100,000,000,  within  the 
past  eight  or  nine  years,  on  the  pretense  that  ac- 
cumulated or   anticipated  profits  warrant  such  in- 
crease. 
Put  =  The  privilege,   purchased  for   a   certain   sum, 
of  delivering   a  given   amount  of  stock,  within  a 
stipulated  time,  at  a  definite  price. 
The  person  who  purchases  a  pnt^  anticipates  a  de- 
cline below  the  percentage  fixed  in  tlie  contracts 
The  person  who  purchases  the  privilege  of  deliver- 
ing a  given  amount  of  stock,  within  a  stipulated 
time,  at  a  definite  j)rice,  anticipates  a  deline  below 
the  percentage  fixed  in  the  contract. 
Call  =  The  privilege,  purchased  for  a  certain  sum,  of 
demanding  within  a  designated  date  a  given  amount 
of  stock,  for  a  certain  stipulated  price. 

The  holder  of  a  call  buys  it  in  the  hope  of  a  rise 
=  The  holder  of  the  privilege  of  demanding  within 
a  designated  date  a  given  amount  of  stock,  for  a  cer- 
tain  stipulated    price,   buys   it   in   the   hope   of  a 
rise. 
Turn  =  An  artifice  to  avoid  the  hazards  of  the  usury 
law. 
A   broker  carrying   stock  for  a  customer  has  to 
raise  the  money  for  the  stock  by  hypothecating  the 
stock  with  a  bank  or  private  bankers.     If  the  loan 
market  is  stringent,  the  bankers  charge  a  commission 
in  addition  to  the  legal  interest.     This  commission 
is  called  a  turn  —  This  commission  is  an  artifice  to 
avoid  the  hazards  of  the  usury  law. 
Hypothecate,  to  =  To  put  up  collaterals. 

In  spring  and  fall  the  crops  are  to  be  brought  for- 
ward. Merchants  need  money.  Those  who  have  se- 
curities hypothecate  them  if  they  can ;  and  sell  if  they 
can  not  borrow  =  In  spring  and  fall  the  crops  are 
to  be  brought  forward.  Merchants  need  money. 
Those  who  have  securities  put  up  collaterals  if  they 
can ;  and  sell  if  they  can  not  borrow. 
Points  A   bit  of  secret  information   concerning    a 


THE   STOCK   EXCHANGE.  761 

stock ;  a  theory  or  fact  regarding  stocks  on  which 
one  bases  a  speculation. 
If  the  operator  has  a  good  pointy  he  has  a  ''sure 
thing  "  =  If  the  operator  has  some  secret  information 
concerning  a  stock,  lie  is  certain  to  make  money  in 
proportion  to  his  venture. 
Carry  §tock,  to  =  To  hold  stock  bought  for  a  custom- 
er until  the  customer  is  ready  to  take  it  or  sell  it ; 
said  of  a  broker. 
When  a  broker  carries   stocky  he  charges  his   cus- 
tomer interest  on  the  difference  between  cost  and 
margin  =  When   a  broker  holds  stock  bought  for  a 
customer  until  the  customer  is  ready  to  take  or  sell 
it,  he  charges  interest  on  the  difference  between  cost 
and  margin. 
Sell  out  a  man,  to  =  To  sell  .down  a  stock,  which 
another  is  carrying,  so  low  that  he  is  compelled  to 
quit  his  hold,  and  perhaps  to  fail. 
A  man  who  had  nearly  all  the  stock  of  a  certain 
railroad,  determined  to  unload.     A  friend  who  had 
frequently  obtained  points  from  him,  applied  at  this 
time  for  a  point.     The  large  owner  intimated  that  it 
was  always  a  good  purchase  to  buy  stock  in  this  road. 
The  friend  proceeded  to  buy,  meanwhile  the  large 
owner  was  selling.     Having  bought  all  lie  could  the 
stock  strangely  fell,  and  he  found  himself  sold  out  by 
the  one   who   gave  him  a  points      ....     he 
found  the  stock  sold  down  so  low  that  his  marsrins 
were  all  swept  away,  and  he  was  overwhelmed  with 
debt. 
Hold  the  market,  tor=To  buy  sufhcient  stock  at 

the  Boards  to  keep  the  price  from  declining. 
Long^,  in  §toek8  —  To  carry  a  stock  for  a  rise. 

The  bull  buys,  confident  that  stocks  will  be  high- 
er, and  is  said  to  be  long  =  T\\G,  bull  buys,  confident 
that  stocks  will  be  higher,  and  is  carrying  stock  for 
a  rise. 
Buy   or  sell  flat,  to  ==  To  buy  or  sell  dividend-mak- 
ing  stocks   or   securities  having  interest  coupons 
attached,  without  making  account  of  the   interest 
accrued  since  the  last  preceding  payment  of  divi- 
dend or  interest. 
A  §ick  market  =  A  state  of  circumstances  in  which 
brokers  very  generally  hesitate  to  buy. 
A  sick  market  is  generally  the  result  of  previous 
over-speculation  =  A  state  of  circumstances  in  which 
brokers  very  generally  hesitate  to  buy,  is  usually  the 
result  of  previous  over-speculation. 
Swimminiar  market  =  The  opposite  of  a  sick  market. 
Every  thing  is  buoyant. 


762  TERMS    AJSD    THKASES   OF,    ETC. 

Ten  wp  =  A  phrase  used  at  the  Boards  when  a  brok- 
er's ability  to  keep  his  contracts  is  questioned.     It 
means  that  a  deposit  of  ten  per  cent,  on  the  selling 
value  of  the  stock  bid  for,  must  be  put  up  before 
the  contract  can  hold  good. 
Salt  down  stock,  to  =  To  buy  and  hold  stock  for  a 
long  period. 
Salting  down  stock  is  nearly  the  equivalent  of  in- 
vestment ==  Buying   and   holding   stock   for   a  long 
period  is  nearly  the  equivalent  of  investment. 
Curbstone  brokers  =  Men  who  are  not  members  of 
any  regular  organization,  and  do  business  mainly 
upon  the  side  walk. 
Curbstone  hrokers  are  not  so  numerous  as  they  once 
were,  and  one  cause  of  this  is  undoubtedl}^  the  es- 
tablishment of  the  National  Stock  Exchange  =r  Men, 
not  members   of  any  regular  organization,  who  do 
*  business    mainly    upon  the   side  walk,  are  not  so 
numerous  as  they  once  were,  and  one  cause  of  this 
is   undoubtedly  the   establishment  of  the   National 
Stock  Exchange. 
Clique  =  A  combination  of  operators,  controlling  vast 
capital,  in  order  unduly  to  expand  or  break  down 
the  market. 
Block  =:  A  number  of  shares,  say  5,000  or  10,000, 
massed  together,  and  sold  or  bought  in  a  lump. 
The  street  caught  at  the  ofter,  and  bought  the 
stock  in  blocks  of  500,  1,000,  5,000  shares  =  The  street 
caught  at  the  offer,  and  bought  masses  of  shares,  in 
the  lump,  of  500,  1,000,  5,000  each. 
Flyer  =r  A  small  side-operation,  not  employing  one's 
whole  capital.     It  is  nearly  equivalent  to  what  is 
known  elsewhere  as  a  venture. 
Kite-flying  =  Expanding  one's  credit  beyond  whole- 

soiyie  limits. 
A  "  let  up  "  =:  The  sudden  disappearance  of  an  arti- 
ficial pressure  upon  money  or  any  other  cause  lead- 
ing to  a  stringency  in  the  loan  market. 
Conversions  =  The   exchange    of  convertible  bonds 

for  equivalent  stock. 
Pass  a  dividend,  to  =  To  vote,  (as  directors),  against 
*  declaring  a  dividend. 


VAKIOITS    OTHER 
PHEASES  A'ND  "WOEDS. 


Act  on  or  from  principle,  to  =  To  have  a  settled 
rule  of  action,  usuall}^  a  right  rule ;  to  be  governed 
by  correct  opinion  and  rule,  rather  than  by  im- 
pulse, (a) 
It  promises  well  for  future  happiness  and  useful- 
ness if  a  youth  is  in  the  habit  of  acting  from  princi- 
ple =  It  promises  well  for  his  future  happiness  and 
usefulness,  if  a  youth  is  habitually  governed  by  cor- 
rect opinion  rather  than  impulse. 
Adniini§ter  the  §acranient,  to  {^ccl.)  =  To  officiate 
at  the  observance  of  a  sacrament,  or  holy  rite,  as 
the  Lord's  supper  and  baptism. 
liev.  Mr.  T.  administered  the  sacrament  of  baptism 
to  several  persons  last  Sunday,  in  his  church  =  Rev. 
Mr.  T.  baptized  several  persons  last  Sunday,  in  his 
church. 
After,  to  be  =  To  be  in  search  or  pursuit  of.  (a) 

What  is  that  stranger  «/fer,  who  has  just  gone  into 
the  barn  ?  =  What  is  that  stranger  in  search  of  (what 
does  he  want),  who  has  just  entered  the  barn  ? 
A  liearty  eater  =  One  who  eats  eagerly  and  largely; 
one  who  eats  a  hearty  meal. 
Hearty   eaters  must   needs  have   good  digestions 
Those  who  eat  eagerly  and  largely,  must  of  necessity 
have  good  digestion. 
Ail-aboard  —  A  phrase  nsed  by  the  director  of  a  pub- 
lic conveyance  to  indicate  that  the  conveyance  is 
about  to  start,  and  that  those  who  design  to  take 
passage  must  enter  at  once,  (a) 
We  had  not  finished  our  lunch  at  the  refreshment 
table  when  the  conductor  of  the  train  shouted,  '''All 
aboard  ^^=We  had  not  done  eating  at  the  refreshment 
table   when  the   conductor  of  the  train  announced 
that  the  cars  were  on  the  point  of  starting. 
Apt  to  =  1.  Liable  to ;  having  a  tendency  to — (said  of 
things),  (a)     2.  Inclined  to;   customarily    disposed 
to — (said  of  persons),  (a) 
1.  Wheat  sown  on   moist  land  is   apt  to  blasts 
Wheat   which   is   sown  on   moist  land  is  liable  to 

(763) 


764        VARIOUS    OTHER   PHRASES   AND   WORDS. 

wither,  or  fail  of  maturing.  2.  He  is  a]jt  to  spend 
his  money  pretty  freely  =  He  is  disposed  to  be  lavish 
in  the  use  of  his  money. 
A§  follows niTlius;  for  instance;  by  way  of  exam- 
ple— a  phrase  introducing  some  particulars  or  spec- 
ifications, (ft) 

Just  before  the  battle  the  general  addressed  his 
army,  as  folloivs  =  Immediately  preceding  the  battle 
the  genera Wddressed  his  army  thus,  or  in  tlie  fol- 
lowing words.     The  nurse  is  directed  to  administer 
the  medicine  once  in  two  hours,  as  follows,  one,  three, 
five  o'clock  and  so  on  =  The  nurse  is  directed  to  ad- 
minister the  medicine  once  in  two  hours;  for  in- 
stance, one,  three,  five  o'clock  and  so  on. 
At  a  discount  =  AYith  a  deduction  from  the  original, 
or  full,  or  customary  amount,  (a) 
I  bought  these  dress  goods  at  a  discount,  because 
the  season  for  them  is  nearly  pastel  bought  these 
goods  with  a  deduction  from  the  original  price,  be 
cause  the  season  for  selling  them  is  nearly  past. 
At  the  most  =  At  the  furthest  possible,  as  time,  ef- 
fort, degree,  quantity,  &c.  (a) 
I  think  I  will  stop  over  one  train,  and  visit  my 
friend  in  the  city  ;.a^  the  most,  it  can  only  delay  me 
a  few  hours  =  I  think  I  will  suspend  my  travel  till 
the  next  train,  and  visit  my  friend  in  the  city ;  the 
greatest  inconvenience  it  can  occasion  me  will  be  a 
delay  of  a  few  hours. 
Badly  off;  ill  off ==  In  an  unfortunate  or  undesirable 
condition  ;  unsuccessful ;  unfortunate,  (a) 
Mr.  B.  has  had  both  legs  broken  by  the  fall  of  a 
tree,  and  is  badly  off—'M.v.  B.  is  in  an  unfortunate 
condition,  having  had  both  legs  broken  by  the  fall 
of  a  tree. 
Balance  of  trade  (Cbm.)r=The  difference  between 
the  value  of  the  commercial  exports  and  imports 
of  any  country. 
The  balance  of  trade  between  America  and  England 
has  of  late  been  in  favor  of  America  =  The  money- 
value  difference  between  the  exports  and  imj)orts 
of  America  and  England  has  of  late  been  in  favor 
of  America. 
Bandy  words,  to  =  To  give  and  receive  words  recip- 
rocally; to  exchange  words,  (c) 
Dr.  Johnson  told  of  meeting  the  king,  and  what 
the  king  said  to  him.     Being  asked  what  he  said  to 
the  king,  he  said,  "E'othing;  I  did  not  bandy  words 
with  my  sovereign  "  =  Dr.  Johnson  told  of  meeting 
the  king  and  what  the  king  said  to  him.     Being 
asked  what  he  said  to  the  king,  he  said,  "  Nothing ; 


VARIOUS    OTHER   PHRASES  AKD   WORDS.         765 

I  didinot  tliink  it  becoming  to  exchange  words  with 
nij  sovereign. 
Bear  false  witness,  to  =  To  testify  falsely ;  to  make 
untrue  statements,  (c) 
It  is  a  great  crime,  in  the  eye  of  the  law,  to  hear 
false  iuitness  —  T\\Q  law  regards  perjury,  or  testifying 
falsely,  as  a  great  crime. 
Bell  the  cat,  to  =:  To  put  a  bell  on ;  to  encounter 
and  cripple  one  of  a  greatly  superior  force,  (c) 

Who  will  hell  the  cat?  said  the  mice  to  one  another 
=  Who  will  put  the  bell  on  the  cat?  said  the  mice 
to  one  another. 
Betake  one's  self  to,  to  =:  To  use ;  to  avail  one's 
self  of;  to  resort  to.  {a) 
The  picnic  party,  being  overtaken  by  a  shower, 
hetook  themselves  to  a  neighboring  barn  for  shelter  = 
The  picnic  party,  being  caught  in  a  shower,  resorted 
to  a  neighboring  barn  for  shelter. 
Boat  the  oars,  to=:To  cease  rowing,  and  lay  the 
oars  in  the  boat. 
When    they   reached    the    fishing    ground,    they 
boated  the  oars  =  When  they  arrived  at  the  locality 
for  fishing,  they  ceased  rowing  and  laid  the  oars  in 
the  boat. 
Brings  an  action  or  a  suit  agrainst,  to  =  To  prose- 
cute judicially  ;  to  sue.  (a) 
Mrs.  G.  has  brought  an  action  against  the  railroad 
company  to  recover  damages  for  injuries  received  in 
a   collision  =  Mrs.    G.    has   prosecuted   the  railroad 
company,  in  order  to  get  damages  for  injuries  which 
she  received  in  a  collision  of  two  trains. 
Brings  in   a  verdict,  to  —  To  render  a  decision  or 
judgment — said  of  a  jury,  (a) 

The  jury  brought  in  a  verdict  of  five  hundred  dol- 
lars in  favor  of  the  plaintiffs  The  jury  rendered  a 
decision  to  the  effect  tliat  the  defendant  ought  to 
pay  the  plaintiff  five  hundred  dollars. 
Bring  to  trial,  to=:To  cause  a  judicial  examination ; 
to  try.  {a) 
The  libel  case  of  Smith  vs.  Jones  will  be  brouglit 
to  trial  at  this  term  of  the  court  =  The  suit  for  libel. 
Smith  vs.  Jones,  will  be  tried  at  this  term  of  the 
court. 
Burn  or  hang  in  effigy,  tomTo  burn  or  hang  an 
image  or  picture  of  the  person,  whom  it  is  wished  to 
disgrace,  {a) 
In  1765  Mr.  Oliver,  stamp-master  for  Massachu- 
setts, was  hanged  and  burned  in  ejjigy  -  An  image  of 
Mr.  Oliver  was  hanged  and  burned,  with  the  view 
of  disgracing  him  for  the  unpopular  act  of  accepting 


766         VAKIOUS    OTHER   PHRASES   AND   WORDS. 

commission  as  stamp-master  for  Massachusetts,  in 
1765. 
By  expre§§  =  By  a  regular  and  rapid  method  of  con- 
veyance, designed  for  the  transmission  of  parcels, 
goods  and  the  like,  (a) 
I  received  the  books  from  New  York  by  express  = 
I  received  the  books  from  New  York,  by  the  regular 
and  rapid  mode  of  conveyance  which  is  designed  for 
the  transmission  of  such  parcels. 
By  mean§  of  =  Through  the  agency  or  assistance  of; 
by  the  method  of.  {a) 
The  steam-boat  was  sunk  by  a  collision ;  but  by 
means  of  diving  apparatus,  the  cargo  was  recovered 
=  A  collision  caused  the  steam-boat  to  sink ;  but  the 
cargo  was  recovered  through  the  agency  of  appa- 
ratus which  enables  men  to  work  under  water. 
By  the  lee  (iVaw^.)  =  Having  changed  the  direction 
of  the  course  so  much  that  the  wind  takes  the  sails 
aback  from  the  other  side — said  of  a  vessel. 
By  the   §\i^eat  of   one's  brow  =  Laboriously ;    by 
toil,  (a) 

The  farmer  earns  his  living  by  the  sweat  of  his  brow 
=  The  farmer  gains  a  livelihood  by  toil. 
Carry  the  wind,  to  (Man.)  =  To  toss  the  head  as 
high  as  the  ears,  as  a  horse,  (c) 
My  horse  has  a  habit  of  carrying  the  wind='Mj 
horse  is  accustomed  to  toss  his  head  as  high  as  his 
ears. 
Clear  airay,  to  =  To  remove,  (a) 

The    Postmaster-General's    statement   will    clear 
away  some  misapprehension  =  The  Postm  aster-Gen - 
eraPs  statement  will  remove  some  misapprehension. 
I  wish  you  to  clear  away  this  rubbish  =  I  wish  you 
to  remove  this  rubbish. 
Close  over,  to  =  To  meet,  as  waters,  above  an  object 
and  hide  it  from  sight,  (c) 
The  collision  so  disabled  the  vessel,  that  in  a  few 
hours  she  sank,  and  the  waters  closed  over  it— The 
vessel  was  so  disabled  by  the  collision,  that  in  a  few 
hours  she  sank,  and  the  waters  met  above  and  hid 
it  from  sight. 
Composed  of,  to  toe  =  To  be  made  up ;  to  be  formed 
by  uniting  two  or  more  things,  and  the  like,  (a) 
A  deputation  was  formed,  composed  of  members 
of  the  leading  mercantile  firms  =  A  deputation  was 
formed,  made  up  of  members  of  the  leading  mer- 
cantile firms. 
Cry  "  Wolf,"  to=rTo  give  a  false  alarm,  {b) 

The  boy  who  was  sent  to  watch  the  sheep,  de- 


YAKIOUS    OTHER   PHRASES   AND   WORDS.         767 

ceived  the  men  so  often  by  crying  "  Wolf^^  in  sport, 
that  when  the  wolf  did  come  the}^  would  not  believe 
the  boy,  and  he  was  devoured  =  The  boy,  watching 
sheep,  deceived  the  men  so  often  by  giving  a  false 
alarm  in  sport,  that  when  the  wolf  did  come  they 
would  not  believe  the  boy,  and  he  was  devoured. 
Curse  by  bell,  book,  and  eandle,  to  — A  solemn 
form  of  excommunication  used  in  the  Roman  Cath- 
olic Church. 
When  this  church  curses  hy  hell,  book,  and  candle, 
the  bell  is  tolled,  the  book  of  offices  for  the  purpose 
is  used,  and  three  candles  are  extinguished  with  cer- 
tain ceremonies  =  In  the  solemn  form  of  excommu- 
nication used  by  the  Roman  Catholic  Church,  the 
bell  is  tolled,  the  book  of  offices  is  'used,  and  three 
candles  are  extinguished  with  certain  ceremonies. 
Do  credit   to,   to  =  To  be  creditable  to;    to   com- 
mend ;  to  praise,  (a) 
These  fine  vegetables  do  credit  to  the  gardener's 
skill  =  These  choice  vegetables  are  creditable  to  the 
gardener's  skill.     Your  behavior  does  you  credits 
Your  behavior  confers  honor  on  ^^ou ;  or,  is  a  ground 
of  praise. 
Do  honor  to,  to  =  To  render  distinguished ;  to  con- 
fer or  reflect  honor  on.  (a) 
The  lad's  examination  does  honor  to  himself  and 
his  teachers  =  The  lad's  examination  reflects  honor 
on  his  own  studiousness  and  on  the  good  instruction 
of  his  teachers. 
Dead-lift  =  A  lift  at  the  utmost  disadvantage ;  hence, 
an  extreme  exigency. 
The  teamsters  raised  the  horse  which  had  fallen 
into  the  gutter,  at  a  dead  lift— The  teamsters  raised 
the  horse  which  had  fallen  into  the  gutter,  by  lifting 
at  the  utmost  disadvantage. 
Enter  into  particulars,  to  =  To  relate  in  detail ;  to 
speak  with  minuteness  and  particularity,  (a) 
The  notice  of  the  shipwreck  in  the  morning  paper 
is  brief,   and   does   not   eiiter   into  particulars  =  The 
morning  paper  briefly  mentions  the  shipwreck,  but 
does  not  give  a  detailed  account  of  it. 
Fee  simple  (Law)  = "  An  estate  belonging  to  a  man 
and  his  heirs  absolutely ;"  [Bouvier]  "  an  absolute 
estate  of  inheritance, — called  simple  because  clear 
of  any  condition,  limitation,  or  restriction  to  par- 
ticular heirs."     [Burrill,  in  Worcester.] 
He  holds  his  farm  in  fee  simple  =  He  possesses  his 
farm  by  an  absolute  right,  one  free  of  any  limitation 
to  particular  heirs. 
File  a  bill,  petition,  or  claim,  to  =  To  bring  a  bill. 


768         VARIOUS    OTHER   PHRASES   AND   WORDS. 

petition,  or  claim  before  a  court  or  legislative  body 
by  presenting  proper  papers  in  a  regular  way.  (a) 
Mr.  A.  lias  filed  a  claim  in  Congress  for  unpaid 
services  rendered  by  Lis  father,  in  surveying  public 
lands  =  Mr.  A.  has  brought  before  Congress,  by  the 
presentation  of  proper  papers,  an  unsettled  account 
for  services  rendered  by  his  father,  in    surveying 
public  lands. 
Fill  the  ranks,  to  =  To  supply  the  whole  number, 
or  a  competent  number,  (a) 
When  the  volunteers  for  military  service  did  not 
suffice,  the  government  was  forced  to  fill  the  ranks 
by  a  drafts  When  a  sufficient  number  of  men  for 
the  army  did   not  volunteer,  the  government  was 
compelled  to  secure  the  requisite  number  by  a  draft. 
Give  a  party,  to  =  To  entertain   a  company  of  in- 
vited guests  at  a  social  gathering,  (a) 
Mrs.  G.  gives  a  party  this  evenings  Mrs.  G.  is  to 
entertain  a  company  of  invited  guests,  this  evening, 
in  a  social  gathering. 
Oive  in.cliargc  or  custody,  to  =  To  intrust  for  safe 
keeping,  (a) 
The  murderer  who  was  sentenced  to  be  hung  in 
one  year  was  taken   from   the  court,  and  given  in 
charge  to  the   sheriffs:  After  receiving  the  sentence 
of  death  by  hanging,  to  be  executed  in  one  year,  the 
murderer  was  removed  from  the  court,  and  intrusted 
to  the  sheriff  for  safe  keeping. 
Oive  possession,  to  =  To  put  in  another's  power  or 
occupancy.  («) 
Mr.  A.  has  sold  his  farm,  but  has  not  yet  given 
possession  to  the  purchaser = Mr.   A.   has    sold    his 
farm,  but  has  not  yet  put  it  into  the  occupancy  of 
the  purchaser. 
Olory  in,  to  =  To  be  proud  of;  to  boast  of.  (c) 

That  man  glories  in  being  the  strongest  person  in 
town  =  That  man  is  proud  of  being  the  strongest 
person  in  the  town. 
Oo  against  the  stomach,  to  =  To  nauseate ;  to  ex- 
cite dislike  or  disgust,  (c) 
Mr.  A.  is  a  very  proud  man,  and  it  goes  against  his 
stomach  to  apologize  for  his  fault  =  Mr.  A.  is  a  very 
proud  man,  and  it  is  especially  disagreeable  to  him 
to  acknowledge  his  fault. 
Oreat  seal  =  The  principal  seal  of  a  kingdom,  state, 
&c. 
By  the  act  of  union  between  England  and  Scot- 
land, one  great  seal  is  used  for  sealing  writs  to  sum- 
mon parliament,  for  treaties  with  foreign  states,  cfec. 
=  By  the  act  of  union  between  England  and  Scot- 


VARIOUS    OTHER   PHRASES   AND    WORDS.         769 

land,  one  principal  seal  is  nsed  for  sealing  writs  to 
summon  parliament,  for  treaties  with  foreign  states, 
&c. 
Hand  over  hand  =:  By  passing  the  hand  alternately 
one  before  or  above  another,  (a) 
The  boy  climbed  the  rope  ha7id  over  hand=lLhG 
boy  climbed  tlie  rope,   by  passing  the  hands  alter- 
nately over  one  another. 
Have  a  voice  in,  to=:To  be  allowed  to  express  one's 
opinion  or  feeling,  by  vote  or  otherwise ;  to  partic- 
ipate in.  (b) 
In  representative  governments,  the  people  have  a 
voice  in  public  affairs  =  It  is  characteristic  of  repre- 
sentative governments,  that  the  people  are  allowed 
to  express  their  opinions  concerning  public  affairs, 
or  to  participate  in  them. 
Have  full  §wing^,  to  =  To  have  unrestrained  liberty 
or  license,  (b) 
The  parents  are  absent  for  the  day,  and  the  chil- 
dren have  full  Sluing —  T\\Q  parents  being  absent  for 
tlie  day,  the  children  are  unrestrained. 
Have  one'§  liand§  full,  to=:To  be  busily  engaged; 
to  be  completely  occupied,  (a) 

Mrs.  A.  has  a  large  family,  and  has  her  hands  full 
=  Mrs.  A's  family  is  large,  and  she  is  fully  occupied 
in  caring  for  it. 
Have  place,  to  =  To  exist;  to  actually  be.  (6) 

Envy  has  no  place  in  his  heart  =  Envy  does  not 
exist  in  his  heart.     (He  has  no  envious  feelings). 
Have  recour§e  to,  to  =  To  resort  to ;  to  employ ;  to 
make  use  of.  {a) 
On  the  voyage,  one  of  the  engines  was  disabled, 
and  the  captain  had  recourse  to  the  sails  =  On  the 
voyage,  one  of  the  engines  was  rendered  incapable 
of  working,  and  the  captain  made  use  of  the  sails  as 
a  motive  power. 
Have  ivord§  ivith,  to=:To  dispute  with;  to  quarrel 
with.  («) 
The  workman  had  some  ivords  with  his  employer 
regarding  his  wages  =  The  workman  disputed  with 
his  employer  concerning  his  wages. 
Hear  a  cause,  to  =  To  try  a  cause  or  suit  in  court,  {a) 
Judge  C.  will  hear  causes  at  this  term  of  the  court 
—  Judge  C.  will  try  the  cases  which  are  presented  at 
this  term  of  the  court. 
Hermetically  sealed  =  Completely  closed — said  es- 
pecially of  a  glass  tube  which  has  been  closed  a- 
gainst  the  admission  of  air  or  other  fluid  by  fusing 
the  extremity;  air-tight,  (a) 
The  tube  of  a  thermometer  is  hermetically  sealed  = 
50 


770         VARIOUS   OTHER   PHRASES   AND    WORDS. 

The  tube  of  a  thermometer  is  rendered  air-tight  by 
fusing  the  extremity. 
In   a  manners  In  a   certain    degree,  measure,    or 
sense ;  to  a  certain  extent,  (c) 
The  work  is,  in  a  manner^  done  already  =  The  work 
is  ah-eady  done,  in  a  certain  degree,  or,  sense. 
In  contemplation,  to  be  or  have  =  To  be  intended 
or  purposed ;  to  be  siibject  of  consideration,  {b) 
It   is  in  contemplation    to  build    another  spacious 
hotel  at  the  popular  watering-place=  The  building  of 
another  spacious  hotel  at  the  fashionable  watering- 
place  is  being  considered,  or  is  purposed. 
In  defiance  of  ==  Defying;  opposing;  violating,  (a) 
The  boys  played  ball  in  the  school-house  yard,  in 
defiance  of  the  rules  =  The  boys  violated  the  rules  in 
playing  ball  in  the  school-house  yard. 
In  duty  bound,  to  be  ==  To  be  under  obligation ;  to 
have  as  a  duty,  {a) 
The  witness  in  court  is  in  duty  hound  to  speak  the 
truth  =  It  is  the  duty  of  the  witness  in  court  to  give 
true  testimony. 
In  one  =  In  a  united  body ;  in  union  ;  unitedly,  (a) 
The  separate  American  states  are  brought  together 
in  one^  to  form  the  U.  S.  government  =:  The  individ- 
ual states  of  America   are  brought  together  into  a 
united  body,  to  form  the  U.  S.  government. 
In  one's  employe  Employed  by  one.  («) 

B.  &  T.,  merchants,  have  many  clerks   in   their 
employ  =  The    merchants,  B.  &  T.,  employ  many 
clerks. 
In  or  into  one'§  liand§  =  In  one's  possession  or  con- 
trol, {a) 
He  has  been  wishing,  for  a  long  time,  to  get  his 
brother's  property  into  his  hands  —  He  has  long  been 
desiring  to  obtain  possession  or  control  of  his  broth- 
er's property. 
In  one's  power  =  Possible  for  one.  (a) 

It  is  not  in  my  povjer  to  grant  you  the  loan  of  five 
thousand  dollars  =  It  is  not  possible  for  me  (I  have 
not  the  ability)  to  grant  you  the  loan  of  five  thou- 
sand dollars. 
In  partnersliipi=  United  in  prosecuting  any  under- 
taking or  business,  {a) 
Tlie  four  brothers  Harper  were  171  partnership^  in 
publishing  books  in  New  York  city,  for  many  years 
=  The  four  brothers  Harper  unitedly  carried  On  the 
business  of  publishing  books,  in  New  York  city,  for 
many  years. 
In    plain    terms,  ivords,    or    language  =  Strictly 
speaking ;  in  fact ;  really,  (a) 


VARIOUS    OTHER   PHRASES   AND   WORDS.         771 

I  overheard  Mrs.  A.  talking  vigorously  to  her  serv- 
ant ;  in  plain  terms ^  scolding  her  =  I  overheard  Mrs. 
A.  talking  vigorously  to  her  servant ;  in  fact,  scold- 
ing her. 
In  re§pect  to  or  of  =  In  reference  to ;  in  comparison 
with,  {a) 
Mr.  E.  consulted  the  physician  in  respect  to  taking 
his  invalid  daughter  to  the  sea-side  =  Mr.  E.  consult- 
ed the  physician  in  reference  to  the  advisability  of 
taking  his  invalid  daughter  to  the  sea-side. 
Ill  tlie  background  =  Out  of  sight;  in  a  situation 
little  seen  or  noticed,  {b) 
Mr.  A.  is  a  silent  partner  in  the  store,  and  keeps 
in  the  hachground^Mx.  A.  is  not  actively  engaged  in 
the  business  of  the  store,  and  therefore  is  but  little 
seen  or  known  in  connection  with  it. 
In    the  main  =  For   the  most  part;  in  the  greatest 
part,  {a) 
The  road  to  the  city  is  good,  in  the  main  =  For  the 
most  part,  the  road  to  the  city  is  good. 
In  the  rough  =  In  an  unwrought  or  rude  condition, 
or  in  the  original  material,  {a) 
The  carpenter  bought  a  quantity  of  lumber  in  the 
rough=:Th.e  carpenter  bought  a  quantity  of  lumber 
in  an  unwrought  condition. 
In  the  train  of  =  Accompanying;  attending;  follow- 
ing, (a) 
In  the  train  of  war  many  evils  are  founds  Many 
evils  accompany  or  follow  war. 
In  the  wind's  eye  {Naut.)  =  Toward  the  direct  point 
from  which  the  wind  blows. 
We  are  sailing  in  the  wind^s  eye  =  'We  are  sailing 
toward  the  direct  point  from  which  the  wind  blows. 
Invest  money,  to=:T^o  place  money  so  that  it  will 
be  safe  and  yield  a  profit,  (a) 
Mr.  E.  the  banker  advises  me  to  invest  m.oney  in 
United  States  bonds  =  Mr.  E.  the  banker  counsels  me 
to  place  money  in  United  States  bonds,  in  order  that 
it  may  be  safe  and  yield  a  profit. 
Keep  close,  to  =  To  refrain   from  communicating ; 
to  be  reserved,  (c) 
Mr.  A.  knows  when  the  wedding  is  to  take  place, 
but  he  keeps  it  close  =  M.y.  A.   knows  the  time  of  the 
wedding,  but  he  refrains  from  telling  any  one. 
Keep  one's   (o^vn)    counsel,  to  =  To  refrain    from 
disclosiufi^,  as  information,  purpose,  opinion,  and  the 
like,  {b)  ^ 
Some  one  inquired  of  the  bridegroom  where  he 
was  going  on  his  bridal  trip,  but  he  kept  his  ovm  coun- 
sel—^f  hen  some  one  asked  the  bridegroom  where  he 


772        VARIOUS   OTHER    PHRASES  AND   WORDS. 

was  going  for  a  bridal  trip,  he  refrained  from  giving 
the  information. 
KIngr  of  terrors  =  Death. 

He  met  the  approach  of  the  hing  of  terrors  calmly 
=  He  was  calm,  as  death  approached. 
Lay  of  the  land  =  The  situation  or  character  of  sur- 
face of  the  land  or  place,  (a) 
On  examining  the  farm  which  was  offered  for  sale, 
he  did  not  like  the  lay  of  the  la7id~W\\Qn  he  exam- 
ined the  farm  which  was  offered  for  sale,  he  was  not 
plea-ed  with  its  situation. 
Lead  astray,  to  =  To  guide  in  a  wrong  way  or  into 
error ;  to  seduce  from  truth  or  rectitude,  (a) 
The  youth  was  led  astray  hy  qyW  companions  =  The 
youth  was  influenced  to  wrong  conduct  by  evil  com- 
panions. 
Let  down,  to  =  l.  To  cause  to  descend  or  sink  low- 
er; to  lower,  (a)     2.  To  soften  in  tempering. 
1.  Please  let  down  the  windows  Please  lower  the 
window-sa»h.     2.  This  axe  was  let  down  too  much  = 
This  axe  was  made  too  soft  in  the  process  of  temper- 
ing. 
Let  go  by  the  run,  to  (JVaut.)  =  To  loosen,  as  lines, 
so  as  to  let  that  which  they  support  fall  suddenly 
and  completely. 
Lie  down,  to=:To  place  the   body  in  a  horizontal 
position ;  also,  to  go  to  rest,  (a) 
He   is  so   afflicted  with  asthma  that   he  can  not 
breathe,  lying  doivn  =  lle  is  so  afflicted  with  asthma, 
that  when  he  is  in  a  horizontal  position,  he  is  unable 
to  breathe. 
Life  of  an  execution  {Law)  =  The  period  when  an 

execution  is  in  force,  or  before  it  expires. 
Lift  up  the  voice,  to=:To  cry  aloud;  to  call  out.  (c) 
In  summoning  the  boy  from  a  distance,  tlie  father 
was  obliged  to  lift  up  his  voice  =  ln  summoning  the 
boy  from  a  distance,  the  father  was  necessitated  to 
call  out  loudly. 
Lig^ht  of  the  countenance  =  Favor ;  smile,  (c) 

Lord,  lift  thou  up  the  light  of  thy  countenance  upon 
us.  [Psalms  iv.  6]=  Lord,  regard  us  with  favor. 
Line  bees,  to  =  To  track  wild  bees  to  their  hives  in 
the  woods. 
Bees  are  Imed,  by  observing  the  direction  of  their 
flight  from   different  points,  and  following  them  = 
Wild  bees  are  tracked  to  their  hives  in  the  woods, 
by  observing  the  direction  of  their  flight  from  differ- 
ent points,  and  following  them. 
Live  in  hope,  to  =  To  expect ;  to  entertain  the  hope ; 
to  be  cheered  by  the  hope,  (a) 


VAKIOUS   OTHER  PHRASES    AND    WORDS.         773 

The  Cliinaman,  who  is  residing  in  California,  lives 
in  hope  of  returning  to  his  native  land  at  some  time 
—  The  Chinaman,  who  is  at  present  residing  in  Cal- 
ifornia, is  cheered  by  the  hope  of  some  day  retm^n- 
ing  to  China. 
Liook    after  one's  own  interest,   to  =  To    regard 
one's  personal  advantage;  to  attend  to  what  will 
profit  or  benefit  the  person,  {a) 
In  his  official  work,  this  office-holder  is  accustomed 
to  look  after  his  own  interests  — In  the  discharge  of  his 
official  duties,  this  office-holder  is  accustomed  to  pay 
much  regard  to  his  own  advantage  or  profit. 
Look  in  the  face,  to  =  To  face,  or  meet  with  bold- 
ness. («) 
The   boy  who  played  truant  could  not  look  his 
teacher  in  the  face  the  next  day  =  The  boy  who  played 
truant  w^as  not  able  to  meet  his  teacher  boldly,  with- 
out shame,  the  following  day. 
LiOok  up  a  thing,  toi=To  search   for   a   thing  and 
find  it.  {h) 
Mr.  H.  has  been  looking  up  his   genealogy  in  the 
early  records  of  the  town  =  Mr.  11.  has  been  search- 
ing the  early  records  of  the  town,  for  his  lineage. 
iriake  a  man  of,  to  =  To  render  manly;  todevelope 
manly  qualities  in.  (a) 
Sending  the  lad  away  to  school  has  made  a  man  of 
him  =  The   lad  has  been  rendered  manly  by  being 
sent  from  home  to  attend  school. 
Make  a  minute  or  note  of,  to  =  To  jot  down  briefly, 
in  wu^iting,  for  future  reference,  or  as  an  aid  to  mem- 
ory. Q))^ 
My  friend  made  a  minute  q/"the  street  and  number 
of  my  house  and  place  of  business,  intending  to  call 
upon  me  when  he  comes  to  the  city  =  My  friend  wrote 
down  in  a  brief  form  the  street  and  number  of  my 
house  and  place   of  business,  that  he  might  know 
where  to  find  me  on  his  visit  to  the  city. 
Hake  a  pretext  of,  to  =  To  use  as  a  j)lea  or  reason ; 
to  pretend  or  falsely  claim,  (b) 
A  lame  man  obtained  money  from  several  benevo- 
lent persons,  by  making  a  pretext  of  being  a  returned 
soldier,  who   was  disabled   in   the   war  =  By  falsely 
claiming  to  be  a  returned  soldier,  who  was  disabled 
in  the  war,  a  lame  man  secured  contributions  of  mon- 
ey from  several  benevolent  persons. 
Hake  an  end  of,  to  —  To  finish ;  to  complete,  (a) 
The  farmer  hopes  to  make  an  end  of  haying  this 
week  —  The  farmer  is  hoping  to  complete  his  haying 
this  week. 


774        VARIOUS   OTHER    PHRASES   AND   WORDS. 

Make  an  example  of,  to  =  To  punish,  as  a  warning 
to  othei's.  {a) 
Mr.  F.  has  discovered  one  of  the  boys  who  steal 
his  pears,  and  proposes  to  make  an  example  of  him  =: 
Having   found   out   one  of  the  boys  who  steal  his 
pears,  Mr.  F.  intends  to  punish  him,  for  a  warning 
to  the  others. 
make  elioiee  of,  to  =  To  choose ;  to  select,  (a) 

The  district  made  choice  of  Mr.  D.  as  school-com- 
mittee =  The  people  of  the  school  district  chose  Mr. 
D.  school-committee. 
Make  default,  to  {Law)  =  To  fail  to  appear  at  court 
as  a  party  in  a  case,  within  the  time  prescribed  by 
law. 
In  the  action  for  debt,  the  defendant  made  defaidt, 
and  judgment  was  rendered   against   him  =  In  the 
action  for  debt,  the  defendant  failed  to  appear  or  to 
answer,  and  the  decision  of  the  court   was  against 
him. 
Make  friend§  ^ritli,  to  =  To  cultivate  the  friendship 
of.  (a) 
I  see  that  my  children  have  been  making  friends 
luiih  yours,  during  our  stay  at  this  watering  place  = 
I  observe  that  my  children  have  been  cultivating  the 
friendship  of  yours,  since  we  came  to  this  watering 
place. 
Make  it  a  eondition,  to  =  To  stipulate;  to  require 
as  necessary  to  something  else,  (a) 
The  owner  of  the  house  made  it  a  condition  of  the 
sale,  that   one-half  the  purchase  money   should  be 
paid  down  =  The  owner  of  the  house  stipulated  that 
the  purchaser  should  pay  one-half  the  price  at  the 
time  of  purchase. 
Make  merry,  to  =  To  be  jovial;  to  indulge  in  hilar- 
ity ;  to  feast  with  mirth,  (c) 
The  young  people  made  merry  at  the  picnic  =  The 
young  people  indulged  in  hilarity  at  the  picnic.     The 
excursion  party  went  to  the  sea-side  and  made  merry 
=  The  excursion  party  went  to  the  sea-side,  and  were 
jovial  with  feasting  and  sport. 

Make  no  difference  or  matter,  to  =  To  have  no  in- 
fluence or  importance ;  to  be  a  matter  of  indifler- 
ence ;  to  be  unimportant,  (a) 
It  makes  no  difference  which  road  you  take ;  both 
lead  to  the  city,  and  they  are  equally  long  =:  It  is  un- 
important which  road  you  select ;  both  lead  to  the 
city,  and  the  distance  is  the  same  by  each.     What 
Mr.  E.  thinks  and  does,  will  make  no  difference  with 
me  =  Mr.  E's  opinion  and  conduct  will  not  influence 
me.     This  contract  is  not  witnessed.     That  makes 


VARIOUS   OTHER    PHRASES  AND  WORDS.         775 

no  matter —  Thi^  contract  is  not  signed  by  witnesses. 
That  is  of  no  importance. 
Make  peace,  to  =  To  cause  a  cessation  of   hostili- 
ties ;  to  put  an  end  to  war,  quarrel,  &c.  (6) 
The  two  contending  nations  have  made  peace  — T\\e, 
two  nations  which  were  at  war  have  ceased  their 
strife. 
make  up  one'§  mind,  to  =  To  come  to  an  opinion  or 
decision ;  to  determine,  {a) 
He  has  made  up  his  mind  to  sell  his  farm,  and  re- 
move to  California  =  He  has  decided  to  sell  his  farm, 
and  remove  to  California. 
Mount  guard,  to  {Mil.)  — To  take  the  station,  and  do 
the  duty,  of  a  sentinel. 
We  mou7ited  guard  at  9  A.  M=:We   commenced 
our  duty  as  sentinels,  at  9  A.  M. 
Muster  into  service,  to  (M7.)  =  To  inspect,  and  en- 
ter on  the  muster  roll  of  the  army,  (a) 
Many  regiments  of  volunteers  were  mustered  into 
service  at  the  beginning  of  the  war  (U.  S.  1861)  = 
Many  regiments  of  volunteer  soldiers  were  inspect- 
ed, and  entered  on  the  muster  roU  of  the  army  at 
the  beginning  of  the  war. 
Muster  out  of  service,  to  (M7.)=:To   inspect  and 
enter  on  a  muster  roll,  preparatory  to  being  paid 
off  and  dismissed,  (a) 
When  the  war  was  ended,  the  volunteer  troops 
were  mustered  out  of  service  — A.i  the  close  of  tlie  war, 
the  regiments  composed  of  volunteers  were  inspect- 
ed, and  entered  on  a  muster  roll,  preparatory  to  re- 
ceiving pay  and  being  dismissed. 
IVame  the  name  of  Christ,  to=:To  make  profession 
of  faith  in  Christ,  (c) 
"Let  every  one  that  nameth  the  name  of  Christ 
depart  from  iniquity,"  [II.  Tim.  ii.  19]  =  Let  every 
one  who  professes  to  trust  in  Christ  and  to  obey 
him,  avoid  that  which  is  unjust  or  sinful. 
IVeck  and  neck  (horse  racing)  =  Even  in  the  race ; 
one  as  far  advanced  as  the  other,  (a) 
When  tliey  were  half-way  round  the  course,  the 
black  horse  and  the  gray  one  were  neck  and  neck  — 
When  they  had  gone  half  the  length  of  the  trotting 
course,  the  black  horse  and  the  gray  one  were  even 
in  the  race. 
;Wiek  a  horse,  to  =  To  make  an  incision  at  the  root 
of   a  horse's  tail,  in  order  to  make  him  carry  it 
higher,  (c) 
It  is  not  now  common  in  America  to  nick  horses  — 
The  practice  of  cutting  some  of  the  muscles  at  the 


776        VARIOUS    OTHER  PHRASES   AND  WORDS. 

root  of  a  horse's  tail,  in  order  to  make  him  carry  it 
higher,  is  not  now  common  in  America. 
]Vo  mistake  =  Certainly ;  surely;   without  fail.   {Col- 
loq.  and  low.)  (a) 
I  will  meet  you  at  the  depot  at  two  o'clock,  and 
no  mistake  =  At  two  o'clock  I  will  meet  you  at  the 
depot,  without  fail.     That  circus  clown  is  a  comical 
fellow^,  no  mistake  =  Tlmt  clown  at  the  circus  is  cer- 
tainly a  comical  fellow. 
Of   accounts  Important;    valuable;    advantageous, 
and  the  like,  (a) 
It  is  of  much   account  that  children  form  good 
habits  =  It  is  very  important  for  children  to  form 
good  habits.     You  need  not  return  the  newspaper 
which  I  sent  3'ou;  it  is  of  no  accou7it—T>o  not  tliink 
it  necessary  to  return  the  newspaper  which  I  sent 
you,  for  it  has  no  value  to  me. 
Of  counsel  {Law) — "A  phrase  employed  when  speak- 
ing of  one  of  several  counselors  concerned  in  the 
management  of  a  case  in  court."  [Bouvier.] 
Offend  ag^ainst,  to  =  To  act  injuriously  or  unjustly 
toward ;  to  violate ;  to  transgress,  (a) 

His  language  offends  against  the  rules  of  grammar 
—  The  language  which  he  uses  violates  grammatical 
rules. 
Offer  violence,  to  =  To  assault ;  to  assail  with  hos- 
tile intent,  (h) 
The   Indians  on   the  plains  did  not  offer  violence 
to  the  emigrants  passing  through  their  territory  = 
The  Indians  living  on  the  plains  did  not  hostilely 
attack  the  emigrants  who  were  passing  through  their 
territory. 
Office  found  {Eng.  Law)  — "  An  inquiry  executed  by 
some  officers  of  the  crown,  when  certain  events 
have  occurred  in  consequence  of  which  the  crown 
becomes  entitled  to  take  possession  of  real  or  per- 
sonal property."     [Brande.] 
On  account  of  =  Because  of;  by  reason  of.  (a) 

On  account  of  the  storm,  the  picnic  was  postponed 
=  Because  of  the  storm,  the  out-door  gathering  for 
enteftainment  was  deferred. 
On  one's  account  =  For  the  sake  of  one.  {a) 

Mrs.  T.  has  gone  to  the  sea-side,  on  her  son^s  ac- 
count; he  is  out  of  healths  Mrs.  T.  has  gone  to  the 
sea-side  for  the  sake  of  her  son,  who  is  in  bad  health. 
On  one's  shoulders  —  Supported  by  one ;  one  is  re- 
sponsible for.  (c) 
The  construction  of  the  railroad  rests  on  the  shoul- 
ders of  the  chief  engineer  =  The  chief  engineer  is  re- 
sponsible for  the  construction  of  the  railroad. 


VARIOUS    OTHER  PHRASES  AND   WORDS.         777 

One-sided   view  =  The  view   or   judgment   of   one 
party  only ;  partial  or  unjust  opinion  or  statement,  {a) 
Partisan  newspapers  are   apt  to  give   a  one-sided 
vievj  of  political  matters  =  Partisan  newspapers  often 
present  a  partial  or  unjust  statement  of  political 
affairs. 
On  llie  eve  =  Just  before ;  the  period  just  preceding 
an  important  or  an  expected  event. 
On  the  march  into  Pennsylvania,  the  soldiers  all 
felt  that  they  were  on  the  eve  of  a  great  battle  =  On 
the  march  into  Pennsylvania,  the  soldiers  all  felt 
that  a  great  battle  was  just  at  hand. 
Out  of  trim  =  Not  properly  prepared, — applied  to  a 
ship  when  not  properly  stowed  or  balanced  for  sail- 
ing, (a) 
We  can  not  sail  to-day,  the  ship  is  out  of  trim  — 
We  can  not  sail  to-day,  for  the  ship  is  not  properly 
balanced  for  sailing. 
Over-shoot  one's  self,  to  =  To  venture  too  far ;  to 
assert  too  much,  (c) 
Before  the  construction  of  ocean  steamers,  a  dis- 
tinguished English  scientist  over-shot  himself  in  prov- 
ing as  he  supposed,  that  it  would  be  impossible  to 
cross  the  Atlantic  in  a  ship  propelled  by  steam  = 
Before  any  ocean  steamers  had  been  built,  a  distin- 
guished scientific  man  in  England  ventured  too  far, 
in  attempting  to  prove  by  argument,  that  to  cross 
the  Atlantic  ocean  in  a  vessel  propelled  by  steam, 
would  be  impossible. 
Over-shoot  the   mark,  to  =  To  go  beyond  proper 
bounds;  to  exceed,  usually  with  a  damaging  re- 
sult, (c) 
The  carpenter  over-shot  the  marh  in  charging  the 
newly  arrived  citizen  such  a  high  price  for  work ; 
for  the  man  will  never  again  employ  him  —  The  car- 
penter was  foolishly  and  injuriously  excessive  in  his 
charges  for  the  work  done  for  the  newly  arrived  cit- 
izen ;  for  he  will  not  be  employed  by  him  again. 
Owe  it  to,  to  =  To  be  under  obligation;  to  have  it 
as  a  duty,  (a) 
Every  one  owes  it  to  society  to  be  an  honest  and 
law-abiding  citizen  — Every  person  is  under  obliga- 
tion to  society  to  be  honest  and  obedient  to  law. 
Part  a  cable,  to  {Naut.)  —  To  suffer  the  breaking  of 
it.  ia) 
In  the  storm,  the  ship's  anchor  parted  her  cable  = 
In  the  storm,  the  cable  which  held  the  ship's  anchor 
was  broken. 
Pass  a'way,  to  =  To  elapse ;  to  be  spent ;  to  die.  (a) 
Many  years  have  passed  away,  since  we  played 


778         VARIOUS    OTHER   PHRASES   AND   WORDS. 

together    as    cliilclren  =  Many    years  have    ehipsed, 
since  we  were  children,  and  were   companions  in 
play.     All  his  grandparents  have  passed  away~H\& 
grandparents  are  all  dead. 
Pay  court  to,  to  =  To  endeavor  to  gain  the  favor  of, 
by  attentions ;  to  show  civilities  to.  (a) 
When  the  candidate  for  the  presidency  was  in 
town,  the  politicians  paid  court  to  him  =  When  the 
candidate  for  the  presidency  visited  the  town,  the 
politicians  showed  marked  civility  to  him  to  gain  his 
favor. 
Pay  in  one's  own  or  tlie  same  coin,  to  —  To  re- 
tort ;  to  retaliate. 
Tlie  politician  attacked  the  editor  in  a  speech, 
and  the  editor  pjaid  him  in  his  oum  com  =  The  editor 
retaliated    upon    the    politician    who    had    spoken 
against  him,  by  writing  in  disparagement  of  the 
politician. 
Pay  one's  addresses  to,  to  =  To  court ;  to  seek  in 
marriage,  {a) 
He  has  been  paying  his  addresses  to  the  Judge's 
daughter  for  some  months  =  He  has  been  courting 
the  Judge's  daughter  for  several  months. 
Pay  one's  respects  to,  to  =  To  visit  as  a  matter  of 
ceremony  or  courtesy,  (a) 
Have  you  paid  your  respects  to  the  new  commis- 
sioner ?=  Have  you  visited  the  new  commissioner,  as 
courtesy  or  ceremony  requires? 
Play  into  tlie  hands  of,  to  =  To   assist ;  to  co-ope- 
erate  with ;  to  help  forward,  (c) 

The  printers  play  into  the  hands  of  the  bookbinders 
=  The   employment   of  the   printers  helps  forward 
the  business  of  the  bookbindexs. 
Pleased   with,  to  toe  =  To  approve;  to  have  com- 
placency in ;  to  be  gratified  with,  (a) 
The  teacher  is  pleased  with  the  deportment  of  his 
pupils,  the  present  term  =  The  teacher  approves  the 
conduct  of  his  pupils  the  present   term.     The  lad 
was  pleased  with  the  Xew  Year's   present  from  his 
father  =  The  present  which  his  father  gave  him  on 
]^ew  Year's  day  gratified  the  lad. 
Plough  in,  to  =  To  cover  by  ploughing,  (a) 

The  farmer  spread  his  fertilizer  on  the  ground, 
and  ploughed  it  in  =  The  farmer  spread  the  fertiliz- 
ing material  over  the  ground,  and  covered    it   by 
ploughing. 
Plough  up  or  out,  to  =  To  turn  out  of  the  ground 
by  ploughing,  (a) 
The  wheat  sown  in  the  fall  was  winter-killed,  and 
the  farmer  ploughed  it  up  =  The  wheat  which  was 


VARIOUS    OTHER   PHRASES   AND   WORDS.         779 

sown  in  the  fall  was  so  severely  injured  by  the  cold 
of  the  winter,  that  the  farmer  removed  it  from  tlie 
ground  by  ploughing. 
Post  accounts,  to  [Book-keeping)  —  To  carry  accounts 
from  the  journal  to  the  ledger ;  to  place  them  un- 
der certain  heads  in  the  ledger  in  methodical  order. 
Your  account  has  not  been  posted;  if  you  will  call 
to-morrow,  I  will  tell  you  what  it  amounts  to  =  Your 
account  has  not  been  carried  to  tlie  ledger ;  if  you 
will  call  to-morrow,  I  will  tell  you  wliat  it  amounts 
to.     It  belongs  to  the  book-keeper  to  post  the  accounts 
of  a  commercial  iirm=:It  belongs  to  the  book-keeper 
to  place  the  accounts  of  a  commercial  firm  under  cer- 
tain heads  in  the  ledger,  in  methodical  order. 
Post  books,  to  =  To  transfer,  as  accounts,  to  the 
ledger. 
How  often  are  the  hooks  posted  in  your  store  ?  = 
How  often   are  the  accounts  transferred  from  the 
journal  to  the  ledger  in  your  store  ?     I  used  to  post 
my   father's   hooks^  when   I   was  a  boy=:I  used  to 
,  transfer  the  charges  from  my  father's  day-book  to 

his  ledger. 
Post-hasten  With  speed  or  expedition,  (c) 

The  man  was  badly  injured  by  a  run-way  horse, 
and  a  messenger  was  dispatched,  post-Jia^te^  for  a 
physician  =  The   man   was   seriously   injured   by   a 
horse  running  away,  and  a  messenger  was  ordered  to 
go  with  great  rapidity  to  summon  a  physician. 
Preference   shares  =  Shares  in   a    joint-stock  com- 
pany entitling  the  holders  to  a  preferential  divi- 
dend;   so   that  a  holder   of  preference   shares   is 
entitled  to  have  the  whole  of  his  dividend  paid 
before  any  dividend  is  paid  to  the  ordinary  share- 
holders. 
A  company  may  not  issue  preference  shares  except 
in  pursuance  of  a  power  reserved  for  the  purpose  in 
its  original  constitution  =  A  company  may  not  issue 
shares  entitling  the  holders  to  a  preferential  divi- 
dend, except  in  pursuance  of  a  power  reserved  for 
the  purpose  in  its  original  constitution. 
Press  into  service,  to  =  To  employ ;  to  utilize ;  to 
put  to  use.  (a) 
The  desire  to  witness  the  regatta  was  so  universal, 
that  every  horse  in  the  livery  stables  was  pressed 
into  service  to  carry  passengers  -  There  was  such  a 
general  desire  to  see  the  boat  race,  that  every  horse 
in  the  livery  stables  was  put  to  use,  conveying  pas 
sengers. 
Present  arms,  to  (M7.)  =  To  hold  the  arms  (weap- 


780        VARIOUS    OTHER  PHRASES  AND  WORDS. 

ons)  perpendicularly  before  the  body,  in  token  of 
respect,  (a) 
In  saluting  the  general  as  he  rode  down  the  lines, 
the  regiment  presented  arms  =  As  the  general  passed 
the  ranks  of  the  regiment,  the  soldiers  held  their 
guns  perpendicularly  before  them  in  salutation,  and 
as  a  token  of  respect. 
Preserve  game,  to  =  To  prevent  from  hunting  or 
killing  game,  (a) 
The  legislature  has  passed  laws  to  preserve  certain 
kinds  of  ^nf?72e  =  The  legislature  has  passed  laws  to 
prevent  hunting  or  killing  certain  of  the  animals 
which  are  usually  pursued  by  sportsmen. 
Pretty  well  (accent  on  the  well)  =  Quite  well,  (a) 
I  feel  pretty  well  this  mornings  I  feel  quite  well 
this  morning. 
Proficient   in  =  Well  advanced    in   knowledge   and 
skill;  expert,  (a) 

Miss  A.  is  proficient  in  music  =  Miss  A.  possesses 
much  musical  knowledge  and  skill. 
Protest  a  bill  or  note,  to  (Law)  =^^  To  cause  a  for- 
mal statement  to  be  made  in  writing  by  a  public 
notary,  under  seal,  that  the  bill  or  note  was,  on  a 
certain  day,  presented  for  acceptance  or  payment; 
and  that  such  acceptance  or  payment  was  refused, 
thereby  making  a  claim  against  the  parties  for  the 
loss  or  damage  which  may  arise   to  the  holder." 
[Burrill,  in  Worcester.] 
Protest  ag^ainst,  to  =  To  express  opposition  to ;  to 
object  to.  (a) 
The  traveling  public  will  protest  against  the  dis- 
continuance of  the  morning  accommodation  train  = 
The  persons  who  travel,  will  object  to  the  discon- 
tinuance of  the  morning  accommodation  train. 
Provide  ag^ainst,  to  =  To  take  measures ;  to  coun- 
teract or  escape,  (a) 
He  provided  against  the  destruction  of  his  house  by 
lightning,  by  putting  up  lightning  rods  =  He  took 
measure  to  prevent  the  destruction  of  his  house  by 
lightning,  by  attaching  to  the  building  metallic  rods, 
designed  to  carry  off  the  electricity. 
Pull  down,  to  =  To  demolish;   to  subvert;    to  de- 
grade, (a) 
"  In  political  affairs,  as  well  as  mechanical,  it  is 
easier  to  pidl  down  than  to  build  up  "  =  In  political 
as  well  as  mechanical  affairs,  it  is  easier  to  demolish 
than  to  construct. 

Pursuant  to  =  Agreeably  to;  in  accordance  with.  («) 
Pursuant  to  notice  in  the  morning  paper,  a  meet- 
ing of  the  citizens  was  held  in  the  evening,  to  con- 


VAKIOUS    OTHER   PHRASES   AND   WORDS.         781 

sider  the  purchase  of  land  for  a  park  =  In  accordance 
with  a  notice  printed  in  the   morning    paper,  the 
citizens  held  a  meeting  in  the  evening,  for  the  pur- 
pose of  considering  the  matter  of  purchasing  land 
for  a  park. 
Put  a  g^ood  face  upon,  to  =  To  represent  favorably ; 
to  cause  to  appear  in  a  good  light.  (/>) 
Hearing  that  an  insurance  company  in   which   I 
held  a  policy  was  not  very  reliable,  I  inquired  of  the 
secretary,  who  put  a  good  face  upon  the  matter  so  that 
I  was  deceived  =  Hearing  rumors  of  tlie  weakness  of 
an  insurance  company  in  which  I  had  a  policy  I  in- 
quired of  the  secretary,  who  represented  the  aifairs 
of  the  company  so  favorably  that  I  was  deceived. 
Put  back,  to  —  To  hinder ;  to  delay,  (a) 

He  was  pitt  back  in   building  his  house,  by  the 
scarcity  of  brick  — He  was  delayed  in  building  his 
house,  by  the  difficulty  of  procuring  brick. 
Put  in  force,  to^To  enforce,  (a) 

It  is  easier  to  pass  laws  tlian  to  put  them  m  force 
=:To  enact  laws  is  easier  than  to  enforce  theui. 
Put  in  practice,  to=:To  make  use  of;  to  exercise; 
to  employ,  (a) 
The  young  man  has  been  placed  in  charge  of  a 
mine,   where  he  will  have    opportunity   to  j9z^^  in 
practice  what  he  has  learned  at  the  scientific  school 
=  The  young  man  has  been  appointed  to  superin- 
tend a  mine,  in  wliich  position   lie  will  have   occa- 
sion to  use  the  knowledge  which  he  acquired  in  tlie 
scientific  school. 
Put  on  one'§  guard,  to  =  To  warn ;  to  caution  ;  to 
render  watchful,  (a) 
When  Mr.  A.  loaned  his  horse  to  a  friend,  he  put 
him  on  his  guard  against  the  horse's  trick  of  shying 
=  0n  loaning  his  horse  to  a  friend,  Mr.  A.  cautioned 
him  concerning  the  horse's  habit  of  suddenly  jump- 
ing aside. 
Put  out  of  sight,  to  =  To  render  invisible;  to  hide; 
to  conceal,  (b) 
Put  your  toy  out  of  sight,  else  the  baby  will  cry 
for  it  =  If  you  do  not  conceal  your  toy,  the  baby  will 
cry  for  it. 
Put  tlie  great  seal  into  commission,  to  (Eng.)  = 
To  place  it  in  the  hand  of  commissioners,  during 
the  period  that  intervenes  between  the  going  out  of 
one  Lord  Keeper  and  the  accession  of  another. 
Four  years  after  the  great  seal  had  been  put  into 
commission,  it  was  offered  to  Sir  John  Somers,  and 
he  was  sworn  in  Lord  Keeper  (1692)=:  Four  years 
after  the  great  seal  had  been  confided  to  a  commis- 


782         VARIOUS   OTHER    PHRASES   AND   WORDS. 

sion  of  eminent  lawyers,  it  was  oifered  to  Sir  Jolm 
Somers,  and  he  was  sworn  in  Lord  Keeper. 
Put  to  death,  to  =  To  slay;  to  deprive  of  life,  (a) 
Barbarous  nations  often  put  their  captives  to  death 
=  Barbarous  nations   often  slay  their  prisoners  of 
war. 
Put  to  inconvenience,  to  =  To  incommode ;  to  an- 
noy ;  to  give  trouble  to.  (a) 
Mrs.  T.  was  put  to  inconvenience  by  the  unexpected 
arrival  of  a  large  party  of  guests  =  The  unexpected 
arrival    of   a    large    party  of  guests    incommoded 
Mrs.  T.     I  trust  I  did  not  put  you  to  any  incoven- 
ience,  by  asking  you  to  take  my  little  boy  into  your 
carriage  =  I  trust  I  did  not  give  you  any  trouble,  by 
asking  you  to  take  my  little  boy  into  your  carriage. 
Put  to  §hame,  to  =  To  cause  to  feel  shame ;  to  inflict 
shame  on.  (a) 
The  good  recitation  of  the  diligent  student  put  the 
idle  student  to  shame  — The  idle  student  was  made 
ashamed  by  the  good  recitation  of  the  diligent  stu- 
dent. 
Put  to  sea,  to  =  To  set  sail ;  to  begin  a  voyage,  (a) 
The  ship  put  to  sea,  having  a  large  number  of  pas- 
sengers =  The  ship  began  her  voyage,  having  a  large 
number  of  passengers. 
Put  together,  to  =  To  join;  to  unite;  to  add.  (a) 
Tlie  furniture  h  put  together  with  glue = The  parts 
of  which  the  furniture  is  composed  are  united  by 
glue. 
Quite  a  whiles  A  considerable  space  of  time,  (c) 
A.     You  have  been  gone  a  long  time.     B.     Yes, 
quite  a  while  =  A.     You  have  been  gone  a  long  time. 
B.     Yes,  a  considerable  time.     (Quite,  in  the  sense 
of, — to  a  great  extent  or  degree;  very;  considera- 
bly; as,  quite  young,  is  common  in  America,  and 
not  unfrequent  in  England.) 
Raise  a  siege,  to  (Mil)  =  To  abandon,  or  cause  to  be 
abandoned,  an  attempt  to  take  a  place  by  besieg- 
ing it. 
Rate  a   chronometer,  to  =  To  ascertain  the  exact 
rate  of  its  gain  or  loss  as  compared  with  true  time, 
in  order  to  make  due  allowance. 
Before  leaving  port,  the  ship-master  had  his  chiv- 
nometer  ra^ec?^ Before  sailing  from  the  port,  the  mas- 
ter of  the  vessel  took  measures  to  ascertain  the  rate 
of  gain  or  loss,  as  compared  with  true  time,  of  his 
chronometer. 
Receive  the  sacrament,  to  =  To  partake  of  a  sac- 
rament, or  holy  rite,  as,  baptism,  and  the  Lord's 
supper. 


VARIOUS   OTHER   PHRASES    AND   WORDS.         783 

Many  joiing  persons  received  the  sacrament  of  the 
Lord's   Slipper,  for  the  first  time,  last   Sunday,  on. 
joining  the  church  =  Many  persons  who  had   never 
before   partaken    of  the  Lord's  supper,  did   so  last 
Sunday,  on  joining  the  church. 
Reduce  a  design,  figure,  or  draft,  to  =  To  make  a 
copy  of  it  smaller  than  the  original,  but  preserving 
the  form  and  proportion,  (c) 
The  architect  will  make  a  plan  for  Mr.  A's  house, 
by  reducmg  the  plan  of  Mr.  B's  =  The  architect  will 
copy  the  plan  of  Mr.  B's  house  in  smaller  size,  but 
of  similar  proportion,  as  a  design  vfor  the  house  of 
Mr.  A. 
Reduce  a  fortification,  or  fort,  to  (J/27.)  =  To  cap- 
ture a  fortification  or  fort,  (a) 
Gen.  Grant  reduced  Fort  Donelson  after  two  days' 
fighting  (1862)  =  Gen.  Grant  captured  Fort  Donel- 
son after  two  days' fighting  (1862). 
Reduce  to  the  ranks,  to  =  To  degrade,  as  a  sergeant 
or   corporal,  for    misconduct,   to  the  station    of  a 
private  soldier,  (a) 
Sergeant  A.  was  reduced  to  the  ranks,  for  disregard 
of  orders  =  Sergeant  A.  was  degraded  to  the  station 
of  a  private  soldier,  for  disregarding  orders. 
Reverse  an  engine,  to  =  To  caiise  it  to  perform  its 
revolutions  or  action  in  an  opposite  direction. 
As  soon  as  the  engineer  saw   another  train  ap- 
proaching, he  reversed  his   engine  and  prevented  a 
collision  =  Seeing  another  train  approaching,  the  en- 
gineer caused  his  engine  to  act  in  an  opposite  direc- 
tion ;  and  thus  prevented  a  collision. 
Ride  easy,  to  {Naut.)  —  To  pitch  lightly. 

The  ship  rides  easy —  The,  ship  pitches  lightly. 
Ride  hard,  to  {Naut.)  =  llo  pitch  vehemently. 

The   ship  rides   hard—T\\Q   ship   pitches    vehem- 
ently. 
Ride  post,  to  =  To  ride  rapidly  with  as  little  delay 
as  possible,  (c) 
By  riding  post,  he  reached  home  before  the  death 
of  his  fathers  By  riding  as  rapidly  as  possible,  he 
arrived  home  before  liis  father  died. 
Right  a  vessel,  to  {Naut.)  —  To  restore  a  vessel  to  an 

upright  position,  after  careening. 
Right  the  helm,  to  {Naui.)  =  To  place  the  helm  in 

the  middle  of  the  ship. 
Rig  a   ship,  to  (Aaw^.)  =  To  fit  the  shrouds,    stays, 
braces,  &c.,  to  their  respective  masts  and  yards. 
He  is  at  work  rigging  the  ship  —  He  is  engaged  in 
fitting  the  shrouds,  stays,  &c.  to   their  respective 
places. 


784         VARIOUS   OTHER    PHRASES   AND   WORDS. 

Round  in,  to  (Naut.)  =  To  haul  upon  a  rope. 
Round  to,  to  {Naut.)  —  To  turn  a  ship's  head  toward 

the  wind. 
Round  up,  to  {Naut.)  =  To  haul  up,  as  a  slack  rope, 

or  a  tackle. 
Rub  down,  to  =  To  clean  by  rubbing,  as  a  horse;  to 
curry,  (a) 
Has  the  coachman  rubbed  down  the  horses  ?  =  Has 
the  coachman  curried  tlie  horses? 
Run  in  debt,  to  =  To  contract  a  debt  or  debts,  (a) 
He  ran  in  debt  by  building  a  new  house  =  He  con- 
tracted debts  by^  building  a  new  house. 
Run  together,  to  =  To  unite ;  to  mingle ;  to  blend. 
(a) 
His   sight  begins  to  fail;  when  he  looks  on  tlie 
printed  page,  the  letters  seem  to  run  together  =  Jlis, 
power  of  vision  is  diminishing;  on  looking  at  the 
printed  page,  the  letters  appear  to  him  to  blend. 
The   colors   of  calicoes   sometimes   run    together   in 
washings  The  washing  of  calicoes  sometimes  makes 
the  colors  blend. 
Save  appearances,  to=:To  preserve  a  decent   out- 
side ;  to  avoid  exposure  of  any  thing  disgraceful  or 
embarrassing,  (a) 
When  the  servant  answered  the  bell,  she  put  a 
clean  apron  over  her  soiled  dress,  in  order  to  save 
a2:>peara7ices  — When  the  servant  answered  the  belJ, 
she  put  on  a  clean  apron,  so  that  the  soiled  dress 
might  not  be  seen.. 
Say  or  §peak  a  good  ^vord  for,  to  =  To  speak  fav- 
orably of;  to  recommend,  (a) 
The  young  man  who  wanted  a  clerkship  asked  his 
friend  to  speak  a  good   word  for  him  to  the  merchant 
=  The  young  man  who  desired  a  situation  as  clerk 
requested  his  friend  to  recommend  him  to  the  mer- 
chant. 
Seek  a  cle-w,  to  =  To  seek  guidance  or  explanation 
in  a  difficult  or  perplexing  matter,  (c) 
Judge  A.  is  carefully  seeking  a  clue  to  the  author- 
ship of  the  anonymous  letter  whicli  lie  received  last 
week  =  Judge   A.   is   carefully  endeavoring  to  find 
some  explanation  of  the  anonymous  letter  which  he 
received  last  week. 
Seize  on  or  upon,  to  =  To  fall  on  and  grasp ;  to  lay 
hold  on ;  to  take  possession  of.  (a) 
The  sheriff  seized  on  the  property  of  the  debtor  to 
satisfy  a  claim  —  The  sheriff  took  possession  of  the 
property  of  the  debtor,  in  order  to  pay  off  a  debt. 
Send    about    one'§   business,   to  =  To   dismiss  un- 
ceremoniously ;  to  send  packing.  (5) 


VAKIOUS    OTHER   PHRASES  AND   WORDS.         785 

A  tramp  was  found  loitering  about  the  premises 
one  day,  and  we  sent  him  about  his  business  =  We  sent 
a  tramp  packing  who  was  found  loitering  about  the 
premises  one  day. 
ISend  fortli  or  out,  to  =  l.  To  produce,  (a)     2.  To 
emit,  (a) 
1.  The  tree  sends  forth  branches  =:  The  tree  pro- 
duces branches.     2.  The  flowers  send  forth  fragrance 
=  The  flowers  emit  fragrance. 
Serve  one  out,  to=:To  retaliate;  to  requite,  (c) 

"I'll  sei've  you   out  for  this"  [Kingsley]  =  I  will 
requite  you  for  this. 
Set  a  saw,  to  =  To  bend  the  teeth  alternately  to  eith- 
er side,  in  order  that  the  channel  cut  by  the  saw 
may  be  wider  than  the  thickness  of  the  blade. 
The  carpenter  has  filed  and  set  my  saiu  =  The  car- 
penter has  sharpened  the  teeth  of  my  saw  by  filing, 
and  bent  them  alternately  to  each  side  for  greater 
ease  and  effectiveness  in  using  it. 
Set  a  trap  or  §nare,  to  =  To  place  a  trap  in  a  situa- 
tion to  catch  prey ;  hence,  to  lay  a  plan  to  deceive 
and  draw  into  the  power  of  another,  (a) 
The  postmaster  suspected  one  of  his  clerks  of  pur- 
loining money  from  letters,  and  set  a  trap  for  him  = 
Suspecting  that  one  of  his  clerks  was  in  the  habit  of 
stealing  money  from  letters,  the  postmaster  laid  a 
plan  to  detect  him. 
Set  apart,  to  =  To  separate  to  a  particular  use ;  to 
appropriate,  (a) 
When  the  farmer  received  the  money  for  his  wheat 
crop,  he  set  apart  fifty  dollars  to  pay  his  taxes  =  On 
receiving  the  pay  for  his  crop  of  wheat,  the  farmer 
reserved  fifty  dollars  for  the  payment  of  his  taxes. 
Set  aside,  to  =  To  leave  out  of  account;  to  omit;  to 
annul,  (a) 
Setting  aside  other  considerations,  Mr.  E.  can  not 
afford  the  expense  of  giving  his   son   a  collegiate 
education  =  Leaving  out  of  account  all  other  reasons, 
Mr.  E.  is  not  pecuniarily  able  to  send  his  son  to  col- 
lege.    The  verdict  of  the  jury  was  set  aside  by  the 
court,  on    account   of  irregularity  =  The   court   an- 
nulled the  verdict  of  the  inry,  on  account  of  irregu- 
larity in  the  proceedings. 
Set  at  ease,  to  =  To  quiet ;  to  tranquillize,  (a) 

The  letter  which  I  received  from  my  son,  an- 
nouncing his  safe  arrival  in  Europe,  sets  me  at  ease  — 
The  letter  which  I  received  from  my  son,  in  which 
he  announced  his  safe  arrival  in  Europe,  quiets  my 
apprehensions  for  his  safety. 
Set  at  defiance,  to  =  To  defy ;  to  oppose,  (a) 

61 


786        VARIOUS    OTHER   PHRASES  AND   WORDS. 

This  glutton  sets  at  defiance  all  the  laws  of  health 
=:This  glutton  acts  in  opposition  to  all  the  rules 
for  maintaining  health. 
Set  at  re§t,  to  —  To  quiet ;  to  still ;  to  cause  to  cease, 
(a) 
The  finding  of  the  body  of  the  man  who  has  been 
missing  for  a  month  has  set  at  rest  the  question  of  his 
fate  =  Finding  the  body  of  the  man  who  has  been 
missing   for   a   month,  has   caused  the  uncertainty 
or  discussion,  as   to  what   had  become  of  him,  to 
cease. 
Set  before,  to  =  To  bring  to  view  before ;  to  exhibit ; 
to  offer  for  choice,  (a) 
At  the  new  hotel,  a  tempting  variety  of  food  is  set 
before  the  guests  =  At  the  new  hotel,  an  attractive  va- 
riety of  food  is  offered  for  selection  to  the  guests. 
Set  before  one,  to  =  To  bring  out  to  view  before ; 
to  exhibit  to  one.  (c) 
An  article  in  the  magazine  sets  hefore  the  reader  the 
excitement  and  perils  of  tiger-hunting  in  India  =  An 
article  in  the  magazine  exhibits  to  the  reader  the  ex- 
citement and  perils  attending  tiger-hunting  in  India. 
Set  eye§  on,  to  —  To  see ;  to  behold,    (c) 

As  soon  as  I  set  eyes  on  him,  I  recognized  him  as 
an  old  school-mate  =  As  soon  as  I  saw  him,  I  discov- 
ered that  he  was  a  former  school-mate. 
Set  free,  to  =  To  liberate ;  toi  release,  (a) 

^o  crime  being  proven  against  the  man  who  was 
arrested,  he  was  set  free —  Yi\Q  man  who  was  arrested 
was  released  from  custody,  because  it  did  not  appear 
that  he  had  committed  any  crime. 
Set  in  order,  to=:To  adjust  or  arrange;  to  reduce 
to  method,  {a) 
Tell  the  servant  to  set  the  parlor  in  order  for  com- 
pany =  Tell  the  servant  to  arrange  the  parlor  prop- 
erly for  the  reception  of  company. 
Set  one's  hand  and  §eal  to,  to  =  To  sign  and  seal, 
as  a  legal  document ;  to  certify ;  to  attest. 
Hereunto  I  set  my  hand  and  seal=l  sign  this  doc- 
ument, and  affix  my  seal  to  it,  in  accordance  with 
legal  form  and  requirement. 
Set  rank,  to  =  To  set,  as  the  iron  of  a  plane,  so  as  to 
take  off  a  thick  shaving,  (c) 
The  apprentice  was  cautioned  against  setting  the 
smoothing-plane  too  rank  =  The  apprentice  was  cau- 
tioned not  to  set  the  iron  of  the  smoothing-plane,  so 
that  it  would  remove  too  thick  a  shaving. 
Set  the  table  in  a  roar,  to  =  To  cause  loud  laugh- 
ter among  the  company  at  table,  (c) 
He  was  so  witty  that  he  could  at  any  time  set  the 


VARIOUS  OTHER    PHRASES    AND  WORDS.         787 

table  in  a  roar  =  He  was  so  facetious  in  speech  that  "he 
was  able,  at  any  time,  to  cause  loud  laughter  among 
the  company  at  table. 
Shake  hands  irith,  to  =  l.  To  agree  with;  to  unite 
with,  (c)     2.  To  greet  in  a  friendly  or  cordial  man- 
ner, (a) 
1.  I  can  shake  hands  with  you  on  that  matter = I 
agree  with  you  in  regard  to  that  matter.     2.  The 
man  met  his  enemy  on  the  street,  and  would  not 
shake  hands  with  him  =  The  man  met  his  enemy  on 
the  street,  and  was  not  willing  to  give  him  the  cus- 
tomary sign  of  friendly  greeting. 
Sheer  off,  to  =  To  turn  or  move  aside  to  a  distance. 
When  the  horse  saw  a  white  rock  beside  the  road, 
he  sheered  off—  The  horse  turned  aside  some  distance, 
on  seeing  a  wliite  rock  beside  the  road. 
Ship  the  oars,  to  {Naut.)  =  To  place  the  oars  in  the 
row-locks. 
As  soon  as  he  was  out  of  the  shallow  water,  he 
shipped  the  oars  —  Immediately  on  leaving  the  shallow 
water,  he  placed  the  oars  in  the  row-locks. 
Shoe  the  anchor,  to  {Naut.)  =  To  cover  the  flukes 
with  broad  triangular  pieces  of  plank. 
The  ground  was  so  soft,  that  they  had  to  shoe  the 
anchor =They  had  to  cover  the  flukes  of  the  anchor 
with  broad  pieces  of  plank,  so  as  to  give  the  anchor 
stronger  hold  in  the  soft  ground. 
Shorten  sail,  to  {Naut.)  =  To  reduce  sail  by  taking 
it  in.  (a) 
A  stiff  breeze  sprang  up,  and  we  were  forced  to 
shorten  sail  =  A  strong  breeze  arising,  we  were  com- 
pelled to  reduce  sail  by  taking  it  in. 
Shove  by,  to  =  To  push   away;  to   delay  or  reject. 

"  Ofionse's  gilded   hand  may   shove  Z)?/  justice." 
[Shak.]=:The  money  of  an  ofifender  may  enable  him 
to  delay  or  prevent  his  just  punishment. 
Show  forth,  to  =  To  manifest;  to  publish;  to  pro- 
claim, (c) 
"  They  shall  bring  gold  and  incense,  and  shall 
shew  forth  the  praises  of  the  Lord"  [Is.  Ix,  6.]  = 
They  shall  bring  gold  and  incense,  and  shall  make 
known  the  praises  of  the  Lord. 
Shut  one's  self  up,  to:=To  live  in  a  retired,  seclud- 
ed manner,  (a) 
Since  the  death  of  her  son,  Mrs.  E.  shuts  herself 
up,  and  does  not  go  into  society  =  Since  her  son  died, 
Mrs.  E.  lives  in  retirement,  not  mingling  with  people 
socially. 


788         VARIOUS    OTHER   PHRASES   AND   WORDS. 

Sef  much    so  =  To  that  extent   or   degree   so,  used 
with  that^  coming  after,  (a) 
Tlie  invalid  was  very  tired  when  he  returned  from 
the  ride;  so  much  so  that  he  could  not  sit  up  =  On  re- 
turning from  the  ride  the  invalid  was  very  tired ;  to 
that  degree  tired,  that  he  could  not  sit  up. 
Sopliomore  class  =  The  second  of  the  four  classes  in 
American  colleges. 
The  studies  of  the  sophomore  class  in  Yale  college, 
are  in  Greek,  Latin,  mathematics,  and  rhetoric  =  The 
studies  of  the  second  of  the  four  classes  in  Yale  col- 
lege, are  in  Greek,  Latin,  mathematics,  and  rhetoric. 
Springy  a  rattle,  to  =  To  cause  a  rattle  to  sound,  (a) 
Desiring  the  assistance  of  his  associates  in  secur- 
ing  the   house-breakers,  the  watchman  sprung  his 
rattle  =  The  watchman  caused  his  rattle  to  sound,  in 
order  to  summon  assistance  in  capturing  the  burg- 
lars. 
Squeeze  out,  to  =  To   force  out  by  pressure,  as  a 
liquid,  (b) 
Some    housekeepers    heat    the    currants,    before 
squeezing  out  the  juice,  in  making  jelly  =  In  making 
jelly,  some  housekeepers  heat  the  currants  before 
forcing  out  the  juice  by  pressure. 
ISqueeze  through,  to  =  To  pass  through  by  pressing 
and  urging  forward,  (a) 
The  slats  of  the  fence  around  the  chicken  yard 
were  so  far  apart,  that  the  hens  squeezed  through  = 
The  narrow  boards  composing  the  fence  which  in- 
closed the  chicken  yard  were  so  wide  asunder,  that 
the  hens  passed  through  by  pressing  and  urging  for- 
ward. 
Stand  aghast,  to  =  To   be  greatly   amazed;  to   be 
stupefied  with  sudden  fright  or  horror,  (a) 
As  the  girls  were  gathering  flowers  in  the  woods, 
they  stood  aghast  at  coming  upon  the  body  of  a  mur- 
dered man=rAs  the  girls  were  gathering  flowers  in 
the  woods,  they  were  stupefled  with  sudden  horror 
at  discovering  the  body  of  a   man  who  had  been 
murdered. 
Stand  fire,  to  =  To  receive  the  fire  of  an  enemy  with- 
out giving  way.  (a) 
In  the  first  engagement,  the  new  recruits  did  not 
stand  fire  =  ln  the  first  engagement,  the  new  recruits 
gave  way  before  the  enemy's  fire. 
Stand  in  the  way  of,  to  =  To  hinder;  to  prevent. 
(a)    _ 
This  merchant's  crabbed  manner  stands  in  the  way 
of  his  sales  =  This  merchant's  surly  manner  prevents 
his  selling  many  goods. 


VARIOUS    OTHER  PHRASES  AND  WORDS.         789 

Stand  on  ceremony,  to  =  To  be  punctilious  or  exact 
in  the  observance  of  forms,  customs,  ceremonies, 
etiquette,  &c.  (a) 
Mrs.  A.  is  owing  me  a  call,  but  I  will  not  stand  on 
ceremony ;  I  will  stop  at  lier  house  this  afternoon  = 
According  to  the  rules  of  society  Mrs.  A.   should 
next  call  on  me ;  but  I  will  not  be  exact  in  the  ob- 
servance of  such  rules,  and  will  go  to  her  house  this 
afternoon. 
Stand  up,  to  =  To  rise  from  sitting;  to  be   on   the 
feet,  (a) 
There  were  not  seats  enough  for  the  company  as- 
sembled at  the  school  exhibition,  and  many  persons 
were  compelled  to  stand  up  =  At  the  school  exhibi- 
tion, there  was  an  insufficient  number  of  seats  for 
the  company,  and  many  persons  were  forced  to  re- 
main on  their  feet. 
Step  aside,  to  =  To  walk  to  a  little  distance ;  to  re- 
tire from  company,  (a) 
The  ladies  found  the  entrance  blocked  by  two 
men,  who  did  not  appear  to  observe  them ;  and  they 
said.  Will  you  please  to  step  aside  and  allow  us  to 
pass  ?  =  The  ladies  found  the  entrance  blocked  by  two 
men,  who  did  not  appear  to  observe  them ;  and  they 
said.  Will  you  please  to  walk  a  little  one  side,  and 
allow  us  to  pass?     A  man  entered  tlie  room,  and 
asked  one  of  the  guests  to  step  aside,  as  he  had  some- 
thing to  say  to  him  =  A  man  entered  the  room,  and 
requested  one  of  the  guests  to  retire  a  little  from 
the  company,  as  he  had  something  to  communicate 
to  him. 
Stock-exchange = An    association   of    stock-brokers 
for  transacting  business;  also,  the  building  where 
stocks  are  bought  and  sold;  stock-market. 
The   transactions  at   the  stock-exchange  yesterday 
were  light  =  A  small  amount  of  business  was  trans- 
acted at  the  stock-market  yesterday. 
Strain  every  nerve,  to  =  To    exert    one's    strength 
or  power  to  the  utmost ;  to  make  great  exertions,  (a) 
The  farmer  is  straining  every  nerve  to  pay  off  the 
mortgage  on  his  farm = The  farmer  is  making  great 
exertions  to  pay  the  sum  for  which  his  farm  is  mort- 
gaged. 
Stress  of  weatber  =  Yiolent,  severe  weather,  (a) 
The  ship  was  driven  into  port  by  stress  of  weather  — 
The  severe  weather  forced  the  sailors  to  enter  port. 
Strili.e  a  docket,  to  {Eiig.  Law)  =  To  make  an  entry, 
in  behalf  of  a  creditor,  in  a  case  of  bankruptcy,  of 
an  affidavit  of  the  debt  due  and  of  the  bond,  in  the 
docket  book  at  the  bankrupt  office. 


790        VARIOUS   OTHER   PHRASES  AND   WORDS. 

Support  arms,  to  {Mil.)=To  hold  the  musket  vert- 
ically at  the  left  shoulder,  supported  by  having  the 
hammer  rest  on  the  left  forearm,  which  is  passed 
across  the  breast. 
S'weep   the  anchor,  to  (Naut)  =  To  drag  over  the 
bottom  of  any  water,  with  the  bight  of  a  rope,  in 
search  of  an  anchor. 
The  anchor  parted  cable  in  the  storm,  and  the 
next  morning  we  had  to  sweep  anchor =The  anchor 
parted  cable  in  the  storm,  and  the  next  morning  we 
had  to  drag  over  the  bottom  of  the  river,  with  the 
bight  of  a  rope,  to  find  it. 
Swell  the  rank§,  to  =  To  increase  the  numbers,  {a) 
The   low   price   at   which   excursion   tickets   are 
issued  by  the  steam-boat  company,  will  tend  to  swell 
the  ranks  of  the  excursionists  =  The  low  price  affixed 
by  the  steam-boat  company,  to  tickets  for  a  short 
pleasure  trip  and  return,  will  have  a  tendency  to  in- 
crease the  number  of  persons  who  make  such  a  trip. 
Take  a  favorable  turn,  to  =  To  improve  by  change ; 
to  change  for  the  better,  (a) 
Yesterday  the  man  was  very  ill,  but  last  night  his 
disease  took  a  favorable  turn  —  The  man  was  very  ill 
yesterday,  but  last  night  there  was  a  change  for  the 
better,  in  his  disease. 
Take  a  §hoot,  to  =  To  pass  through  a  shoot,  or  nar- 
row, swift  passage  in  a  stream ;  hence,  to  take  the 
most  direct  course.     (U.  S.) 
In  going  down  the  St.  Lawrence,  we  tooh  several 
shoots  =  l-n.   descending  the   river  St.  Lawrence,  we 
passed  through  several  narrow  channels  with  a  swift 
current. 
Take  care  of,  to  =  To  have  the  care  of;  to  care  for ; 
to  tend  as  nurse ;  to  oversee,  (a) 
The  janitor   takes  care  q/"  the  school-house  =  The 
janitor  has  the  care  of  the  school-house.     When  Wil- 
liam, Prince  of  Orange,  was  sick  with  the  small-pox, 
his  friend  Bentinck  took  care  of  him,  night  and  day 
=When  William,  Prince  of  Orange,  was  sick  with 
small-pox,  his  friend  Bentinck  tended  him  as  nurse, 
night  and  day. 
Take  pos§es§ion,  to  =  To  enter  on,  or  to  bring  with- 
in one's  power  or  occupancy,  (a) 
Mr.  B.  has  bought  Mr.  A's  farm,  but  will  not  take 
possession  until  next  spring  =  Mr.  B.  has  bought  Mr. 
A's  farm,  but  will  not  have  control  or  occupancy  of 
it  until  next  spring. 
Take  the  part   of,  to=:To   assist;  to   uphold;  to 
support ;  to  favor,  (a) 
In  the  war  for  independence,  France  took  the  part 


VARIOUS   OTHER    PHRASES  AND  WORDS.         791 

of  America  =r  France  upheld  and  favored  America  in 
her  war  for  independence.     In  the  controversy^  be- 
tween the  faculty  and  the  students,  the  citizens  took 
the  -part  of  the  students=:In  the  controversy  between 
the  faculty  and  the  students,  the  citizens  upheld  the 
students.     I  wish  you  to  take  my  part  in  the  debate 
on  capital  punishments  I  wish  you  to  assist  me  in 
the  debate,  on  the  question  of  capital  punishment. 
Take  to  tlie  road,  to  =  To  engage  in  robbery  upon 
the  highways,  (c) 
Being  a  desperate  character,  he  took  to  the  road  for 
a  livings  Being  a  reckless  and  unprincipled  person, 
he  engaged  in  highway  robbery,  as  a  means  of  sup- 
port. 
Ta§te  of,  to  =  To  have  the  flavor  or  taste  of;  to  be 
flavored  with,  (a) 
This  milk  tastes  of  the  turnips  which  the  cow  has 
eaten  =  This  milk  has  the  flavor  of  the  turnips  which 
the  cow  has  eaten. 
The  fork§  of  a  river  or  road  =  The  branches  into 
which  it  divides ;  also  the  place  where  separation 
or  union  takes  place. 
The  Republican  Fork  and  the  Solomon  Fork  unite 
and  form  the  Kansas   river  (western    U.    S.)  =  The 
Republican  Fork  and  the  Solomon  Fork,  two  branch- 
es into  which  it  divides,  unite  and  form  the  Kansas 
river. 
The  ranki  =  The  order  of  common  soldiers,  (a)    , 
He  has  risen  from  the  ranks  to  a  colonelcy  =  He  has 
been  promoted  from  the  grade  of  a  common  soldier, 
to  the  position  of  colonel. 
Throw  down  the  gauntlet,  to  =  To  challenge ;  to 
defy ;  to  provoke  to  combat,  (c) 
The  senator  threw  down  the  gau7itlet^  by  his  speech 
against  the  currency  bill = By  his  speech  in  opposi- 
tion to  the  currency  bill,  the  senator  challenged  the 
opposite  party  to  reply. 
Throw  one's  self  on  or  upon,  to  =  To  resign  one's 
self  to  the  favor,  clemency,  or  sustaining  power  of; 
to  repose  upon,  (a) 
The  criminal  pleaded  guilty  and  threw  himself  on 
the  mercy  of  the  court  =  The  criminal  confessed  his 
crime,   and   resigned  himself  to  the  mercy  of  the 
court. 
Thrust  one's  self,  to  =  To  obtrude  ;  to  enter  where 
one  is  not  invited  or  not  welcome,  (a) 
No  one  wishes  to  thrust  himself  wpon  a  company  = 
No  one  wishes  to  enter  a  company  in  which  he  is 
not  welcome. 


792        VARIOUS    OTHER  PHRASES  AND  WORDS. 

Turn    and   turn    about  =  An    alternate    share    of 
duty,  (c) 
Turn  and  turn  about  is  fair  play  =  An  alternate 
share  of  duty  is  an  equitable  arrangement  for  both 
the  persons  concerned. 
Turn  one's  eoat,  to  =  To  change  sides ;  to  go  over 
to  the  opposite  party,  (a) 
Turning  one^s  coat  often  subjects  one  to  ridicule 
and  suspicion  =  If  a  person  goes  over  to  the  oppo- 
site party,  his  motives  for  doing  so  are  often  suspect- 
ed, and  he  himself  ridiculed. 
Turn  one's  liand  to,  to  =  To  perform ;  to  execute. 

He  is  very  ingenious ;  he  can  turn  his  hand  to  any 
kind  of  mechanical  labor  =  He  is  so   ingenious  that 
he  can  perform  any  kind  of  mechanical  labor. 
Turn  out  well,  to  —  To  succeed ;  to  prosper,  (a) 
Mr.  R's  speculation  in  real  estate  turned  out  well  = 
Mr.  E-'s  speculation  in  real  estate  succeeded  (proved 
profitable). 
Turn  the  edge  of,  to  =  To  make  dull;  to  deprive 
of  sharpness,  (c) 
His  stiff  beard   turns   the  edge  of  the  razor  =  His 
stiff  beard  dulls  the  razor. 
To  tlie  end  that  =  In  order  that ;  for  the  purpose  of. 

The  steam-boat  was  fully  furnished  with  life-pre- 
servers, to  the  end  that  the  passengers  might  be  saved, 
in  case  of  accident  —  The  steam-boat  was  amply  sup- 
plied with  life-preservers,  in  order  that,  if  an  acci- 
dent occurred,  the  passengers  might  be  saved. 
Under  the  lee  (Naut.)  — On  that  side  which  is  shel- 
tered   from   the   wind ;  the  side  opposite  to .  that 
against  which  the  wind  blows ;  protected  from  the 
wind. 
During  the  storm  our  boat  lay  under  the  lee  of  the 
shore  =  During  the  storm  our  boat  was  sheltered  from 
the  wind  by  the  shore. 
Unship  the  oars,  to  {Naut.)  =  llo  take  the  oars  out 
of  the  row-locks. 
As  they  approached  the  beach,  they  unshipped  the 
oars  =  As  they  approached  the  beach,  they  took  the 
oars  out  of  the  row-locks. 
Under  water  =:  Below  the  surface  of  the  water,  (a) 
During  the  freshet,  the  road  on  the  river  bank  was 
under  water —Dnrmg  the  freshet,  the  road  which  runs 
along  the  bank  of  the  river,  was  below  the  surface 
of  the  water. 

Up  the  country  =  In  a  direction  toward  the  head  of 
a  stream  or  river. 


VARIOUS  OTHER    PHRASES  AND  WORDS.         793 

It  is  reported  that  tliere  is  much  snow  up  the  coun- 
try —  There  is  reported  to  be  much  snow  in  the  direc- 
tion of  the  head  of  the  stream. 
Vcr§ed  in  —  Familiar  with ;  skilled  or  practiced  in. 

Prof.  W.  is  versed  in  Sanscrit  lore = Prof.  W.  is 
familiar  with  the  Sanscrit  language  and  literature. 
Tislt  tlie  sins  on,  to  =  To  punish  for;  to  cause  to 
suffer  for.  (c) 

The  sins  of  the  drunkard  and  the  licentious  are 
visited  on  their  children  =  The  children  of  the  drunk- 
ard and  the  licentious  suffer  for  the  sins  of  the  par- 
ents. 
IValit  in  =  To  go  in  ;  to  enter,  as  a  house,  (a) 

Good  morning,  Mr.  E.,  will  you  walk  m.^=:Good 
morning,  Mr.  E.,  will  you  come  into  the  house? 
Wear  and  tear  =  The   loss  by  wearing,  as  of  ma- 
chinery in  use;    the  loss  or  injury  to  which   any 
thing  is  subject  by  use,  accident,  and  the  like,  (a) 
In  our  manufacturing  business,  the  wear  and  tear 
causes  considerable  expenses  The  loss  by  the  wear- 
ing of  the  machinery  in  our  business,  subjects  us  to 
considerable  expense.      The  wear  and  tear  of  chil- 
dren's clothes  makes  much  sewing  for  the  mother  = 
The  loss  to  which  children's  clothes  are  subject  by 
use  and  accident,  makes  a  good  deal  of  sewing  for 
the  mother. 
Welcome  to,  to  be  =  To  be  free  to  have  or  enjoy 
gratuitously,  (a) 
You  are  welcome  to  the  use  of  my  library = You 
are  free  to  use  my  library  gratuitously. 
Wliisper  against,  to  =  To  plot  against  secretly;  to 
devise  mischief  against,  (c) 
"  All  that  hate  me  whisper  together  against  me  " 
[Psalms  xii.  7]  =  All  my  enemies  secretly  plot  against 
me. 
Wife's  equity  (Za^^)  =  ''The    equitable    right   of  a 
wife  to  have  settled  upon  her  and  her  children  a 
suitable  provision  out  of  her  estate,  whenever  the 
husband  can  not  obtain  it  without  the  aid  of  a 
court  of  equity."     [Bouvier.] 
W^ind  a  ship,  to  =  To  turn  it  end  for  end,  so  that  the 
wind  strikes  it  on  the  opposite  side. 
The  captain   gave  orders  to  wind  the  ship  =  The 
captain  gave  orders  to  turn  the  ship  end  for  end, 
(bring  the  stern  into  the  situation  of  the  head)  so 
that  the  wind  struck  it  on  the  opposite  side. 
IVin  laurels,  to  =  To  gain  honor ;  to  surpass  others ; 
to  become  distinguished,  (c) 


794        VARIOUS    OTHER  PHRASES  AND   WORDS. 

Mr.  Darwin,  the  naturalist,  has  won  laurels  in  the 
scientific    world  =  Mr.  Darwin,   the    naturalist,  has 
gained  honor  for  his  researches  and  discoveries  in 
science. 
Yield  to  temptation,  to=:To  suffer  one's  self  to  be 
persuaded  or  induced  to  do  something  improper  or 
wrong,  (a) 
One   very  warm    day,  when  it   was   difficult   to 
study,  the  boy  yielded  to  the  temptation  to  stay  away 
from  school  and  go  swimmings  One  day,  when  the 
weather  was  very  warm,  and  study  was  difficult,  the 
boy  allowed  himself  to  be  induced  (by  his  inclina- 
tion and  the  difficulty  of  study)  to  remain  away  from 
school  and  go  to  swim. 
High  jinks  =  Fun  and  frolic. 

'^But  it  would  be  unfair  to  leave  readers  under 
the  impression  that  high  jinks  were  the  main  inter- 
est and  occupation  of  his  (Tom.  Taylor's)  leisure," 
(Thomas  Hughes.)  =  But  it  would  be  unfair  to  leave 
readers  under  the  impression  that   fun    and    frolic 
were  the  main  interest  and  occupation  of  his  leisure. 
'SeyX  of  kin  {Law)  —  T\\\^  term  is  used  to  signify  the 
relations  of  a  party  who  has  died  intestate.     [Bou- 
vier.]     A  wife  can  not,  in  general,  claim  as  next  of 
hin  of  her  husband,  nor  a  husband  as  next  of  hin 
of  his  wife.     In  the  ordinary  sense  of  the  word 
they  are  not  included  under  this  term,  but  it  is 
limited  to  relations  by  blood. 
Trade  sale  (^Book-puhlishers)  —  A.  semi-annual  sale  or 
auction  of  books   contributed  by  the  publishers,  at 
which  none  but  booksellers  are  allowed  to  bid,  or 
become  purchasers.     After  the  wants  of  the  bidder, 
(who  is  the  only  purchaser),  have  been  supplied, 
the  books  may  be  again  put  up  for  competition. 
Contributors  are  bound  to  deliver  to  the  auctioneers 
all  goods  sold,  and  the  auctioneers  to  deliver  the 
same  to  purchasers,  in  accordance  with  the  con- 
ditions of  sale.     Accounts  of  sales  are  to  be  ren- 
dered thirty  days  after  the  close  of  the  sale,  and  to 
be  payable  in  cash,  subject  to  a  charge  of  ten  per 
cent,    for    commission,    guarantee,    and    discount. 
Books  may  be  purchased  by  orders,   at  prices  be- 
low the  regular  net  wholesale  price,  previous  to  the 
sale.     On  all  purchases  amounting  to  $1,000  and 
upwards,  four  and  six  months  credit  are   given. 
Between   $1,000   and   $300,   four  months   credit. 
And  on  all  purchases  less  than  $300,  cash  without 
discount. 


PROVERBS. 


A  COLLECTION  of  the  phrases  of  a  language  would  be  incomplete  without  a 
selection  from  its  proverbs.  The  phrase  and  the  proverb  have  this  in  common, 
that  they  serve  to  illustrate  the  character  of  a  people.  They  both  belong  to  that 
general  stock  of  expressions,  which  are  employed  to  give  utterance  to  thought  and 
feeling. 

The  proverb  is  a  sure  index  of  the  general  character  or  spirit  of  a  people,  be- 
cause, from  its  nature,  as  a  proverb,  it  is  an  old  and  common  saying.  It  is  an 
expression  which  is  in  general  circulation.  To  be  a  proverb,  it  must  have  received 
the  general  sanction,  as  the  expression  of  a  common  belief,  or  of  universal  ob- 
servation. A  pithy  remark  of  one  man  does  not  make  a  proverb.  In  order  to 
become  a  proverb,  this  forcible  remark  of  one  person  must  be  adopted  by  the 
many  as  the  expression  of  a  common  thought,  or  of  a  practical  truth  that  every 
body  recognizes.  So  we  say  that  a  proverb  is  a  phrase  which  is  often  repeated. 
It  is  a  common  saying.  It  expresses  briefly  and  forcibly  the  common  experience 
or  observation.     It  is  the  condensed  wisdom  and  concentrated  wit  of  a  people. 

The  following  proverbs  are  only  a  few  out  of  many.  Some  are  peculiar  to 
the  English  language.  Some  may  be  recognized  as  common  to  two  or  more 
languages.  Some,  it  is  said,  have  come  down  from  the  most  ancient  times  and 
nations. 

It  has  been  thought  not  amiss  to  insert  some  Chinese  proverbs  and  maxims, 
as  in  keeping  with  the  character  and  scope  of  this  work,  and  as  a  matter  of  possi- 
ble interest  to  students.  Only  a  few  out  of  great  numbers  have  been  taken,  and 
these  the  ones  in  most  frequent  use.  The  translation  of  these  has  been  made  as 
strictly  literal  as  possible,  in  order  to  show  the  Chinese  idiom,  and  the  better  to 
preserve  the  force  of  the  expression.  An  explanation  of  the  meaning  and  use  of 
the  proverbs,  both  English  and  Chinese,  has  been  given,  so  far  as  known. 

(797) 


EI^GLISH   PROVEEBS. 


A. 

A  had  workman  quarrels  with  his  tools.  One  who  does 
not  succeed,  blames  something  else  for  his  failure 
rather  than  himself. 

A  bargain  is  a  bargain.  "When  an  agreement  has  been 
made,  it  must  be  kept. 

A  bird  in  the  hand  is  worth  two  in  the  bush.  Do  not 
relinquish  an  advantage  which  you  already  have  in 
possession,  for  a  superior  one  which  is  uncertain. 

A  burnt  child  dreads  the  fire.  One  will  not  knowing- 
ly or  willingly  repeat  an  experience  which  was 
painful  or  injurious  to  him. 

A  cat  has  nine  lives.  A  cat  is  more  tenacious  of  life 
than  animals  in  general. 

A  constant  guest  is  never  welcome.  If  we  visit  our 
friends  too  much,  they  will  not  be  glad  to  see  us. 

A  false  report  rides  post.  Falsehoods  are  circulated 
among  the  people  very  rapidly. 

A  fault  confessed  is  half  redressed.  To  confess  one's 
fault  goes  far  towards  remedying  it. 

A  fool  and  his  money  are  soon  parted.  Foolish  people 
spend  their  money  wastefully. 

A  fool  may  ask  more  questions  in  an  hour^  than  a  wise 
man  can  answer  in  seven  years.  Even  the  wisest 
persons  do  not  know  every  thing. 

A  friend  in  need  is  a  friend  indeed.  Those  who  will 
help  us  when  we  are  in  want  are  our  true  friends. 

A  good  beginning  makes  a  good  ending.  It  is  very  im- 
portant to  begin  every  thing  right.  Much  the  same 
as  "  Be  sure  you  are  right,  then  go  ahead." 

A  good  tale  is  none  the  worse  for  being  twice  told.  If  a 
story  is  good,  it  will  not  be  amiss  to  tell  it  more 
than  once. 

A  green  winter  makes  a  fat  church-yard.  Warm  weath- 
er in  winter  causes  many  deaths. 

A  little  knowledge  is  a  dangerous  thing.  Imperfect 
knowledge  renders  one  liable  to  conceit  or  false 
conclusions. 

A  little  leak  will  sink  a  great  ship.  Small  causes  may 
do  great  mischief. 

(799) 


800  ENGLISH    PROVERBS. 

A  little  pot  is  soon  hot.  People  of  small  minds  are 
easily  angered. 

A  living  dog  is  better  than  a  dead  lion.  A  living  issue, 
though  of  smaller  importance,  is  better  than  a 
great  issue  that  is  dead.  A  person  who  7/565  his 
small  powers  is  better  than  one  who  has  greater 
abilities,  but  does  not  use  them. 

All  is  not  gold  that  glitters.  People  and  things  that 
make  a  show,  are  not  always  as  good  as  they  look. 

All's  ivell  that  ends  well.  An  enterprise  is  to  be  judged 
by  its  issue  or  result,  and  not  by  the  difficulties  or 
misfortunes  that  may  occur  in  its  course. 

All  truth  is  not  to  he  told  at  all  times.  Sometimes  things 
should  not  be  said,  although  they  are  true. 

All  work  and  no  play^  Makes  Jack  a  dull  boy;  \    t    ^-u 

All  play  and  no  work,  Hakes  Jack  a  mere  toy.  \ 

training  of  children,  work  and  play  should  be  inter- 
mingled. 

All  your  geese  are  swans.  You  think  every  thing  that 
you  have  is  perfect.  * 

A  man's  house  is  his  castle.  (Eng.)  One  has  a  right  to 
be  unmolested  in  his  own  home. 

A  miss  is  as  good  as  a  mile.  A  narrow  escape  leaves 
one  as  much  unharmed  as  if  he  had  been  a  mile 
away  from  danger. 

A  new  broom  sweeps  clean.  A  person  just  appointed 
to  an  office  does  his  work  more  thoroughly,  for  a 
time,  than  one  who  is  accustomed  to  it. 

An  inch  on  a  man^s  nose  is  much.  Under  some  cir- 
cumstances, little  things  are  very  important. 

An  ounce  of  prevention  is  looi'th  a  pound  of  cure.     It  is 

■   easier  to  avoid  evils,  than  to  rid  ourselves  of  them. 

A  penny  saved  is  a  penny  earned.  It  is  as  good  to 
save  the  money  which  you  have,  as  to  earn  other 
money. 

A  pitcher  that  goes  oft  to  the  ivell  is  broken  at  last.  Con- 
stant exposure  to  danger  will  sooner  or  later  bring 
a  mishap. 

A  rolling  stone  gathers  no  moss.  A  person  who  chang- 
es his  residence  or  his  pursuits  often,  saves  no 
money. 

A  short  horse  is  soon  curried.  A  small  piece  of  w^ork 
is  easily  done. 

A  stitch  in  time  saves  nine.  Slight  repairs  made  in 
season  will  save  greater  ones  afterwards. 

As  the  old  cock  crows,  the  young  one  learns.  Children 
are  pretty  sure  to  imitate  the  ways,  and  adopt  the 
opinions,  of  their  parents. 

A  watched  pot  is  long  in  boiling.  What  is  watched 
and  waited  for  seems  to  be  long  in  coming. 


V 


ENGLISH    PROVERBS.  801 

A  ivicked  man  is  his    own    hell.     Remorse    causes   a 

wicked  man  to  suffer. 
A  wise  man  changes  his  mind;  a  fool  never.     A  wise 

man  is  willing  to  correct  liis  mistakes ;  a  fool  is  not 

w^illing  to  do  so,  because  lie  is  a  fool. 
A  ivoman'^s  work  is  never  done.     House- work  involves 

many  tedious  and  ever-recurring  tasks. 
A  word  to  the  wise  is  sufficient.     If  a  person  is  w^ise,  a 

word  only,  of  warning  or  admonition,  is  sufficient. 

B. 

Beggars  must  not  he  choosers.  Those  who  ask  for  some- 
thing to  be  given  them,  must  be  satisfied  with  what 
they  get. 

Better  late  than  never.  It  is  better  to  be  late  in  arrival 
or  performance  than  to  wholly  fail  of  them. 

Between  two  stooh  a  person  falls  to  the  ground.  In  pur- 
suing two  objects  at  once,  one  does  not  gain  either. 
In  dividing  one's  trust  between  two  supports,  one 
is  likely  to  lose  both. 

Birds  of  a  feather  flock  together.  People  choose  com- 
panions like  themselves;  or,  Persons  of  like  tastes, 
dispositions,  and  pursuits  seek  and  enjoy  each 
other's  society. 

Bhod  is  thicker  than  water.  A  person  will  care  more 
for  his  own  kin,  than  for  others. 

Brag  '5  a  good  dog  ;  but  Holdfast  is  a  better.  Talking  is. 
all  very  well,  but  doing  is  far  better. 


C. 

Cast  not  your  pearls  before  swine.  Bestow  your  gifts 
or  your  counsel  only  on  those  who  will  appreciate 
or  understand  them. 

Charity  begins  at  home,  but  should  not  end  there.  One's 
first  and  most  imperative  duties  are  to  those  near- 
est him,  but  he  also  has  duties  to  those  who  are 
more  remote. 

Children  and  fools  tell  the  truth.  Children  and  fools 
are  too  simple-minded  to  hide  their  meaning  or 
conceal  their  feelings. 

Coming  events  cast  their  shadow  before.  The  approach 
of  events  may  often  be  known  by  slight  indications 
which  precede  them. 

Constant  dropping  wears  the  stone.  The  greatest  difficul- 
ties are  overcome  by  persistent  and  repeated  efforts. 

Count  not  your  chickens  before  they  are  hatched.     Be  not 
too  sure  of  results,  before  they  have  been  accom- 
plished. 
^  52 


\ 


802  ENGLISH    PROVERBS. 

Curses^  like  chickens^  always  come  home  to  roost.  The 
wrong  we  do  to  others  is  apt,  by  the  working  of 
Divine  Providence,  to  rebound  upon  our  own 
heads. 

Cut  your  coat  according  to  your  chth.  Make  your  plans 
according  to  your  resources. 

D. 

Death  is  the  grand  leveler.  Death  abolishes  all  social 
distinctions. 

Defer  not  till  to-morrow  what  may  he  done  to-day.  Do 
not  put  oif  present  duties  till  another  time. 

Diamond  cut  diamond.  Said  when  one  shrewd,  or 
witty,  or  tricky  person  encounters  another  who  is 
equally  so. 

Do  as  you  would  he  done  hy.  Treat  others  as  you 
wish  others  to  treat  you. 

Do  not  halloo^  till  you  are  out  of  the  wood.  Do  not  re- 
joice, till  you  are  sure  that  there  is  reason  to. 

Drowning  men  catch  at  straws.  Those  who  are  in 
great  distress  or  in  a  great  extremity,  snatch  ea- 
gerly at  the  smallest  thing  that  offers  a  prospect  of 
help. 

E. 

Enough  is  as  good  as  a  feast.  One  ought  to  be  satis- 
fied with  a  sufficiency. 

Even  fools  sometimes  speak  to  the  purpose.  Nobody  is 
so  void  of  wisdom  as  not  to  say  the  proper  thing 
sometimes. 

Everyhody'^s  business  is  nohodyh  business.  The  public 
interest  that  is  not  intrusted  to  some  one  in  partic- 
ular will  be  likely  to  suffer,  for  want  of  attention. 

Every  dog  has  his  day.  Said  of  a  person  who  is  popu- 
lar just  now;  meaning  that  his  popularity  wdll  soon 
cease. 

Every  door  may  be  shut,  %ut  deaOi's  door.  All  men 
must  die. 

Every  man  for  himself  and  God  for  us  all.  Let  each 
person  do  the  best  he  can  for  himself,  and  trust 
God  to  do  the  rest. 

Every  man  has  his  weak  side.  Every  person  has  some 
failing.. 

Every  man  thinks  his  own  geese  sivans.  People  always 
think  their  own  things  better  than  others. 

Every  tub  must  stand  on  its  own  bottom.  Each  person 
must  depend  upon  himself,  and  his  merit,  for  suc- 
cess. 


ENGLISH    PEOVEbIS?  S  I  V  E  B,^T  Yl) 

Evil  communications  corrupt  good  7nanner4r  'mJi^<s  ciial*-.--^^ 
acter  is  injured  by  associating  with  bad  people. 

Experience  keeps  a  dear  school,  but  fools  learn  in  no  other. 
Foolish  people  will  learn  wisdom,  only  by  suffering 
the  effects  of  their  folly. 


Faint  heart  never  won  fair  lady.  Courage  to  attempt 
an  enterprise  is  a  necessary  condition  of  success  in 
it. 

Eair  words  butter  no  parsnips.  Saying  "  Be  thou  fed," 
will  not  feed  a  hungry  man.  Mere  promises  will 
not  help  the  needy. 

False  friends  are  worse  than  open  enemies.  Those  who 
pretend  to  be  our  friends  and  are  not,  make  us 
more  trouble  than  those  who  are  plainly  our  ene- 
mies. 

Fa^t  bind,  fast  find.  If  you  wish  to  find  things  in 
good  order,  leave  them  secure. 

Few  words  are  best.     It  is  better  not  to  talk  much. 

Fine  feathers  do  not  make  fine  birds.  Fine  clothing 
does  not  make  a  person  better  than  he  is. 

Flattery  sits  in  the  parlor,  luhen  plain  dealing  is  kicked 
out  of  doors.  People  love  to  be  flattered,  but  dis- 
like plain  dealing. 

Fools  build  houses,  and  wise  men  buy  them.  Wise  men 
reap  the  benefit  of  the  extravagance  of  the  foolish. 

Fools  live  poor,  to  die  rich.  It  is  foolish  to  live  poorly 
for  the  sake  of  having  a  great  deal  of  money  when 
one  dies. 

Forbidden  fruit  is  sweet.  People  are  apt  to  relish 
much,  what  they  are  forbidden  to  have. 

Fortune  favors  the  brave.  Those  who  attempt  and 
dare,  are  helped  by  good  fortune. 

From  saving  comes  having.  Wealth  comes  from  econ- 
omy, quite  as  much  as  from  large  gains. 

G. 

Give  a  dog  an  ill  name,  and  you  may  as  well  hang  him. 
To  destroy  one's  reputation  is  to  destroy  all  his  en- 
joyment and  influence. 

Give  a  thief  rope  enough,  and  he  will  hang  himself.  Let 
a  wicked  person  have  some  liberty  in  his  evil  course 
and  he  will  bring  his  own  ruin  on  himself. 

Give  the  devil  his  due.  Be  fair  and  honest,  even  to  the 
worst  people. 

God  helps  those  who  help  themselves.  If  you  wish  God 
to  help  you,  do  the  best  you  can  for  yourself. 


804  ENGLISH   PKOVERBS. 

Ood  never  sends  mouths  hut  he  sends  meat.  God  pro- 
vides food  for  all,  and  gives  tlie  poor  man  no  more 
children  than  he  sends  food  for. 

God  tem-pers  the  wind  to  the  shorn  lamh.  God  does  not 
send  trouble  above  our  ability  to  bear. 

Good  xoine  needs  no  hush.  What  is  valuable  does  not 
need  to  be  praised  or  advertised. 

Good  ivords  cost  nothing^  hut  are  worth  much.  It  is  easy 
to  speak  good  words,  and  they  often  do  much  good. 

Great  cry  and  little  wool.  Much  noise  and  confusion, 
but  no  good  result. 

Great  men^s  vices  are  accounted  sacred.  People  refrain 
from  exposing  and  rebuking  the  vices  of  great  men. 


Half  a  loaf  is  hetter  than  no  bread.     We  should  be  sat- 
isfied with  less  than  we  desire  or  need,  if  we  can 

not  have  all  we  desire. 
Handsome  is,  that  handsome  does.     Well-doing    is  of 

more  account  than  beauty  of  features. 
Happy  is  the  bride  the  sun  shines  on.     A  j^leasant  day  is 

good  for  a  wedding. 
Haste  makes  waste.     Too  much  hurry  causes  delay  or 

loss. 
Hasten   or  make  haste  slowly.      If  we   commence  an 

enterprise  carefully  and  thoroughly,  we  shall  pro- 
gress faster  than  if  we  are  hasty  and  careless  at  the 

outset. 
Have  a  care  of  a  silent  dog,  and  a  still  water.     Because 

a  silent  dog  will  bite,  and  still  water  is  deep  and 

will  drown. 
He  can  not  say  Bo!  to  a  goose.     He  is  a  great  coward. 
He  is  like  a  singed  cat,  better  than  he  looks.     He  belies 

his  unpromising  appearance. 
lie  knows  which  side  of  his  bread  is  buttered.     He  knows 

what  conduct  will  be  most  profitable  for  him. 
He  robs  Peter  to  pay  Paul.     Said  of  one  who  takes 

from  one  thing  to  make  up  for  a  lack  in  another; 

as,  to  take  cloth  from  one  garment  to  mend  a  hole 

in  another. 
He  shall  have  enough  to  do,  who  studies  to  please  fools.     If 

one  tries  to  follow  all  tlie  advice  that  is  offered  to 

him,  he  will  have  a  great  deal  to  do. 
He  that  brings  up  his  son  to  nothing,  breeds  a  thief.     A 

yoimg  man   who  is  not  taught  some  business,  is 

likely  to  be  dishonest. 
He  that  by  the  plough  would  thrive,  ]  t^    „    ^^n    would 
Himself  must  either  hold  or  drive.    ) 


ENGLISH   PROVERBS.  805 

prosper,  he  must  be  personally  and  actively  engaged 

in  his  business,  and  not  intrust  it  to  others. 
He  that  fights  and  runs  ajaj/,  )  g^j^    j^    ^^^^^^^  ^^ 
May  Live  to  jigld  anotlier  day.    \ 

apparent  cowardice. 
He  that  goes  a  borroiving^  goes  a  sorrowing.     Borrowing 

leads  to  trouble  and  sorrow. 
He  that  grasps  at  too  much,  holds  nothing  fast.     One  who 

tries  to  get  a  great  deal,  often  fails  to  get  any  thing. 
He  that  lias  most  time,  has  none  to  lose.     Time  is  too 

precious  to  be  wasted. 
He  that  lies  down  ivith  dogs,  must  rise  with  fleas.     One 

w^ho  associates  with  low  companions,  must  take  the 

consequences. 

He  that  will  not  when  he  may,  )  r\         -u        m       i.  ^ 
TTT,      7       -n    -L  n  1  ^-  I  One  who  will  not  do  a 

VV  hen  he  will,  shall  have  nay.  ) 

thing  when  he  has  a  chance,  may  expect  to  lose  the 

chance  before  he  is  ready  to  do  it. 
He  that  will  thrive,  must  rise  at  five.     Early  rising  leads 

to  success. 
He  that  would  hang  his  dog,  gives  out  first  that  he  is  mad. 

He  that  is  about  to  do  any  thing  unworthy,  first 

bethinks  himself  of  some  plausible  pretense. 
He  that  would  thrive,  must  ask  leave  of  his  wife.     A  man 

can  not  save  money,  if  his  wife  is  not  saving. 
He  was  born  with  a  silver  spoon  in  his  mouth.     Said  of 

one  who  was  born  rich. 
He  who  would  catch  fish,  must  not  mind  getting  wet.     If 

we  want  any  thing,  we  must  be  willing  to  bear  the 

expense  or  trouble  of  getting  it. 
Hear  twice  before  you  speak  once.     Be  ready  to  hear,  but 

slow  to  speak. 
Hell  and  chancery  are  always  o^jen.     It  is  always  easy 

to  get  into  the  clutches  of  the  law,  and  to  fall  into 

evil  and  destructive  courses. 
Hell  is  paved   with  good  intentions.     The  good  pur- 
pose may  be  too  long  delayed  in  execution  to  save 

from  ruin  and  regret. 
His  bark  is  vjorse  than  his  bite.     His  talk  is  worse  than 

his  actions. 
His  room  is  better  than  his  company.     1  would  rather 

have  him  absent  than  present. 
Honesty  is  the  best  policy.     To  say  nothing  of  higher 

motives,  it  is  prudent  to  be  honest. 
Hope  deferred  maketh  the  heart  sick.     To  wait  long  for 

what  one  hopes  for,  makes  one's  heart  ache. 
Hot  love  is  soon  cold.     Love  which  is  excessive  at  first 

does  not  last  long. 
Hunger  is  the  best  sauce.     Food  is  made  to  taste  good 

by  hunger,  more  than  by  any  condiment. 


806  ENGLISH  PROVERBS. 


I  can  see  as  far  into  a  mill-stone  as  another  man.  I  can 
understand  what  you  say  as  well  as  anybody,  (for 
nobody  ca^i  understand  it). 

If  it  were  not  for  hope^  the  heart  would  break.  It  is  only 
hope  which  keeps  people  from  giving  up. 

If  the  mountain  will  7iot  come  to  Afahomet,  Mahomet  must 
go  to  the  mountain.  If  he  will  not  do  as  you  wish, 
you  must  do  as  he  wishes.  If  what  I  seek  will  not 
come  to  me  without  my  stir,  I  must  exert  myself 
to  obtain  it :  if  we  can  not  do  as  we  wish,  we  must 
do  as  we  can. 

If  the  sky  fall,  we  shall  catch  larks.  Said  to  those  who 
indulge  extravagant  hopes,  or  who  suggest  some 
very  wild  or  improbable  scheme. 

If  wishes  were  horses,  beggars  might  ride.  Said  to  those 
who  indulge  extravagant  longings. 

HI  weeds  grow  a'pcme.  Bad  habits  grow  faster  than 
good  ones. 

In  vain  is  the  net  spread  in  the  sight  of  any  bird.  Men 
avoid  the  snares  which  they  see  to  be  set  for  them. 

It  is  a  long  lane  that  has  no  turn.  There  will  be  a 
change  in  matters  sometime  (usually  applied  to  in- 
felicitous circumstances.) 

It  is  a  silly  fish,  that  is  caught  twice  with  the  same  bait. 
A  person  must  be  foolish,  who  is  twice  cheated  in 
the  same  way. 

It  is  an  ill  wind,  that  blows  nobody  good.  Misfortune  is 
good  for  something. 

It  is  never  too  late  to  mend.  It  is  always  a  good  time 
to  reform. 

It  is  not  every  couple  that  is  a  pair.  Two  persons  are 
often  united  in  marriage  who  are  not  fitted  for  each 
other  in  their  temperament  or  character. 

It  is  time  enough  to  cry  oh  /  wlien  you  are  hurt.  Do  not 
be  frightened  prematurely  or  unnecessarily. 

It  may  be  fun  to  you,  but  it  is  death  to  us  {the  frogs). 
The  allusion  is  to  the  fable  of  the  boy  who  was 
stoning  the  frogs  for  amusement,  and  was  addressed 
by  one  of  them  in  the  language  of  the  proverb. 
Its  applications  are  obvious. 

It  never  rains  but  it  pours.  (Said  when  duties  or  an- 
noyances or  troubles  are  excessively  or  rapidly 
multiplied.) 

It  will  be  all  the  same  a  hundred  years  hence.  This  mat- 
ter is  only  temporary  or  comparatively  trival. 


ENGLISH  PROVEKBS.  807 


Jack  of  all  trades,  and  master  of  none.  (Said  of  one 
who  can  do  many  things,  but  nothing  well.) 

Just  as  the  twig  is  bent,  the  tree 's  inclined.  The  charac- 
ter of  the  man  is  determined  by  the  training  he  re- 
ceives in  childhood. 

K. 

Keep  thy  shop,  and  thy  shop  will  keep  thee.     You  must 

attend  closely  to  business,  or  it  will  not  support 

you. 
Kings  have  long  arms.     Do  not  quarrel  with  a  king, 

as   his   power  and   authority  reach  to  the  end  of 

his  dominions. 
Knowledge  is  power.     One  who  knows  much  has  much 

influence. 


Law-makers  should  not  he  law-hreahers.  Those  who 
make  the  laws,  ought  especially  to  keep  them. 

Lazy  folks  take  the  most  pains.  Those  who  try  to 
avoid  work,  often  bring  more  on  themselves. 

Lea^t  said  is  soonest  mended.  Excessive  apology  is 
sometimes  unseasonable. 

Life  is  siveet.     Every  one  wishes  to  live. 

Light  gains  make  heavy  purses.  Wealth  is  gained,  of- 
ten, by  making  a  little  money  at  a  time. 

Like  father,  like  son.  The  son  is  apt  to  resemble  his 
father  in  character. 

Little  boats  must  keep  the  shore:  larger  ships  may  venture 
more.  Young  or  inexperienced  people  should  not 
venture  too  much. 

Little  goods,  little  care.  If  one  is  not  rich,  he  will  have 
less  care. 

Little  pitchers  have  long  ears.  Children  hear  what  is 
said,  when  you  little  think  it. 

Little  strokes  fell  great  oaks.  Great  things  may  be 
done  by  many  small  efforts. 

Live  and  learn.  There  is  something  to  be  learned,  as 
long  as  we  live. 

Live,  and  let  live.  Give  others  an  opportunity  of  earn- 
ing a  livelihood,  as  well  as  seek  one  for  yourself. 

Live  not  to  eat,  but  eat  to  live.  Do  not  let  eating  be  the 
chief  object  in  life. 

Look  before  you  leap.  Do  not  make  any  venture,  or 
take  any  risk,  without  previous  scrutiny. 

Look  not  a  gift-horse  in  the  mouth.  Do  not  examine  a 
present  too  closely,  or  critically. 


808  ENGLISH   PROVERBS. 

Love  me  little^  love  me  long.  I  would  rather  be  loved 
a  little,  a  long  time,  than  very  much,  for  a  little 
while. 

Love  me,  love  my  dog.  If  you  love  any  one,  you  will 
like  all  that  belongs  to  him. 

M. 

Make  hay  while  the  sun  shines.  Improve  the  opportu- 
nities you  have,  while  you  have  them. 

Man  proposes^  God  disposes.  Men  plan,  but  God  ar- 
ranges the  result. 

Man's  extremity  is  God's  opportunity.  Help  often 
comes,  in  man's  extreme  need,  in  such  a  way  that 
he  recognizes  it  as  a  beneficient  interposition  of 
Divine  Providence. 

Manners  make  the  man.     One's  manners  show  what 
sort  of  man  he  is. 

Many  a  little  makes  a  mickle.  Many  small  things  put 
together  make  a  great  thing. 

Many  a  true  word  is  spoken  in  jest.  Persons  who  mean 
only  to  joke,  often  speak  truth  unwittingly.  The 
real  feeling  of  the  heart  often  comes  out  in  a  jest. 

Many  drops  of  water  vjill  sink  a  ship.  Many  small 
ills  or  evils  are  as  bad  as  one  great  one. 

Many  hands  make  light  work.  Work  is  easily  done, 
when  many  are  joined  in  it. 

Marriages  or  matches  are  made  in  heaven.  The  mat- 
ing of  husbands  and  wives  is  brought  about,  under 
the  direction  of  the  Divine  Providence. 

Marry  in  haste,  and  repent  at  leisure.  Those  •  who 
marry  without  due  deliberation  often  are  sorry 
afterwards. 

Misery  acquaints  men  with  strange  bedfellows.  If 
a  man  becomes  poor,  or  unfortunate,  he  is  obliged 
to  associate  with  those  whom  before  he  despised. 

Misery  loves  company.  When  we  are  in  pain  or  trou- 
ble we  are  consoled,  if  others  suffer  in  the  same 
way. 

Misfortunes  seldom  come  singly.  One  misfortune  al- 
ways seems  to  lead  to  another. 

Money  makes  the  mare  go.  Money  will  accomplish 
what  nothing  else  will. 

More  are  drowned  in  the  wine-cup,  than  in  the  ocean. 
(German.)  More  people  are  killed  by  drinking, 
than  are  drowned  in  the  sea. 

Much  coin,  much  care.  One  who  has  a  great  deal  of 
money,  has  also  a  good  deal  of  care. 

Muddy  springs  will  have  muddy  streams.  Good  things 
can  not  come  out  of  bad  ones. 


ENGLISH   PROVERBS.  809 

Murder  will  out.  Crime  can  not  be  concealed  very 
long. 

My  son^s  my  son,  till  he  hath  got  him  a  wife;  but  my 
daughter  '5  my  daughter  all  her  life.  Daughters  re- 
member their  parents  and  cling  to  them,  more 
than  sons  do,  after  they  have  their  own  families. 

JST. 

Necessity  is  the  mother  of  invention.     What  men  need 

to  do,  they  will  find  some  way  of  doing. 
Necessity  has  no  law.     Necessity  is  itself  a  law  which 

can  not  be  avoided  or  infringed. 
Needs  must  when  the  devil  drives.     When  men  fall  into 

the  power  of  evil  habits  or  evil  associates  they  can 

not  stop. 
Never   leave   till  to-morrow   what  can   he   done  to-day. 

Don't  put  off  doing  things  till  to-morrow. 
Never  quarrel  with  your  bread  and  butter.     Don't  quar- 
rel with  those  on  whom  your  living  depends. 
Never  ride  a  free  horse  to  death.     Do  not  use  to  excess 

other  people's  kindness. 
Never  too  old  to  learn.     One  will  find  something  to 

learn,  all  his  life. 
No  cross,  no  crown.     If  one  has  no  trouble,  he  can  not 

win  the  honor  of  having  overcome  troubles. 
No  gains  without  pains.     We  can  not  expect  to  get 

good  things  without  working  for  them. 
No  great  loss  without  some  small  gain.     Nothing  hap- 
pens so  bad,  but  that  there  is  some  good  in  it. 
No  joy  without  alloy.     There  is  always  some  drawback 

to  our  pleasure. 
No  man  cries  stinking  fish.     'No  man  calls  the  goods 

he  sells,  bad. 
j^  man  is  so  old,  but  thinks  he  may  yet  live  another  year. 

No  one  gives  up  the  hope  of  living  longer,  even  in 

old  age. 
No  news  is  good  news.     If  we  hear  no  news,  we  should 

be  sure  that  there  is  no  bad  news. 
No  one  is  a  fool  always:  every  one  sometimes.     Fools  do 

some  wise  things,  and  wise  men  do  some  foolish 

things. 
No  use  in  crying  for  spilt  milk.     It  does  no  good  to 

mourn  for  what  can  not  be  helped. 

None  so  \    ]^  n  \  as  those  who  wonH  \  f'       \  People  will 

not  see  or  hear  what  they  do  not  wish  to. 
Not  every  man  is  born  with  a  silver  spoon  in  his  mouth. 
Not  aU  persons  are  born  to  a  rich  fortune. 


810  ENGLISH   PROVERBS. 

Not  possession,  but  use,  is  the  only  riches.     It  does  no 

good  to  have  money  if  we  do  not  use  it. 
Nothing  comes  out  of  the  sack  hut  what  was  in  it.     Do 

not  expect  more  from  a  man,  than  he  is  qualified 

to  do. 
Nothing  so  had,  as  not  to  he  good  for  something.     Some 

good  use  may  be  found  for  even  the  worst  thing. 
Nothing   venture,   nothing   have.     One    can    not    gain 

money  in  business,  w^ho  will  not  risk  money. 

O. 

Of  saving,  comes  having.  Economy  is  one  source  of 
w^ealth. 

Of  two  evils,  choose  the  least.  If  you  must  choose  be- 
tween two  bad  things,  take  the  best  of  the  two. 

OM  hirds  are  not  caught  with  chaff.  Those  who  are 
wise  are  not  easily  deceived.  Experienced  and 
sagacious  persons  are  not  taken  by  baits  without 
substance. 
/OM  friends  and  old  wine  are  best.  Old  wine  is  better 
than  new  wine,  and  so  old  friends  are  better  than 
new  ones. 

Old  men  for  counsel — young  men  for  war.  Old  men 
are  the  best  counselors,  because  of  their  wisdom 
and  experience — young  men  are  the  best  warriors, 
because  of  their  strength  and  enthusiasm. 

Once  a  man  and  twice  a  child.  When  we  are  old,  we 
have  a  "  second  childhood ;"  but  never  a  second 
manhood. 

One  man  can  lead  a  horse  to  the  water,  hut  ten  men  can 
not  make  him  drink.  There  are  some  things  that 
must  be  done  of  one's  free-will,  or  not  at  all. 

One  can  not  be  in  two: places  at  once.  You  could  not 
expect  me  to  do  one  thing  when  I  was  engaged 
doing  another. 

One  good  turn  deserves  another.  Kind  acts  should  be 
rewarded  with  kind  acts. 

One  hour^s  sleep  before  midnight  is  worth  tiuo  hours  after. 
Sleep  is  better  in  the  first  part  of  the  night  than  in 
the  last. 

One  man's  meat  is  another  man's  poison.  What  is  good 
for  one  man,  may  be  very  bad  for  another. 

One  may  buy  gold  too  dear.  One  may  sacrifice  too 
much  for  money. 

One  story  is  good  till  another  is  told.  We  may  believe 
one  version  of  the  story,  until  we  hear  anotlier. 

One  swallow  makes  not  a  spring.  A  slight  sign  of  bet- 
ter times  coming  is  not  enough. 


ENGLISH  PROVEKBS.  811 

Open  confession  is  good  for  the  soul.  It  is  best  to  con- 
fess, when  one  lias  done  wrong. 

Our  cake  is  all  dough.  Our  affairs  have  turned  out 
badly. 

Out  of  debt^  out  of  danger.     It  is  not  safe  to  be  in  debt. 

Out  of  sight,  out  of  mind.  The  persons  or  the  things 
that  we  do  not  see,  we  soon  forget. 

Out  of  the  frying-pan  into  the  fire.  (Said  of  going 
from  bad  circumstances  to  worse.) 


Patience  is  a  'plaster  for  all  sores.  All  injuries  can  be 
mitigated  by  patience. 

Penny-wise  and  pound-foolish.  Economical  to  excess, 
because  thereby  producing  greater  losses.  Nig- 
gardly on  important  occasions,  and  careless  as  to 
the  expenditure  of  large  sums. 

People  who  live  in  glass  houses  should  not  throw  stones. 
People  must  be  careful  not  to  say  bad  things  of 
others,  if  the  same  may  be  said  of  them. 

Pin  not  your  faith  on  another'^s  sleeve.  Do  not  let  your 
beliefs  be  formed  entirely  by  another  person. 

Possession  is  nine  points  of  the  law.  The  law  allows 
the  person  who  has  a  thing  a  great  advantage,  as  to 
.  his  claim,  over  the  one  who  has  it  not. 

Poverty  makes  strange  bedfellows.  ^Poverty  often  com- 
pels men  to  associate  with  uncongenial  persons, 
and  such  as  they  have  not  been  accustomed  to. 

Practice  makes  perfect.  What  one  does  often,  he  can 
do  well. 

Practice  what  you  preach.  Do  yourself  as  you  advise 
others  to  do. 

Prayers  and  provender  hinder  no  m,an^s  journey.  The 
time  spent  in  eating  and  in  worship  is  not  wasted. 

Prevention  is  better  than  cure.  It  is  better  to  prevent 
a  thing  from  happening,  than  to  try  to  make  it 
right  afterwards. 

Pride  goes  before,  and  shame  follows  after.  Those  who 
are  proud,  are  very  likely  to  be  put  to  shame. 

Pride  goes  before  destruction.  (Much  the  same  as  the 
last). 

Pride  will  have  a  fall.     (Same  as  the  two  above.) 

Prosperity  makes  friends,  and  adversity  tries  them. 
Many  call  themselves  friends,  when  we  are  in  pros- 
perity ;  adversity  puts  them  to  the  test,  and  shows 
who  are  true  friends. 

Punctuality  is  the  soul  of  business.  Punctuality  is  nec- 
essary to  success  in  business. 


812  ENGLISH   PROVERBS. 


E. 

Repentance  is  the  ivhip  of  fools.  Foolish  people  are 
punished  by  the  repentance  which  follows  their 
folly. 

Riches  have  wings.     Kiches  easily  fly  away. 

Rome  was  not  built  in  a  day.  'No  great  thing  can  be 
done  very  quickly. 

S. 

Safe  bind,  safe  find.  Things  carefully  kept  or  put 
away,  will  be  found  safe  when  wanted. 

Saying  and  doing  are  two  things.  It  is  easier  to  talk 
about  things,  than  to  do  them. 

Second  thoughts  are  best.  It  is  better  to  think  twice 
before  we  act. 

Set  a  thief  to  catch  a  thief  A  thief  can  catch  a  thief 
easier  than  another  person  can,  because  he  knows 
thieves'  tricks. 

Short  reckonings  make  long  friends.  Frequent  settle- 
ments preserve  friendship. 

Silence  gives  consent.  No  answer  at  all,  is  taken  to 
mean  ''Yes.". 

Sour  grapes,  as  the  fox  said  when  he  could  not  reach 
them.  People  are  apt  to  call  that  bad,  wliich  they 
can  not  get. 

Spare  the  rod,  and  spoil  the  child.  Children  must  be 
whipped. 

Speech  is  silvern — silence  is  golden.  The  gift  of  know- 
ing when  to  speak  and  what  to  say  is  valuable,  but 
the  gift  of  knowing  when  and  how  to  be  silent  is 
more  valuable. 

Still  waters  run  deep.  Silent  men  are  wise  ones,  gen- 
erally. 

Strike  lohile  the  iron  is  hot.  Do  the  work  quickly, 
while  every  thing  is  ready. 

Sweep  before  your  own  door.  Correct  your  own  faults, 
before  you  try  to  correct  those  of  others. 

T. 

Take  care  of  the  pence;  the  pounds  will  take  care  of  them- 
selves. Save  the  little  sums,  and  the  larger  ones 
will  come. 

Take  heed  will  surely  speed.  Caution  and  prudence 
will  lead  to  success. 

Take  time  by  the  forelock.     Seize  the  first  opportunity. 

Take  time  when  time  is,  for  time  will  away.  Improve 
the  time  you  have,  for  it  will  be  soon  gone. 


ENGLISH   PROVERBS.  813 

Talk  of  the  devil,  and  his  imp  appears.  (Said  when  a 
person  who  is  being  talked  of  enters  the  room.) 

Tell  the  truth  and  shame  the  devil.  (The  devil  wishes 
people  to  tell  lies.) 

Temperance  is  the  best  physic.  Careful  eating  and 
drinking  are  better  than  medicine. 

The  best  physicians  are  Dr.  Diet,  Dr.  Quiet,  and  Dr. 
Merry-man.  Pi'oper  food,  good  rest,  and  cheerful- 
ness are  the  best  preventives  of  sickness. 

The  blacksmith's  horse  and  the  shoemaker'^s  wife  {or  chil- 
dren) go  barefoot.  A  man  is  apt  to  attend  to  the 
wants  of  his  customers  sooner  than  to  the  similar 
wants  of  his  own  household. 

The  cat  in  gloves  catches  no  mice.  Nothing  can  be  ac- 
complished by  one  whose  dress  is  too  nice  for  his 
work  or  who  does  not  take  hold  of  work  earn- 
estly. 

TJte  course  of  true  love  never  did  run  smooth.  (The  dole- 
ful complaint  of  one,  who  found  many  obstacles  in 
the  way  of  marriage  with  his  betrothed.) 

The  crow  thinks  her  own  bird  fairest.  Motliers  think 
their  children  handsome,  though  they  are  not. 

The  early  bird  catches  the  worm.  Those  who  are  early . 
at  their  business,  get  the  advantage. 

The  empty  vessel  makes  the  greatest  sound.  As  an  empty 
kettle  makes  more  noise  wiien  struck  than  a  full 
one,  so  a  person  whose  head  is  empty  (of  brain) 
talks  more  than  one  who  is  wise. 

Tlie  longest  way  about  is  the  shortest  ivay  home.  (Said 
when  tlie  longest  route  is  for  some  reason  the 
quickest.) 

The  game  is  not'  worth  the  candle.  The  thing  is  not 
worth  the  labor  or  expense  attending  it. 

The  grey  mare  is  the  better  horse.     The  wife  is  master. 

The  more  haste,  tlie  worse  speed.  When  one  works  in 
haste,  his  work  is  often  longer  in  the  accomplish- 
ment, than  if  he  had  worked  more  slowly. 

The  more,  the  merrier.  More  company  will  make  more 
enjoyment. 

The  7iearer  the  bone,  the  sweeter  the  meat.  That  which 
is  hardest  to  get,  is  enjoyed  most. 

The  proof  of  the  pudding  is  the  eating.  One  can  tell 
if  a  thing  is  good,  only  by  tasting  (or  trying)  it. 
Experiment  or  use  is  the  test  of  value. 

The  receiver  is  as  bad  as  the  thief.  It  is  as  bad  to  take 
stolen  goods,  as  to  steal. 

The  remedy  is  worse  than  the  disease.  The  thing  taken 
as  a  cure  or  used  as  a  remedy,  is  worse  than  that 
which  it  cures. 


814  ENGLISH  PROVERBS. 

The  stream  can  never  rise  above  the  fountain.  A  man 
can  not  do  more  than  he  has  capacity  for. 

The  weaker  goes  to  the  wall.  The  weak  (or  poor)  are 
forced  to  yield  to  the  strong  (or  rich.) 

The  tvish  is  father  to  the  thought.  We  are  apt  to  think 
any  thing  to  be  true  which  it  would  gratify  us  to 
have  true.  A  man's  opinions  may  sometimes  have 
nothing  more  than  his  own  wish  to  justify  them. 

There'' s  a  skeleton  in  every  house.  In  every  household 
tliere  is  something  to  annoy,  and  which  it  is  desira- 
ble to  keep  out  of  sight. 

There  '5  ma^^y  a  slip  Hwixt  the  cup  and  the  lip.  Every 
thing  is  uncertain,  until  you  possess  it. 

There^s  no  rule  without  an  exception.  No  rule  can  be 
applied  always. 

There  is  one  good  wife  in  the  country^  and  every  man 
thinks  he  has  her.  Men  think  their  own  wives  are 
the  best  in  the  country. 

"  TJiey  say  so,^^  is  half  a  liar.  To  report  what  "peo- 
ple say  "  about  one  another,  is  half  as  bad  as  lying; 
or,  what  people  thus  say  is  likely  to  be  false,  either 
through  exaggeration,  or  through  indifference  to 
truthfulness. 

They  that  hide  can  find.  Those  who  put  a  thing 
away,  can  readily  find  it  again. 

They  that  know  nothing  fear  nothing.  Men  are  some- 
times ready  to  undertake  difficult  or  dangerous 
things,  because  they  are  ignorant  of  the  difficulty 
.or  danger. 

Time  and  tide  wait  for  no  man.  (Teaching  the  neces- 
sity of  punctuality.) 

^Tis  the  last  straw  that  breaks  the  cameVs  hack.  Any 
additional  weight  upon  a  person,  already  carrying 
all  he  can  bear,  crushes  him. 

Too  many  cooks  spoil  the  broth.  It  is  not  well  for  too 
many  persons  to  be  engaged  on  the  same  work,  lest 
their  plans  and  labors  conflict. 

Two  heads  are  better  than  one.  A  person  is  profited 
by  the  counsel  of  another. 


v. 

Virtue  is  its  own  reward.      Doing  right  gives  one  a 
happiness  which  is  sufficient  reward. 


Walls  have  ears.     There  are  listeners  about,  when  we 


ENGLISH   PROVERBS.  815 

think  only  the  walls  can  hear  ns.     Things  uttered 
in  secret  get  rumored  abroad. 

Waste  not^  want  not.  If  you  are  careful  now,  you 
will  not  be  in  poverty  afterwards.  Present  econ- 
omy will  secure  against  future  want. 

Well  begun  is  half  done.  To  begin  a  thing  right  is  to 
make  it  easy  to  do  it. 

Wliat  canH  he  cured.,  must  he  endured.  What  we  can 
not  prevent,  we  must  put  up  with. 

Wliat  is  hred  in  the  hone,  wonH  out  of  the  flesh.  Habits 
which  one  grows  up  with,  can  not  easily  be  got  rid 
of. 

Whafs  done  canH  he  undone.  Past  deeds  can  not  be 
recalled. 

Whafs  my  wifes  is  mine;  whafs  mine,  is  my  own.  A 
woman's  property  belongs  to  her  husband,  as  well 
as  his  own. 

Whafs  sauce  for  the  goose,  is  sauce  for  ike  gander.  Both 
must  be  treated  exactly  alike. 

What  maintains  one  vice,  would  bring  up  tiuo  children. 
Our  vices  cost  more  than  our  largest  proper  ex- 
penses. 

When  Greek  meets  Greek,  then  comes  the  tug  of  war. 
When  two  determined  persons  or  parties  come  into 
conflict,  the  contest  will  be  very  severe. 

When  the  cat  is  away,  the  mice  will  play  If  the  master 
(or  teacher)  is  away,  the  servants  (or  children)  will 
do  as  they  please. 

When  the  devil  is  dead,  he  never  wants  a  chief  mourner. 
There  is  no  abuse  so  enormous,  no  evil  so  great, 
but  that  the  interests  or  passions  of  some  will  be  so 
bound  up  with  its  continuance,  that  they  will  la- 
ment its  extinction. 

When  the  wine  is  in,  the  wit  is  out.  When  one  has 
been  drinking,  his  good  sense  is  gone. 

Where  ignorance  is  bliss,  His  folly  to  be  wise.  It  is  foolish 
to  learn  those  things  that  will  make  us  unhappy. 

Where  there  '5  a  will,  there 's  a  way.  If  one  is  determin- 
ed to  do  a  thing,  lie  will  find  a  way. 

TTAere  there  is  smoke  there  is  fire.  Where  there  is  so 
much  talk  about  any  thing,  there  must  be  some 
foundation  for  it. 

Whom  the  gods  love,  die  young.  (Said  when  a  young 
person  of  special  promise  dies.) 

Wit  bought  is  better  than  wit  taught.  Wisdom  got  by 
severe  experience  is  worth  more  than  that  learned 
from  a  teacher. 


816  ENGLISH    PROVERBS. 


Y. 


You  are  as  busy  as  a  hen  with  one  chicken.     (Said  to 

those  who  are  very  busy  about  some  little  thing.) 
You  canH  eat  your  cake  and  have  it  too.     You  can  not 

both   expend  and  keep  the  same  money,  or  other 

possession. 
You  have  found  what  luas  never  lost.     You  have  stolen  it. 
You  must  learn  to  creep  before  you  walk.     Be  satisfied 

to  learn  slowly. 


CHi:^ESE  PEOYEEBS 

AND  WISE  SAYINGS. 


A  hitter  mouth  is  good  physic.  Words  of  advice  or  re- 
proof, though  not  pleasant  to  hear,  are  profitable. 

A  family  having  an  aged  person  has  a  jewel. 

A  fleshy  eye  without  a  pupil.  (Said  of  one  who  is  not 
sagacious  or  discerning  with  regard  to  men.) 

A  hundred  kinds  of  goods  suit  a  hundred  kinds  of  cus- 
tomers. 

A  long  drive  tests  a  horse's  strength :  long  service  reveals  a 
mail's  character. 

A  man  fears  to  he  poor  when  he  is  old.,  as  the  growing 
rice  fears  a  wind  at  noontide^  i.  e.,  its  hlossoming  time. 

A  man  is  not  made  poor  hy  eating  and  dressing,  hut  he  is 
impoverished  for  Ufe  hy  a  mistaken  course  of  action. 
(Spoken  in  order  to  induce  caution  in  the  forma- 
tion of  important  plans.) 

A  man  of  few  words  escapes  slander ;  a  man  of  few  un- 
lawful desires  preserves  his  health. 

A  man  sits  in  his  house,  and  calamity  comes  to  him  from 
Heaven.  Calamity  comes  upon  men  imexpectedly 
and  without  their  own  agency. 

A  smooth  cluh  meets  a  smooth  log  of  wood  without  its 
hark.     Equivalent  to,  "  Diamond  cut  diamond.'''' 

A  thread  can  not  he  led  {directed)  without  a  needle.  The 
recommendation  and  assistance  of  others  are  neces- 
sary, to  introduce  us  to  stations  or  situations  which 
we  desire. 

A  wise  man  will  sometimes  overlook  injuries  done  to  his 
face. 

An  ox-leather  lantern.  E^ot  at  all  bright — said  of  a 
very  dull  person. 

An  unskillful  doctor  murders  without  a  siuord. 

Armies  are  kept  a  thousand  days,  but  are  used  only  one 
time.  Have  abundant  resources  in  reserve  against 
the  time  of  need,  even  though  at  much  cost. 

At  home,  even  for  a  thousand  years,  one  does  not  weary 
of  the  enjoyments ;  ahroad  for  a  short  time,  one  finds 
many  inconveniences. 

Behind  the  head-hoard  of  his  bed  there  is  a  granary  full 

53  (817) 


818       CHINESE   PROVERBS  AND  WISE   SAYINGS. 

of  rice ;  when  he  is  dead^  men  ivill  vjorship  him  mid 
cry  {mourn)  for  him.  The  rich  never  lack  for  ad- 
mirers and  sympathizers. 

Better  be  master  of  one  art  than  a  bungler  in  a  hundred 
arts. 

Better  go  yourself  than  send  others ;  better  request  your- 
self to  do  a  thing  than  to  ash  others. 

Better  that  others  be  ungrateful  to  me  than  that  I  be  un- 
grateful to  others. 

Black  as  ink.     Dull  of  understanding. 

Both  riches  and  honor  come  by  diligence  and  economy ; 
poverty  comes  by  spending  money  too  freely. 

Brothers  are  like  hands  and  feet.  Brothers  should  be 
mutually  loving  and  helpful. 

Buying  a  sick  small  pig  with  bogus  money.  Both  par- 
ties to  the  quarrel  are  equally  in  fault,  as  the  seller 
of  a  sick  animal  and  he  who  passes  counterfeit 
money  are  each  culpable. 

By  injuring  others.,  one  idtimately  injures  himself. 

By  three  days'*  early  rising^  one  day  is  gained. 

Come  easy,  go  easy.     (Said  of  money.) 

Compared  with  those  above  you,  you  have  less;  but  com- 
pared with  those  below  you,  you  have  more.  (Said  in 
order  to  induce  contentment.) 

Convert  great  quarrels  into  small  ones,  and  small  ones 
into  'nothing. 

Cultivate  virtue  in  this  world,  and  you  will  be  happy  in 
the  next. 

Do  all  that  is  possible,  and  leave  the  result  with  God. 

Do  not  count  upon  this  yearns  bamboo  crop,  but  on  next 
year'^s  sprouts.  Plan  with  reference  to  future  profit- 
able returns,  although  the  present  ones  may  be 
very  small. 

Do  not  talk  about  ivhat  is  already  done.  (Applied  to 
matters  of  small  importance  and  in  cases  of  mis- 
take.) 

Do  not  tru^t  an  excessive  show  of  honesty ;  and  beware  of 
an  excessive  show  of  Mndness. 

Drinking  the  water,  remember  the  source.  Do  not  forget 
to  be  grateful  for  benefits  received. 

Drinking  with  an  intimate  friend,  a  thousand  cups  of 
wine  seem  too  few;  conversing  with  one  who  differs 
Jrom  us  in  opinion,  half  a  sentence  seems  too  unuch. 
^lEvery  man  has  a  face,  as  every  tree  has  bark.  Every 
person  is  susceptible  of  being  hurt  in  his  feelings, 
or  is  sensitive  to  criticism  and  unkind  treatment. 
(Used  to  inculcate  the  duty  of  having  regard  to  the 
feelings  of.  others.) 

Every  melon  seller  avers  that  his  melons  are  sweet. 
Parallel  to  the  English  proverb,  "Ko  seller  cries 


CHINESE   PKOVERBS  AND   WISE  SAYINGS.       819 

stinking  fish."  (Applied  to  all  who  have  any  thing 
to  sell.) 

Every  one  of  ten  thousand  pursuits  is  difficult  at  first. 
The  man  who  steadily  adheres  to  his  purpose  can 
accomplish  any  thing. 

Even  a  skillful  doctor  can  not  cure  himself 

Familiar  friends  need  not  stand  upon  ceremony. 

Filial  fathers  will  have  filial  sons;  unfilial  fathers  will 
have  unfilial  sons. 

For  a  man  to  accumulate  a  fortune  is  easy ;  for  his  chil- 
dren to  retain  it  is  difficult. 

Friendship,  and  cordiality  of  intercourse  are  more  easily 
shown  for  a  time,  than  maintained  through  a  long 
period  of  living  together. 

Ginger  grown  in  his  own  garden  is  not  so  pungent.  We 
are  apt  to  esteem  that  which  is  produced  abroad 
more  highly  than  that  which  is  produced  at  home. 

Oold  is  vain  ;  silver  is  vain :  no  one  after  death  has  ever 
home  them  away  in  his  hands. 

Great  possessions  depend  on  fate  ;  small  possessions  come 
by  diligence. 

Half  a  catty  is  met  with,  that  is,  equals,  eight  taels. 
(Said  of  two  persons  who  have  quarreled;  mean- 
ing, that  neither  of  them  yields.) 

He  has  Buddha^s  mouth  and  a  snahe^s  heart.  His  words 
are  friendly,  but  his  spirit  is  malicious. 

He  has  the  head  of  a  snake,  and  the  eyes  of  a  rat.  In 
China,  a  conical  head  and  small  eyes  are  thought 
to  indicate  a  dishonest  or  tricky  person. 

He  who  gets  gain  by  petty  dishonest  transactions  will  not 
be  intrusted  with  large  responsibilities. 

He  who  slanders  is  a  slanderer.  Be  on  your  guard 
against  those  who  are  accustomed  to  speak  evil  of 
others,  for  they  will  as  readily  speak  evil  of  you. 

He  is  fond  of  wearing  a  tall  hat.  He  is  fond  of  flat- 
tery. 

He  is  the  ox  which  broke  up  the  new  land.  (Said  of  one 
who  has  been  the  pioneer  in  an  enterprise  of  which 
others  reap  the  benefit.) 

He  who  hath  musk  will  of  necessity  exhale  fragrance,  and 
will  not  need  to  scatter  the  musk  in  the  wind.  One 
does  not  need  to  boast  of  any  abilities  or  qualifi- 
cations which  he  may  possess. 

He  ivho  luishes  to  find  fault  ivith  another  will  have  no 
difficulty  in  finding  a  pretext.  (Said  to  those  who 
are  unjustly  accused;  by  way  of  consolation.) 

Heaven  stands  by  the  good  man.  (Said  to  one  who  is 
incurring  some  risk  either  in  business  or  travel.) 

Hoiv  can  one  please  others  in  every  thing  f  I  only  seek 
not  to  violate  my  conscience. 


820       CHINESE   PROVERBS  AND  WISE  SAYINGS. 

Human  life  is  sacrificed  to  greedy  as  birds  are  slain  for 

food. 
HiLshand  and  wife  are  like  clothes.     (This  proverb  refers 

to  the  possibility  of  a  second  marriage,  in  the  event 

of  the  death  of  either  party.) 
^  a  man  spend  his  months  or  years  in  idleness^  he  will 

ever  after  he  the  sufferer  thereby. 
If  at  home  a  person  receives  no  visitors^  when  he  is  abroad 

he  will  have  no  host. 
If  I  never  violate  my  conscience^   I  shall  never  fear  a 

knock  at  my  door  at  midnight. 
If  one  makes  a  fortune  by  unfair  means^  he  will  not  be 
,  likely  to  enjoy  it  long. 
/If  the  current  is  not  rapid^  the  fish  do  not  jump  up.     If 

there  is  nothing  to  compel   men  to  industry  and 

promptness,  they  will  be  idle  and  dilatory. 
If  the  husband  and  wife  disagree^  they  will  he  despised  even 

by  their  own  servants. 
If  you  are  poor^  do  not  be  disheartened;  if  you  are  rich^ 

do  not  be  arrogant. 
If  you  do  not  enter  the  tiger'^s  den.,  how  can  you  get  his 

cubs?     Parallel  to  the  English  proverb  ''E^othing 

venture,  nothing  have."     (Applied  to  the  business 

risks  that  must  be  encountered,  in  order  to  gain 

vrealth.) 
If  you  speak  courteous  words  to  every  one  whom  you  meet^ 

will  any  one  be  your  enemy  f 
In  a  whole  year  you  can  hardly  gain  a  friend,  but  you 

can  offend  him  in  a  minute. 
In  figJiting,  there  are  no  good  fists  ;  in  scolding,  there  are 

no  good  words.     (Said  after  a  quarrel,  by  eitlier  of 

the  parties  or  by  a  mediator,  in  excuse  for  having 

used  strong  or  exciting  language.) 
In  his  eye  there  is  no  person.     He  sees  no  one  but  him- 
self^— used  to  characterize   a   conceited   or  selfish 

person. 
In  the  family  there  are  no  educated  sons ;  where  are  the 

public  officers  to  come  from  f 
In  the  fan  lily  there  is  silver  ;  out  of  doors  there  is  a  scale. 

A  man  can  not  conceal  his  wealth  from  public 

notice. 
In  time  of  safety,  do  not  forget  danger  ;  in  time  of  peace, 

do  not  forget  war.     Teaches   the  duty  of  prudence, 

and  provision  for  possible  future  evils. 
In  trading  with  petty  hucksters,  do  not  beat  them  down  too 

much. 
In  washing  them,  howls  and  dishes  will  sometimes  hit 

each  other.     It  is  diificult  to  avoid  sometimes  coming 

into  collision  with  others. 
It  belongs  to  man  to  plan;  the  accomplishment  rests  with 


CHINESE   PROVERBS  AND   WISE   SAYINGS.       821 

Heaven.  Parallel  to  the  English  proverb,  "Man 
proposes,  but  God  disposes." 

It  is  better  for  me  to  hang  down  my  own  head.  I  prefer 
not  to  be  hampered  by  partnership  with  another, 
but  to  be  left  free  to  follow  mj  own  inclinations  or 
plans. 

It  is  better  to  refrain  from  doing  what  you  do  not  wish  to 
he  known. 

It  is  necessary  to  cut  up  weeds  by  the  roots.  In  remov- 
ing evils,  thoroughness  is  necessary. 

It  is  proper  to  thatch  your  roof  before  its  rains ;  do  not 
dig  your  well  just  as  you  are  parched  with  thirst. 

Knowing  few  affairs  of  other  people^  you  have  fewer 
troubles. 

Losing  comes  of  winning  money  in  games  of  chance. 
(Because  the  success  tempts  to  further  outlay  and 
risk,  and  at  last  the  tide  of  success  turns.) 

Man  hopes  higher^  as  water  seeks  a  lower  place.  It  is  as 
natural  for  man  to  seek  to  improve  his  condition  as 
for  water  to  seek  a  lower  level. 

Mart's  heart  is  hidden  in  his  chest.  You  do  not  know 
whether  the  man's  thoughts  and  feelings  agree  with 
your  own  ;  therefore  be  careful  what  you  say  to  him. 

Money  goes  to  the  gambling  house  as  the  criminal  goes  to 
the  place  of  execution; — that  is,  does  not  return. 

Money  serves  to  hide  many  faults. 

Neither  repine  against  Heaven,  7ior  blame  men.  [Confu- 
cius.] 

No  man  can  be  well  for  a  thousand  successive  days.,  as 
no  flower  can  retain  its  blossom  for  a  hundred  days. 
(Said  in  order  to  reconcile  persons  to  sickness.) 

No  needle  has  two  sharp  points.  (Said  in  justification  of 
giving  up  one  opportunity  or  advantage,  in  order 
to  obtain  another ;  and  generally  for  the  consolation 
of  those  wlio  have  been  necessitated  to  do  this.) 

Oiie  bow  shoots  two  arrows  at  once.  Parallel  to  the  Eng- 
lish phrase,  "to  kill  two  birds  with  one  stone." 

One  hill  can  not  keep  two  tigers.  Illustrates  the  liability 
of  conflict  between  two  persons  jointly  occupying 
the  same  position,  or  assigned  to  the  same  work. 

One  man  can  not  do  the  work  of  two  messengers.  (Said 
by  one  who  is  already  occupied,  as  an  excuse  for 
not  having  done,  or  for  refusing  to  do,  something 
which  is  requested.) 

One  man's  plan  is  short ;  two  men^s  plan  is  long.  Par- 
allel to  the  English  proverb,  "  Two  heads  are  bet- 
ter than  one." 

One  who  has  money  may  command  devils  ;  one  who  has 
not,  can  not  command  even  a  man. 

Opening  the  mouth  is  not  so  safe  as  keeping  it  shut. 


822       CHINESE   PROVEKBS  AND  WISE   SAYINGS. 

Pretense  has  become  reality.  What  was  said  or  done 
jestingly  has  proved  true. 

JRear  sons  for  help  in  old  age;  and  store  up  grain  against 
famine. 

Retain  a  thread  of  the  feeling  of  kindness,  and  it  will  he 
pleasant  for  you  to  meet  that  man  again.  Do  not 
part  from  a  person,  indulging  hard  feelings,  lest 
your  next  meeting  with  him  be  harmful  or  un- 
pleasant to  you. 

Rivers  and  mountains  are  easily  changed:  a  man^s  natu- 
ral disposition  is  changed  with  difficulty. 

Seeing  a  thing  done  is  not  better  than  doing  it;  success- 
fully doing  it  is  not  better  than  having  made  a  mistake 
in  doing  it.  Knowledge  is  best  gained  by  experi- 
ence and  practice,  even  though  at  the  expense  of 
some  failures  and  mistakes. 

Slander  comes  only  from  much  opening  of  the  mouth 
{talking  about  others.) 

Stopping  the  hand  will  stop  the  nfwuth.  Ceasing  from 
labor,  a  person  will  be  deprived  of  the  means  of 
support. 

7%e  boxer^s  fist  and  the  singer^s  lips  must  be  in  constant 
training.  (Usually  said  by  way  of  caution  against 
intermitting  any  pursuit,  lest  one  lose  what  has 
already  been  acquired.) 

The  dragon's  bed  is  not  better  than  a  dog'^s  kennel.  The 
poorest  sleeping  accommodations  at  home  are  more 
agreeable  than  the  richest  ones  abroad. 

The  ear  hearing  is  not  as  reliable  as  the  eye  seeing.  Per- 
sonal view  is  more  satisfactory  than  report. 

The  failings  of  members  of  the  family  should  not  be  car- 
ried outside  the  door. 

The  first  act  of  a  play,  the  new  employe.  Parallel  to 
the  English  proverb,  "A  new  broom  sweeps 
clean." 

The  heavens  have  unexpected  winds  and  clouds;  so  a 
man^s  good  fortune  nfiay  change  to  ill  fortune  between 
morning  and  evening.  (Said  when  sudden  misfortune 
overtakes  a  man ;  also  used  as  an  admonition  to 
one  to  make  preparation  for  the  future.) 

The  horse  which  is  thin  has  no  strength  to  walk;  the 
man  who  is  poor  has  not  the  means  for  indulging  iii 
merry-making. 

The  husband  sings,  and  the  wife  accompanies.  Descrip- 
tive of  domestic  harmony  and  felicity. 

Tlie  immediate  consequences  of  wrong-doing  come  upon 
the  transgressor  himself;  the  remote  consequences,  upon 
his  descendants. 

The  lady  who  sells  fans  shelters  her  head  from  the  sun 
with  her  hand.     Equivalent  to  the  English  proverb, 


CHINESE  PKOVERBS  AND  WISE   SAYINGS.       823 

"  The  blacksmith's  horse  and  the  shoemaker's  wife 
go  barefoot." 

Tlie  large  tree,  hy  its  shade,  can  shelter  from  the  sun. 
The  rich  can  aid  and  defend  their  relations. 

Tlie  man  engaged  in  the  game  is  blind;  the  man  who 
stands  hy  sees  clearly.  A  person's  view  of  his  own 
affairs  is  a  prejudiced  view. 

The  man  is  old,  hut  his  heart  is  not  old;  the  man  is  poor 
in  property,  hut  his  mind  is  not  impoverished. 

The  man  who  can  hold  a  pen  can  go  every-where  without 
heing  under  the  necessity  of  asking  others  to  write  for 
him.     Education  gives  a  person  great  advantage. 

The  more  poverty,  the  more  devil  to  meet.  He  who  is 
already  unfortunate  is  thereby  rendered  more  sub- 
ject to  misfortune. 

The  nohle  man  can  hear  with  others. 

The  nohle  man's  friendship  is  simple  as  water  ;  the  mean 
man''s  sweet  as  honey.  The  gentleman  is  artless  and 
disinterested,  in  forming  and  retaining  his  friend- 
ships ;  the  base  man  purchases  his  friendships  with 
much  effort  and  expense. 

T^e  sky  is  high,  hut  does  not  appear  so  hecause  man's 
heart  rises  higher.  Men's  desires  and  ambitions  are 
boundless. 

The  sheep  drops  into  the  tiger'' s  mouth.  \  m-i        ••  x* 

The  meat  is  on  the  chopping -hoard.  j 

powerless  against  his  oppressor. 

The  white  (empty)  hand  has  caused  a  flourishing  family 
to  arise.  By  his  own  efforts,  he  has  risen  from  pov- 
erty to  wealth. 

The  year  fears  the  autumn,  as  the  month  fears  the  full 
moon  {middle  of  the  month).  (Because  after  the  mid- 
dle, the  end  seems  near.) 

Though  a  person  have  a  world  full  of  acquaintances,  his 
intimate  friends  are  few. 

Though  the  peony  he  heautiful,  it  must  he  supported  hy  its 
green  leaves.  However  talented  or  exalted  in  sta- 
tion a  person  may  be,  he  must  have  the  support  of 
others. 

Time  flies  like  an  arrow  ;  days  and  months,  like  a  shuttle. 

To  hear  with  a  slight  provocation  for  a  short  time  is  to 
save  a  hundred  days'  trouhle. 

To  disclose  the  horse's  foot.  To  divulge  a  secret — ap- 
plied to  the  disclosure  of  something  discreditable. 

To  hit  the  nose  in  washing  the  face.  To  unintentionally 
offend  some  one  in  a  company,  by  your  remark. 

To  learii  what  is  good,  a  thousand  days  are  not  enough  ; 
to  learn  what  is  had,  an  hour  is  too  much. 

To  maintain  friendly  intercourse  with  one's  neighbors  is 
like  picking  up  a  precious  stone. 


824       CHINESE   PROVERBS  AND   WISE  SAYINGS. 

To  open  a  shop  is  easy  ;  hut  to  keep  it  open  is  difficult. 

To  run  against  a  nail.  To  come  into  unpleasant  con- 
tact with  a  person. 

To  run  against  the  horn  of  a  rock.  To  be  at  last 
worsted  in  an  encounter  or  in  a  course  of  conduct 
injurious  to  another. 

To  spend  money  is  easy  ;  to  make  money  is  difficult. 

To  use  one  bamboo  pole  to  heat  all  the  passengers  on  the 
hoat.  To  include  all  of  a  class,  in  an  epithet  or  re- 
mark which  is  pointed  at  one  of  them ;  to  make  a 
too  sweeping  statement  or  remark. 

Tor7i  clothes  may  he  mended,  hut  a  hand  or  foot  torn  off 
can  hardly  he  reunited.  It  is  hard  to  heal  the  alien- 
ations of  brothers. 

Troubles  proceed  from  the  mouth ;  diseases  enter  hy  the 
mouth.  Have  a  care  what  you  say  and  what  you 
eat. 

True  gold  does  not  fear  fire.  A  genuine  character  does 
not  shrink  from  being  tested. 

Wealth  which  one  gets  unfairly  will  he  taken  from  him 
hy  unfair  means. 

What  cat  will  not  devour  rats?  What  person  does  not 
desire  money  ? 

What  goes  out  of  your  mouth,  goes  into  other  men's  ears. 
Be  careful  what  you  say. 

What  is  near  vermilion,  becomes  stained  red;  what  is 
near  ink,  becomes  stained  black.  This  proverb  is  em- 
ployed by  way  of  advice  to  the  young ;  and  teaches 
that  one's  character  is  largely  shaped  by  his  associ- 
ates. 

What  wind  blew  you  here?  (Said,  jokingly,  to  a  famil- 
iar friend,  on  his  arrival  for  a  call.) 

Whatever  a  man  cultivates,  that  he  obtains. 

Whoever  can  foresee  events  three  days  in  advance  will  he 
rich  and  honorable  for  a  thousand  years.  No  one 
can  foretell  the  future. 

When  a  man  is  not  satisfied  with  other's,  he  complains 
even  as  when  the  water  is  not  level,  it  flows. 

When  a  son  is  poor,  his  filial  spirit  is  shown ;  iyi  the 
time  of  rebellion,  the  loyal  minister  is  revealed. 

When  it  is  proper  to  forbear,  forbear. 

When  the  thunder  is  very  hud  there  is  very  little  rain. 
Excessive  boasting,  threatening,  or  promising  is  not 
followed  by  corresponding  doing. 

When  the  water  has  receded,  the  stones  will  appear. 
Time  will  disclose  the  truth  of  the  matter,  or,  will 
discover  the  oifender. 

When  you  do  not  know  what  the  character  of  a  man  is, 
you  may  judge  from  the  character  of  his  friends. 

When  your  fields  are  not  well  cultivated,  you  suffer  tem- 


CHINESE   PROVERBS  AND  WISE  SAYINGS.       825 

porary  poverty  ;  when  you  marry  an  extravagant  and 

careless  woman^  you  suffer  poverty  for  a  lifetime. 
When  you  have  wine  and  meat,  you  have  many  friends  ; 

when  adversity  comes  upon  you,  you  have  none. 
When  you  rear  children,  then  you  understand  what  kind- 
ness your  own  parents  exercised  toward  you. 
When  you  seek  to  form  an  advantageous  friendship,  see 

to  it  that  your  friend  is  your  superior. 
While  a  man  is  driving  a  tiger  from  the  front  door,  a 

wolf  is  entering  hy  the  hack  door.     Misfortunes  come 

in  rapid  succession. 
Wine  is  a  poisonous  drug,  which  penetrates  the  bowels ; 

lechery  is  a  sharp  knife  which  scrapes  the  flesh  from 

the  hones. 
Win  your  lawsuit  and  lose  your  money. 
With  friends  at  court,  it  is  easy  to  get  into  office. 
Your  fields  are  best  cultivated  by  your  own  hands,  as 

your  own  sons  are  better  treated  tJian  adopted  ones. 


CHESTESE   MAXIMS. 


A  MEAN  man  has  his  good  qualities  also ;  do  not, 
because  of  your  dislike,  refuse  to  give  him  credit  for 
these :  a  noble  man  also  has  his  faults ;  do  not  slur 
over  these  because  of  your  admiration. 

A  mean  man  is  very  anxious  to  receive  a  favor,  but 
as  soon  as  he  has  received  it,  he  forgets  his  benefac- 
tor: a  noble  man  hesitates  to  receive  favors  from 
others,  but  if  so,  he  feels  under  obligation  to  return 
them. 

A  person  can  do  good  in  the  capacity  of  a  private 
citizen ;  and  needs  not  to  hold  office  in  order  to  be 
useful.  He  may  do  good  in  these  ways :  by  himself 
practicing  the  filial  and  fraternal  virtues ;  by  observ- 
ing the  teachings  of  the  sages;  by  compiling  the 
maxims  of  all  the  ancient  wise  men,  printing  them 
and  distributing  them  far  and  wide:  in  this  way, 
people  will  be  converted  to  those  teachings,  and  his 
goodness  of  act  will  be  handed  down  to  posterity. 

A  person  in  office  should  not  seek  praise  or  popu- 
larity by  carrying  out  his  peculiar  ideas  and  establish- 
ing impracticable  rules  which  will  embarrass  the 
action  of  the  one  who  may  succeed  him. 

A  wise  man  in  authority  will  render  his  country 
flourishing  because  he  avails  himself  of  the  advice  or 
methods  of  others:  a  foolish  man  in  authority  will 
injure  his  country,  by  pursuing  his  own  counsel 
and  methods. 

Among  the  thousand  thoughts  of  a  wise  man  there 
must  be  one  foolish  thought:  among  the  thousand 
thoughts  of  a  foolish  man  there  must  be  one  wise 
thought. 

Avoid  going  to  law  with  your  fellow  men,  else  you 
will  have  trouble  and  loss. 

Avoid  the  mean  man,  but  do  not  treat  him  as  an 
enemy. 

Choose  friends  whose  friendship  will  prove  advan- 
tageous to  you ;  avoid  faults,  in  order  that  you  naay 
not  suffer  from  them. 

Carefulness  in  regard  to  food  and  drink,  and  guard- 

(827) 


828  CHINESE   MAXIMS. 

ing  against  wind  and  cold  are  good  preventives  of 
sickness. 

Curtailing  expenses  cures  poverty. 

Deatli  and  life  have  their  determined  appointment ; 
riches  and  honor  depend  upon  Heaven.     [Confucius.] 

Deference  is  a  commendable  trait,  but  if  one  be 
obsequious,  or  excessively  deferential,  it  shows  that 
he  is  crafty ;  reserve  is  proper,  but  he  who  is  uncom- 
municative is  likely  to  be  artful. 

Diligence  can  compensate  for  dullness;  economy 
in  public  officers  would  remove  all  occasion  for  their 
being  corrupted  by  bribes. 

Do  not  do  to  others  what  you  do  not  wish  them  to 
do  to  you.     [Confucius.] 

Do  not  offend  the  civil  officers;  for  you  can  not 
appease  their  wrath  when  it  is  aroused. 

Do  not  reply  to  another  when  you  are  very  angry. 

Do  not  say,  there  is  yet  no  punishment  for  evil- 
doing  ;  the  punishment  will  come  sooner  or  later. 

Do  not  speak  ill  of  others,  for  there  is  an  ear  con- 
nected with  the  wall,  that  is,  some  one  will  hear  and 
report  it. 

Eacli  dynasty  has  its  own  minister.  (Applied  to 
business  or  official  changes  which  naturally  result  in 
changes  of  the  employes.) 

Education  cures  rudeness  of  speech  and  conduct: 
the  practice  of  music  cures  heedlessness. 

Excuse  others  by  the  same  rule  by  which  you 
would  excuse  yourself,  and  your  friendships  will  be 
preserved:  blame  yourself  as  readily  as  you  would 
blame  others,  and  your  faults  will  be  fewer. 

First  be  correct  yourself;  then  correct  others. 

Forego  expenditures  for  useless  objects,  and  devote 
the  money  to  better  purposes. 

For  one  to  teach  good  precepts  all  the  day  is  not 
so  good  as  for  him  to  perform  one  good  deed. 

If  a  man  does  not  examine  himself,  he  can  not 
know  how  many  are  his  faults ;  if  one  is  not  patient, 
he  can  not  accomplish  any  thing. 

If  a  man  has  no  upright  associate,  he  must  be  a 
bad  man. 

If  another  person  has  failings,  do  not  reveal  them. 

If  a  person  exercises  no  forethought,  he  will  often 
be  brought  into  embarrassment  thereby.    [Confucius.] 

If  a  student  be  not  modest,  he  is  like  a  stone  im- 
mersed in  water,  which  no  water  can  penetrate ;  that 
is,  he  can  not  imbibe  knowledge. 

If  one  does  not  learn  when  he  is  young,  what  will 
he  do  when  he  is  grown  to  maturity  ?  that  is,  he  will 
suffer  from  ignorance. 


CHINESE   MAXIMS.  829 

If  you  have  witnessed,  or  have  heard,  at  first  hand, 
of  an  affair  which  will  aifect  a  man's  whole  life  un- 
favorably, do  not  mention  it. 

If  you  have  not  confidence  in  a  man,  do  not  em- 
ploy him ;  if  you  do  employ  him,  then  trust  him. 

If  you  possess  good  qualities,  or  have  done  good 
deeds,  do  not  make  a  parade  of  them. 

If  you  report  the  faults  of  others,  how  can  you 
aVoid  getting  into  trouble  thereby  ?     [Confucius.] 

If  you  were  to  live  in  the  world  but  for  a  single 
day,  it  would  be  important  that  you  should  be  a  good 
man  even  for  that  day :  if  you  hold  ofiice  only  for  a 
day,  it  is  important  that  you  act  rightly  for  even  that 
short  time. 

I  must  inquire  whether  that  which  is  liked  by  the 
public  is  right :  I  *must  inquire  whether  what  is  dis- 
liked by  the  public  is  wrong.     [Confucius.] 

In  business  plans  and  decisions  be  not  rash  but 
deliberate ;  when  you  have  decided,  be  not  slow  in 
acting. 

In  dealing  with  a,  hard  man  you  should  treat  him 
with  more  than  ordinary  attention :  in  managing  the 
most  urgent  aff'airs,  you  should  yet  act  with  caution 
and  coolness. 

In  dealing  with  men,  or  associating  with  them,  the 
noble  man  recognizes  their  valuable  good  qualities, 
and  overlooks  their  unavoidable  minor  faults.  [Chu 
Tzu.] 

In  employing  men,  adopt  the  rule  that  is  acted 
upon  in  using  timber;  which  is  not  rejected  because 
an  inch  of  it  is  unsound. 

In  order  to  enlarge  the  mind,  one  should  learn  by 
heart  the  five  classics  and  all  histories. 

In  order  to  extend  his  observation,  one  should  visit 
all  high  mountains  and  traverse  all  large  rivers. 

In  ordinary  living,  do  not  fail  to  be  economical ;  in 
entertaining  a  guest,  do  not  fail  to  provide  bountifully. 

In  social  intercourse,  do  not  disclose  to  your  com- 
panion all  that  is  in  your  mind,  lest,  the  friendship 
being  afterward  broken,  he  should  reveal  your  com- 
munication, to  your  hurt. 

In  speaking  of  others,  you  should  make  mention 
of  their  good  qualities,  and  seek  to  excuse  their  fail- 
ings: in  contemplating  matters  of  business,  you 
should  first  consider  the  unfavorable  aspects,  and 
afterward  the  favorable  ones. 

In  the  excitement  of  joy,  do  not  be  too  ready  to 
propose  making  presents. 

In  the  presence  of  a  man  of  high  station,  do  not 
speak  of  your  lot  as  humble,  lest  he  think  that  you 


830  CHINESE   MAXIMS. 

seek  his  recommendation  to  office;  in  the  presence 
of  a  rich  man  do  not  allude  to  your  poverty,  lest  he 
suspect  you  of  seeking  charity. 

In  the  presence  of  a  person  who  is  sorrowful,  do 
not  appear  jovial;  in  the  presence  of  one  who  is 
weeping,  do  not  laugh. 

It  is  improper  for  one  to  live  extravagantly ;  but 
to  live  in  a  miserly  manner  is  even  more  improper. 

Keep  your  grievance  in  your  own  bosom,  and  do 
not  hesitate  to  pay  a  visit  of  courtesy  to  the  person 
who  has  offended  you. 

Look  a  person  in  the  eye;  you  can  then  judge 
whether  he  has  committed  the  offense.     [Confucius.] 

Often  a  person  fails  to  restrain  his  tongue  because 
he  has  not  been  rebuked  for  injudicious  speaking. 
[Confucius.] 

One  never  opens  a  book  without  deriving  some 
benefit  from  it. 

One  should  remember  that  even  a  bowl  of  gruel  or 
rice  is  not  procured  easily  and  without  cost.  [Chu 
Tzu.]     (Economy  is  to  be  kept  in  mind.) 

One  who  flatters  you  is,  very  likely,  none  too  good 
to  injure  you ;  therefore  beware  of  him  the  more  vigi- 
lantly. 

One  who  is  accustomed  to  take  advantage  of  others 
is  a  mean  person. 

One  who  is  ordinarily  willing  to  yield  to  another, 
to  his  own  detriment  or  disadvantage,  is  a  noble 
man. 

One  who  is  not  conceited  has  advantage  therein ; 
and  he  who  is  not  self-satisfied  will  become  learned. 

One  who  is  not  faithful  will  bring  disgrace  upon 
himself;  and  one  who  is  'reckless  brings  upon  himself 
calamities. 

One  who  sincerely  advises  you,  is  certainly  willing 
to  help  you ;  therefore  hear  attentively  what  he  has 
to  say. 

One  who  succeeds  another  in  office  should  not  boast 
of  his  ability  and  skill,  and  hastily  abolish  even  good 
rules  in  order  to  reflect  upon  his  predecessor  and  to 
injure  him. 

Poverty  is  like  torn  clothes ;  one  can  rid  himself 
of  it  by  diligence  and  economy. 

Public  oificers  should  exercise  the  same  care  and 
protection  toward  the  people  that  they  bestow  upon 
themselves  and  their  families. 

Show  attention  to  the  aged  and  experienced ;  when 
you  may  be  in  circumstances  to  need  their  assistance, 
they  can  be  of  service  to  you. 

That  is  a  kind  act,  however  small,  which  a  person 


CHINESE  MAXIMS.  831 

is  in  need  of:  that  is  an  injury,  which  hurts  a  person's 
feelings,  however  slightly. 

The  noble  man  does  not  hesitate  to  sacrifice  his  life 
for  his  country ;  neither  does  he  regard  such  a  death, 
knowing  that  he  leaves  behind  him  a  good  reputation. 

There  is  no  man  who  is  not  susceptible  of  im- 
provement, except  he  lack  the  necessary  strength  of 
will ;  there  is  nothing  in  the  world  which  can  not  be 
accomplished  if  one's  resolution  is  not  weak. 

When  a  noble  man  discontinues  a  friendship,  he 
does  so  without  any  unpleasant  words. 

When  I  walk  with  three  men,  there  must  be  one 
among  them  from  whom  I  can  learn  something. 
[Confucius.] 

When  one  has  learned  to  control  his  tongue,  his 
faults  will  be  fewer ;  when  one  knows  how  to  control 
his  appetite  he  will  have  less  sickness. 

When  one  sits  at  leisure,  he  ought  to  occupy  him- 
self with  inquiring  for  his  faults  and  mistakes :  when 
you  chat  with  people,  do  not  mention  other  people's 
faults. 

When  you  are  overtaken  by  trouble,  do  not  be  cast 
down  with  sorrow;  you  can  then  conquer  the  trouble. 

When  you  beat  a  man,  do  not  strike  his  sore ;  when 
you  have  contentious  words  with  a  person,  do  not 
mention  any  disgrace  he  may  have. 

When  you  converse  with  a  person  who  is  unsuc- 
cessful and  disheartened,  do  not  speak  of  successes. 

When  you  gladly  give  good  advice  to  others,  even 
a  single  word  or  half  a  sentence  is  good  medicine, 
that  is,  will  have  healing  power. 

When  you  pity  a  poor  man,  and  give  him  even  a 
single  cash  and  a  handful  of  rice,  you  are  planting  a 
seed  which  will  yield  you  a  large  harvest  of  joy. 

What  you  rely  upon  others  to  do  for  you  is  not 
certain ;  what  you  can  do  yourself  is  certain. 

When  you  see  a  dwarf,  avoid  using  the  word 
"  short,"  for  fear  of  being  thought  personal. 

With  his  first  wife,  a  man  should  have  a  care  that 
she  do  not  overlook  the  faults  of  their  children :  with 
his  second  wife,  let  him  beware  lest  she  be  too  ready 
to  see  faults  in  the  children  of  the  first  wife. 

You  should  exercise  the  same  energy  and  enthu- 
siasm in  acquiring  knowledge  as  in  accumulating 
money. 


QUOTATIONS,  WORDS,  AND  PHRASES, 

FROM  THE  LATIN  AND  THE  FRENCH  LANGUAGES. 

OCCASIONALLY  SEEN  IN  BNGLISH   PUBLICATIONS,   OB   HEARD  IN  CONVERSATION. 


These  quotations  are  given,  with  translations  into  English,  as  the  same  are 
found  in  the  appendix  to  Webster's  Unabridged  Dictionary.  They  were  selected 
originally  for  the  English  and  Chinese  Dictionary  of  Phrases.  Inasmuch  as  a 
much  fuller  list  of  these  quotations  is  in  the  hands  of  English-speaking  students, 
they  would  naturally  have  been  left  out  of  this  edition.  But  the  mechanical  ne- 
cessities of  book-making  compelled  their  retention  in  the  place  first  assigned  them. 
They  could  not  have  been  omitted  without  a  change  in  the  paging  of  all  the  sub- 
sequent part  of  the  book. 

(836) 


LATIl^  AE"D  FRE:JTCH  PHRASES 

SOMETIMES   FOUND    IN   ENGLISH   BOOKS   AND   HEARD   IN  CONVERSATION. 


Ah  initio  [Lat.]  =  From  the  beginning. 

Ah  origine  [Lat.]  =  From  the  origin  or  beginning. 

Ah  ovo  [Lat.]  =  From  the  e^g ;  hence,  from  the  begin- 
ning. 

Ah  uno  disce  omnes  [Lat.]  =  From  one  learn  all ;  from 
a  single  instance  infer  the  whole. 

Ad  finem  [Lat.]  =  To  the  end. 

Ad  hominem  [Lat.]  =  To  the  man ;  that  is,  to  his  inter- 
ests and  passions. 

Adieu  [Fr.]=:  Farewell. 

Ad  infinitum  [Lat.]  =  To  infinity. 

Ad  interim  [Lat.]  =  Meanwhile. 

Ad  lihitum  [Lat.]  =  At  pleasure. 

Ad  nauseam  [Lat.]  =  To  disgust. 

Ad  rem  [Lat.]  =  To  the  point ;  to  the  purpose. 

Ad  valorem  [Lat.]  =z  According  to  the  value. 

jEquo  animo  [Lat.]  =  With  an  equable  mind;  with 
equanimity. 

Affaire  d'  honneur  [Fr.]  =  An  affair  of  honor. 

Affaire  du  coeur  [Fr.]  =  An  affair  of  the  heart. 

A  fortiori  [Lat.]  =  With  stronger  reason. 

A  la  Fraiiqaise  [Fr.]  =  After  the  French  mode. 

A  V  Americaine  [Fr.]=:  After  the  American  fashion. 

A  la  mode  [Fr.]  =  According  to  the  custom  ;  in  fashion. 

A  V  Anglaise  [Fr.]  =  After  the  English  fashion. 

A  lias  [Lat.]  =  At  another  time  or  place ;  elsewhere ; 
otherwise. 

Alibi  [Lat.]  =  Elsewhere. 

Aliquando  bonus  dormitat  Homerns  [Lat.]  =  Even  the 
good  Homer  sometimes  nods. 

Allons  [Fr.]  =  Let  us  go  ;  come  on  ;  come. 

Alma  Mater  [Lat.] A  benign  mother ; — often  applied 
by  graduates  to  the  college  or  university  at  which 
they  graduated. 

A  Vordinaire  [Fr.]  =  In  the  ordinary  manner. 

Alter  ego  [Lat.]  =  Another  self. 

Alio  rilievo  [It.]=:In  higli  relief. 

Note — Lat.  stands  for  Latin ;  Fr.  for  French ;  It.  for  Italian. 

837 


838  LATIN  AND  FRENCH  PHRASES. 

Amende  honorable  [Fr.]  =  Satisfactory  apology ;  repa- 
ration. 

A  mensa  et  thoro  [Lat.]  =  From  bed  and  board. 

AmiciLs  curice  [Lat.]  =  A  friend  of  the  court. 

Amor  patrice,  [Lat.]  =  Love  of  country. 

Amoroso  [It.]  =  A  lover  ;  tenderly. 

Amour  propre  [Fr.]  =  Self-love ;  vanity. 

Anglic^  [Lat.]  =  According  to  the  English  manner. 

Anno  Christi  [Lat.]  =  In  the  year  of  Christ. 

Anno  Domini  {A.  D.)  [Lat.]  =  In  the  year  of  our  Lord. 

Anno  mundi  {A.  M.)  [Lat.]  =  In  the  year  of  the  world. 

Ante  [Lat.]  =:  Before. 

Ante  helium  [Lat.]  =  Before  the  war. 

Ante  meridiem  [Lat.]  =  Before  noon. 

A  priori  [Lat.]  —  From  the  cause  to  the  effect. 

Apropos  [Fr.]  =  To  the  point;  pertinently;  season- 
ably. 

Aqua  vitoe  [Lat.]  =  Brandy  ;  spirit ;  alcohol. 

Argumentum  ad  hominem  [Lat.]  =  An  argument  to  the 
man ;  that  is,  an  argument  deriving  its  force  from 
the  situation  of  the  person  to  whom  it  is  addressed. 

Argumentum  ad  ignorantiam  [Lat]  —  Argument  found- 
ed on  an  adversary's  ignorance  of  facts. 

Argumentum  ad  invidiam  [Lat.]  =  An  appeal  to  low 
passions. 

Argumentum  ad  judicium,  [Lat.]  =  Argument  to  the 
judgment. 

Argumentum  ad  verecundiam  [Lat.]  =  Argument  to 
modesty. 

Audi  alteram  partem  [Lat.]  =  Hear  the  other  side. 

Au  fait  [Fr.]  =  Well  instructed ;  expert. 

Au  revoir  [Fr.]  =  Adieu  until  w^e  meet  again. 

Auri  sacra  fames  [Lat.]  =  The  accursed  thirst  for  gold. 

Aut  Ccesar  aut  nullus  [Lat.]  ==  Either  Caesar  or  no- 
body. 

Auto  da  fe  [Portuguese]  =  An  act  of  faith  ;  the  name 
given  in  Spain  and  Portugal  to  the  burning  of  Jews 
and  heretics. 

Avant-coureur  [Fr.]=:A  forerunner. 

A  iJincuh  matrimonii  [Lat.]  =:  From  the  tie  of  marriage. 

Bas  bleu  [Fr.]  =  A  blue  stocking ;   a  literary  woman. 

Beau  ideal  [Fr.]  =  A  perfect  model  of  beauty,  or  a 
model  of  ideal  perfection. 

Beau  monde  [Fr.]  =  The  fashionable  world. 

Beaux  esprits  [Fr.]  =  Gay  spirits  ;  men  of  wit. 

Bel  esprit  [Fr.]  =  A  brilliant  mind ;  a  person  of  wit 
or  genius. 

Bete  [Fr.]=.A  beast. 

Bete  noire  [Fr.]  =  A  black  beast ;  a  bugbear. 

Billet  doux  [¥r.']  =  A  loveAetter. 


LATIN  AND   FRENCH   PHRASES.  839 

Bizarre  [Fr.]  =  Odd  ;  fantastic. 

Blase  [Fr.]  =  Palled ;    surfeited ;   rendered  incapable 

of  continued  enjoyment. 
Bona  fide  [Lat.]  =  In  good  faith;  in  reality. 
Bon  ami  [Fr.]  =  Good  friend. 
Bonhomie  [Fr.]  =  Good-natured  simplicity. 
Bon  jour  [Fr.]  =  Good  day ;  good  morning. 
Bonne  [Fr.]  =  A  nurse  or  governess. 
Bon  soir  [Fr.]  =  Good  evening. 
Bouillon  [Fr.]  =  Soup. 
Bravo  [It.]  =  Well  done. 

Cacoethes  scribendi  [Lat.]  =  An  itch  for  scribbling. 
Campus  Martius  [Lat.]  =  A  place  of  military  exercise. 
Cantate  Domino  [Lat.]  =  Sing  to  the  Lord. 
Caput  [Lat]  =r Head  ;  chapter. 
Carbonari  [It.]  =  Members  of  a  secret  political  society 

in  Italy. 
Carpe  diem  [Lat.]  =  Enjoy  the  present  day;  seize  the 

opportunity. 
Carte  de  visite  [Fr.]  =  A  small  photographic  picture 

upon  a  card ;  so  called  from  its  original  use  as  a 

visiting  card. 
Casus  belli  [Lat.]  =  That  which  involves  or  justifies 

war. 
Casus  conscientice  [Lat.)  =  A  case  of  conscience. 
Catalogue  raisonne  [Fr.]  =  A  catalogue   of  books  ar- 
ranged according  to  their  subjects. 
Cavendo  tutus  [Lat.]  =  Safe  through  caution. 
Cave  quid  dicis^  quando,  et  cui  [Lat.]  =  Be  cautious  as 

to  what  you  say,  when,  and  to  whom. 
Cede  Deo  [Lat.]  =  Submit  to  Providence. 
Centum  [Lat.]=  A  hundred. 
Cernit  omnia  Deus  vindex  [Lat.]  =  God,  the  avenger, 

sees  everything. 
Certiorari  [Lat.]  =  To  be  made  more  certain. 
Charmanie  [Fr.]  =  A  charming   lady;    a  charmer;  a 

lady-love. 
Chef  [Fr.]  =  The  head ;  the  leading  person  or  part ; 

hence,  a  chief  or  professed  cook. 
Chef  de  batailbn  [Fr.]  =  A  major. 
Chef  de  cuisine  [Fr.]  =  Head  cook. 
Chefd^oeuvre  [Fr.]  —  A  masterpiece. 
Chlre  amie  [Fr.]  =  A  dear  friend  ;  a  mistress. 
Chiaroscuro  [It.]  =  Distribution  of  light  and  shade  in 

painting. 
Cicerone  [It.]  =  A  guide  who  explains  curiosities. 
Ci-devant  [Fr.]  =  Formerly ;  former. 
Cis  [Lat.]  =  This  side  of. 
Clarum  et  venerabile  nomen  [Lat.]  =  An  illustrious  and 

venerable  name. 


840  LATIN  AND   FRENCH  PHRASES. 

Co&na  Domini  [Lat.]  =  The  Lord's  Supper. 

Coiffeur  [Fr.]  =  A  hair-dresser. 

Coiffure  [Fr.]  =  A  head-dress. 

Cogito^  ergo  sum  [Lat.]=:I  think,  therefore  I  exist. 

Comme  il  faut  [Fr.]  =  As  it  should  be. 

Communi  consensu  [Lat.]  =  By  common  consent. 

Compagnon  de  voyage  [Fr.]  =  A  traveling  companion. 

Compos  mentis  [Lat.]  =  Of  a  sound  mind. 

Gomte  [Fr.]  =  Count. 

Gomtesse  [Fr.]  =  Countess. 

Con  amore  [It.]  =  With  love  ;  earnestly. 

Con  dohre  [It.]  =  With  grief. 

Confrere  [Fr.]  =  A  brother  belonging  to  the  same  mon- 
astery; an  associate. 

Consensus  facit  legem  [Lat.]  =  Consent  makes  the  law. 

Con  spirito  [It.]  =  With  animation. 

Conversazione  [It.]  =  Conversation  ;  a  meeting  for  con- 
versation. 

Corps  de  garde  [Fr.]  =  A  body  of  men  who  watch  the 
guard-room  ;  the  guard-room  itself. 

Corps  diplomatique  [Fr.]=A  diplomatic  body. 

Corpus  delicti  [Lat.]  =  The  body,  substance,  or  founda^ 
tion  of  the  offense. 

Coup  d^etat  [Fr.]=A  stroke  of  policy ;  a  violent  meas- 
ure of  state  in  public  affairs. 

Gowp  de  grace  [Fr.]  =  A  finishing  stroke. 

Coup  c?'  ce^7  [Fr.]  =  A  rapid  glance  of  the  eye. 

Coup  de  soleil  [Fr.]=A  stroke  of  the  sun. 

Cui  bono    [Lat.]  =  For  whose  benefit   is   it  ?    Colloq. 
What  good  will  it  do  ? 

De  facto  [Lat.]  =  From  the  fact ;  really ;  by  one's  own 
authority. 

Dei  gratia  [Lat.]  =  By  the  grace  of  God. 

De  jure  [Lat.]  =  From  the  law  ;  by  right. 

De  mortuis  nil  nisi  bonum  [Lat.]  =  Say  nothing  but 
good  of  the  dead. 

De  novo  [Lat.]  =  Anew. 

Deo  Duce  [Lat.]  =  God  being  my  leader. 

Deo  gratias  [Lat.]  =  Thanks  to  God. 

Deo  volente  [Lat.]  =  God  willing  ;  by  God's  will. 

De  profundis  [Lat.]  =  Out  of  the  depths. 

Dernier  ressort  [Fr.]  =  A  last  resource. 

Desideratum  [Lat.]  =  A  thing  desired. 

De  trop  [Fr.]  =  Too  much  or  too  many  ;  not  wanted. 

Deus  vobiscum  [Lat.]  =  God  be  with  you. 

Dictum  [Lat.]  =  A  saying  ;  a  decision. 

Dies  irce  [Lat.]  =  Day  of  wrath  ; — the  title  of  a  cele- 
brated Latin  hymn. 

Dies  non  [Lat.]  =  A  day  on  which  judges  do  not  sit ; 
— used  in  legal  language. 


LATIN  AND   FRENCH  PHRASES.  841 

Dieu  et  mon  droit  [Fr.]  =  God  and  my  right. 

Dilettante  [It.]=:A  lover  of  the  fine  arts. 

Diner  [Fr.]  =  Dinner. 

Disjecta  membra  [Lat.]  =  Scattered  limbs  or  remains. 

Distingue  [Fr.]  —  Distinguished ;  eminent. 

Distrait  [Fr.]  =  Absent  in  thought. 

Dolce  [It.]=In  music,  soft  and  agreeable. 

Doloroso  [It.]  =In  music,  soft  and  pathetic. 

Domino  [It.]  -  A  mask  robe. 

Dominus  vobiscum  [Lat.]  =  The  Lord  be  with  you. 

Douceur  [Fr.]  =  Sweetness ;  a  bribe. 

Dramatis  personoi  [Lat.]  =z  Characters  represented  in  a 
drama. 

Dulce  et  decorum  est  pro  patrid  mori  [Lat.]  =  It  is  sweet 
and  glorious  to  die  for  one's  country. 

Dum  spiro^  spero  [Lat.]  =  While  I  breathe,  I  hope. 

Dum  vivimus,  vivamus  [Lat.]  =  While  we  live,  let  us 
live. 

Eau  de  cologne  [Fr.]  =  Cologne  water. 

Ean  de  vie  [Fr.]  =  Water  of  life  ;  brandy. 

Ecole  militaire  [Fr.]  —  A  military  school. 

Ecole  polytechnique  [Fr,]  =  A  polytechnic  school. 

Ecce  homo  [Lat.]  =  Behold  the  man  ; — applied  specifi- 
cally to  any  picture  representing  the  Savior  given 
up  to  the  people  by  Pilate,  and  wearing  a  crown  of 
thorns. 

Emeritus  [Lat.]  =  One  retired  from  active  official 
duties. 

Employe  [Fr.]=:A  person  employed  by  another;  a 
person  in  service,  a  clerk. 

En  avant !  [Fr.]  -  Forward  ! 

Enciente  [Fr.]  =  Pregnant ;  with  child. 

Ea  deshabille  [Fr.]=:In  undress. 

En  famille  [Fr.]  =In  a  domestic  state. 

Enfans  perdus  [Fr.]  -  Lost  children  ;  the  forlorn  hope. 

En  m.asse  [Fr.]  =  In  a  body. 

Ennui  [Fr.]  =  Weariness  ;  lassitude. 

En  passant  [Fr.]  =  In  passing;  by  the  way. 

En  regie  [Fr.]  =  In  order ;  according  to  rules. 

En  route  [Fr.]  =  On  the  way. 

En  suite  [Fr.]=In  company. 

Entente  cordiale  [Fr.]  =  Evidences  of  good  will  and  jus- 
tice toward  each  other,  exchanged  by  the  chief  per- 
sons of  two  states. 

En  tout  [Fr.]  =  In  afl ;  wholly. 

Entre  nous  [Fr.]  =  Between  ourselves. 

Entrepot  [Fr.]  =  A  warehouse  or  magazine. 

En  verite  [Fr.]  =  In  truth  ;  verily. 

Envoy e  [Fr.]  —  An  envoy  ;  a  messenger. 

Eplunhus  unum  [Lat.]  =  One  out  of  many  ;  one  com- 


842  LATIN  AND  FRENCH  PHRASES. 

posed  of  many ; — the  motto  of  the  United  States, 
as  being  one  government  formed  of  many  states. 

Errare  est  humanum  [Lat.]  =To  err  is  human. 

Esprit  de  corps  [Fr.]=The  animating  spirit  of  a  col- 
lective body,  as  of  the  army,  or  the  bar. 

Est  modus  in  rebus  [Lat.]  =  There  is  a  medium  in  all 
things. 

Esto  perpetua  [Lat.]  =Let  it  be  perpetual. 

Et  iu^  Brute!  [Lat.]  =  And  thou  also,  Brutus  ! 

Ex  audoritate  mihi  commissa  [Lat.]  =  By  the  authority 
intrusted  to  me. 

Ex  capite  [Lat.]  =  From  the  head ;  from  memory. 

Ex  cathedra  [Lat.] i=  From  the  bench;  with  high  au- 
thority ;  originally  used  with  reference  to  the  deci- 
sions of  the  Pope  and  others  in  high  authority. 

Excelsior  [Lat.]  =  Higher ;  more  elevated  ; — the  motto 
of  Kew  York. 

Exceptio  probat  regulam  [Lat.]  =  The  exception  proves 
the  rule. 

Excerpta  [Lat.]  =  Extracts. 

Ex  concesso  [Lat.]  =  From  what  has  been  conceded. 

Ex  curia  [Lat.]  =  Out  of  court. 

Exempli  gratia  [Lat.]  =  By  way  of  example. 

Exeunt  omnes  [Lat.]  =  All  go  out. 

Exit  [Lat.]  =  He  goes  out ;  death. 

Exitus  acta  probat  [Lat.]  =  The  event  justifies  the  deed. 

Ex  more  [Lat.]  =  According  to  custom. 

Ex  necessitate  rei  [Lat.]  =  From  the  necessity  of  the  case. 

Ex  nihilo  nihil  fit  [Lat.]  =  Out  of  nothing,  nothing 
comes. 

Ex  officio  [Lat.]  =  By  virtue  of  his  office. 

Ex  parte  [Lat.]  =  On  one  side  only. 

Experimentum  crucis  [Lat.]  =  The  decisive  test;  a  test 
of  the  most  searching  nature. 

Experientia  docet  stultos  [Lat.]  =  Experience  instructs 
fools. 

Expertus  [Lat.]  =  An  expert. 

Expose  [Fr.]  =  An  exposition  ;  recital. 

Ex  post  facto  [Lat.]  =  After  the  deed  is  done. 

Expressis  verbis  [Lat.]  —  In  express  terms. 

Ex  professo  [Lat.]  —  Professedly. 

Ex  tempore  [Lat.]  =  Without  premeditation. 

Ex  uno  disce  omnes  [Lat.]  =  From  one  learn  all ;  from 
one  judge  of  the  whole. 

Faber  sum  fortunes  [Lat.]  =  The  ^chitect  of  his  own 
fortune  ;  a  self-made  man. 

Facetiae.  [Lat.]  =  Humorous  writings  or  sayings ;  jokes. 

Facile  princeps  [Lat.]  =  The  admitted  leader. 

Fac  simile  [Lat.]  =  Make  it  like ;  hence,  a  close  imita- 
tion. 


LATIN  AND   FRENCH  PHRASES.  843 

Fac  totum  [Lat.]r=Do  all ;  hence,  a  man  of  all  work. 
Fas  est  ah  hoste  doceri  [Lat.]  =It  is  right  to  be  taught 

by  an  enemy. 
Fata  Morgana  [It.]  =  Atmospheric  phenomena  along 

the  coast  of  Sicily  ;  looming ;  mirage. 
Fauteuil  [Fr.]  =  An  easy-chair. 
Faux  pas  [Fr.]  =  A  false  step ;  a  mistake. 
Fecit  [Lat.]  =  He  made  or  executed  it ; — put  after  an 

artist's  name. 
Femme  de  chambre  [Fr.]  —  A  chambermaid. 
Fete  champetre  [Fr.]=A  rural  festival. 
Fet^  Dieu  [Fr.]  =:  The  Corpus  Christi  festival  in  the  Eo- 

man  Catholic  church. 
Feu  de  joie  [Fr.]=A  firing  of  guns  in  token  of  joy; 

a  bonfire. 
Fiat  justitia  mat  caelum  [Lat.]  =  Let  justice  be  done, 

though  the  heavens  should  fall. 
Fidus  Achates  [Lat.]  =  Faithful  Achates;  i.  e.,  a  true 

friend. 
Fils  [Fr.]:zrSon. 
Finis  [Lat.]  =  The  end. 

Finis  coronat  opus  [Lat.]  =  The  end  crowns  the  work. 
Flagrante  hello  [Lat.]  =  During  hostilities. 
Flagrante  delicto  [Lat.]  =  In   the   commission    of  the 

crime. 
Fortes  fortuna  juvat  [Lat.]  =  Fortune  aids  the  brave. 
Fra  [It.]  =  Brother ;  friar ; — applied  chiefly  to  monks 

of  the  lower  order. 
Garqon  [Fr.]  =  A  boy,  or  a  waiter. 
Garde  du  corps  [Fr.]  =  A  body  guard. 
Oarde  mohile  [Fr.]  =  A  guard  liable  to  general  service. 
Genius  loci  [Lat.]  =The  genius  of  the  place. 
Gens  d^armes  [Fr.]=:  Armed  police. 
Gloria  in  excelsis  [Lat.]  —  Glory  to  God  in  the  highest. 
Gloria  Patri  [Lat.]  =:  Glory  be  to  the  Father. 
Gradatim  [Lat]  =  Gradually  ;  step  by  step. 
Guerre  d  Voutrance  [Fr.]=War  to  the  uttermost. 
Guerre  d  mort  [Fr.]  =  "War  to  the  death. 
Hand  passihus  oequis  [Lat.]  =  Not  with  equal  steps. 
ITic  jacet  [Lat.]  =  Here  lies  ; — used  in  epitaphs. 
Honi  soit  qui  mal  y  pense  [Fr.]  =Evil  to  him  who  evil 

thinks. 
Horresco  referens  [Lat.]  ■=  I  shudder  to  relate. 
Hors  de  combat  [Fr.]  =  Out  of  condition  to  fight. 
Hotel  de  ville  [Fr.]  =  A  town  hall. 
Hotel  des  Invalides  [Fr.]=:The  military  hospital    in 

Paris. 
Hotel  Dieu  [Fr.]  =  The  name  of  a  large  hospital  in 

Paris. 


844  LATIN  AND   FRENCH  PHRASES. 

Ignorantia  legis  neminem  excusat  [Lat.]  =  Ignorance  of 

the  law  excuses  no  one. 
Imperiuni  in  imperio  [Lat.]  —  A  government  within  a 

government. 
In  articulo  mortis    [Lat.]  =  At  the  point  of  death ;  in 

the  last  struggle. 
In  curia  [Lat.]  =  In  the  court. 

Index  expurgatorius  [Lat.]  =  A  list  of  prohibited  books. 
In  extremis  [Lat.]  =  At  the  point  of  death. 
Inforo  conscientice  [Lat.]  =  Before  the  tribunal  of  con- 
science. 
In  futuro  [Lat.]  =  In  future  ;  henceforth. 
In  loco  parentis  [Lat.]  =  In  the  place  of  a  parent. 
In  medias  res  [Lat.]  =  Into   the   midst   of  things   or 

affairs. 
In  memoriam  [Lat.]  =  To  the  memory  of;  in  memory. 
In  ovo  [Lat.]  =  In  the  Qgg. 
In  pace  [Lat.]  =  In  peace. 

In  partibus  inftdeUum  [Lat.]  =  In  infidel  countries. 
In  perpetuam  rei  memoriam  [Lat.]  =  For  a  perpetual 

memorial  of  the  affair. 
In  perpetuum  [Lat.]  =  Forever. 
In  propria  persona  [Lat.]  =  In  person. 
In  re  [Lat.]  =  In  the  matter  of. 
In  rem  [Lat.]  =  Against  the  thing  or  property. 
In  rerum.  naturd  [Lat.]  =  In  the  nature  of  things. 
lu  situ  [Lat.]  =  In  its  original  situation. 
In  statu  quo  [Lat.]  =  In  the  former  state. 
Int^r  alia  [Lat.]  =  Among  other  things. 
Inter  arma  silent  leges  [Lat.]  =  In  time  of  war,  laws 

are  silent. 
Inter  nos  [Lat.]  =  Between  ourselves. 
Ii  toto  [Lat.]  =  In  the  whole  ;  entirely. 
In  transitu  [Lat.]  =  On  the  passage. 
Jardin   des   Plantes  [Fr.]  —  The   botanical  garden   in 

Paris. 
Jet  d'eau  [Fr.]  =  A  jet  of  water. 
Jeu  de  mots  [Fr.]  =  Aplay  on  words;  a  pun. 
Jeu  d" esprit  [Fr.]  =  A  witticism. 
Jure  divino  [Lat.]  =  By  divine  law. 
Jure  humano  [Lat.]  =  By  human  law. 
Jus  civile  [Lat.]  —  Civil  law. 
Juste  milieu  [Fr.]  =  The  golden  mean. 
Lapsus  linguce  [Lat.]  =  A  slip  of  the  tongue. 
Lapsus  memorice  [Lat.]  =  A  slip  of  memory. 
Latet  anguis  in  herhd  [Fr.]  =  A  snake  lies  hid  in  the 

grass.     Beware ! 
Le  beau  monde  [Fr.]  =  The  fashionable  world. 
Le  tout  ensemble  [Fr.]=:All  together. 
Lex  terrcB  [Lat.]  =  The  law  of  the  land. 


LATIN  AND  FRENCH  PHRASES.  845 

Locus  sigilli  [Lat.]  =  The  place  of  the  seal ; — usually 
abbreviated  to  L.  S. 

Ma  chere  [Fr.]  =  My  dear. 

Magna  est  Veritas^  et  prevalehit  [Lat.)  =  Truth  is  mighty, 
and  it  will  prevail. 

Magnum  honum  [Lat.]  =  A  great  good. 

Magnus  Apollo  [Lat.]  =  Great  Apollo;    one  of  high 
authority. 

Mai  a  propos  [Fr.]  =  111  timed. 

Materfamilias  [Lat.]  =  The  mother  of  a  family. 

Mauvaise  honte  [Fr.]  =  False  modesty. 

Memento  mori  [Lat.]  =  Remember  death. 

Mens  legis  [Lat.]  =  The  spirit  of  the  law. 

Mens  Sana  in  corpore  sano  [Lat.]  =  A  sound  mind  in  a 
sound  body. 

Mesalliance    [Fr.]= Improper    association;    marriage 
with  one  of  lower  station. 

Modus  operandi  [Lat.]  =  Manner  of  operation. 

Mon  ami  [Fr.]  =  My  friend. 

Mon  cher  [Fr.]  =  My  dear. 

More  majorum  [Lat.]  =  After  the  manner  of  our  an- 
cestors. 

Multum  in  parvo  [Lat.]  =  Much  in  little. 

Necessitas  non  habet  legem  [Lat.]  =  Necessity  has  no 
law. 

Nee  [Fr.]  =  Born ;  as,  Madame  de  Stael,  nee  (that  is 
whose  maiden  name  was)  Necker. 

Neglige  [Fr.]  =  A  morning  dress. 

Ne  plus  ultra  [Lat.]  =  Nothing  further ;  the  uttermost 
point. 

NHmporte  [Fr.]  =  It  matters  not. 

Noblesse  oblige  [Fr.]=:Ilank  imposes  obligation  ;  much 
is  rightly  expected  of  one  of  high  birth  or  station. 

Nolens  volens  [Lat.]  =  Whether  he  will  or  not. 

Nolle  prosequi  [Lat.]  =  To  be  unwilling  to  proceed. 

Nom  deplume  [Fr.]  =  An  assumed  or  literary  title. 

Non  compos  mentis  [Lat.]  =  Not  in  sound  mind. 

Non  constat  [Lat.]  =  It  does  not  appear. 

Non  sequitur  [L2it.'\  =  li  does  not  foUoW;  an  unwar- 
ranted conclusion. 

Noscitur  a,  or  ex,  sociis  [Lat.]  =  He  is  known  by  his  com- 
panions. 

Nota  bene  (N.  B.)  [Lat.]  =  Mark  well. 

Notre  Dame  [Fr.]  =  Our  Lady  ;  a  cathedral  in  Paris. 

Nous  verrons  [Fr.]=:We  shall  see. 

Nouvellette  [Fr.]=A  short  tale  or  novel;  a  novelette. 

Nulli  secundus  [Lat.]  =  Second  to  none. 

Nunquam  minv^  solus,  quam  cum  solus  [Lat.]  =  Never 
less  alone  than  when  alone. 

Omen  faustum  [Lat.]  =  A  favorable  omen. 


846  LATIN  AND  FRENCH  PHRASES. 

Omnia  vincit  amor  [Lat.]=  Love  conquers  all  things. 

On  dit  [Fr.]  =  Tliey  say  ;  hence,  a  flying  rumor. 

Ora  et  lahora  [Lat.]=:Pray  and  work. 

Orapro  nobis  [Lat.]  =:Pray  for  us. 

0 1  si  sic  omnia  [Lat.]  =  O  that  he  had  always  done 
or  spoken  thus. 

0  tempora !    0  mores !  [Lat.]  =  O  the  times !    O  the 
manners. 

Otium  cum  dignitate  [Lat.]  =  Ease  with  dignity;  dig- 
nified leisure. 
Pace  tud  [Lat.]  =  With  your  consent. 
Padrone  [It]  =  Master ;  employer;  landlord. 
Palma  non  sine  pidvere  [Lat.]  =  The  palm  is  not  gained 
without  the  dust  of  labor ;  no  excellence  without 
great  labor. 
Par  example  [Fr.]  =  For  example. 
Par  excellence  [Fr.]  =  By  way  of  eminence. 
Pari  passu  [Lat.]  =  With  equal  pace ;  together. 
Particeps  criminis  [Lat.]  =  An  accomplice. 
Parva  componere  magnis    [Lat.]  =  To   compare  small 

things  with  great. 
Pate  de  foiegras  [Fr.]  =  Goose-liver  pie. 
Paterfamilias  [Lat.]  =  The  father  of  a  family. 
Pater  noster  [Lat.]  =  Our  Father ;  the  Lord's  prayer* 
Pax  in  hello  [Lat.]  =  Peace  in  war. 
Peccavi  [Lat.]  =  I  have  sinned. 
Per  annum  [Lat.]  =  By  the  year. 
Per  aspera  ad  astra  [Lat.]  =  Through  trial  to  glory. 
Per  capita  [Lat.]  =  By  the  head. 
Per  centum  [Lat.]  =  By  the  hundred. 
Per  contra  [Lat.]  =  Contrariwise. 
Per  diem  [Lat.]  =  By  the  day. 
Perdu  [Fr.]=:Lost. 

Per  saltum  [Lat.]  =  By  a  leap  or  jump. 
Per  se  [Lat.]  =  By  itself  considered. 
Petit  [FrO^  Small. 

Petitio  principii  [Lat.]  =  A  begging  of  the  question. 
Poeta  nascitur,  non  fit  [Lat.]  =  The  poet  is  born,  not 

made. 
Pons  asinorum    [Lat.]  =  An  ass's  bridge;   a  help  to 

dull  pupils. 
Possunt  quia  posse  videntiir  [Lat.]  =  They  are.  able  be- 
cause they  seem  to  be  able. 
Post  mortem  [Lat.]  =  After  death. 
Post  nubila   Phoebus    [Lat.]  =  After    clouds   the    sun 

shines. 
Post  obitum  [Lat.]  =  After  death. 
Pour  passer  le  temps  [Fr.]=To  pass  away  the  time. 
Prima  facie  [Lat.]  =  On  the  first  view. 
Primus  inter  pares  [Lat.]  =  Chief  among  equals. 


LATIN  AND  FRENCH  PHRASES.  847 

Pro  bono  publico  [Lat.]  =  For  the  public  good. 

Pro  hdc  vice  [Lat.J^For  this  turn  or  occasion. 

Pro  rata  [Lat.]  =  In  proportion. 

Protege  [Fr.j^One  protected,  or  patronized  by  an- 
other. 

Pro  tempore  [Lat.]  =  For  the  time  being. 

Quantum  lihet  [Lat.]  =  As  much  as  you  please. 

Quantum  sufficit  [Lat.]  =  A  sufficient  quantity. 

Quasi  [Lat.]  =  As  if;  in  a  manner. 

Quid  nunc  f  [Lat.]  =  What  now  ?  a  newsmonger. 

Quid  pro  quo  [Lat.]  =  One  thing  for  another;  an 
equivalent. 

Qui  facit  per  alium,  facit  per  se  [Lat.]  =  He  who  does 
a  thing  by  the  agency  of  another  person,  does  it 
himself. 

Qui  transtulit,  sustinet  [Lat.]=iHe  who  transplanted, 
still  sustains ; — the  motto  of  Connecticut. 

Qui  vivef  [Fr.]  =  "Who  goes  there  ? — hence,  on  the  qui 
vive,  on  the  alert. 

Quod  erat  demonstrandum,  [Lat.]  =  Which  was  to  be 
proved  or  demonstrated. 

Quorum,  pars  magna  fui  [Lat.]  =  Of  which,  or  whom, 
I  was  a  great  or  important  part. 

Quos  Deus  vult  perdere^  prius  dementat  [Lat.]  =  Those 
whom  God  wishes  to  destroy,  he  first  makes  mad. 

Rara  avis  [Lat.]=A  rare  bird  ;  a  prodigy. 

Rectus  in  curia  [Lat.]  =  Upright  in  the  court;  with 
clean  hands. 

Reductio  ad  ahsurdum  [Lat.]=A  reducing  a  position 
to  an  absurdity. 

Rem  acu  tetigisii  [Lat.] = You  have  touched  the  thing 
with  a  needle,  that  is,  exactly. 

Renaissance  [Fr.]  =  Kevival,  as  of  letters  or  art. 

Requiescat  in  pace  [Lat.]  =  May  he  rest  in  peace. 

Res  angusta  domi  [Lat.]=]S^arrow  circumstances  at 
home;  poverty. 

Robe  de  chambre  [Fr.]  =  A  dressing-gown  or  morning- 
gown. 

Ruse  de  guerre  [Fr.]  =  A  stratagem  of  war. 

Salle  [Ft.-]  =Bsl\\. 

Salus  populi,  suprema  est  lex  [Lat.]  =  The  welfare  of 
the  people  is  the  supreme  law. 

Sans  peur  et  sans  reproche  [Fr.]  =  Without  fear  and 
without  reproach. 

Sartor  resartus  [Lat.]  =  The  cobbler  mended. 

Scandalum  magiiatum  [Lat.]  =  Defamatory  speech  or 
writing  to  the  injury  of  persons  of  dignity. 

Secundum  artem  [Lat.]  =  According  to  rule ;  scien- 
tifically. 

Semper  idem  [Lat.]  =  Always  the  same. 


848  LATIN  AND  FRENCH   PHRASES. 

Semper  paraius  [Lat.]  =  Always  ready. 

Serus  in  codum  redeas  [Lat.]  =  Late  may  you  return  to 

heaven  ;  may  you  live  long. 
Sic  itur  ad  astra  [Lat.]  =  Such  is  the  way  to  immor- 
tality. 

Sic  semper  tyrannis  [Lat.]  =  Ever  so  to  tyrants  ; — the 
motto  of  Virginia. 

Sic  transit  gloria  w^undi  [Lat.]  =  So  passes  away  earthly 
glory. 

Sic  vos  non  vobis  [Lat.]  =  Thus  you  do  not  labor  for 
yourselves. 

Silent   leges  inter   arma  [Lat.]  =  The   laws   are  silent 
amidst  arms. 

Similia  similihus    curantur  [Lat.]  =  Like    things    are 
cured  by  like. 

Si  monumentum   quoeris^   circumspice    [Lat.]=:If  you 
seek  his  moument,  look  around. 

Sine  die  [Lat.]  =  Without  a  day  appointed. 

Sine  qua  non  [Lat.]  =  An  indispensable  condition. 

Si  parva  licet  componere  magnis  [Lat.]  =  If  it  is  allow- 
able to  compare  small  things  with  great. 

Si  vis  pacem^  para  helium  [Fr.]  =  If  you  wish  for  peace 
prepare  for  war. 

Sponte  sua  [Lat.]  =  Of  one's  own  accord. 

Stat  magni  nominis  umbra  [Lat.]  =  He  stands  the  shad- 
ow of  a  mighty  name. 

Statu  quo  ante  bellum  [Lat.]  =  In  the  state  which  was 
before  the  war. 

Status  quo  [Lat.]  =  The  state  in  which. 

Stet  [Lat.]  =  Let  it  stand. 

Suaviter  in  modo^  fortiter  in  re  [Lat.]  =  Gentle  in  man- 
ner, but  resolute  in  deed. 

Sub  judice  [Lat.]  =  Under  consideration. 

Sub  rosd  [Lat.]  =  Under  the  rose  ;  privately. 

Sub  voce  [Lat.]  =  Under  the  voice. 

Sui  generis  [Lat.]  =  Of  its  own  kind. 

Summum  bonum  [Lat.]  =  The  chief  good. 

Summum  jus,  summa  injuria  [Lat.]  =  The  rigor  of  the 
law  is  the  rigor  of  oppression. 

Suppressio  veri,  suggestio  falsi  [Lat.]  =  A  suppression 
of  the  truth  is  the  suggestion  of  a  falsehood. 

Suum  cuique  [Lat.]  =  Let  each  have  his  own. 

Tableau  vivant  [rr.]=:The  representation  of  some 
scene  by  means  of  persons  grouped  in  appropriate 
posture,  and  remaining  silent  and  motionless. 

Te  judice  [Lat.]  =  You  being  the  judge. 

Tempora  mutantur,  et  nos  mutamur  in  illis  [Lat]  =  The 
times  are  changed,  and  we  are  changed  with  them. 

Tempus  fugit  [Lat.]  =  Time  flies. 

Terminus  ad  quern  [Lat.]  =  The  time  to  which. 


LATIN"  AND  FRENCH  PHRASES.  849 

Terminus  a  quo  [Lat.]  =  The  time  from  which. 

Terra  cotta  [It.]  =  Baked  earth. 

Terra  firma  [Lat.]  —  Solid  earth  ;  a  safe  footing. 

Terra  incognita  [Lat.]  =  An  unknown  country. 

Tertium  quid  [Lat.]  =  A  third  something ;  a  nonde- 
script. 

Totidem  verbis  [Lat.]  =  In  just  so  many  words. 

Toto  codo  [Lat.]  =  By  the  whole  heavens  ;  diametrically 
opposite. 

Tout  ensemble  [Fr.]  =  The  whole  taken  together. 

Tu  quoque,  Brute/  [Lat.]  =  And  thou  too,  Brutus! 

Ultima  ratio   regum    [Lat.]  =  The   last  argument   of 
kings  ;  military  weapons  ;  war. 

Ultima  Thule  [Lat.]  =  The  utmost  boundary  or  limit. 

Ultimatum  [Lat.]  =  The  last  or  only  condition. 

Usque  ad  nauseam  [Lat.]  =  To  disgust. 

Usus  loquendi  [Lat.]  =  Usage  in  speaking. 

Vade  mecum  [Lat.]  =  Go  with  me ;  a  constant  com- 
panion. 

Valet  de  chambre  [rr.]=An  attendant ;  a  footman. 

Veni^  vidi,  vici  [Lat.]  =  I  came,  I  saw,  I  conquered. 

Verbatim  et  literatim  [Lat.]  =  Word  for  word  and  let- 
ter for  letter. 

Verbum  sat  sapienti  [Lat.]  =  A  word  is  enough  for  a 
wise  man. 

Versus  [Lat.]  =  Against ;  toward. 

Vestigia  nulla  retrorsum  [Lat.]=!N'o  footsteps  back- 
ward. 

Via  [Lat.]  =  By  the  way  of. 

Via  media  [Lat.]=:A  middle  course. 

Vice  [Lat.]  =  In  the  place  of. 

Vice  versa  [Lat.]  =  The  terms  being  exchanged. 

Vide  et  crede  [Lat.]  =  See  and  believe. 

Video  raeliora  proboque^  deteriora  sequor  [Lat.]=:I  see 
and  approve  of  the  better  things,  I  follow  the  worse. 

Vi  et  armis  [Lat.]  =  By  force  and  arms ;  by  main  force. 

Vinculum  matrimonii  [Lat.]  =  The  bond  of  marriage. 

Vis  a  vis  [Fr.]  =  Opposite ;  facing. 

Vivat  regina  [Lat.]  =  Long  live  the  queen. 

Vivat  rex  [Lat.]  =  Long  live  the  king. 

Viva  voce  [Lat.]  =  By  the  living  voice ;  by  oral  testi- 
mony. 

Vivat  respublica  [Lat.]  =  Live  the  republic. 

Vive  la  republique  [Fr.]  =  Long  live  the  republic. 

Vive  V  empereur  [Fr.]  =  Long  live  the  emperor. 

Vive  le  roi  [Fr.]=Long  live  the  king. 

Vive^  vale  [Lat.]  =  Farewell  and  be  happy. 

Voild  [Fr.]=  Behold;  there  is  or  there  are. 

Vox  populi^  vox  Dei  [Lat.]  =  The  voice  of  the  people 
is  the  voice  of  God. 

55 


^ 


i. 


V^ 


# 


7/G 


(851) 


(Translation  or  the  preceding  page.) 

HISTORICAL 


SKETCH  OF  is 


^^ 


THE  CHINESE 


DYMSTIES, 


IN  WHICH 


THE  DATES  ARE 


^      HARMONIZED  WITH 


3  f^  <.. 

p^  s  ^ 

^li        THE  CHRISTIAN 
S"  CHRONOLOGY. 

(852) 


+  $b  ^  * 
HISTORICAL  SKETCH  OF  THE  CHINESE  DYNASTIES, 

IN   WHICH   THE   DATES   ARE 

HARMONIZED  WITH  THE  CHRISTIAN  CHRONOLOGY 


The  Chinese  nation  is  a  very  ancient  one.  and  the  fragments  of  his- 
tory which  are  here  given  have  been  taken  ahnost  wholly  from  two  his- 
torical works,  Kang  Kien  I  Chi  Lu  ft  H  :^  ^  if  and  Ti  Wang; 
Nieii  Piao  ^  I  ^  ^.  Of  course,  nothing  beyond  the  barest  outline  of  the 
course  of  events  is  possible,  in  a  work  like  this  ;  and  only  the  attempt  has 
been  made,  to  present  the  rulers  of  the  successive  dynasties  in  their  order, 
with  mention  of  the  first  and  last  emperors  in  each  dynasty,  and  the  cause 
and  method  of  each  change  of  dynasty.  The  tables  give  the  name  and 
lineage  of  each  ruler,  with  the  number  of  years  of  his  reign  and  the  time- 
of  its  commencement ;  and  the  dates  are  harmonized  with  the  Chronology 
in  use  among  Western  nations.  The  difficulty  of  thus  harmonizing  the 
dates,  and  the  inaccuracy  which  would  be  produced  by  following  the 
method  in  use  among  Chinese  historians  of  the  middle  period,  of  some- 
times reckoning  the  same  year  twice  by  counting  it  for  both  the  out-going 
and  the  in-coming  monarch,  and  making  a  dilierence  of  some  years  iiL 
the  whole  period,  have  been  avoided  by  counting  such  years  only  once. 

It  v^ill  be  observed  that  the  emperors  of  the  Chow  J^  dynasty 
are  designated  by  two  titles ;  one  being  his  own  name  used  as  the- 
reigning  title,  and  the  other,  the  dynastic  or  historical  title  re- 
ceived after  his  death.  This  last  title  is  conferred  by  the  successor 
of  the  emperor  and  the  minister,  and  is  expressive  of  some  characteristic 
of  his  reign.  From  the  time  of  the  Han  J^.  dynasty  to  the  present,  it 
has  been  the  custom  for  the  emperor,  on  his  accession  to  the  throne,  to 
assume  a  new  name,  instead  of  using  his  own,  as  a  reigning  title,  and 
until  the  Yuan  dynasty  this  reigning  title  was  sometimes  changed  several 
times  during  a  reign.  Thus  an  emperor  reigning  twenty-four  years,  and 
changing  his  title  at  intervals  of  four  years,  would  have  six  different 
reigning  titles  during  life,  though  only  one  dynastic  title  after  death  by 
which  to  be  known  in  history. 

In  this  book  these  changing  titles,  being  so  numerous,  have  been  omit- 
ted from  the  tables,  and  only  the  dynastic,  or  historical  titles  inserted ; 
except  in  the  cases  of  the  last  and  the  present  dynasties,  where  both  titles 
have  been  uniformly  inserted ;  there  having  been  no  change  of  reigning 
title  during;  these  dynasties. 

^  ^  (853) 


854 


HISTORICAL  AND   CHRONOLOGICAL  SKETCH. 


^   ^  IE  THE   AGE   OF   THE   THREE   RULERS. 

[This  period  is  so  designated  by  the  Chinese,  although  it  contains  the 
names  of  six  persons.  Its  time  in  history,  and  its  duration  are  uncertain. 
It  corresponds  to  the  mythical  era  of  many  nations.] 


1.  M  *  Pan  Ku, 
^•%  M  Ti'en  Hwang 
3.  ft  ^  Ti  Hwang, 


4.  A  ^  Jen  Hwang, 

5.  ;f  ^  Yew  Ch'ao, 

6.  m  A  Sui  J^n, 


In  Yew  Ch'ao's  time  people  lived  in  caves,  ate  wild  fruits,  drank  the 
blood  of  animals,  did  not  cook  their  food,  and  covered  their  loins  with 
the  skins  of  animals.  He  taught  them  to  build  huts  of  wood  or  boughs 
of  trees.  Sui  J^n  means  "  wood  from  which  fire  is  obtained."  He  dis- 
covered the  method  of  producing  fire  by  rubbing  together  two  pieces  of 
wood.  As  there  was  no  mode  of  writing,  he  made  knots  in  a  cord,  to 
serve  as  a  memorandum. 


S  ^  $E  THE   AOE   OF   THE   FIVE   EMPERORS. 

[This  period  is  so  styled  by  the  Chinese,  although  embracing  more 
than  five  rulers.  Some  uncertainty  attaches  to  the  dates  and  events  be- 
fore the  time  of  Yau.] 


Tai  Hao,  also  called  Fu  Hi 


^  ^,  m  s  R 
a:  ?&,  ^  M  R 

'P  ^,  &  ?c  J5 

m  m,  m^R 

^m,m^R 

m,mBR 

m,^mR 

Yen  Ti, 
Hwang  Ti, 
Shao  Hao, 

Chwan  Hu, 

Ti  Kuh, 

Ti  Chi, 
Yau, 

Shun, 

E'umber  of  Eulers,  9. 


Beginning 

Length 

of  Reign. 

of  Reign. 

B.  C. 

Yrs. 

Fu  Hi 

2953 

2838 

115 

Shen  Nung, 

140 

Yew  Hung, 

2698 

100 

Kin    Ti'en,  son  of 

Hwang  Ti,   .... 

2598 

84 

Kao  Yang,  grand- 

son of  Hwang  Ti, 

2514 

78 

Kao     Sin,    grand- 

son of  Shao  Hao, 

2436 

70 

sonof  TiKuh,.. 

2366 

9 

T'aoT'ang,sonof 

Ti    Kuh, 

2357 

102 

Yew  Yu, 

2255 

50 

Whole  number  of  years.     748 


Fu  Hi,  the  first  of  the  five  emperors,  is  regarded  as  the  founder  of  the 
Chinese  empire.  His  capital  was  the  city  Chin  Chow,  in  Hon  an  JpJ  ^ 
province,  which  city  he  founded.  He  invented  nets  and  snares  for  fishing 
and  hunting,  and  taught  to  rear  domestic  animals.  He  also  first  con- 
structed the  "  eight  kwa,"  or  diagram  used  for  divining  or  foretelling 
future  events.  A  more  useful  work  of  his  time  was  the  invention  by 
Tseng  Chi  ^  Jg  of  characters  to  express  ideas,  and  the  compilation  of 
an  almanac.     The  institution  of  marriage  is  also  ascribed  to  Fu  Hi. 

Sh^n  ]S"ung,  the  second  of  the  five  emperors,  removed  his  capital 
from  Chin  Chow  of  Honan  province  to  the  city  of  Tui  Fuin  Shan  Tung 
province.     He  taught  the  people  agriculture,  established  fairs  for  the  sale 


HISTORICAL  AND   CHRONOLOGICAL  SKETCH.  855 

of  agricultural  products,  and  by  his  observations  and  experiments  on  the 
properties  of  plants,  discovered  their  medical  uses  ;  he  also  wrote  treatises 
on  diseases  and  their  remedies. 

Hwang  Ti,  the  third  of  these  emperors,  gave  attention  to  Astronomy, 
and  appointed  five  observers  of  the  heavenly  bodies.  They  erected  high 
towers  for  observation,  and  published  the  results  of  their  observations 
and  measurements.  In  the  second  year  of  his  reign,  he  directed  Ta 
Nou  :;^^^,  one  of  the  astronomers,  to  arrange  the  Cycle,  or  period  of 
sixty  years  [Chinese,  HwaKiaTze]  Jg  m  qp  by  which  the  Chinese  reckon 
time. 

The  Chinese  cycle  covers  a  period  of  sixty  years,  each  year  being  des- 
ignated by  its  own  name ;  which  name  will  of  course  recur  every  sixty 
years  and  be  used  during  that  year.  Thus  the  years  1820  and  1880  are 
named  Keng  Sh^n  j^  g ;  the  years  1821  and  1881,  Sin  Sze  ^  g,,  and 
so  on.  In  order  to  fix  more  definitely  the  date  of  an  event,  the  year  of 
the  emperor  in  whose  reign  it  took  place  is  mentioned  ;  and  for  greater 
accuracy,  the  month  and  day  are  added.  In  dating  letters,  only  the  day, 
month,  and  name  of  the  year  in  the  cycle  are  employed  ;  but  in  the 
ledgers  of  business  firms,  also  in  state  papers  and  legal  documents,  the 
name  of  the  reigning  emperor  is  added. 

Hwang  Ti  also  ordered  one  of  his  ofiicers  to  construct  a  science  of 
arithmetic  and  music.  Under  him  many  useful  arts  had  their  origin  and 
encouragement,  such  as,  wood-working,  canoe-building,  the  making  of 
pottery,  of  bows  and  arrows,  the  construction  of  carriages,  (fee.  His 
wife  Se  Lin  Sz  J^^^  taught  the  people  to  rear  the  silk- worm,  and 
manufacture  silk. 

Yau  the  son  of  Ti  Kuh,  and  younger  brother  of  Ti  Chi,  was  the  first 
of  the  Chinese  sages.  Near  the  beginning  of  his  reign  he  appointed  two 
astronomers.  He  ^  and  Ho  fn  to  adjust  the  calendar  by  adding  inter- 
calary months,  and  to  divide  the  year  into  the  four  seasons  and  point  out 
the  time  of  beginning  of  each.  A  remarkable  plant  Ming  Ki  -^J^ , 
or  Almanac  Plant,  is  said  to  have  grown  in  his  yard.  On  each  of  the 
first  fifteen  days  of  the  month,  a  new  leaf  grew  upon  it :  on  each  of  the 
last  fifteen  days,  a  leaf  faded  and  fell.  At  the  end  of  a  month  containing 
twenty-nine  days,  one  leaf  would  be  left  upon  it. 

Owing  to  the  unfitness  of  Yau's  son  to  succeed  to-the  throne,  his  father 
was  compelled  to  seek  out  some  more  worthy  person  ;  and  on  inquiry 
among  his  several  ministers,  they  all  replied  "  There  is  a  bachelor  named 
Yii  Shun,  whose  father,  stepmother,  and  younger  brother  are  bad  per- 
sons, and  treat  him  badly ;  yet  all  whom  Shun  treats  in  the  most  filial 
and  fraternal  manner."  Yau  replied  that  he  would  summon  Shun,  and 
try  him  by  entrusting  him  with  a  subordinate  ofiice,  and  by  giving  him 
his  two  daughters  in  marriage.  After  a  satisfactory  trial  of  three  years, 
he  committed  the  charge  of  the  whole  empire  into  Slum's  hands.  This 
arrangement  continued  for  twenty-eight  years,  when  Yau  died,  having 
reigned  one  hundred  and  two  years ;  and  Shun  became  emperor. 

In  the  sixty-first  year  of  Yau's  reign,  B.  C.  2296,  a  deluge  covered  a 
large  part  of  the  country  with  water ;  he  inquired  of  his  minister,  who 
could  drain  the  country.  Kwan  commenced  the  task,  and  labored  at  it 
unsuccessfully  for  nine  years.  His  son  Yii  succeeded  him  in  the  work. 
The  reign  of  Yau  was  characterized  by  good  management,  and  by  devotion 
to  the  happiness  and  prosperity  of  the  people ;  so  that  this  emperor  is 
held  in  high  and  grateful  honor  by  the  Chinese. 


856 


HISTOKICAL   AND   CHRONOLOGICAL   SKETCH. 


His  successor,  Slmn,  who  had  ah-eady  shared  in  the  government  for 
twenty-ei^ht  years  before  liimself  coming  to  the  throne,  is  held  in  equal 
honor.  His  reign  was  most  beneficent  and  prosperous.  He  invited  his 
subjects  to  make  known  to  him  his  faults,  by  placing  a  large  writing-tablet 
at  the  gate  of  the  palace,  and  also  to  inform  him  of  any  grievance  which 
they  might  have,  by  beating  a  drum  in  his  hearing.  '  He  reduced  the 
criminal  laws  to  a  code  which  forms,  at  this  day,  the  basis  of  the  Chinese 
laws.  After  reigning  thirty-two  years,  he  ass'ociated  Yu  with  himself, 
in  the  same  way  as  Yau  had  taken  him  for  an  associate ;  and  having  es- 
tablished a  hospital  for  the  aged,  died  in  the  fiftieth  year  of  his  reign. 
His  son  was  not  fit  to  succeed  him,  and  Yu,  who  had  been  his  associate 
for  eighteen  years,  and  who  had  proved  his  capacity  by  draining  the 
marshes,  dividing  the  lands,  and  other  deeds  of  orderly  administration, 
succeeded  him,  thus  establishing 


^  )§ 


¥ 


g  |£  THE    HIA   DYNASTY. 


Ta  Yu,  or  The  Great  Yii 

Ti  Ki,— son  of  The  Great  Yii 

Tai  K'ang,— son  of  Ti  Ki 

Chung  K'ang, — younger  brother  of  Tai  K'ang 

Ti  Siang, — son  of  Chung  K'ang " 

Shao  K'ang, — son  of  Ti  Siang 

Ti  Ch'u, — son  of  Shao  K'ang 

Ti   Hwai,— son  of  Ti  Ch'u.. 

Ti    Mang,— son  of  Ti  Hwai 

Ti  Sieh, — son   of   Ti  Mang 

Ti  Pu    Kiang, — son   of  Ti   Sieh 

Ti  Hiung, — younger  brother  of  Ti  Pu  Kiang. . 

Ti  Kin, — son  of  Ti   Hiung. 

Ti  K'ung  Kia, — son  of  Ti   Pu  Kiang 

Ti  Kao,^on  of   Ti  K'ung   Kia 

Ti  Fa,— son  of  Ti  Kao 


Kieh    Kwei, — son  of  Ti   Fa 


Beginning 

of  Reign. 

B.  (\ 

Length 

of  Reign. 

Yrs. 

22{)5 

8 

2197 

9 

2188 

29 

2159 

13 

2146 

28 

2118 

61 

2057 

17 

2040 

26 

2014 

18 

1996 

16 

1980 

59 

1921 

21 

1900 

21 

1879 

31 

1848 

11 

1837 

19 

1818 

52 

ISTo.  of  Eulers  17. 


Length  of  Dynasty.     439 


Yii  was  the  descendant  of  Hwang  Ti,  the  third  emperor,  and  was  nine 
feet  two  inches  in  height.  Shun  had  recommended  him  to  succeed  his 
father  in  the  work  of  draining ;  and  for  his  successful  service  in  this  de- 
partment and  for  his  general  ability.  Shun  at  his  death  gave  him  the  em- 
pire. He  had  been  married  only  four  days  when  he  received  the  appoint- 
ment to  superintend  the  work  of  draining ;  but  loyally  obeyed  the  call 
and  cheerfully  left  his  family.  He  was  the  third  of  the  sages,  was  a  very 
wise  and  virtuous  man,  was  very*  solicitous  for  the  welfare  of  the  nation, 
and  administered  a  highly  paternal  government.  His  name  is  greatly 
venerated  throughout  the  empire.     He  died  at  the  age  of  one  hundred. 

Kieh  Kwei  was  the  last  of  the  emperors  of  the  Ilia  dynasty  ;  and  one 
of  the  worst.  In  the  thirty-third  year  of  his  reign  he  was  persuaded  by 
Chieu  Leung  to  invade  a  neighboring  kingdom,  Mung  Shan.  Yew  Shu 
Sz,  the  ruler  of  that  kingdom,  in  order  to  prevent  attack,  presented  him 
a  very  beautiful  girl,  Mui  He  :^^,  who  greatly  captivated  him,  and  for 


HISTORICAL   AND   CHRONOLOGICAL   SKETCH. 


857 


whom  he  built  a  costly  dwelling,  and  with  whom  he  lived  a  life  of  luxury 
and  debauchery ;  gathering  multitudes  around  him  and  indulging  in  all 
excesses.  The  ministers  wlio  remonstrated  against  this  degradation  of  the 
government  were  repelled;  one  was  beheaded,  and  the  proceedings  of 
shame  and  cruelty  growing  worse,  a  noble,  Ch'eng  Tang,  at  the  request 
of  the  people  took  up  arms,  attacked  and  defeated  Kieh  Kwei  .^  ^. 
He  was  banished  by  his  conqueror  to  ISTan  Chao,  where  he  died  in  exile. 
Ch'eng  Tang  ascended  the  throne  and  became  the  founder  of 


|g    m    THE    SHANG   DYNASTY. 

Ch'eng  Tang 

Tai  Kia, — grandson  of  Ch'eng  Tang 

Yu  Ting, — son  of  Tai  Kia 

Tai  Keng, — younger  brother  of  Yii  Ting. .  . . 

Siao  Kia, — son  of   Tai    K6ng 

YungKe, — younger  brother  of  Siao  Kia. ... 
Tai  Mow, — younger  brother  of  Yung  Ke .... 

Chung  Tin^, — son  of  Tai  'Mow 

Wai  Jen, — younger  brother  of  Chung  Ting. . 
Ho  T'an  Kia, — younger  brother  of  Wai  Jen 

Tsu  Yi,— son  of  Ho  T'an  Kia 

Tsu  Sin, — son  of  Tsu  Yi 

Yu  Kia, — younger  brother  of  Tsu  Sin 

Tsu  Ting, — son  of  Tsu  Sin 

ISTan  Keng, — son  of   Yii  Kia 

Yan^  Kia, — son  of  Tsu  Ting 

Pan  Keng, — younger  brother  of  Yang  Kia.. 
Siao  Sin, — younger  brother  of  Pan  K^ng. .  .  . 
Siao  Yi, — younger  brother  of  Siao  Sin 

Wu  Ting, — son  of  Siao  Yi 

Tsu  Keng, — son   of  Wu  Ting 

Tsu  Kia, — younger  brother  of  Tsu  Keng .... 

Lin  Sin, — son  of  Tsu  Kia 

Keng  Ting, — younger  brother  of  Lin  Sin .... 

Wu  Yi, — son  of  Keng  Ting 

Tai  Ting,— son  of  Wu  Yi 

Ti  Yi,— son  of    Tai  Ting 

Chou  Sin,— son  of   Ti  Yi 


Beginning 

of  Reign. 

B.  C. 


1766 
1753 
1720 
1691 
1666 
1649 
1637 
1562 
1549 
1534 
1525 
1506 
1490 
1465 
1433 
1408 
1401 
1373 
1352 
1324 
1265 
1258 
1225 
1219 
1198 
1194 
1191 
1154 


Length 

of  Reign. 

Yrs. 


13 
33 

29 
25 
17 
12 
75 
13 
15 

9 
19 
16 
25 
32 
25 

7 
28 
21 
28 
59 

7 
33 

6 
21 

4 

3 
37 
32 


:^o.  of  Kulers,  28. 


Length  of  Dynasty.     644 


Ch'eng  Tang,  the  founder  of  this  dynasty,  was  the  fourth  of  the  sages. 
He  was  also  called  "  the  well-beloved  sovereign,"  ruling  with  great  be- 
nevolence and  in  a  pious  spirit.  A  severe  drought  commenced  in  the 
first  year  of  his  reign  and  continued  seven  years,  l^one  were  reduced 
to  starvation,  however,  for  Ch'eng  Tang  had  stored  grain,  and  gave  money 
freely.  Finding  that  no  rain  fell,  he  repaired  with  his  ministers  to  the 
region  of  Song  Lin,  and  prayed  thus  :  "Do  not  destroy  the  lives  of  my 
subjects  on  account  of  my  incompetence  and  faultiness."  He  questioned 
himself  in  six  particulars,  as  follows  :  "  Is  not  mj^  government  carefully 
administered  ?  Have  my  subjects  habits  of  idleness  ?  Are  my  palace 
and  surroundings  too  costly  ?     Are  my  servants  too  numerous  ?     Am  I 


858  HISTORICAL    AND    CHRONOLOGICAL    SKETCH. 

too  lavish  of  gifts  ?  Do  many  speak  evil  of  me  on  account  of  my  faults  ?" 
He  had  hardly  finished  speaking  when  the  rain  descended  in  torrents. 
He  died  at  the  age  of  one  liundred ;  and  his  son  having  died  before  hin/, 
the  sovereignty  descended  to  his  grandson. 

Chou  Sin,  the  last  emperor  of  this  dynasty,  was  a  man  of  powerful 
mind,  and  great  shrewdness  ;  but  unprincipled  and  cruel.  In  the  eighth 
year  of  his  reign  he  invaded  the  territory  of  Yew  Soo  Sz,  who,  to  avert 
the  attack,  gave  him  a  beautiful  girl,  Han  Ke  ^^^.  Under  her  influ- 
ence he  gave  himself  to  luxury  and  sensual  pleasure,  and  exercised  many 
a  species  of  cruelty.  He  is  said  to  have  built  a  palace  a  mile  in  length 
and  a  thousand  feet  in  height ;  and  to  have  filled  it  with  various  expen- 
sive curiosities.     To  defray  the  expenses  he  levied  heavy  taxes. 

Han  Ke  was  herself  exceedingly  cruel,  and  influenced  the  emperor 
to  adopt  more  severe  and  barbarous  punishments  for  offenders,  such  as 
holding  hot  irons  in  the  hands,  walking  above  burning  coals  on  a  copper 
pillar  heated  and  smeared  with  grease,  that  the  poor  victim  might  fall 
from  it  upon  the  fire,  and  be  burned.  The  sight  of  these  barbarities 
seemed  to  affbrd  Han  Ke  great  delifijht. 

In  the  eleventh  year  of  his  reign  lie  murdered,  with  his  own  hands,  a 
lady  of  high  rank  who  refused  to  comply  with  his  inordinate  desires ; 
ripped  open  the  body  of  a  female,  that  he  might  behold  the  fetus  in  the 
womb  ;  and  cut  oft'  the  feet  of  a  person  wdiom  he  saw  walking  barefoot 
in  the  water  in  the  early  winter-morning,  that  he  might  see  what  the  mar- 
row in  the  bones  of  such  a  hardy  person  w^as  made  of.  One  of  the 
princes,  W^n  Wang,  hearing  of  these  enormities,  spoke  of  them,  with  re- 
gret, to  one  of  the  ministers,  Choung  How  Foo,  who  reported 
the  conversation  to  the  emperor ;  whereupon  Wen  Wang  was  thrown 
into  prison  for  one  year,  where  he  wrote  a  book  called  Yei  Chang  ^  g  or 
"  Book  of  Changes,"  explaining ''  the  eight  kwa,"  or  divining  figure  which 
Fu  Hi  had  invented,  and  which  W^n  Wang  35;;  ^  enlarged  as  well 
as  explained.  This  book  was  afterward  improved  by  his  son.  Chow 
Kung  ]^  ^.  After  W^n  Wang's  release  from  prison,  the  emperor,  at 
his  request,  abolished  the  cruel  punishments  which  he  had  instituted, 
and  gave  Wen  Wang  the  charge  of  all  military  affairs. 

In  the  thirty-second  year  of  his  reign,  a  minister,  Mi  Tze,  reminded 
the  emperor  of  the  badness  of  his  government,  but  not  being  heeded 
the  minister  left  him ;  another  minister,  Ke  Tze,  also  admonished  him, 
but  was  imprisoned ;  a  third,  Pe  Kan,  admonished  him  yet  more 
sharply.  But  Chou  was  angry  at  the  interference,  and  said,  "  I  have 
heard  that  the  heart  of  a  sage  has  seven  cavities ;  you  consider  yourself 
a  sage."  He  then  immediately  ordered  Pe  Kan  executed,  and  his  heart 
torn  out,  that  he  might  inspect  it. 

This  and  similar  horrible  proceedings  incited  one  of  his  princes  who  was 
in  the  thirteenth  year  of  his  office,  Wu  Wang  Jg  j;,  son  and  successor  of 
W^n  Wang,  to  call  a  conference  of  the  princes  of  the  different  states. 
They  agreed  that  they  would  punish  the  emperor,  and  confirmed  the 
agreement  by  a  solemn  oath  to  Heaven.  Hearing  of  the  approach  of  Wu 
Wang  at  the  head  of  an  armed  force  to  overthrow  him,  Chou  raised  an 
army  of  seventy  thousand  soldiers  to  resist  his  approach ;  but  they  proved 
traitorous  to  his  cause,  and  opened  the  way  for  Wu  Wang's  armies. 
Finding  himself  deserted  and  betrayed,  Chou  fled  to  his  palace,  arrayed 
himself  in  his  best  robes  and  jewels,  set  fire  to  the  palace,  and  perished 
in  the  conflagration.     His  paramour  Han  Ke,  was  put  to  death  by  Wu 


HISTORICAL  AND   CHRONOLOGICAL  SKETCH. 


859 


Wang  ;  who  thus  delivered  the  empire  from  the  rule  of  this  monster  of 
iniquity,  and  became  himself  emperor,  and  the  founder  of  a  new  dynasty. 
At  the  beginning  of  this  dynasty,  the  rule  was  adopted,  of  giving  the 
emperor  a  new  name  at  his  death,  by  which  name  he  was  to  be  known  in 
history  and  in  the  temple  tablet.  The  rule  has  been  followed  ever  since, 
except  in  the  case  of  Shih  Hwang  Ti  and  his  son.  This  name  is  selected 
by  the  succeeding  emperor  and  ministers,  and  originally  had  reference 
to  something  characteristic  in  his  reign ;  the  guidance  and  approval  of 
heaven  are  also  sought  in  the  act.  Tfhus  the  name  of  Fa  |^,  the  first 
ruler  of  this  dynasty,  was  changed  to  Wu  ^,  meaning,  "able  to  remedy 
trouble  and  disorder."  The  word  Wang  signifies  Emperor,  and  is  ap- 
pended to  each  name.  The  twelfth  emperor  of  this  dynasty,  for  his  un- 
just rule,  received  the  name  Yew  ^,  signifying,  "  what  he  has  done  con- 
trary to  right." 

^   ^   THE   CHOW    DYNASTY. 


SI 
Mi 

S.i 
«i 

■MM  S 


fe 


Wu  Wang, 


Ch'eng  Wang, 


son  of  Wen  Wang 

son  of  Wu  Wang 

K'ang  Wang, — son  of  Ch'eng  Wang 

Chao  Wang, — son  of  K'ang  W  ang 

Mil    Wang, — son  of  Chao  Wang 

Kung  Wang, — son  of  Muk  Wang 

Yi  Wang, — son  of  Kung  Wang 

[liao  Wang, — younger  brother  of  Kung  Wang. . 

Ye  Wang, — son  of  Yi  Wang 

Li  Wang, — son  of  Ye  Wang 

Siian  Wang, — son  of  Li  Wang 

Yew  Wang, — son  of  Siian   Wang 

Ping  Wang, — son  of  Yew  Wang 

Hwan  Wang, — grandson  of  Ping  Wang ...... 

Chwang  Wang, — son  of  Hwan  Wang 

Hi  Wang, — son  of  Chwang  Wang 

Hwei  Wang, — son  of  Hi  Wang 

Siang  Wang, — son  of  Hwei  Wang 

K'ing  Wang, — son  of  Siang  Wang 

Kwang  Wang, — son  of  K'ing  Wang 

Ting  Wang, — younger  bro.  of  Kwang  Wang. . 

Kien  Wang, — son  of  Ting  Wang 

Ling  Wang, — son  of  Kien  Wang 

K  ing  Wang, — son  of  Ling  Wang 

Chiang  Wang, — son  of  King  Wang 

Yiian  Wang, — son  of  Chiang  Wang 

Cheng  Ting  Wang, — son  of  Yiian  Wang 

K'ao  Wang, — son  of  Cheng  Ting  Wang 

Wei  Lieh  Wang, — son  of  K'ao  Wang 

Kgan  Wang, — son  of  Wei  Lieh  Wang 

Lieh  Wang, — son  of  Ngan  Wang 

Hien  Wang, — younger  brother  of  Lieh  Wang . . 

Sh^n  Tsing  Wang, — son  of  Hien  Wang 

Nan  Wang, — son  of  Shen  Tsing  Wang 

Tung  Chow  Kiiin , 


Beginning  |    Length 


of  Reign. 
B.  C. 


1122 

1115 

10Y8 
1052 
1001 
946 
934 
909 
894 
878 
827 
781 
770 
719 
696 
681 
676 
651 
618 
612 
606 
585 
571 
544 
519 
475 
468 
440 
425 
401 
375 
368 
320 
314 
255 


of  Reign. 
Yrs. 


7 

37 
26 
51 
55 
12 
25 
15 
16 
51 
46 
11 
51 
23 
15 

5 
25 
33 

6 

6 
21 
14 
27 
25 
44 

T 
28 
15 
24 
26 

7 
48 

6 
59 

7 


ISTo.  of  Killers,  35. 


Length  of  Dynasty.      874 


860  HISTORICAL   AND   CHRONOLOGICAL   SKETCH. 

Wu  Wang  1^5  ,  the  founder  of  tins  dynasty,  was  a  descendant  of 
the  elder  brother  of  Yau,  the  first  sage.  He  divided  the  empire  into 
many  states,  bestowing  them  upon  the  descendants  of  the  sages,  and  upon 
those  who  had  aided  him  in  dethroning  the  cruel  emperor,  Chou  Sin.  His 
father,  W^n  Wang  3J;  ;j,  himself,  and  his  younger  brother.  Chow  Kung, 
are  all  reckoned  as  sages  by  the  Chinese.  His  father,  when  about  to  die, 
gave  him  the  three  following  instructions :  (1)  When  there  is  an  oppor- 
tunity for  doing  well,  do  not  delay  to  improve  it.  (2)  When  there  is  oc- 
casion for  acting,  act.  (3)  Be  anxious  to  correct  your  own  faults,  and  be 
indulgent  toward  others. 

Chow  Kung  ^  g.,  the  younger  brother,  was  a  very  wise  and  good  man. 
When  Wu  Wang  died.  Chow  Kung  was  regent  for  four  years  in  place 
of  his  nephew,  Wu  Wang's  son,  who  was  only  thirteen  years  old.  He 
established  the  rules  of  etiquette  which  are  observed  to  this  day,  being 
the  author  of  the  Book  of  Rites  |f  |^,  one  of  the  Chinese  classics.  He 
also  completed  the  Book  of  Changes  ^  |^,  which  his  father  had  com- 
menced. This  book  is  also  a  classic.  This  dynasty  is  also  distinguished 
by  the  births,  during  its  continuance,  of  Confucius  and  Mencius. 

In  the  latter  part  of  this  dynasty  several  of  the  large  states,  whose 
rulers  were  called  kings,  contended  among  themselves  for  each  other's 
territory,  and  were  also  all  of  them  troublesome  to  the  emperor,  by  as- 
suming to  be  independent. 

In  the  fifty-ninth  year  of  the  reign  of  Nan  Wang,  the  prince  of  the 
state  Tsin,  Chiu  Siang,  invaded  the  state  Hun,  and  took  the  capital,  put- 
ting to  death  forty  thousand  people.  He  also  captured  the  kingdom 
Chieu,  taking  more  than  twenty  cities  and  killing  more  than  ninety  thou- 
sand inhabitants.  The  emperor  Nan  feared  the  prince  of  Tsin  because 
he  had  acquired  so  much  territory,  and  therefore  sought  the  aid  of  other 
princes  against  him ;  but  was  beaten,  and  forced  to  surrender  his  thirty- 
six  cities  and  thirty  thousand  soldiers.  He  died  the  same  year.  The 
only  remaining  ruler  of  this  dynasty  was  Tung  Chow  Kiiin,  ruler  of  a 
small  kingdom  in  the  empire.  He  maintained  his  authority  for  seven 
years ;  at  the  end  of  which  period,  he  being  completely  dethroned  by 
Chao  Siang  Wang  DS  ^  I,  the  great  grandfather  of  Shih  Hwang  Ti 
iu  M.  'r&5  t^^^  Chow  dynasty  came  to  an  end. 

For  twenty-seven  years  thereafter,  there  was  no  emperor.  During  this 
period,  the  seven  large  kingdoms- contended  with  each  other  for  the  pos- 
session of  the  smaller  kingdoms.  At  length,  one  of  the  kingdoms,  Tsin, 
subdued  the  rest,  and  the  ruler  of  that  kingdom,  assuming  the  name  Shih 
Hwang  Ti,  became  emperor,  thus  establishing 


^    IE    THE   TSm   DYNASTY. 

Vd  &.  "^      IShih  Hwang  Ti 

:i  iS  fi.  ^lUrh  She  Hwang  Ti,— son  of  Shih  Hwang  Ti 


Beginning 

of  Reign. 

B.C. 


331 

209 


Ijength 

of  Reign. 

Yrs. 


12 

3 


No.  of  Rulers,  2.  Length  of  Dynasty  15 

It  was  in  the  twenty-sixth  year  of  his  rule  over  the  state  of  Tsin  that 
Shih  Hwang  Ti,  the  founder  of  this  dynasty,  became  emperor,  having 
brought  the  whole  nation  under  his  sway,  and  established  his  capital  in 
Shen  Se  province.  He  showed  himself  a  vigorous  ruler,  making 
many  changes  and  some  innovations.     He  caused  all  the  arms  of  the 


HISTORICAL  AND   CHRONOLOGICAL  SKETCH. 


861 


soldiers  to  be  brought  to  the  capital,  perhaps  as  a  means  of  security 
against  any  rebellious  use  of  them  ;  and  afterwards  had  them  melted  to 
form  bells  and  instruments  of  music. 

In  the  eighth  year  of  his  reign  the  Great  Wall  was  commenced,  the 
extent  and  permanence  of  which  have  been  the  w^onder  of  generations. 
It  is  1,500  miles  long,  from  twelve  to  twenty-four  feet  high,  and  is  stud- 
ded at  intervals  with  fortresses  and  towers.  The  outer  course  of  stones 
upon  the  top  of  the  wall  is  of  white  granite.  This  wall  skirts  the  north- 
ern boundary  of  China  proper,  crossing  hills,  valleys,  and  rivers ;  and  w^as 
built,  to  check  the  inroads  of  the  fierce  and  barbarous  Tartars.  It  is  said 
that  every  third  man  in  the  empire  was  required  to  work  upon  it,  and  that 
it  was  constructed  in  five  years,  though  the  emperor  did  not  live  to  witness 
its  completion.  It  was  built  under  the  supervision  of  Mung  Teen  ^'|$, 
a  brave  general  who  had  achieved  signal  victories  the  year  previous. 

This  same  Mung  Teen  introduced  the  Chinese  pen,  making  the  handle 
of  w^ood,  instead  of  bamboo  as  at  present,  and  using  wool  as  the  material 
for  the  outside  of  the  brush,  and  the  hair  of  deer  for  the  inside.  ISTow 
the    inside  is  constructed  of  the  fur'  of  the  rabbit ;  the  outside,  of  hemp. 

A  memorable  and  characteristic  act  of  Shili  Hwang  Ti's  reign  was  the 
burning  of  all  the  ancient  books,  except  works  on  agriculture,  medicine, 
and  the  divining  art,  at  the  suggestion  of  his  prime  minister.  He  also 
caused  many  of  the  literary  men  themselves,  four  hundred  and  sixty  it 
is  said,  to  be  buried  alive.  The  reason  for  this  seems  to  have  been  his 
undervaluing  of  the  ancient  teachings  and  customs,  and  his  anger  at 
those  who  remonstrated  with  him  on  his  course  in  destroying  the  ancient 
writings  ;  even  his  own  son  being  imprisoned  by  him,  for  expressing  fears 
for  the  safety  of  the  empire  because  of  his  destruction  of  the  literary 
men,  and  his  prohibition  of  the  study  of  Confucius.  He  expended  large 
sums  in  adding  to  the  magnificence  of  his  palace,  which  was  about  five 
hundred  feet  square,  employing  seventy  thousand  subjects  in  the  work. 
He  died  while  hunting,  and  his  second  son,  Urh  She  Hwang  Ti,  succeeded 
him. 

This  son  proved  an  unprincipled  and  cruel  monarch,  so  that  the  peo- 
ple rose  in  rebellion  against  him,  and  his  own  ministers  proved  faithless 
to  him  and  plotted  his  death  ;  on  hearing  which,  and  at  the  approach  of 
the  executioners,  he  killed  himself. 

For  five  years  after  this,  the  possession  of  the  government  was  con- 
tested by  the  kingdoms  Ch'u^  and  Han  ^,  at  the  end  of  which  time 
Lew  Pang  ^^Iffi^  the  ruler  of  Han,  was  victorious,  and  became  the  foun- 
der of 

^  -^    THE   HAJT   DYNASTY. 


a* 


Kao  Ti, — (Lew  Pang) 

Hwei  Ti, — son  of  Kao  Ti 

Lui  Tai  How,  mother  of  Hwei  Ti . . 
Wen  Ti, — adopted  son  of  Hwei  Ti 

K  ing  Ti,— son  of  W^n  Ti 

Wu  ^i,— son  of  King  Ti 

ChaoTi,— son  of  Wu  Ti .^ 

Siian  Ti, — great-grandson  of  Wu  Ti 

Yuan  Ti, — son  of  Suan  Ti 

Ch'eng  Ti,— son  of  Yiian  Ti 

Ngai  Ti,— son  of  Ch'eng  Ti 


Beginning 

of  Reign. 

B.C. 

Length 
of  Reign. 

2U1 

8 

193 

7 

186 

8 

178 

23 

155 

16 

139 

54 

85 

13 

72 

25 

47 

16 

31 

26 

5 

6 

862 


HISTORICAL   AND   CHRONOLOGICAL   SKETCH. 


Ping  Ti, — grandson  of  Yiian  Ti 

Yu  Tze  Ting,  j  -gr|at^great-grandson  of 

Wei  Sin,  or  Wang  Mang 

Hwai  Yang  Wang, — 


Beginning 

of  Reign. 

A.D. 


Length 
of  Reign. 

Yrs. 


1 

5 

6 

3 

9 

14 

23 

2 

No.  of  Eulers,  15. 


Length  of  Dynasty.     226 


Kao  Ti,  the  first  emperor  of  this  dynasty,  whose  original  name  was 
Lew  Pang,  sprang  from  the  common  people,  and  first  came  into 
notice  as  leader  of  a  small  army  in  the  rebellion  against  Urh  She 
Hwang  Ti.  Having  conquered  the  kingdom  of  Ch'u,at  the  close  of  the 
^YB  years  contest  he  became  sole  ruler.  He  was  a  man  of  much  kind- 
ness, generosity,  and  moderation  ;  all  which  qualities  he  displayed  during 
the  troubles  of  the  nation,  seeking  to  restore  order  and  to  repair  the  in- 
jury done  by  the  anarchy  of  five  years. 

At  one  period  in  this  dynasty,  the  Han  family  lost  the  throne  for  a 
time,  by  the  usurpation  of  Wang  Mang,  regent  for  the  grandson  of  Siian 
Ti.  But  many  rebelled  against  his  authority,  among  whom  were  two 
members  of  the  Han  family.  Lew  Heuen  ^''Jj^  and  Lew  Sew  ^'J^-,  who 
united  with  the  armies  of  the  districts  Sun  She  and  Ping  Lin  •?4"^-f''fr 
to  defeat  Wang  Mang,  the  usurping  emperor.  The  generals  oi  these 
armies  appointed  Gen.  Lew  Heuen  [Hwai  Yang  Wang]  to  be  emperor 
after  the  defeat  and  death  of  Wang  Mang.  He  held  the  otiice  two  years, 
when  he  was  killed  by  Che  Mi. 

.  At  the  death  of  Lew  Heuen,  Lew  Sew,  a  member  of  the  same  family, 
and  descendant  of  K  ing  Ti  in  the  sixth  generation,  came  to  the  throne 
under  the  dynastic  name  of  Kwang  Wu  Ti,  signifying  "able  to  retake 
the  ancestral  territory,  and  to  remedy  trouble  and  disorder."  Thus  was 
founded 

^  ^  $E  THE   EASTERN   HAN  DYNASTY. 


^n'S 

m^ 

«^ 

m'^ 

mi^ 

m^ 

Jt^ 

«^ 

s^ 

«« 

»•?& 

Kwang  Wu  Ti, — (Lew  Sew) 

Ming  Ti, — son  of  Kwang  Wu  Ti 

Chang  Ti, — son  of  Ming  Ti 

Ho  Ti,— son  of  Chang  Ti 

Shang  Ti,— son  of  Ho  Ti 

j^gan  Ti, — grandson  of  Chang  Ti 

Shun  Ti,— son  of  Ngan  Ti 

Ch'ung  Ti,— son  of  Shun"  Ti 

Chih  Ti, — great-grandson  of  Chang  Ti 

Hwan  Ti, — great-grandson  of  Chang  Ti  . . 
Ling  Ti, — great-great-grandson  of  Chang  Ti 
Hien  Ti, — son  of  Ling  Ti 


Beginning 

of  Reign. 

A.  I). 


25 

58 

76 

89 

106 

107 

126 

145 

146 

147 

168 

190 


Length 

of  Reign. 

Yrs. 


33 

18 

13 

17 

1 

19 

19 

1 

1 

21 

22 

30 


'No,  of  Eulers,  12. 


Length  of  Dynasty.     195 

During  this  dynasty  occurred  the  important  event  of  the  introduction 
of  Buddhism  into  China.  In  the  eighth  year  of  his  reign,  A.  D.  66,  Ming 
Ti,  having  seen  in  a  dream  a  giant,  sent  his  brother  with  a  deputation  of 
mandarins  to  Hindostan,  where  he  heard  that  a  great  teacher  had  arisen. 


HISTORICAL  AND   CHRONOLOGICAL  SKETCH. 


863 


Thej  returned  with  a  Buddhist  priest,  who  brought  several  books  and  a 
large  picture  of  Buddha,  which  he  presented  to  the  emperor.  At  once 
the  emperor  caused  a  temple  to  be  built  in  his  capital,  and  from  this  date 
the  religion  of  Buddha  spread  over  Eastern  Asia ;  and  now  its  temples 
are  found  in  all  the  provincial  cities. 

The  Chinese  historian  says  of  the  doctrine,  that  it  teaches  to  be  mer- 
ciful, forbids  taking  the  life  of  any  creature,  and  enjoins  the  cultivation 
of  tlie  spiritual  nature,  because  at  death  the  soul  does  not  die,  but  in  an- 
other world  may  become  another  person,  and  in  that  body  receive  reward 
or  punishment  for  the  conduct  in  this  life. 

In  the  reign  of  Hwan  Ti,  Tsai  Lun  ^^  originated  the  manufacture 
of  paper.  He  beat  to  a  pulp  an  old  fishing  net  which  was  made  of  hemp ; 
he  also  employed  as  materials,  bark  and  rags.  Before  the  invention  of 
paper,  people  wrote  on  strips  of  bamboo. 

It  was  during  the  same  dynasty  that  the  system  of  choosing  mandarins 
from  the  literati  who  had  passed  an  examination  and  obtained  a  degree, 
was  first  introduced.  Indeed,  the  greatest  literary  men  of  China  are 
found  during  this  period,  which  was  the  golden  age  of  literature  in  China, 
and  as  such,  is  still  gloried  in  by  the  nation. 

The  last  of  the  emperors  of  this  dynasty,  Hien  Ti,  was  a  weak  prince, 
and  not  able  to  hold  his  throne  against  the  tumults  of  the  age  ;  so  that 
he  was  compelled  to  abdicate  in  tavor  of  Tsao  Pe  ^^  ,  who  called  his 
kingdom  The  Wei  kingdom. 

At  the  same  time  two  other  kingdoms  arose  in  the  empire,  called  The 
Latter  Han  and  The  Woo  kingdoms;  and  this  period  bears  the  name 
San  Kwo  ;£  g — The  Three  States — because  the  kingdoms  Han,  Wei, 
and  Woo  contended  for  the  imperial  crown,  and  did  not  acknowledge 
any  one  as  superior  to  their  respective  princes. 


^  ^,  or  S  ^  THE   LATTER  HAN^,   OR   SOO,   KINGDOM 

Chao  Lieh  Ti,— 


How  Ti, — son  of  Chao  Lieh  Ti. 

1^0.  of  Eulers,  2. 


Beginning 

of  Reign. 

A.  D. 


237 
239 


Length 

of  Reign. 

Yrs. 


2 
41 


Length  of  Dynasty  43 


THE  WEI  KINGDOM. 


Wgn  Ti,— (Tsao  Pe) 

Ming  Ti,— son  of  Wen  Ti, 
FeiTi,— sonofMingTi.., 

Shao    Ti, 

,Sung   Ti, 


Beginning 
of  Reign. 

a.d! 

Length 

of  Reign. 

Yrs. 

234 

7 

241 

13 

254 

14 

268 

6 

274 

6 

No.  of  Eulers,  5. 


Length  of  Dynasty  46 


864 


HISTORICAL  AND  CHRONOLOGICAL   SKETCH. 


^  ^^  THE   WOO   KINGDOM. 


Ta  Ti, 

Fei  Ti, 

KingTi, 

Mo*  Ti,  son  of  K'ing  Ti 


Beginning 
of  lleign. 

ad" 

Length 

of  Keign. 

Yrs. 

220 

31 

251 

5 

256 

6 

262 

18 

No.  of  Eulers,  4. 


Length  of  Dynasty  60 


Forty-four  years  after  the  overthrow  of  the  Han  dynasty,  the  How 
Han  kingdom  was  conquered,  and  surrendered  to  the  ruler  "of  the  Wei 
kingdom.  Wen  Ti.  Two  years  later  the  Wei  kingdom  was  overthrown 
by  Sze  Ma  Yen  ^  ^jj^  ,  who  after  fifteen  years  succeeded  in  overthrow- 
ing the  Woo  kingdom,  thus  becoming  the  sole  ruler,  and  the  founder  of 


w 


$£  THE    TSIN     DYNASTY. 


S  '^       Wu  Ti,  (Sze  Ma  Yen) 

^  ^       Hwei  Ti,— son  of  Wu  Ti 

^  ^  Hwai  Ti, — younger  brother  of  Hwei  Ti . . 

M  W       Min  Ti,— grandson  of  Wu  Ti 

%^       YuanTi, ". 

?W  ^       Ming  Ti,— son  of  Yuan  Ti 

0.  ^       Ch'eng  Ti,— son  of  Ming  Ti 

M  *r&v  K'anei:  Ti, — younger  brother  of  Ch'eng  Ti 

?i^       Mu    Ti,— sonofK'angTi f.  . . 

M  ^       Ngai  Ti,— son  of  Ch'eng  Ti 

^  1^       Ti  Yi,— younger  brother  of  Ngai  Ti 

tS  ^  ?&  Kien  Wen  Ti,— son  of  Yuan  Ti 

^  K  "^  Hiao  Wu  Ti,— son  of  Kien  W^n  Ti 

^  ^      llS'gan  Ti,— son  of  Hiao  Wu  Ti 

^  ^  jKung  Ti, — ^younger  brother  of  I^gan  Ti . . , 


Beginning 

of  Reign. 

A.D. 


280 
290 
307 
313 
317 
323 
326 
343 
345 
362 
366 
371 
373 
397 
419 


Length 

of  Reign. 

Yrs. 


10 

17 
6 
4 
6 
3 

17 
2 

17 
4 
5 
2 

24 

22 
1 


No.  of  Eulers,  15. 


Length  of  Dynasty  140 


From  the  twenty-seventh  year  of  this  dynasty,  rebellion  and  anarchy 
prevailed  in  different  parts  of  the  empire,  there  being,  in  all,  sixteen  un- 
submissive kingdoms,  which  were  not  wholly  subdued  till  the  next  dy- 
nasty. 

A  famous  imperial  general.  Lew  Yii  ^'J^§^,  overthrew  this  dynasty. 
Not  being  satisfied  with  the  compensation  given  him  by  the  emperor, 
Ngan  Ti,  for  his  services,  he  caused  him  to  be  strangled,  and  placed 
Kung  Ti  upon  the  throne ;  but  becoming  displeased  with  him,  and  being 
himself  anxious  for  the  imperial  station,  he  went  to  the  capital  and 
forced  Kung  Ti  to  abdicate  in  his  favor,  thus  establishing 


HISTORICAL  AND   CHRONOLOGICAL  SKETCH. 


^  $£  THE    SUNG   DYNASTY. 


865 


Hit 


^ 


WuTi,  (Lew  Yii) 

Fei  Ti,— son  of  Wu  Ti 

Wen  Ti— son  of  Wu  Ti.... 
Hiao  Wu  Ti,— son  of  W^n  Ti 
Fei  Ti,— son  of  Hiao  Wu  Ti 
Ming  Ti,— son  of  W^n  Ti. . 
Fei  Ti,— son  of  Min^  Ti. . . . 
Shun  Ti,— son  of  MW  Ti. . 


Beginning 

of  Reign. 

A.  D. 

Length 

of  Reign. 

Yrs. 

420 

3 

423 

1 

424 

30 

454 

11 

465 

1 

566 

7 

473 

4 

477 

2 

N'o.  of  Eulers,  8. 


Length  of  Dynasty  59 


This  dynasty  was  brought  to  a  close  by  the  celebrated  general  Siu  Tslvl 
I)h'eng  :^r^}Jl^,  who  had  put  down  many  rebellions,  and  had  named 
limself  duke  of  Tsi.  He  procured  the  dethronement  and  removal  from 
:he  palace,  of  Shun  Ti,  who  was  assassinated  soon  after.  Thus  origi- 
aated 


|£  THE   TSI   DYNASTY. 


mm 


Kao  Tsu,  (Siu  Tau  Ch'eng) 

Wu  Ti, — son  of  Kao  Tsu 

Ming  Ti, — elder  brother  of  Kao  Tsu 
Tung  Hwen  How, — son  of  Ming  Ti 
Ho  Ti,— son  of  Ming  Ti 


Beginning 
of  Reign. 

A.  a 

Length 

of  Reign. 

Yrs. 

479 

4 

483 

11 

494 

5 

499 

2 

501 

1 

No.  of  Rulers,  5. 


Length  of  Dynasty  23 


The  founder  of  the  next  dynasty  was  Siu  Yin  '^iif,  a  valiant  general 
who  became  a  self-appointed  prime  minister,  and  forced  the  emperor  tO' 
abdicate.  Not  long  after,  he  caused  the  emperor  to  be  strangled,  and. 
himself  assumed  the  government ;  thus  establishing 


THE   LEANG   DYNASTY. 


Wu  Ti,  (Sui  Yin) 

Kien  Wen  Ti,— 3rd  son  of  Wu  Ti 
Yuan  Ti,— 7th  son  of  Wu  Ti. . . . 
Chiang  Ti,— 9th  son  of  Yiian  Ti. . 


Beginning 

of  Reign. 

A.D 

Length 

of  Reign. 

Yrs 

502 

48 

550 

2 

552 

3 

555 

2 

No.  of  Rulers,  4. 


Length  of  Dynasty  55 


This  dynasty  was  brought  to  a  close  by  Chin  Pa  Sin  ^.^  a/,  a  gen- 
eral who  had  rendered  the  country  important  service  ;  and  who,  having 
been  appointed  prime  minister  by  Chiang  Ti,  usurped  the  throne,  and 
having  slain  the  emperor,  became  the  founder  of 

56 


866 


HISTORICAL   AND   CHRONOLOGICAL   SKETCH. 


wa 


THE   CHm   DYNASTY. 


* 


Wu  Ti,  (Chin  Pa  Sin). 

Wen  Ti,— nephew  of  Wu  Ti 

Lin  Hai  Wang, — son  of  W^n  Ti . . . . 
Sijan  Ti, — yonnger  brother  of  W^n  Ti 
Hon  Chii, — son  of  Siian  Ti 


Beginning 

Length 

of  Reign. 

of  Reign. 

A.  D. 

Yrs. 

557 

3 

560 

7 

567 

2 

569 

14 

583 

6 

1^0.  of  Kulers,  5. 


Length  of  Dynasty  32 


From  the  twenty-fifth  year  of  the  Tsin  §  dynasty  the  empire  contained 
sixteen  smaller  kingdoms,  which  were  insubordinate ;  but  in  the  six- 
teenth year  of  the  reign  of  Fei  Ti,  the  second  emperor  of  Sung  5^  dynasty, 
these  were  reduced  to  two,  and  so  remained  till  the  thirty-third  year  of 
Wu  Ti,  of  the  Leang  dynasty ;  from  which  time  till  the  tenth  year  of 
Siian  Ti  of  the  Chin  dynasty  there  were  three  kingdoms,  but  not  always 
the  same  three.  At  this  last-mentioned  period  there  were  two  kingdoms 
besides  that  of  Chin,  in  one  of  which  Yang  Chien  -^4^  ^^^^  high,  office 
for  three  years ;  was  then  appointed  prime  minister,  and  having  caused 
the  king  to  vacate  the  throne,  placed  himself  upon  it.  Having  in  time 
conquered  both  the  remaining  kingdoms,  he  overthrew  the  Chin  dynasty, 
thus  uniting  the  whole  empire  of  China  under  his  sway.     He  founded 


^  1^  THE   SIJY   DYNASTY. 


Wgn  Ti,  (Tang  Chien) 

Yang  Ti,— son  of  WSn  Ti 

Kung  Ti  Tung, — grandson  of  Yang  Ti 


Beginning 

of  Reign. 

A.  I). 


589 
605 
618 


Length 
of  Reign, 

Yrs. 


16 
13 

2 


JSTo.  of  Eulers,  3. 


Length  of  Dynasty  31 


In  the  second  year  of  his  reign,  Kung  Ti  Tung  was  slain  by  Wang 
Sz  Chung,  who  desired  the  throne  for  himself,  but  was  prevented  taking 
it  by  Li  Yuen  ^7^l|,  a  governor  under  Yang  Ti — and  afterward  made 
general  by  him — who,  on  account  of  his  talents  and  successes,  had 
become  very  influential.  Before  Yang  Ti's  death,  he  had  forced  the 
younger  grandson,  Kung  Ti  Yew,  ruler  in  the  western  capital  where  he 
was  himself  prime  minister,  to  leave  the  throne  ;  and  now  on  the  death 
of  Kung  Ti  Tung  he  was  enabled  to  secure  to  himself  the  crown  of  the 
whole  empire,  and  became  the  founder  of 


© 


^  $£  THE  t'aNG  dynasty. 


KaD   Tsu,  (Li  Yuen) 

Tai  Tsung, — son  of  Kao    Tsu , 

Kao  Tsung, — son  of   Tai  Tsung 

Chung  Tsung, — son  of  Kao  Tsung . . . .  , 
Wu  Tai  Hou, — mother  of  Chung  Tsung , 
Chung    Tsung,  (second    reign) 


Beginning 

of  Reign. 

A.D. 

Length 

of  Reign. 

Yrs 

620 

7 

627 

23 

650 

34 

684 

2  mos 

684 

20-10  mos 

705 

5 

HISTOEICAL  AND   CHRONOLOGICAL  SKETCH. 


867 


THE   T  ANG   DYNASTY. 


# 


'Mm 
«^ 
mm 
mm 


mm. 


n 


/i- 

rV» 

±L 

yn 

iH»^ 

r^ 

iiC* 

tt; 

m 

m 

rV 

at: 

m 

g'it 


Jui  Tsung, — younger  bro.  of  Chung  Tsung , 

Yiian  Tsung, — son  of  Jui  Tsung , 

Su  Tsung, — son  of  Yiian  Tsung , 

Tai  Tsung, — son  of  Su  Tsung , 

T^  Tsung, — son  of  Tai  Tsung 


T^  Tsung, 


Slum  Tsung, — son  of 

Hien  Tsung, — son  of  Shun  Tsung . 

Mil    Tsung, — son  of  Hien  Tsung 

Chiang  Tsung, — 1st  son  of  Mu    Tsung. .  . . 

Wen  Tsung, — 2nd  son  of  Mu    Tsung 

Wu  Tsung, — 5th  son  of  Mu    Tsung 

Siian  Tsung, — 13th  son  of  Hien  Tsung. . 

Yi  Tsung, — son  of  Siian  Tsung 

Hi  Tsung, — son  of  Yi  Tsung 

Chao  Tsung, — 7th  son  of  Hi  Tsung 


Chao  Suan  Ti,— 9th  son  of  Chao  f  ^ 


Beginning 

of  Reign. 

A.  D. 


710 
713 

756 
763 
780 
805 
805 
821 
825 
827 
841 
847 
860 
874 
889 
905 


Length 

of  Reign. 

Yrs. 


3 
43 

7 

17      • 
25 

7  mos. 
15-5  mos. 

4 

2 
14 

6 
13 
14 
15 
16 

2 


Xo.  of  Kulers,  22. 


Length  of  Dynasty  287 


It  was  not  until  the  fifth  year  of  the  first  emperor  of  this  dynasty, 
Kao  Tsu,  that  the  ten  insubordinate  kingdoms,  each  with  its  ruler,  which 
had  existed  from  the  twelfth  year  of  the  reign  of  Yang  Ti  of  the  last  dy- 
nasty, were  reduced  to  obedience  by  Kao  Tsu. 

The  first  part  of  this  dynasty  is  signalized  by  the  invention  of  the  art 
of  printing  from  blocks  ;  the  credit  of  which  is  due  to  Fung  Tau  ^,^i§_. 
If  any  attempts  at  the  art  had  been  made  earlier,  as  has  sometimes  been 
said,  they  do  not  seem  to  have  attracted  the  notice  of  the  emperor  or  to 
have  been  brought  to  practical  perfection.   • 

The  liistorian  also  says,  that  during  this  period  one  T'ang  Ming  Wang, 
w^ho  was  very  fond  of  music,  conceived  the  idea  of  play-acting ;  and  that 
selecting  more  than  three  hundred  young  men,  he  personally  instructed 
tliem  in  the  theatrical  art. 

This  dynasty  was  brought  to  a  close  by  the  murder  of  the  emperor  by 
Chii  Wan  J^2^ ,  or  Chii  Chuen  Chung,  prince  of  Leang,  who  thereupon 
seated  Chao  Siian  Ti  Qg  g  'r^  upon  the  throne.  Soon,  however,  he  abdi- 
cated in  favor  of  Chii  Wan,  receiving  a  small  principality,  which  he 
held  for  three  years  when  he  was  assassinated.  The  five  succeeding  dy- 
nasties are  called  The  Five  Generations,  or  The  Five  Ages  £.  f^. 


±11 


THE   LATTER   LEANG   DYNASTY. 


Tai  Tsu,  (Chu  Wan,  or  Chii  Chuen  Chung) 
Mo*  Ti,— 3rd  son  of  Tai  Tsu 


Beginning 

of  Reign. 

A.D. 


907 
913 


Length 

of  Reign. 

Yrs. 


6 
10 


,No.  of  Kulers,  2. 


Length  of  Dynasty  16 


This  dynasty  was  overthrown  by  a  ruler  of  one  of  the  ten  kingdoms 
into  which  the  empire  was  divided,  Li  Chuen  Shui  ^:^-^,  who  founded 


868 


HISTORICAL  AND   CHRONOLOGICAL  SKETCH. 


^  >®  $£    THE   HOU   t'aNG,   OE   LATTER   t'aNG    DYNASTY. 


Chwang  Tsiing,  (Li  Chuen  Shui) . . 

Ming  isung, 

Mill  Ti, — son  of  Ming  Tsung 

Lu  "Wang, — adopted  son   of  Min  Ti 


Beginning 

of  Reign. 

A.  D 

Length 
of  Reign. 

Yrs 

923 

3 

926 

8 

934 

4  mos. 

934 

1-8  mos. 

Ko.  of  Kulers,  4. 


Length  of  Djnastj  13 


This  dynasty  was  overthrown  by  a  military  nsurper,  Shih  Chiang 
T'ang  ^  ^^,  aided  by  the  ruler  of  Kai  Tan  ^if,  a  small  kingdom 
of  the  eastern  Tartars.  The  emperor's  troops  refused  to  carry  arms 
against  the  usurper ;  in  despair  at  which,  the  emperor  destroyed  himself 
and  family. 


$£  THE    HOU     TSIN,    OR   LATTER   TSIN     DYNASTY. 


Kao  Tsu,  (Shih  Chiang  T'ang) 

Tsi   Wang, — nephew   of  Kao  Tsu 


W3E 

1^0.  of  Eulers,  2 


Beginning 

of  Reign. 

A.  D. 


936 
946 


Length 
of  Reign. 

Yrs 


Length  of  Dynasty  11 


The  treason  of  the  imperial  general,  Lew  Che  Yuen  ^iJ^o^  ^  brought 
this  short  dynasty  to  a  close.  He  had  been  sent  to  repel  the  invading 
Kai  Tan  or  eastern  Tartar ;  but  the  general  offering  them  no  resist- 
ance, they  captured  the  emperor,  and  Le  Che  Yuen  became  his  succes- 
sor, thus  establishing 


THE    HOU    HAN,  OR   LATTER   HAN  DY^NASTY. 


W 


t 


Kao  Tsu,  (Lew  Che  Yuen) . 
Yin  Ti,— son  of  Kao  Tsu. 


Beginning 

of  Reign. 

A.  D. 


947 
949 


Length 

of  Reign. 

Yrs. 


:N'o.  of  Kulers,  2. 


Length  of  Dynasty  4 


Yiii  Ti  was  slain  while  endeavoring  to  subdue  a  rebellion  in  the  west- 
ern provinces,  and  his  brother  Lew  Pin  succeeded  him ;  but  was  forced 
to  give  up  his  throne  by  his  general  Kwo    Wei  |j5JS^,  who  founded 

^   JrI   $£  THE    HOU   CHOW,    OR   LATTER   CHOW   DYNASTY. 


Beginning 

of  Reign. 

A.D. 

Length 

of  Reign. 

Yrs. 

-fciL 

Tai  Tsu,  (Kwo     Wei) 

951- 
954 

960 

3 

mm 

She  Tsung, — adopted  son   of  Tai  Tsu 

Kung  Ti, — fourth  son  of  She  Tsung 

6 
1  mo. 

^j»\    rw 

JSTo.  of  Kulers,  3.                                             Length  of  Dynast 

J  9-1  mo. 

HISTORICAL  AND  CHRONOLOGICAL   SKETCH. 


869 


During  the  continuance  of  these  ^ve  short  dynasties,  as  many  as  ten 
small  kingdoms  were  in  existence  throughout  the  empire,  but  on  the  ac- 
cession of  the  next  dynasty,  these  were  gradually  subdued,  with  the  ex- 
ception of  two  or  three,  and  the  empire  brought  to  a  condition  of  greater 
unity. 

Kung  Ti,  being  very  young  when  he  came  to  the  throne,  was  put  under 
the  guardianship  of  Chieu  Kwang  Yin  ^\IitJ>  ^  ^^^  celebrated  both 
as  a  general  and  a  cabinet  officer.  In  obedience  to  the  express  wish  and 
admiration  of  the  people,  though  reluctantly,  he  accepted  the  imperial 
office ;  and  received  a  memorial  setting  forth  the  'fact  of  the  abdication 
of  the  young  emperor.     Thus  arose 


^t  ^  $£  THE   NOETHEEI?^   SUNG   DYIJ^ASTY. 


± 
± 
ft 
t 


«^ 


Tai  Tsu,  (Chieu  Kwang  Yin) 

Tai  Tsung, — younger  brother  of  Tai  Tsu 

Chen  Tsung, — son  of  Tai  Tsung 

J^n  Tsung, — son  of  Chen  Tsung , 

Ying  Tsung, — son  of  Yen  Tsung 

Shen  Tsung, — son  of  Ying  Tsung , 

Che  Tsung, — son  of  Shen  Tsun^ 

Hwei  Tsung, — 11th  son  of  Shun  Tsung. . , 
jK'in  Tsung, — son  of  Hwei  Tsung , 


Beginning 

of  Reign. 

AD. 

Length 
of  Reign. 

Yrs. 

960 

15-11  mos 

976 

22 

998 

25 

1023 

41 

1064 

4 

1068 

18 

1086 

15 

1101 

25 

1126 

1 

"No.  of  Eulers,  9. 


Length  of  Dynasty  166-11  mos. 


The  last  emperor,  K'in  Tsung,  was  conquered  by  the  Kin  ^,  or  the 
eastern  Tartars ;  and  the  capital  was  removed  further  south,  to  JSTanking, 
by  his  brother  Kao  Tsung  j^  ^,  who  succeeded  him,  and  established 


^ 
^ 


ISL  tn 


1^ 


S    ^    $£    THE   SOUTHERN   SUNG   DYNASTV. 

Kao  Tsung, — son  of  Hwei  Tsimg 

Hiao  Tsung, — son   of   Kao  Tsung 

Kwang  Tsung, — 3rd  son  of  Hiao  Tsung 

Ning  Tsung, — 3rd  son  of  Kwang  Tsung 

y .  rp  i  — descendant  of  Kao  Tsung  in  the  10th 

^'  I         generation 

Tu  Tsung, — son  of  Li  Tsung 

Kung  Tsung, — 2nd  son  of  Tu  Tsung 

T  wan  Tsung,  1st  son  of  Tu  Tsung 

Ti  Ping, — ^youngest  son  of  Tu  Tsung 


Beginning 

of  Reign. 

A.  D^ 

Length 
of  Reign. 

Yrs 

1127 

36 

1163 

27 

1190 

5 

1195 

30 

1225 

40 

1265 

10 

1275 

1 

1276 

2 

1278 

1 

]S"o.  of  Eulers,  9. 


Length  of  Dynasty  152 


In  the  twelfth  year  of  King  Tsung,  A.D.  1207,  the  Mongolian  Ta  Muh 
Chen  ^^%  (Genghis  Khan),  put  himself  at  the  head  of  an  army  of 
conquest,  and  subdued  the  kingdom  Hia  J.  His  son  and  successor  con- 
quered Kin,  or  the  eastern  Tartars.  It  would  seem,  from  the  history, 
that  the  Chinese  asked  the  aid  of  the  Mongolians  in  driving  out  the  Tar- 
tars.    Successive  Mongol  rulers  continued  their  conquests  through  the 


870 


HISTORICAL  AND  CHRONOLOGICAL  SKETCH. 


reigns  of  this  dynasty,  all  of  which  were  weak  and  distracted ;  and  the 
last  three  of  which  were  exercised  by  the  young  sons  of  Tu  Tsung.  The 
last  of  these  sons,  w^ien  pursued  by  the  Mongol  fleet,  jumped  overboard 
rather  than  be  captured.  This  attack  by  the  fifth  Mongolian  invader, 
Foo  Pe  Li  i^>^7»} ,  ended  the  resistance,  and  was  the  beginning  of 


^  -^  THE   YUAN   DYNASTY. 


Itffi 


^ 


She  Tsu,   (Eoo  Pe  Li) 

Ch'eng  Tsung, — grandson   of  She  Tsu 

Wu  Tsung, — nephew  of  Ch'eng  Tsung 

J6n  Tsung, — ^younger  brother  of  Ch'eng  Tsung 

Ying  Tsung, — son  of  J@n    Tsung 

Tai  Ting  Ti, 

Ming  Tsung, — 1st  son  of  Wu  Tsung 

Wfen   Tsung, — 2nd  son  of  Wu  Tsung 

Shun  Ti, — son  of  Ming  Tsung 


Beginning 

of  Reign. 

A.  D. 

Length 
of  Reign. 

Yrs. 

1279 

16 

1295 

13 

1308 

4 

1312 

9 

1321 

3 

1324 

5 

1329 

1 

1330 

3 

1333 

35 

JSTo.  of  Eulers,  9. 


Length  of  Dynasty  89 


The  reign  of  the  Mongolian  rulers,  though  very  vigorous,  and  in  many 
respects,  salutary  (for  the  empire  of  China  was  more  than  ever  enlarged, 
and  the  arts  and  sciences  were  not  neglected),  was,  nevertheless,  felt  to  be 
a  foreign  rule,  and  was  unsatisfying  and  galling.  Though  peace  was 
maintained  in  the  empire,  and  trade  flourished,  and  internal  improve- 
ments were  prosecuted,  (for  the  construction  of  the  Great  Canal  belonged 
to  this  period),  the  Chinese  could  not  forget  that  a  foreign  ruler  and  a 
foreign  religion  had  been  forced  upon  them.  Dissatisfaction  increased ; 
rebelhon  arose ;  and  when  at  last  the  Ming  dynasty  triumphed,  the  em- 
peror fled  to  Ying  Ch'ang  U  ^,  where  he  died  two  years  after. 

The  person  who  brought  about  this  change  of  dynasty,  Chii  Yiian 
Chang  M^:^^,  was  the  son  of  a  poor  laborer.  It  is  said  that  on  the 
night  of  his  birth,  people  saw  a  light  over  his  father's  house,  and  they 
said  "Fire  has  broken  out  in  Chii's  house  ;"  but  on  going  there  no  fire  was 
found.  His  birth  took  place  soon  after.  When  he  was  seventeen  years 
old,  his  parents  and  all  his  brothers  had  died.  Finding  himself  very  poor 
and  alone  in  the  world,  he  entered  a  Buddhist  monastery.  After  the 
lapse  of  a  month,  the  supply  of  food  in  the  monastery  grew  low ;  he 
therefore  betook  himself  to  travel  in  the  capacity  of  a  fortune-teller.  He 
pursued  this  course  for  three  years  ;  then,  on  returning  to  the  monastery, 
he  was  invited,  on  account  of  his  ability,  by  Kwo  Tze  Hing, 
the  leader  of  the  rebellion,  to  a  place  on  his  staff.  By  his  valor  and 
wisdom,  he  soon  earned  promotion,  and  became  the  trusted  leader  of  a 
party.  The  country  was  at  that  time  in  a  state  of  great  commotion,  ow- 
ing to  the  dissatisfaction  with  the  Mongol  rule ;  and  in  the  sixteenth 
year  of  Shun  Ti's  reign  Chii  Yiian  Chang  captured  J^anking,  which  he 
afterwards  made  his  capital.  He  gradually  subdued  the  rival  rebellious 
leaders ;  and  being  very  generous  in  his  conquests,  and  wise  in  the  ad- 
ministration of  afi'airs,  and  withal  very  modest,  became  greatly  popular. 
It  was  therefore  easy  for  him,  after  having  driven  the  Mongol  emperor 
from  the  capital,  to  proclaim  himself  his  successor. 

His  last  great  and  decisive  expedition  was  the  sending  of  250,000 


HISTORICAL  AND  CHRONOLOGICAL  SKETCH. 


871 


troops  to  the  north,  under  two  generals,  Tsue  Ta  4^:^  and  Ch'ang  Yui 
Chuen  '^i^^,  in  order  to  effect  the  conquest  of  that  region.  The 
Mongol  emperor,  with  his  wife,  fled  from  the  northern  capital ;  his 
grandson  was  captured,  and  Chii  Yiian  Chang  thus  had  undisputed  pos- 
session of  the  empire ;  becoming  the  founder  of 


mis. 


mm 


Dynastic 
Title. 


0J3  |£  THE  MINO   DYKASTY 


Tai  Tsu,  (Chu  Yuan  Chang),  gt  ^ 
Ilwei  Ti, . . . .  grandson  of 

Tai  Tsu,   ......  c^  ^ 

Ch'eng  Tsu, ....  4tli  son  of 

Tai  Tsu,    ......  y^<  m 

J^n  Tsung, ....  4th  son  ot 

Ch'eng  Tsu,  ....  ^  EC 
Siian  Tsung, . .  4th  son  of 

Jgn  Tsung, . . . .  g;  g 
Ying  Tsung, . .  4th  son  of 

Siian  Tsung,  .  . .  iE  T 
K  ing  Ti, 2nd  son  of 

Suan  Tsung,  .  . .  ^  I 
Hien  Tsung, . .  2nd  son  of 

ling  Tsung,  . 
Iliao  Tsung, . .  2nd  son  of 

Ilien  Tsung, . 
Wu  Tsung, .  .  2nd  son  of 

Hiao  Tsung,  .  . 
She    Tsung, . .  2nd  son  of 

Wu  Tsung,  . . . .  M 
Mu     Tsung, . .  2nd  son  of 

She  Tsung,  ....  H 
Shen  Tsung, . .  2nd  son  of 

Mu    Tsung, TM 

Kwang  Tsung,  2nd  son  of 

Slien  Tsung,  . . .  M 

.  . .  2nd  son  of 

Kwang  Tsung. 
Chwang  Lieh  Ti,  younger 
brotlier  of 


Reigning 
Title. 


lEU 


ITi  Tsung, 


m 


XWi 


Hung  Wu 
Kien    W^n 


Yung  Lo. 


Hung  Hi ... . 
Suan  Te  . . . . 
Ch^ng  Tung 
K'ingTai.... 
Ch'eng  Hwa 
Hung  Chih . . 
Ch^ng  T6  . . 
Kia  Tsing  . . 
Lung  Ch'ing 
Wan   Li  . . 


Befrinning 

of  Reign. 

A.  P. 

1368 
1399 
1403 
1425 
1426 
1436 
1450 
1465 
1488 


Length 

of  Reign. 

Yrs. 


31 
4 
22 
1 
10 
14 
15 
23 
18 


Tai  Ch'ang. 


Tien  K'i.... 


Hi  Tsung, 


A^« 


No.  of  Eulers,  16. 


T'sung  Cheng 


Length  of  Dynasty  276 


1506 

16 

1522 

45 

1567 

6 

1573 

47 

1620 

1 

1621 

T 

1628 

16 

Early  in  this  dynasty  Peking  became  the  capital,  under  the  following 
circumstances.  While  the  second  emperor,  Hwei  Ti,  was  traveling  in  the 
southern  part  of  his  empire,  his  uncle,  Ch'eng  Tsu,  improved  the  oppor- 
tunity of  his  absence  to  raise  troops  and  seize  the  capital  city,  Nanking. 
He  removed  his  capital  to  the  north  of  China  and  established  it  at  Pe- 
king. He  improved  the  city  and  built  the  palace,  which  work  was  com- 
pleted in  the  autumn  of  the  eighteenth  year  of  his  reign.  In  the  first 
month  of  the  next  year  he  occupied  the  palace,  which  has  continued  to 
be  the  residence  of  the  emperor  to  the  present  time.     This  dynasty  was 


872 


HISTORICAL  AND  CHRONOLOGICAL  SKETCH. 


overthrown  bj  a  rebel  leader,  Li  Tzu  Ch'eng  ^  HS^>  ^^^^  most  noted  and 
daring  of  several  similar  leaders ;  who  conquering  one  province  after  an- 
other, at  last  entered  the  capital  through  the  treacliery  of  a  eunuch,  who 
opened  the  gates  of  the  city.  When  the  emperor  saw  that  he  was  de- 
serted by  his  followers,  he  called  his  family  together,  and  with  tears  in 
his  eyes,  exclaimed,  "  All  is  lost."  He  gave  orders  to  his  wives  and  con- 
cubines to  kill  themselves ;  the  empress  strangled  herself  in  a  private 
apartment ;  the  emperor,  dressed  in  the  imperial  robes,  hastened  to  the 
gates  of  the  city  only  to  find  them  occupied  by  the  enemy ;  whereupon 
he  went  to  the  Mi  hill,  and  strangled  himself. 

The  present  dynasty  is  Manchurian,  and  arose  in  this  way.  Woo  San  | 
Kwai,  the  chief  military  ofiicer  of  the  Ming  dynasty,  who  was  stationed 
at  one  of  the  passes  leading  from  China  to  the  foreign  countries  on  the 
north,  hearing  that  Peking  had  been  taken  by  Li  Tzu  Ch'eng,  the  rebel 
leader,  invited  the  Manchurians  to  come  and  assist  him  in  suppressing  the 
rebellion.  They  came,  and  having  guns  superior  to  those  of  the  rebel 
army,  were  victorious.  The  successful  Manchurian  leader,  assuming  the 
title  Shun  Chih,  became  emperor. 

With  the  change  of  dynasty  came  changes  of  customs.  The  present 
style  of  dress  and  of  wearing  the  hair  is  Manchurian.  Formerly,  looser 
robes  with  larger  sleeves,  were  worn  ;  and  instead  of  the  shaven  head 
and  the  cue,  the  hair  being  left  uncut  was  done  up  in  a  twist  on  the  top 
of  the  head. 

I^  }S  18  "^^^   GKEAT  t'sENG  DYNASTY. 


Its? 

Mm 


iz 


Dynnstic 
Title. 

^« 

Reigning 
Title, 

Beginning 

of  Reign. 

AD 

Length 
of  Reign. 

Yrs. 

SheTsu  Chang 

Hwang  Ti, 

•  /'Ih  ia 

Shun  Chih, . . 

1644 

18 

Sheng  Tsu  Jen 

Hwang  Ti, 

■  BB, 

K'ang    Hi.. 

1662 

61 

She  Tsung  Hien 

Hwang  Ti, 

■  miB 

Yung  Cheng, 

1Y23 

13 

Kao  Tsung  Shun 
Hwang  Ti, 

•  ^m 

K'ien    Lung, 

1736 

60 

J^n  Tsung  Jui 

Hwang  Ti, 

.M& 

KiaCh'ing,.. 

1796 

25 

Siian  Tsung  Ch'eng 
Hwang  Ti, 

.  5t5t 

Tau  Kwang, 

1821 

30 

Wen  Tsung  Hien 
Hwang  Ti, 

■  mm 

Hien  Fung,. . 

1851 

11 

Mu    Tsung  Ye 

Hwang  Ti, 

•lHlf& 

T'ung    Chih, 

1862 

13 

The  reigning  sover- 

eign,    

.  %m 

Kwang  Shii, 

1875 

As  the  history  of  each  dynasty  is  written  only  after  its  close,  and  by 
the  succeeding  one,  it  will  be  seen  that  no  material  is  at  hand  for  writing 
of  the  present  family  of  sovereigns. 


SKETCH  OF  THE  LIFE  OF  CONFUCIUS, 

THE  CHINESE  SAGE. 


CoNTucius,  (in  Chinese,  K'ung  Tze)  JL  -^  signifying  Teacher  K'ung, 
was  a  native  of  the  present  province  of  SHan  Tung;  at  that  time  a  part 
of  the  Kingdom  of  Lu  §  0  in  Northern  China.  He  was  born  in  the 
eleventh  month  of  the  twenty-first  year  of  the  reign  of  Ling  Wang  ^ 
^,  of  the  Chow  j^  <iyiiasty,  550  B.  C,  though  authorities  differ  by  thir- 
teen months  as  to  the  date  of  his  birth.  His  father  died  when  he  was 
three  years  old. 

Even  in  childhood  he  was  distinguished  for  though tfulness,  gravity 
and  piety;  inventing  vessels  to  be  used  in  worship,  and  originating  some 
forms  of  etiquette  when  he  was  six  years  old.  These  things  he  did  for 
amusement,  and  in  childish  play. 

At  the  age  of  nineteen  he  married ;  and  on  the  occasion  of  the  birth 
of  a  son,  a  year  after,  bavins^  received  a  congratulatory  present  of  a  fish 
from  prince  Chao  BS  S-  ^f  Lu,  he  gave  the  child  the  name  of  the  fish, 
Li  ||.  The  next  year  Chih  Sz  ^  J^  prime  minister  of  Lu,  appointed 
him  receiver  of  the  grain  due  to  the  government  for  the  rent  of  its  lands. 

At  twenty-two  years  of  age  he  was  appointed  inspector-general  of 
pastures  and  flocks,  under  the  same  officer. 

Soon  after,  he  commenced  to  teach  the  people  in  the  villages  and  coun- 
try their  duties  toward  each  other  in  the  various  relations  of  life ;  exhort- 
ing them  to  be  filial  and  fraternal  in  the  family,  and  respectful  and  obe- 
dient to  officers  of  state. 

When  he  was  twenty-four  years  of  age,  his  mother  died.  In  accord- 
ance with  the  custom  then  prevailing  in  China,  and  still  observed,  he  re- 
signed his  office,  to  observe  the  period  of  mourning,  which  lasted  twenty- 
seven  months.  At  twenty-nine  he  took  instruction  in  music  from  Siang 
Tze,  and  at  thirty-four  consulted  Lo  Tam  about  the  rules  of  etiquette. 

From  thirty -five  to  forty-two  years  of  age,  he  held  office  under  Kao 
Chao  Tze  ^  Hg  ^,  prime  minister  of  the  Kingdom  of  Tsi  ^  H-  In 
this  capacity  he  had  opportunity  to  make  the  acquaintance  of  the  prince 
of  that  kingdom,  who  at  different  times  made  many  inquiries  of  him,  as 
to  how  best  to  govern  the  people;  all  which  questions  Confucius  an- 
swered wisely.  Whereupon  the  prince  desired  to  confer  upon  Confucius 
the  hereditary  government  of  a  district  called  Ni  Che.  But  one  of  the 
ministers  said  to  the  prince,  "  Confucius  has  so  man}^  rules  of  etiquette 
that  one  can  not  learn  them  in  several  lifetimes,  for  one  can  learn  but 
little  in  a  year:  if  your  majesty  employ  him  to  reform  the  manners  and 
customs  of  the  kingdom,  this  is  not  ruling  properly." 

Confucius  then  returned  to  Lu  where  he  taught  a  constantly  increasing 
number  of  pupils,  and  at  the  age  of  forty-seven,  gave  himself  to  literary 
work.  This  consisted  in  a  revision  of  the  odes  of  the  nation,  and  a 
reduction  of  their  number  by  a  judicious  selection,  and  in  writing  the 
"Book  of  Records,"  an  account  of  the  reigns  of  the  emperors  Yau 


874  LIFE   OF    CONFUCIUS. 

^,  Slmn  ^,  and  others.  These  works,  with  others,  were  completed  near 
the  close  of  his  life. 

When  he  was  fifty  years  old,  he  had  an  offer  from  an  official  of  Lu,  who 
had  organized  a  rebellious  government,  to  take  office  under  him;  but 
Confucius  refused,  and  the  next  year  was  appointed  magistrate  of  Chung 
Too  4*  ^5  ^  district  of  Lu  Kingdom.  He  held  this  office  one  year. 
His  administration  of  affairs  was  so  wise  and  just  that  the  princes  of  all 
the  kingdoms  imitated  him. 

The  following  year  he  was  promoted  by  the  prince  of  Lu  to  the  office 
of  Secretary  of  the  Board  of  Public  Works ;  and  soon  after  was  advanc- 
ed to  be  Secretary  of  the  Treasury.  His  faithful  and  profitable  adminis- 
tration again  procured  his  promotion;  and  he  was  appointed  acting 
prime-minister  of  the  kingdom  of  Lu.  Confucius  was  at  this  time  fifty- 
five  years  of  age. 

Here,  also,  his  wisdom  and  purity  showed  themselves  in  the  prosperity 
and  elevation  of  the  kingdom ;  but  these  excited  the  envy  and  hatred  of 
the  prince  of  a  neighboring  kingdom,  Tsi  ^,  who  feared  the  increasing 
prosperity  of  Lu.  In  order  to  counteract  this,  and  to  destroy  the  in- 
fluence of  Confucius,  after  he  had  held  the  office  for  three  months,  this 
prince  sent  to  the  prince  of  Lu  and  his  chief  prime-minister  a  present 
consisting  of  thirty  fine  horses,  and  a  bevy  of  eighty  beautiful  and  richly- 
dressed  women  skilled  in  music  and  dancing ;  by  all  which  the  prince  of 
Lu  and  his  court  were  so  fascinated  and  corrupted  that  dissolute  man- 
ners prevailed,  the  affairs  of  government  were  neglected,  and  the  good 
influence  and  measures  of  Confucius  overthrown.  Whereupon  Confu- 
cius, discouraged  and  saddened,  after  vain  remonstrances  resigned  his 
office,  and  went  forth  to  spread  his  principles,  and  to  seek  to  reform  the 
people  and  governments  of  the  land. 

After  leaving  Lu,  he  had  some  narrow  escapes  from  bodily  harm.  He 
was  once  mistaken  for  the  rebel  Yang  Foo  who  had  ill-treated  the  peo- 
ple of  Kwong  g  ;  and  they,  misled  by  the  resemblance  of  Confucius  to 
the  rebel,  surrounded  him  with  soldiers,  and  threatened  him  with  vio- 
lence ;  but  on  hearing  the  singing  and  playing  of  Confucius  and  his  pupils, 
the  people  said,  "This  is  not  lang  Foo;"  and  let  him  go.  He  had  also 
another  narrow  escape  from  death,  in  the  state  of  Sung  ^.  Later  in  life, 
Chao  Wang  flg  3£,  king  of  the  kingdom  of  Ch'u  ^,  wished  to  make  him 
ruler  over  two  hundred  and  thirty  miles  of  territory ;  but  one  of  his  min- 
isters opposed  it,  on  the  ground  that  Confucius  would  be  likely  to  acquire 
more  territory,  and  also  to  gain  the  hearts  of  the  people,  and  so  supplant 
the  prince  in  popular  esteem.     The  appointment  was  therefore  not  made. 

From  this  time  till  he  was  sixty-eight  years  of  age,  Confucius  was 
engaged  in  disseminating  his  maxims  of  peace  and  morality  in  different 
states  of  the  empire,  and  in  seeking  to  bring  rulers  and  people  to  act 
upon  them.  At  the  expiration  of  this  period  he  returned  to  Lu,  and 
passed  his  time  completing  and  perfecting  the  works  he  had  already 
commenced — the  revision  of  the  She  Chang  fj  g,  "Odes,"  and  the 
compilation  the  of  Shang  Shoo  ^  ^,  "  Book  of  Eecords."  He  also  made 
additions  to  the  Yie  Chang  ^  g,  "  Book  of  Changes,"  or  divining  book, 
enlarging  it  by  explanations.  He  also  prepared  Chuen  Chau  §  ^, 
"  Spring  and  Autumn  Annals,"  a  treatise  upon  the  character  and  ad- 
ministration of  the  thirteen  preceding  emperors,  from  Ping  Wang  ^  3E 
to  Chiang  Wang  ^  5.  These  literary  labors  for  the  good  of  posterity- 
were  continued  till  his  death,  which  took  place  in  the  fourth  month  of 


LIFE   OF    CONFUCIUS.  875 

the  thirty-first  year  of  the  reign  of  Chiang  Wang,  at  the  age  of  seventy- 
three. 

His  pupils  mourned  in  heart  for  twenty-seven  months,  (the  customary 
period  of  wearing  mourning  dress  in  China).  The  expression  ''  in  heart " 
is  used,  because  the  rules  of  etiquette  do  not  allow  pupils  to  dress  in 
mourning  for  their  teachers.  But  one  of  the  wisest  of  Confucius'  schol- 
ars, Tze  l^ung,  built  a  cottage  near  the  grave,  and  lived  in  it  for  six 
years,  in  token  of  grief. 

Besides  the  above-mentioned  works,  Confucius  is  the  author  of  the 
book  Hiao  Chang  ^  g,  "Filial  Duty."  Three  of  his.  original  works 
are  included  in  the  six  classics  which  are  used  in  Chinese  schools.  In 
his  day,  books  were  made  of  strips  of  bamboo,  fastened  together  with 
leather  strings,  and  the  writing  was  done  with  a  sharp-pointed  instru- 
ment of  metal. 

During  his  life  he  gathered  some  three  thousand  disciples,  and  of 
these,  seventy-two  were  distinguished  for  their  learning ;  these  are  called 
"  The  Wise  Men."  Some  of  these  who  had  been  the  most  intimate  with 
him,  after  his  death  wTote  Lun  Yiie  ^^  =§,  [correct  teachings  in  a  conver- 
sational form]  "  The  Book  of  Confucius,"  composed  of  his  teachings 
with  a  few  of  their  own  added,  and  the  record  of  his  acts. 

Confucius  did  not  institute  any  religious  system,  but  only  enjoined  the 
observance  of  the  already-existing  worship,  as  being  right.  He  con- 
fined his  instructions  principally  to  the  moral  and  political  duties  grow- 
ing out  of  the  relations  which  men  sustain  to  each  other  in  society  and 
state.  His  teachings  are,  therefore,  eminently  practical.  Confucius  was 
thus  anxious  to  extend  his  instructions  and  to  secure  their  adoption,  be- 
cause of  the  prevailing  corruption  in  the  government.  This  he  lamented 
and  wished  to  correct. 

Confucius'  son  died  before  him,  but  his  grandson  Tze  Se  -^  g  sur- 
vived him,  and  became  the  teacher  of  Mencius  ^  ^  [Mang  Tze],  the 
sage  who  ranks  next  to  Confucius  for  learning  and  piety. 

The  name  and  writings  of  Confucius  are  held  in  highest  honor  in 
China.  In  every  city,  there  is  a  temple,  built  at  public  expense,  con- 
taining either  a  statue  of  the  philosopher,  or  a  tablet  inscribed  with  his 
titles.  Every  spring  and  autumn,  worship  is  paid  him  in  these  temples 
by  the  chief  official  personages  of  the  city.  In  the  schools,  also,  on  the 
first  and  fifteenth  of  each  month,  his  title  being  written  on  red  paper  and 
affixed  to  a  tablet,  worship  is  performed  in  a  special  room  by  burning  in- 
cense and  candles,  and  by  prostrations. 

Some  emperors  of  past  dynasties  have  conferred  titles  of  honor  upon 
him.  Ch'eng  Tsung  ^  ^  of  Yuan  dynasty,  in  the  twelfth  year  of  his 
reign  A.  D.  1307,  bestowed  upon  him  the  appellation  Ta  Ch'eng  ^  )j^ 
signifying  The  Great  Accomplisher.  For  the  last  five  hundred  years, 
the  oldest  son  in  every  generation,  of  the  descendants  of  Confucius,  has 
enjoyed  some  special  honor  and  privilege.  Thus  Tai  Tsu  j^  jji£,  of  the 
Ming  dynasty,  in  the  first  year  of  his  reign,  A.  D.  1368,  gave  to  Con- 
fucius' descendant  of  the  fifty-sixth  generation  the  title,  which  is  made 
hereditary,  Yin  Sh6ng  Kung  ^  ^  ^  signifying.  The  Duke  who  dis- 
plays great  wisdom. 

In  the  ninth  year  of  his  reign  A.  D.  1531,  She  Tsung  ^  ^,  of  the 
same  dynasty,  fixed  an  additional  title  to  the  temple-tablet,  viz.  Che 
Sh^ng  Sin  She  M  ®  :5fe  65  signifying,  A  man  most  wise,  and  the  first 
teacher  of  w^isdom. 


A  SHORT  SKETCH  OF  THE  LIFE  OF  JESUS. 


Jesus  Cheist  was  born  in  Bethletem,  a  city  of  the  province  of 
Judea  in  the  country  of  Palestine,  at  the  bes^inning  of  the  Christian  era, 
which  derives  its  name  from  him.  His  motner  Mary,  and  her  husband 
Joseph  were  Jews;  but  his  birth  was  not  after  the  ordinary  manner, 
being  supernatural  in  its  character  and  attendant  circumstances. 

While  Mary  was  yet  only  the  betrothed  of  Joseph,  an  angel  ap- 
peared to  her,  foretelling  the  miraculous  birth  of  a  son  whose  parentage 
should  be  divine,  in  these  words:  "The  Holy  Ghost  shall  come  upon 
thee,  and  the  power  of  the  Highest  shall  overshadow  thee ;  therefore  also 
that  holy  thing  which  shall  be  born  of  thee  shall  be  called  the  Son  of 
God." 

In  due  time  Jesus  was  born;  not  in  ]N"azareth  where  Joseph  and 
Mary  dwelt,  but  in  Bethlehem  of  Judea,  whither  they  had  gone  in 
obedience  to  a  general  order  of  the  Roman  emperor,  for  the  purpose  of 
a  census-enrollment  and  taxation.  In  the  crowded  state  of  the  inns 
Joseph  and  Mary  found  no  place  for  lodging,  better  than  a  stable;  it 
being  not  uncommon,  for  the  people  of  the  East,  even  to  this  day,  to 
share  their  dwellings  with  their  domestic  animals.  A  manger  was  there- 
fore the  cradle  in  which  Jesus  was  laid. 

But  amid  these  lowly  surroundingsof  the  child,  there  were  indications 
of  his  superior  nature,  and  of  the  importance  attaching  to  his  birth. 
Certain  shepherds  of  that  country,  watching  their  flocks  by  night,  were 
surrounded  by  the  glory  of  the  Lord,  and  were  visited  by  an  angel  who 
announced  to  them  the  birth  of  a  Savior  in  these  words:  "Behold,  I 
bring  you  good  tidings  of  great  joy,  which  shall  be  to  all  people."  The 
angel  also  directed  the  shepherds  how  and  where  to  find  the  infant  Savior. 
Certain  "wise  men  from  the  East,"  Persian  Magi,  guided  by  a  star 
came  to  Jerusalem,  saying,  "  "Where  is  he  that  is  born  King  of  the  Jews, 
for  we  have  seen  his  star  in  the  East,  and  are  come  to  worship  him." 
These  public  and  striking  demonstrations  of  honor  so  aroused  the  jeal- 
ousy and  anger  of  King  Herod  that  he  gave  orders  to  put  to  death  all 
the  children  in  Bethlehem  imder  two  years  of  age;  hoping  thus  to 
destroy  the  child  Jesus.  But  Joseph,  being  warned  of  God  in  a  dream, 
took  the  young  child  and  his  mother,  and  fled  into  Egypt,  where  they 
remained  till  flie  death  of  Herod,  which  occurred  about  a  year  after. 

Of  the  childhood  and  youth  of  Jesus,  almost  nothing  is  told  us. 
We  have  these  general  statements,  "  He  was  subject  unto  his  parents :" 
"  The  child  erew  and  waxed  strong  in  spirit,  filled  with  wisdom ;  and  the 

(877) 


878  LIFE   OF   JESUS. 

grace  of  God  was  upon  him."  Only  one  incident  of  this  period  of  his 
life  is  preserved  for  as.  At  the  age  of  12  years,  he  accompanied  his 
parents  to  Jerusalem,  in  attendance  upon  the  annual  Jewish  feast  of  the 
passover;  and  at  the  time  for  return,  being  missed  from  the  company, 
was  found  in  the  temple  listening  to  tlie  Jewish  doctors  of  the  law,  and 
asking  them  questions.  To  the  surprise  and  mild  rebuke  of  his  mother, 
he  replied,  "Wist  ye  not  that  I  must  be  about  my  Father's  [God's]  bus- 
iness?" From  this  time  till  the  beginning  of  his  public  ministry  at  the 
age  of  30  years,  we  have  no  account  of  Jesus. 

The  opening  of  his  ministry  was  signalized  by  his  baptism  in  the 
river  Jordan,  at  the  hands  of  John  the  Baptist,  a  Jewish  prophet  who 
announced  himself  as  the  forerunner  of  Christ,  and  as  commissioned  to 
herald  his  coming ;  on  which  occasion  the  Holy  Spirit  descended  from 
heaven  upon  Jesus  in  the  form  of  a  dove,  and  a  voice  was  heard  from 
heaven,  saying,  "  This  is  my  beloved  Son,  in  whom  I  am  well  pleased." 

His  baptism  was  followed  by  his  temptation,  wherein  he  was  led  by 
the  Spirit  into  the  wilderness,  and  tempted  by  Satan  with  three  sepa- 
rate forms  of  temptation,  addressed  respectively  to  the  gratification  of 
the  senses,  to  the  exercise  of  a  presumptuous  and  improper  kind  of 
trust  in  God,  and  to  the  desire  of  power  or  gain.  The  solicitations  were 
these :  to  exercise  his  divine  power  by  producing  bread  from  stones,  in 
order  to  appease  the  liunger  arising  from  his  fast  of  forty  days;  to  cast 
himself  down  from  the  pinnacle  of  the  temple,  presuming  that  God 
would  protect  him  from  harm ;  and,  abandoning  the  service  of  God  and 
the  work  of  salvation  which  he  had  come  to  earth  to  perform,  to  set  up 
a  powerful  earthly  kingdom.  All  which  temptations  Jesus  resisted, 
quoting  from  the  Jewish  scriptures  passages  forbidding  any  such  conduct 
on  his  part;  whereupon  the  l)evil  left  him,  and  angels  came  and  minis- 
tered to  him. 

His  active  and  fruitful  ministry  of  three  years  now  commenced,  and 
is  summarily  described  in  the  words  of  one  of  the  evangelists,  "And 
Jesus  went  about  all  Galilee,  teaching  in  their  synagogues,  and  preach- 
ing the  gospel  of  the  kingdom,  and  healing  all  manner  of  sickness  and 
all  manner  of  disease  among  the  people." 

The  miracles  he  wrought,  being  performed  in  his  own  name,  were  signs 
of  his  divine  nature  and  proof  of  his  heavenly  mission;  and  the  nearly 
forty  which  are  recorded  are  spoken  of  as  only  a  few  selected  from  a 
great  number.  They  were  such  as  served  to  show  his  power  over  nature, 
even  to  the  extent  of  creative  power ;  his  power  over  the  world  of  spirits 
also;  and  consisted  in  healing  the  sick,  raising  the  dead,  stilling  the  tem- 
pest, walking  on  the  sea,  multiplying  a  few  small  loaves  so  that  the  multi- 
tude of  thousands  were  fed  from  them,  and  casting  out  evil  spirits.  It 
is  also  a  noticeable  characteristic  of  Jesus'  miracles  that  they  were  per- 
formed, almost  wholly,  for  the  good  of  men,  their  relief  from  suifering, 
or  their  benefit  in  some  form;  and  thus  were  the  exhibition  not  of 
power  merely,  but  also  of  goodness  and  love.  IN^either  were  they  de- 
signed to  astonish  men,  but  to  lead  them  to  listen  to  his  teachings,  and 
to  exercise  love  and  trust  toward  him  as  the  promised  Messiah  of  the 
Jews,  the  Son  of  God,  and  the  Savior  of  the  world. 

He  taught  by  parable,  by  precept,  in  conversation,  and  in  discourse ; 
having  sometimes  a  single  hearer  or  a  few,  sometimes  his  followers  only; 
and  again,  speaking  to  thronging  multitudes ;  in  all,  unfolding  the  duties 


LIFE   OF  JESUS.  879 

which  men  owe  to  God  and  to  one  another,  and  taking  within  the  range 
of  his  instructions  both  the  present  life  and  the  hfe  that  is  to  come. 

Early  in  his  ministry,  from  among  those  who  believed  on  him  and 
became  his  followers,  he  chose  twelve,  and  called  them  to  be  with  him 
in  a  more  intimate  and  honored  relation;  to  accompany  liim  in  his 
travels,  and  to  receive  his  instruction  and  training;  to  be  themselves 
sent  forth  to  proclaim  his  message,  and  after  his  death  to  continue  the 
work  of  spreading  his  gospel,  and  by  their  labors  and  writings  to  be 
instrumental  in  establishing  the  Christian  church.  These  are  variously 
called,  ^'The  Twelve,"  "The  Disciples,"--" The  Apostles;"  and  to  theni, 
as  his  ministry  drew  to  a  close,  and  the  time  for  his  death  approached, 
he  gave  more  clear  and  full  instruction  concerning  himself,  the  purpose 
of  his  coming  and  death,  and  the  nature  of  his  kingdom. 

'No  numerical  statement  is  given  of  those  who  became  his  followers 
during  his  life ;  little  is  said,  directly,  of  the  success  which  attended  his 
personal  labors.  In  the  gospels,  we  find  many  such  incidental  statements 
as  these ;  "  There  followed  him  great  multitudes  of  people,"  "  Great 
multitudes  were  gathered  together  unto  him,"  "  The  multitude  took  him 
for  a  prophet,"  "  The  common  people  heard  him  gladly,"  "  All  the  people 
were  very  attentive  to  hear  him,"  "  The  people  pressed  upon  him  to  hear 
the  word  of  God,"  "Many  believed  on  him  there."  33ut  we  are  also 
told  that  his  rebuke  of  sin  aroused  the  hostility  of  certain  classes,  so  that 
they  sought  to  destroy  him ;  we  know  that  the  Jewish  rulers  rejected 
and  persecuted  him,  and  in  their  unbelief  and  hostility  pursued  him  to 
death.  Their  opposition  and  hatred  culminated  at  last,  in  his  arrest, 
trial,  and  crucifixion. 

Opportunity  was  given  for  his  seizure,  on  his  assembling  with  his 
disciples  to  celebrate  the  Jewish  feast"  of  the  passover;  on  which  occa- 
sion he  delivered  to  them  the  most  memorable  and  tender  of  his  dis- 
courses, and  instituted  the  sacrament  of  the  Lord's  supper;  aid  was 
afforded  by  the  treachery  of  one  of  his  disciples,  named  Judas,  who 
pointed  him  out  to  the  soldiers  sent  to  take  him,  and  whose  treason  had 
been  predicted  that  night  by  Jesus  as  he  sat  at  the  table  with  his  disci- 
ples, in  the  words,  "  One  of  you  shall  betray  me."  The  soldiers  brought 
Jesus  before  the  Sanhedrim,  or  Jewish  supreme  court  for  the  trial  of 
ecclesiastical  oifenses,  and  arraigned  him  on  the  charge  of  being  a  false 
prophet,  in  claiming  to  be  the  Christ;  and  a  blasphemer,  in  asserting 
that  he  was  the  Son  of  God.  On  that  ground  he  was  adjudged  worthy 
of  death.  But  at  that  time,  the  Jews  were  under  the  government  of  the 
Romans,  and  the  Sanhedrim  had  not  the  power  of  inflicting  capital 
punishment.  Jesus  was  therefore  brought  before  Pilate,  the  Roman  gov- 
ernor, on  the  charge  of  setting  up  a  rival  kingdom,  in  styling  himself  the 
King  of  the  Jews.  On  examination,  and  after  hearing  Jesus'  reply, 
"My  kingdom  is  not  of  this  world,"  Pilate  was  disposed  to  release  him, 
saying,  "  I  find  no  fault  in  this  man."  But  the  fixed  and  strong  opposi- 
tion of  the  Jewish  rulers  would  not  thus  be  satisfied ;  and  using  the 
argument  that  if  he  released  Jesus  he  would  show  himself  unfaithful  to 
the  Roman  emperor,  they  induced  Pilate  to  yield,  and  to  deliver  Jesus 
to  be  first  scourged  and  then  crucified,  according  to  the  Roman  method 
of  that  da}^  In  derision  of  his  kingly  claim,  his  persecutors  clothed  him 
with  the  purple  robe  of  royalty,  and  put  upon  his  head  a  crown  of  thorns. 
After  he  was  placed  upon  the  cross,  the  title  "  This  is  Jesus  the  King  of 
the  Jews,"  was  put  above  his  head.     It  was  written  in  Hebrew,  and 


880  LIFE   OF  JESUS. 

Greek,  and  Latin.  He  was  crucified  between  two  thieves,  and  as  he 
hung  on  the  cross,  was  mocked,  and  taunted  with  being  unable  to  save 
himself,  although  claiming  to  be  the  Son  of  God  and  the  King  of  Israel ; 
but  he  endured  all  meekly,  praying  for  his  murderers,  "  Father,  forgive 
them ;  for  they  know  not  what  they  do."  He  expired  with  the  words 
upon  his  lips  "  It  is  finished,"  "  Father,  into  thy  hands  I  commend  my 
spirit."  His  death  was  accompanied  by  a  darkness  in  the  land,  by  an 
earthquake,  and  by  the  rending  of  the  veil  of  the  Jewish  temple. 

The  body  of  Jesus  was  taken  from  the  cross  by  one  of  his  followers 
named  Joseph,  and  placed  in  a  new  sepulchre,  which  was  securely  sealed, 
and  over  which  a  guard  was  placed,  at  the  request  of  the  Jews.  On  the 
morning  of  the  third  day,  the  guard  were  frightened  from  their  post  by 
the  appearance  of  an  angel  who  rolled  back  the  stone  from  the  door  of 
the  sepulchre ;  and  they  fled  to  the  city.  Soon  after,  some  women  who 
had  been  his  devoted  followers,  on  visiting  the  tomb,  discovered  that  the 
body  of  Jesus  was  not  there,  but  instead  they  saw  an  angel  who  said 
"  He  is  risen ;  he  is  not  here."  On  their  return  to  inform  others,  Jesus 
himself  met  them,  saluted  them,  and  bade  them  tell  his  disciples  to  meet 
him  in  Galilee. 

^  For  forty  days  he  remained  on  earth,  appearing  at  intervals  to  his 
disciples ;  and  at  the  end  of  that  period  after  having  given  them  the 
command  "  Go  ye  into  all  the  world  and  preach  the  gospel  to  every 
creature,"  he  ascended  to  heaven  in  a  cloud,  in  their  full  view,  from  Mt. 
Olivet,  which  is  a  little  way  distant  from  Jerusalem. 

As  in  the  above  we  have  only  a  few  outline  facts  of  the  history  of 
Jesus,  which  is  given  in  full  in  the  gospels ;  so  only  a  few  principal 
points  in  his  teachings  can  be  given,  which  teachings,  in  their  fullness, 
must  also  be  sought  in  the  Scriptures. 

Jesus  proclaimed  himself  to  be  the  promised  Messiah.  The  Jewish 
prophets,  for  hundreds  of  years,  had  foretold  the  arriving  in  their  nation 
of  a  notable  personage,  called  in  the  Hebrew,  Messiah,  or  The  Anointed ; 
whose  coming  should  bring  blessing  and  should  be  the  dawn  of  a  brighter 
day.  The  woman  of  Samaria,  in  her  conversation  with  Jesus  at  Jacob's 
well,  referring  to  this  expectation  of  the  Jews,  said,  "When  Messiah  is 
come,  he  will  tell  us  all  things."  "Jesus  saith  unto  her,  I  that  speak 
unto  thee  am  he." 

Jesus  called  himself  the  Son  of  God;  and  claimed  to  be  a  divine 
person,  and  to  be  one  with  God.  This  very  claim  to  divinity,  it  was, 
which  led  the  Jewish  council  to  condemn  him,  and  the  rulers  to  demand 
his  death.  They  said  to  Pilate,  "  We  have  a  law,  and  by  our  law  he 
ought  to  die,  because  he  made  himself  the  Son  of  God."  Once  when 
the  Jews  took  up  stones  to  stone  him,  they  gave  as  a  reason,  "  We  stone 
thee  for  blaspheming,  because  that  thou,  being  a  man,  makest  thyself  God." 
He  stated  that  he  came  down  from  heaven,  that  he  proceeded  forth  and 
came  from  God;  and  asserted  his  pre-existence  in  the  declaration,  "Be- 
fore Abraham  was,  I  am."  He  claimed  to  represent  and  reveal  God,  say- 
ing, "  He  that  hath  seen  me  hath  seen  the  Father ;"  and  enjoined  sincere 
and  spiritual  worship  as  alone  acceptable  to  God,  announcing,  "  God  is 
a  Spirit;  and  they  that  worship  him  must  worship  him  in  spirit  and  in 
truth." 

He  taught  the  fatherhood  of  God,  and  the  brotherhood  of  man ;  en- 
joined the  duty  of  loving,  trusting,  and  obeying  God,  and  of  praying 
imto  him ;  as  also  the  duties  of  loving  and  forgiving  one's  enemies,  of 


LIFE   OF  JESUS.  881 

!  alms-giving,  of  judging  charitably  and  living  righteously,  of  doing  to 
others  as  we  would  have  thein  do  to  us.  He  pronounced  those  blessed 
who  are  humble,  merciful,  pure  in  heart,  and  longing  to  be  righteous. 
Himself  sinless,  he  taught  a  pure  and  perfect  morality,  and  laid  stress 
on  the  truth  that  it  is  tlie  state  of  the  heart  which  determines  a  person's 
character.  He  summed  up  man's  duty  and  the  requirements  of  God's 
law,  in  the  two  precepts :  "  Thou  shalt  love  the  Lord  thy  God  with  all 
thy  heart,"  and,  ''  Thou  shalt  love  thy  neighbor  as  thyself." 

He  indorsed  the  Jewish  Scriptures  and  the  religious  system  of  the 
-  Jews,  as  having  come  from  God ;  and  presented  Christianity  as  the  later 
and  perfected  system  of  religious  teaching  and  worship,  for  which  Judaism 
had  been  the  designed  preparation,  and  which  was  to  supersede  that. 
He  said  "  I  am  the  light  of  the  world."  Speaking  of  the  Jewish  system, 
he  said,  "  The  law  and  the  prophets  were  until  John  ;  since  that  time  the 
kingdom  of  God  is  preached"  [the  gospel  is  promulgated,  or  the  Christian 
system  is  established  and  obligatory.] 

He  had  much  to  say  of  the  "Kingdom  of  God"  or  "Kingdom  of 
heaven,"  wdiich  he  declared  was  brought  near  to  man  by  his  coming,  his 
teachings,  and  his  w^orks ;  and  taught  that  in  order  to  be  a  member  of 
that  kingdom,  one  must  be  renewed  in  heart  by  the  Spirit  of  God.  He 
said  to  the  Jewish  ruler,  "Except  a  man  be  born  again,  of  tlie  Spirit,  he 
can  not  see  the  kingdom  of  God."  He  spoke  of  that  kingdom  as 
destined  to  increase  and  extend;  and  taught  his  disciples  to  pray,  "Thy 
kingdom  come." 

But  he  represented  that  it  was  not  alone  or  chiefly  as  a  teacher  that 
he  had  come,  but  also  as  a  Savior.  The  angel  who  foretold  his  birth  said 
to  Mary,  "  Thou  shalt  call  his  name  Jesus,  for  he  shall  save  his  people 
from  their  sins."  He  himself  said  "I  came  not  to  judge  the  world,  but 
to  save  the  world."  He  bade  men  not  only  believe  his  words,  but  also 
receive  and  trust  him  as  a  person.  He  gave  the  invitation,  "Come  un- 
to me,  all  ye  that  labor  and  are  heavy  laden,  and  I  will  give  you  rest." 

And  this  salvation  of  men,  he  declared  to  be  the  explanation  and 
the  object  of  his  mission,  saying,  "  God  so  loved  the  w^orld,  that  he  gave 
his  only  begotten  Son,  that  whosoever  belie veth  in  him  should  not  perish, 
but  have  everlasting  life."  "  For  God  sent  not  his  Son  into  the  world 
to  condemn  the  world,  but  that  the  world  through  him  might  be  saved." 
"  The  Son  of  man  came,  to  give  his  life  a  ransom  for  many." 

Furthermore,  he  taught  that  his  suffering  and  death  were  necessary 
to  his  work  as  a  Savior.  He  said  to  Nicodemus,  the  Jewish  ruler  w^ho 
came  to  converse  with  him,  "The  Son  of  man  must  be  lifted  up  [cruci- 
fied], that  whosoever  belie  veth  in  him  should  not  perish,  but  have  eternal 
life."  He  referred  to  the  Jewish  Scriptures  as  foretelling  -his  death, 
"  Thus  it  is  written,  and  thus  it  behooved  Christ  to  suffer."  He  called 
himself  "  the  good  shepherd ;"  and  said,  "  I  lay  down  my  life  for  the 
sheep."  In  instituting  the  Lord's  Supper  to  be  observed  as  a  perpetual 
memorial  of  his  death,  he  said  of  the  wine,  "  This  is  my  blood  of  the 
new  testament,  which  is  shed  for  many,  for  the  remission  of  sins." 

Finally,  he  taught  the  doctrines  of  a  resurrection  from  the  dead, 
and  a  future  and  final  judgment  of  all  men,  at  which  judgment  he  him- 
self will  preside,  and  the  awards  of  which  will  be  based  upon  character. 
He  said  "When  the  Son  of  man  shall  come  in  his  glory,  and  all  the 
holy  angels  with  him,  then  shall  he  sit  upon  the  throne  of  his  glory ; 
and  before  him  shall  be  gathered  all  nations."     "  The  Father  hath  given 

57 


882  LIFE    OF  JESUS. 

tlie  Son  authority  to  execute  judgment  fdso,  because  he  is  the  Son  of 
man."  "  Marvel  not  at  this,  for  the  hour  is  coming,  in  which,  all  that 
are  in  the  graves  shall  hear  his  voice,  and  shall  come  forth ;  they  that 
have  done  good,  unto  the  resurrection  of  life ;  and  they  that  have  done 
evil,  unto  the  resurrection  of  damnation"  [condemnation]. 

After  the  death  of  Christ,  his  apostles,  in  obedience  to  his  command, 
went  into  all  lands  proclaiming  his  life  and  teachings,  and  calling  on  men 
to  believe  in  him  as  the  Son  of  God  and  the  Savior  of  men ;  m  which 
service  they  themselves  suffered  persecution ;  and  with  perhaps  one  ex- 
ception, they  suffered  death  also. 

Under  the  guidance  of  the  Holy  Spirit  whose  aid  Christ  had  prom- 
ised them,  to  bring  to  their  remembrance  what  he  had  said  to  them,  they 
wrote  the  Gospels,  which  are  the  record  of  his  life  and  teachings ;  and 
the  Epistles,  which  are  letters  explanatory  of  Christian  doctrines  and 
duties,  written  to  the  churches  which  the  apostles  had  gathered.  To- 
gether, the  Gospels  and  Epistles  constitute  the  New  Testament  of  the 
Christian  Scriptures.  This,  with  the  Old  Testament,  forms  the  Bible, 
which  is  regarded  by  Christians  as  the  only  and  sufficient  rule  of  relig- 
ious faith  and  practice. 


IE"DEX 


Page. 

A  kind  of 4 

A  long  time 442 

A  No.  1 374 

A  sight 289 

A  thousand  of  brick 745 

A  bone  to  pick  with  one, 

to  have '745 

About  to,  to  be 1 

Above  all 433 

Above  or  beyond  all  praise  434 

Above  par 1 

Above  work,  to  be,  or  to  feel     1 

Above-board 1 

Absent-minded    1 

Absquatulate,  to 373 

Abstract  idea 434 

Abstract  of  title  {Law). . .  434 
Abstract  terras,  {or  words,)  434 
Accept  service,  to  (Law). .  663 
Accessary  after  the  fact 

(Law) 434 

Accessary  before  the  fact 

(Law) 434 

Accommodation    bill     or 

note  (Com.) 435 

Accommodation  coach  or 

train 435 

Accord  with,  to 2 

According  to 2 

According  to  all  accounts  435 
According  to  circumstan- 
ces   435 

According  to  custom    or 

usage 435 

According  to    reasonable 

expectation 435 

According  to  rule 436 

Account  current 436 

Acknowledgment  money 

(Eag.) 436 

Acknowledge  the  corn,  to  745 
Acquiesced  in,  (in  a  passive 

sense,) 2 

Acquire  currency,  to 663 

Act  on  (or  from)  principle, 

to 763 


Page. 

Act  of  God  (Law) 436 

Act  up  to,  to 2 

Acting  secretary 436 

Active  capital 437 

Active  commerce 436 

Active  voice  (Gram.)  ....  436 

Adam's  ale 373 

Add  fuel  to  the  flame,  to.       2 

Addicted  to 2 

Adjutant-General 437 

Administer  the  sacrament, 

to    (Eccl.) 763 

Administration   with    the 
will  annexed  (Law)...  437 

Admit  of;  to 663 

Admit  of  exceptions,  to. .       2 

Advance  sheets 437 

Adverse  possession  (Law)  437 

Advise  with,  to 663 

Affiliated  societies 438 

Afford  it,  to 3 

Afore  the  mast 3 

Afraid  of  one's  own  shad- 
ow     287 

After,  to  be 763 

After  all 438 

After  one's  fancy 438 

After  one's  heart,  to  be . .       3 

Again  and  again 438 

Against  the  collar 663 

Against  the  stream 438 

Against  the  time 439 

Age  of  discretion 439 

Age  of  man 3 

Agree  to,  to 3 

Agree  with,  to 3 

A  great  deal 439 

A  great  many 439 

Alas  the  day 440 

Alive  to,  to  be 4 

All  agog 4 

All  along 4 

All  along 440 

Ail-aboard 763 

All  about 440 

All  at  once  (rep.) 4 

All  at  once 440 

All  but 287 


Page. 

All  for  the  best 441 

All  hands 288 

All  in  all,  to  be 4 

All  in  a  pucker 288 

All  in  the  world 4 

All  manner  of 441 

All  manner  of  ways 5 

All  one 288 

All  one's  born  days 373 

All  (in)  one's  eye 373 

All  over 441 

All  over  with  one,  to  be.  288 

All  round  or  around 441 

All  that 441 

All  the  better 663 

All  the  day  long 442 

All  the  fat  being  in  the  fire  288 

All  the  go 374 

All  the  rage,  to  be  (rep.).  5 

All  the  rage,  to  be 664 

All  the  same 5 

All  the  same 288 

All  the  while 442 

All  the  world  over 442 

All  the  year  round 442 

All  told 5 

All  to  smash 374 

Allied  to 441 

Allotment  system  (Eng.)  .  441 

Almighty  dollar 374 

Along  of 664 

Along  with 442 

Along-shore 664 

Along-side  (Naut.) 664 

Alter  one's  course,  to ... .  443 

Amende  honorable 5 

Amicable  action  (Law). . .  443 
Ancillary     administration 

(Law) 444 

And  all 443 

And  also 444 

And  so  forth,  (etc.,  &c.)  . .  6 

Anglo-American 444 

Anglo-Saxon 444 

Animal  kingdom 444 

Animated  nature 444 

Answer  the  bell,  (or  door,) 

to 6 


N.  B.  rep.  standing  after  a  phrase,  signifies  an  undesigned  repetition. 

(883) 


884 

Page. 
Answer  the  purpose,  to . .  6 
Answer  the    purpose,  {or 

demand,)  to  {rep.) 445 

An  ax  to  grind,  to  have. .    145 

Any  one 445 

Any  thing  but 288 

Apart  from 445 

Apiece 6 

Apostohc     vicar      {Rom. 

Oath.  Ghurch) 445 

Apostohc  succession 

{Tiieol.) 445 

Apple  of  discord 6 

Apple-pie  order 289 

Apt  to 763 

Argus-eyed 446 

Armed  at  all  points 44G 

Armed  force 446 

Armed  neutrality 446 

Armed  ship 447 

Armed  to  the  teetli 6 

Armed  with  patience 447 

Arrange  in  a  series,  to . . .   447 
Arrest  of  judgment  {Law)  447 

Arrive  at,  to 664 

Art  and  part  {Law) 447 

Arts  of  design 448 

Articles  of  impeachment,   447 
Artillery  park,  or  park  of 

artillery 448 

Artillery  train 448 

As  far  as 6 

As  follows 764 

As  for 451 

As  good  as 7 

As  good  as  a  play 448 

As  good  as  one's  word ...       7 

As  if 7 

As  ill  luck  would  have  it.    290 

As  is  the  case 449 

As  it  may 449 

As  it  may  chance 449 

As  it  may  happen  {or  turn 

out) 449 

As  it  were 7 

As  like  as  two  peas 290 

As  little  as  may  be 449 

As  luck  would  have  it. . .   374 

As  much 290 

As  much  again 449 

As  much  as  to  say 7 

As  one  man 449 

As  opposite  as  black  and 
white,  {or  as  light  and 

darkness) 450 

As  soon  as 450 

As  sound  as  a  roach 290 

As  such 7 

As  the  case  may  be 450 

As  tlie  crow  flies 7 

As  the  day  is  long 450 

As  the  matter  stands 451 

As  the  sands  on  the  sea- 
shore     451 

As  the  saying  is 451 

As  the  story  goes  {or  runs)  290 

As  the  world  goes 290 

As  thick  as  hops 290 

As  things  are 451 


INDEX. 

Page. 

As  things  go 290 

As  this  is  the  case 451 

As  though 450 

As  to 451 

As  usual 452 

As  well ■ 452 

As  well  as 8 

As  yet 453 

Aside  from 449 

Associated  press 450 

Associated  with,  to  be. . .      17 

At  a  blow 8 

At  a  dead  set,  to  be 8 

At  a  disadvantage,  to  be.       8 

At  a  discount 764 

At  a  loss,  to  be 8 

At  a  low  ebb,  to  be 8 

At  a  pinch 290 

At  a  snail's  pace 453 

At  a  stand,  to  be 9 

At  a  stretch 9 

At  a  venture 9 

At  a  venture 453 

At  all 664 

At  all  events 8 

At  all  hazards  {or  risks). .   453 

At  anchor 8 

At  any  cost 453 

At  any  rate 8 

At  bay 9 

At  best 9 

At  call  {StocM  exchange). .  453 

At  cost 453 

At  cross  purposes,  to  be. .       9 

At  death's  door.. 9 

At  discretion 9 

At  ease 10 

At  every  turn 10 

At  fault,  to  be 10 

At  first,  at  the  first 454 

At  first  hand 291 

At  first  sight 454 

At  grade 10 

At  hand,  near  at  hand. . .     10 

At  heart 10 

At  his  best 11 

At  home 664 

At  home  on,  {or  in,)  any 

subject,  to  be 11 

At  intervals 454 

At  issue 11 

At  its  height 454 

At  large 11 

At  last 11 

At  least,  at  the  least 11 

At  leisure 11 

At  length 11 

At  length 454 

At  liberty 12 

At  loggeiheads,  to  be 291 

At  loose  ends 291 

At  most ;  at  the  most 12 

At  no  period 454 

At  odds 12 

At  one  swoop 454 

At  one's  best,  to  be  {rep.).     12 
At  one's  earliest  conven- 
ience  455 

At  one's  feet 12 


Page. 

At  one's  peril 12 

At  one's  pleasure 455 

At  one's  post,  to  be 12 

At  one's  request 455 

At  one's  service,  to  be. . .  12 
At  one's  wit's  end,  to  be.   664 

At  once 454 

At  peace 13 

At  present 455 

At  random 13 

At  regular  intervals 456 

At  right  angles 456 

At  sea 13 

At  sea 291 

At  short  notice 13 

At  sight,  after  sight,  (pills 

and  notes,) 13 

At  stake ♦. .     13 

At  stated  periods 13 

At  swords'  points,  to  be..  13 
Attending  physician  {or 

surgeon) 455 

At  the  bottom 13 

At  the  breast 455 

At  the  door 455 

At  the  elbow,  to  be 14 

At  the  eleventh  hour 14 

At  the  end  of  one's  rope, 

to  be 291 

At  the  end  of  one's  tether  456 

At  the  first  blush 14 

At  the  front,  to  be 14 

At  the  hand  of 665 

At  the  heels  of,  to  be 14 

At  the  instance  of 665 

At  the  last  gasp 14 

At  the  mercy  Qf,  to  be, . .     14 

At  the  most 764 

At  the  pinch 291 

At  the  point  of  the  bayo- 
net    665 

At  the  point  of  the  sword     15 

At  the  tail  of 15 

At  the  threshold 455 

At  the  top  of  one's  speed.  456 
At  the  top  of  one's  voice,  455 
At  the  top  of  the  scale, .   456 

At  the  worst 457 

At  times 15 

At,  to  be 360 

At  unawares 15 

At  variance 15 

At  will  {Law)  {Mil) 15 

At  work 15 

Athwart  ships  {Naut). .  .  456 
Athwart     the    fore    foot 

{Naut.) 456 

Atmospheric  pressure, , . .   456 
Attraction  of  gravitation,   457 
Avail  one's  self  of  the  op- 
portunity,  to 457 

Average  bond 457 

Awful 374 

B. 

Babies  in  the  eyes 15 

Back  an  anchor,  to 665 

Back  astern,  to  {N'aut). . .   665 


Page. 

Back  a  warrant,  to  {Law)  665 

Back  down,  to 666 

Back  out,  to 292 

Back  out,  (or  down,)  to  . .  374 

Back  the  field,  to 666 

Back  the  oars,  to  {Naut). .  666 

Back  to  back 16 

Back  up,  to 666 

Backbone 16 

Bad 374 

Bad  blood 16 

Bad  e^^,  a 373 

Bad  odor,  to  be  in 16 

Badly  off;   ill  off 764 

Baffling  wind  {Kaut) 458 

Bag  and  baggage 292 

Baker's  dozen,  a  ;  a  long 

dozen 442 

Balance 16 

Balance  of  trade  [Com). .  764 

Ball-and-socket  joint 458 

Balloon  frame  (Carp.)  ...  458 

Ballooning 759 

Bamboozle,  to 375 

Bandy  words,  to 764 

Bang-up 375 

Banging 375 

Bar  (or  barring) 375 

Bar  from,  to 666 

Bargain  and  sale  (Law.). .  458 

Bark  up  the  wrong  tree,  to  745 

Base  on.  to 16 

Batten  down,  to 458 

Battle  ground 458 

Be  good  enougli.     Be  so 

kind,  (or  good,)  as  ....  460 

Bear  (Stock-Ex.) 375 

Bear  a  charmed  life,  to. . .  459 

Bear  a  hand,  to  (Naut).  . .  16 

Bear  a  resemblance  to,  to  16 

Bear  arms  agninst,  to. . . .  17 

Bear  away  the  bell,  to. . .  17 

Bear  date,  to 17 

Bear  down,  to 666 

Bear  down  upon,  to  (Naui)  666 

Bear  false  witness,  to. . . .  765 

Bear  fruit,  to 17 

Bear  in  mind,  to 17 

Bear  in  with,  to  (Naut.) . .  666 

Bear  off,  to 667 

Bear  off,  to  (Naut.) 666 

Bear  one  company,  to ... .  666 

Bear  out,  to ' 667 

Bear  the  bell,  to 375 

Bear  the  brunt  of,  to 17 

Bear  up,  to 17 

Bear  upon,  to 17 

Bear  with,  to 17 

Beast  of  burden 459 

Beat  about,  to 667 

Beat  about  the  bush,  to. .  375 

Beat  a  charge,  to  (Mil). .  18 

Beat  an  alarm,  to  (MI)..  18 

Beat  a  parley,  to   (Mil). .  18 

Beat  a   retreat,  to 18 

Beat  back,  to 667 

Beat  black  and  blue,  to. .  18 

Beat  down,  to 18 

Beat  down,  to 667 


INDEX. 

Pfig-e. 

Beat  (all)  hollow,  to 376 

Beat  into,  to  ... 18 

Beat  into  the  head,  to 292 

Beat  of  drum  (Mil ) 459 

Beat  off,  to 667 

Beat  one  out  of  a  thing,  to  1 8 

Beat  out,  to  be 18 

Beat  out  of  one's  head,  to  19 

Beat  the  Dutch,  to 745 

Beat  tlie  tat-too,  to  (Mil),  19 

Beat  time,  to 19 

Beat  to  arms,  to  (Mil.). . .  19 

Beat  to  a  mummy,  to ... .  376 

Beat  up,  to 667 

Beat  up  and  down,  to 

(Hunting) 668 

Beat  up  for,  to 668 

Beat  up  recruits,  to 292 

Because  of 19 

Become  of,  to 19 

Bed  of  <down,  (or  roses,)  a  433 

Before  long 459 

Before  now Abd 

Before  one's  eyes 459 

Before  one's  time 459 

Before  the  wind  (Naut). .  20 

Beg  leave,  to 459 

Beg  one's  bread,  to 460 

Beg  the  question,  to 20 

Beggar  description,  to  . . .  20 

Behind  one's  back 20 

Behind  the  scenes 20 

Behindhand  in    one's  cir- 
cumstances, to  be 20 

Be,  (or  become,)  in  order, 

to 21 

Be,  (or  keep,)  in  with,  to.  292 

Be  it  so 460 

Bell  the  cat,  to 765 

Belong  to.  to 21 

Below  stairs 460 

Below  the  mark 293 

Bend  forward,  to 460 

Bend  one's  steps,  to 21 

Bend     one's     steps,      (or 

course,)  to  (rep.) 460 

Bend  the  brow,  to 668 

Bend,  (or  apply,)  the  mind 

to,  to 21 

Bent  on,  (or  upon,)  to  be.  21 

Beneath  notice 460 

Be  off 21 

Be  off,  to 293 

Be,  (or  form,)  part  of,  to. .  461 

Be  that  as  it  may 22 

Be  (all)  the  better  for,  to.  16 

Bereft  of  reason 461 

Besetting  sin,  a 433 

Beside  one's  self,  to  be. . .  22 

Beside  the  question  . . .  - .  461 

Best  man 22 

Best  part,  the 461 

Betake  one's  self  to,  to. . .  765 

Betray  the  cloven  foot,  to.  22 

Better  off,  to  be 23 

Between  ourselves,  (or  us,)  23 
Between  Scylla  and  Cha- 

rybdis 23 

Between  two  fires,  to  be.  23 


885 

Tnrre. 

Between  wind  and  water.  6G8 
Between  wind  and  water 

(Naut) 461 

Between  you  and  me,  &c. .  29:5 

Bevel  angle,  a 433 

Beyond  conception 461 

Beyond  control 461 

Beyond,  (or  without,)  dis- 
pute   23 

Beyond  measure 461 

Beyond  one's  depth 23 

Beyond  one's  self. 668 

Beyond  sea  (Law) 668 

Beyond  the  mark 462 

Beyond  the  sea,  (or  seas) .  462 
Bid  adieu,(or  farewell)  to,  to    23 

Bid  feir,  to   24 

Bid  God  speed,  to 462 

Bid  welcome,  to 24 

Bide  one's  time,  to 24 

Bill  of  adventure 462 

Bill  of  costs 462 

Bill  of  credit 462 

Bill  of  entry 462 

Bill  of  exchange  (Com). .  463 

Bill  of  exceptions  (Law)  .  463 

Bill  of  fare 463 

Bill  of  health 463 

Bill  of  lading 463 

Bill  of  mortality 463 

Bill  of  parcels 464 

Bill  of  particulars  (Law).  464 

Bill  of  rights 464 

Bill  of  sight 464 

Bill  of  store 464 

Bind  over,  to  (Law) 668 

Bind  to,  to 668 

Bird  of  ill  omen 465 

Bird  of  passage 465 

Bird's-e3^e  view 24 

Birds  of  a  feather 293 

Bit  by  bit 465 

Bite  the  dust 24 

Bitten,  to  be 376 

Black  and  blue 465 

Black  as  ink 293 

Black  frost 465 

Black  list 465 

Black  sheep,  a 373 

Black  vomit  (Med.) 465 

Blackball,   to 24 

Blackguard 376 

Blackleg 376 

Black-mail 24 

Blank  bar 465 

Blank      deed,     mortgage, 

writ,  &c .". .  466 

Blank  indorsement 466 

Blank  verse 24 

Blarney   (Irish) 376 

Blast 376 

Blaze,  to 376 

Bleed,  to 293 

Bleedmg  heart,  a 433 

BHnd  side 293 

Block 762 

Block  out,  to 668 

Block  the  wheels,  to 25 

Block  up,  to 466 


886 

Page. 

Blood  heat 466 

Blood — qualified  by  up . . .  294 

Blow  a  hurricane,  to 746 

Blow  away,  to 609 

Blow  down,  to 669 

Blow  great  guns,  to 294 

Blow  hot  and  cold,  to, . .  .  25 

Blow  off,  to 669 

Blow  one  up  sky-high,  to.  376 

Blow  out,  to 669 

Blow  over,  to 25 

Blow  up,  to 25 

Blow  up,  to 294 

Blow  up,  to 669 

Blow  upon,  to 669 

Blues 377 

Blue-devils 377 

Blue-nose 377 

Blue-stocking 294 

Bluff,  to — usually  with  oflf  377 

Blunt  the  edge  of,  to 25 

Blurt  out,  to .' 669 

Board  of  health 466 

Boast  of,  to 669 

Boat  the  oars,  to 765 

Body  politic 466 

Bog-trotter 377 

Bogus 377 

Boliemian,    a 377 

Boil  away,  to 669 

Boil  over,  to 669 

Bold  stroke,  a 433 

Bonanza 377 

Bonded  goods 467 

Bone  of  contention,  a 1 

Boniface 378 

Border  upon,  to 467 

Bored  to  death 294 

Borrowed  plumes 467 

Bosh 378 

Boss 378 

Both    the    one    and    the 

other 467 

Bother 294 

Bottle-holder 378 

Bottomless  pit 467 

Bound  back,  to 467 

Bound  for;  bound  to....  25 

Bound  hand  and  foot. . . .  467 

Bound  in  honor 467 

Bound  up  in,  to  be 25 

Box  the  compass,  to 26 

Box  up,  to 26 

Brace  about,  to  (iVaw^) .. .  26 

Brace  in,  to  {Naut.) 26 

Brace  sharp,  to  {Naut). . .  26 

Brace  up,  to  {Naut) 26 

Branch  off,  to 26 

Branch  out,  to   670 

Bran-new 295 

Brass 295 

Bread-basket 378 

Break,  to 26 

Break  a  house,  to,  {Law).  670 

Break  a  jest,  to 670 

Break  a  path,  a  road,  or 

the  like,  to 670 

Break  away,  to 670 

Break  bulk,  to 670 


INDEX. 

Page. 

Break  cover,  to 67 1 

Break  down,  to 26 

Break  forth,  to 671 

Break  ground,  to 26 

Break  in,  to 27 

Break  in  upon,  to 27 

Break  into,  to 671 

Break  jail,  to 671 

Break  joints,  to 671 

Break  loose,  to 27 

Break  of,  to 27 

Break  of  day 27 

Break  off,  to 27 

Break  one's  mind,  to 671 

Break  one's  spirit,  to....  468 

Break  one's  word,  to 67 1 

Break  open,  to 671 

Break  out,  to. 671 

Break  out,  to 27 

Break  over,  to 27 

Break  sheer,  to  {Naut). . .   671 

Break  short  off,  to 28 

Break  silence,  to 28 

Break  the  back,  to 672 

Break  the  heart,  to 672 

Break  the  ice.  to 28 

Break  the  journey,  to. . , .   672 

Break  the  ranks,  to 2ft 

Break  the  thread,  to 28 

Break  through,  to 672 

Break  through  the  clouds, 

to : 28 

Break  up,  to 28 

Break   up   house-keeping, 

to 29 

Break  upon  a  wheel,  to. .   672 

Break  with,  to 29 

Breakers  ahead 467 

Breast  up  a  hedge,  to. . . .   673 

Breath  of  air 29 

Breath  of  life 29 

Breathe  one's  last,  to. . . .  468 
Breathe  one's  last,  to  {rep.)  673 

Bred  in  the  bone 29 

Breed  in  and  in,  to 29 

Brick 378 

Brick  in  the  hat  {Amer.)..   378 

Bridge  over,  to 29 

Bridle  up,  to 29 

Bring  about,  to . . .' 29 

Bring  an  action,  {or  a  suit,) 

against,  to    765 

Bring  back,  to 673 

Bring  down,  to 673 

Bring    down    the    whole 

house,   to 30 

Bring  forth,  to 30 

Bring  forward,  to 673 

Bring  home,  to 30 

Bring  in,  to 30 

Bring  in  a  verdict,  to  ... .   765 

Bring  into  court,  to 30 

Bring  into  order,  to 30 

Bring  off,  to 673 

Bring  on,  to 30 

Bring  one's  self  to,  to. . .     30 

Bring  out,  to 673 

Bring  over,  to 30 

Bring  round,  to 378 


Page. 

Bring  suit,  to  {Law) 31 

Bring  to,  to 31 

Bring  to  an  end,  {or  close,) 

to. , 31 

Bring  to  bear,  to 31 

Bring  to  book,  to    673 

Bring  to  light,  to 31 

Bring  to  notice,  to 32 

Bring  to  pass,  to   32 

Bring  to  terms,  to 32 

Bring  to  the  gangway,  to 

{Naut)... 673 

Bring  to  the  hammer,  to. .     32 

Bring  to  trial,  to 765 

Bring  together,  to 31 

Bring  under,  to 674 

Bring  up,   to 32 

Bring  up,  to  {intrans.)  . . .   295 

Bring  up  the  rear,  to 674 

Bring  word,  to 32 

Bristle  up,  to 32 

Broach  to,  to  {Naut.) 674 

Broach  a  subject,  to 468 

Broad  as  it  is  long 295 

Broad  daylight 468 

Broad  mirth 33 

Broad  nonsense 33 

Broken  fortunes 468 

Broken  heart,  a 434 

Broken  reed 33 

Bronze  Age 468 

Brood  over,   to 674 

Brought   down    into    the 

dust,  to  be 33 

Brought  to  bed,  to  be 33 

Brush  up,  to 295 

Buckle  on  one's  armor,  to     33 

Buckle  to,  to. 296 

Budge,  to 378 

Build  up,  to 33 

Bull  {Stock-Ex.) 378 

Bully 379 

Bulldose,  (or  Bulldoze,)  to   379 

Bummer 379 

Bumptious. . . ,  ^ 379 

Buncombe,  (or  bunkum,).   379 

Bung  up,  to 379 

Buoyed  up,  to  be,  &"C. . . .      19 
Burden  of  proof  {Law). .     33 

Burial   service 468 

Buried,  {or  sunk,)  in  obliv- 
ion    468 

Burn   daylight,  to 33 

Burn  one's  fingers,  to ... .     34 
Burn,  {or  hang,)  in  effigy,  to  765 

Burn  out,  to 674 

Burn  the  candle  at  both 

ends,   to 296 

Burn  to  a  cinder,  to 468 

Burn  up,  to 674 

Burnt  out  of  house  and 

home,  to  be 674 

Burst  forth,  to 4G8 

Burst  out,  to 34 

Bury  the  hatchet,  to 34 

Bus 379 

Business-walks 34 

Buster 380 

Buster,  in  for  a 380 


Page. 

But  just 469 

Button  ear  {in  dogs) 469 

Button-hole,  to 296 

Buy  a  pig  in  a  poke,  to . .     34 

Buy,  (or  sell,)  flat,  to 761 

Buy  in,  to 675 

Buy  in,  to 758 

Buy  off,  to 

Buy  on  credit,  to 675 

Buy  one's  time,  to 675 

Buy  out,  to 675 

Buy  the  refusal,  to 675 

Buy  up,  to 676 

Buyer,  {or  seller,)  3,  10,  30, 

60,  90 757 

Buyer's  option 756 

By 469 

By 469 

By  a  lonor  chalk 746 

By  accident 469 

By  all  means 469 

By  all  odds.  By  long  odds  296 

By  and  by 34 

By  any  means 469 

By  common  consent 676 

By  degrees 469. 

By  dint  of 34 

By  express 766 

By  far 34 

By  tits  and  snatches.     By 

fits  and    starts 296 

By  good  rights 34 

By  hand 34 

By  heart 34 

By  hook  or  by  crook. ...     35 

By  inches 35 

By  itself 470 

By-law 470 

By  main  force 35 

By  means    of 766 

By  might  and  main 35 

By  no  means;  by  no  man- 
ner of  means 35 

By  one's  self,  to  be 35 

By  order 470 

By  profession 35 

By  rail 470 

By  reason  of 470 

By  rote .-.. .   676 

By  rule 35 

By  slow  degrees 470 

By  snatches 470 

By  stealth 470 

By  the  bye;  by  the  way.     35 

By  tiie  ears 36 

By  the  job 676 

By  the  lee  {liaut.) 766 

By  the  pound,  yard,  doz- 
en, etc 471 

By  the  run  {Naut.) 676 

By  the  side  of 471 

By  the    sweat    of   one's 

brow 766 

By  this 36 

By  trade 36 

By  turns 36 

By  virtue  of 36 

By  way  of 36 

By  what  mode 47 1 


INDEX. 

Page. 

By  wholesale 37 

By  word  of  mouth 37 

C. 

Caboodle 380 

Cad 380 

Cadet  Engineer 47 1 

Cadet  Midshipman 47 1 

Calculated  to,  {or  for,)  to  be  47 1 

Call 760 

Call  a  bond,  to 472 

Call  attention  to,  to 472 

Call  a  spade  a  spade,  to. .  297 
Call  away,  {or  off,)  the  at- 
tention, to 676 

Call  back,  to 676 

Call  for,  to 37 

Call  forth,  to 676 

Call  heaven  to  witness,  to  472 

Call  in,  to 37 

Call  in  question 37 

Call  loan 759 

Call  names,  to 37 

Call  of  the  house  {Legisla- 

tive  bodies) 38 

Call  off,  to 38 

Call  on,  {or  upon,)  to  ... .  38 

Call  out,  to 38 

Call  over,  to 38 

Call  to  account,  to 38 

Call  to  mind,  to 677 

Call  to  order,  to 39 

Call  to  remembrance,  to. .  677 

Call  the  roll,  to 38 

Call  up,  to 39 

Calumet  of  peace 472 

Can  but 39 

Can  not  but 39 

Canned  goods 472 

Canvassing  agent 472 

Capillary  attraction 472 

Capital  crime 39 

Capital  letter  {Print) 472 

Carbonic    acid,    or   choke 

damp  {Chem.) 473 

Cardinal  points 473 

Care  nothing  about,  to. . .  39 

Carpet-bagger 380 

Carried  away 380 

Carry  all  before  one,  to. . .  40 

C  irry  away,  to  {Naui). . .  677 
Carry  coals  to  Newcastle, 

to 40 

Carry  conviction,  to 677 

Carry  into  execution,  to. .  40 

Carry  it,  to 677 

Carry  matters  with  a  high 

hand,  to 40 

Carry  off,  to 677 

Carry  on,  to. 297 

Carry  on,  to 677 

Carry  out,  to 677 

Carry  over,  to 40 

Carry  sail,  to 40 

Carry  stock,  to 761 

Carry  the  day,  to 40 

Carry  the  wind,  to  (ifan.).  766 

Carry  through,  to 678 


887 

Page. 

Carry  too  far,  to 40 

Carrying  trade 473 

Case 380 

Case  in  point,  a 473 

Case  stated,  (or  agreed  on,)  473 
Cash  balance  {Book-keeping)  473 
Cash,  {in  broker^s  language,)  756 

Cash  price 473 

Cash  sales 473 

Cast  about  for,  to 40 

Cast  anchor,  to 474 

Cast  a  slur  upon,  to 678 

Cast  a  sheep's  eye,  to ... .  41 

Cast  aside,  to 41 

Cast  away,  to  {Naut.) 678 

Cast  down,  to 678 

Cast  eyes  upon,  to 297 

Cast  forth,  to 41 

Cast  in  a  different  mold,  to 

be 41 

Cast  in  one's  lot  with,  to.  41 

Cast  in  the  same  mold. . .  474 

Cast  in  the  teeth,  to 41 

Cast,  {or  throw,)  into  pris- 
on, to  474 

Cast  into  the  shade,  to. . .  41 

Cast  lots,  to 673 

Cast  of  the  eye 474 

Cast  off,  to 679 

Cast  off  trammels,  to 42. 

Cast  on,  to 679' 

Cast  one's  self  on,  to  ... .  679' 

Cast  out,  to 679* 

Cast  up,  to 42. 

Cast  young,  to 679 

Castles  in  the  air 41 

Catch  a  crab,  to  {Boating 

cant) 380 

Catch  a  glimpse  of,  to. . .  42' 

Catch  a  Tartar,  to .    297 

Catch  a  weasel  asleep,  to.  380 

Catch  at,  to 679- 

Catch  one  napping,  to  . . .  42. 

Catch  sight  of,  to 42 

Catch  the  ear,  to 42 

Catch  the  eye,  to 42; 

Catch  the  idea,  to 679 

Catch  the  point,  to 42; 

Catch  up,  to 297 

Catch  up,  to 680- 

Catchpenny 297 

Catch  with  chaff,  to 297 

Cat-of-nine-tails 474 

Cental  system 474 

Center  in,  to 474 

Certified  check 475 

Centrifugal  force  {Math.). .  474 

Centripetal  force  {Math.)  .  474 

Cessation  of  arras  {Mil.). .  475 

Chaff,  to 381 

Chalk  out,  to 42 

Challenge   the    array,    to 

{Law) 680 

Chamber  of  commerce...  475 
Chance  of  survivorship.  . .  475 
Chancellor  of  the  excheq- 
uer    475 

Change  hands,  to 43 

Change  one's  quarters,  to.  475 


888 

Page. 

Chap 381 

Chapter  of  accidents 476 

Chattels  {Law). 476 

Chatter-box 298 

Cheap  as  dirt 398 

Cheap  John 381 

Cheek 381 

Cheek  by  jowl 43 

Cheese,  the 381 

Cheese  it,  to 381 

Child  of  fortune 476 

Chime  in  with,  to 43 

Chink 381 

Chips 381 

Chip  of  the  old  block 298 

Chisel,  to 381 

Choke  off.  to 382 

Choker 382 

Choose  sides,  to 43 

Chop  logic,  to 680 

Chops  (or  Cliaps,)  the 382 

Christian  name 43 

Chronic  disease 476 

Chunk 298 

Cliunky 298 

Church  session  ( Presbyte- 
rian)  476 

Church  triumphant 476 

Circle 476 

Circulating   medium.-...,   477 
Circumstantial  evidence 

(Law) 477 

Cite  a  case,  to 477 

Civil  action,  (or  suit)  (Zaw)  477 

Civil  authorities 477 

Civil  law .'.   478 

Civil  list  {Great  Britain 

,    and  U.  S.) 478 

Civil  power 478 

Civil  war 478 

Civil  year 478 

Claim  relationship  with,  to     43 

Clap  hold  of,  to 680 

Clap  on,  to 680 

Clap  together,  to 382 

Claret  (Pugilistic)   382 

Classical  tripos  examina- 
tion f  Cambridge  Univer- 
sity,   England) 478 

Claw  off,  to  {Mut.) 680 

Clean  hands   43 

Clean  out,to 382 

Clear  as  crystal 43 

Clear  as  day  ( or  as  noon- 
day)     478 

Clear  as  noon-day 298 

Clear  a  ship  at  the  custom- 
house,  to 43 

Clear  a  ship  for  action,  to.     44 

Clear  awav,  to 766 

Clearof. .' 479 

Clear  off  {or  away,)  to  . .    680 

Clear  out,  to 298 

Clear  the  laud,  to  {Naut) .     44 

Clear  the  track,  to 746 

Clear  up,  to 44 

Clear  up,  to 650 

Cleft-grafting 479 

Chnch  an  argument 479 


INDEX. 

Page. 

Clinical  lecture  (^/ed) 476 

Clip  the  wings  of,  to 44 

Clique 762 

Close  at  hand 479 

Close  breeding 479 

Close  in  upon,  to 44 

Close  out.  to 382 

Close  over,  to 766 

Close  quarters 44 

Close  to 479 

Close  to  the  wind  (iVaw^.).  44 

Close  upon 479 

Close  with,  to 44 

Closeted  with,  to  be 681 

Cloth  measure 479 

Coasting  trade 479 

Coasting  vessels 480 

Cock  and  bull  story 44 

Cock  of  the  roost 299 

Cock  of  the  walk 298 

Cockney 383 

Cocksure 383 

Cohesive  attraction 480 

Coin  money,  to 299 

Cold  as  a  stone 299 

Collar  any  one,  to 681 

Collateral    security 480 

Collaterals 758 

Collect  one's  thoughts,  to.  45 

Color-piece 480 

Come  about,  to 45 

Come  across,  to 45 

Come  across  the  mind,  to.  299 

Come  after,  to 681 

Come  at,  to 681 

Come  away,  to 681 

Come  between,  to 45 

Come  by,  to 45 

Come  down,  to 383 

Come  forth,  to   480 

Come  forward,  to 480 

Come  home,  to 45 

Come  in,  to 681 

Come,  {or  go )  in  at  one 
ear  and  go  out  at  the 

other,  to 299 

Come  in   for,  to 682 

Come  in  its  turn,  to 45 

Come  in  sight,  to 480 

Come  into,  to 681 

Come  into  collision,  to. . .  480 
Come  in,  {or  into,)  play,  to  299 
Come  into  play,  {or  opera- 
tion,) to 45 

Come  into  possession,  to. .  681 

Come  into  the  head,  to. . .  300 

Come  it  strong,  to 383 

Come  near,  to 682 

Come  of,  to  .... ; 46 

Come  off,  to 300 

Come  off,  to 46 

Come  off,  to 300 

Come  on,  to 46 

Come  out,  to 682 

Come  over,  to 739 

Come  round,,  to 46 

Come  round,  to 682 

Come,  (or  get,)  round,  to.  300 

Come  short,  to 46 


Page. 

Come  to,  to 46 

Come  to,  to 300 

Come  to  a  crisis,  lo 46 

Come  to  a  head,  to 46 

Come  to  a  stand-still,  to, .     47 

Come  to  an  end,  to 47 

Come  to   an   understand- 
ing, to 480 

Come  to  an  understand- 
ing, to  {rep.) 682 

Come  to  an  untimely  end,  to  47 

Come  to  blows,  to 47 

Come  to  grief,  to 383 

Come  to  hand,  to 47 

Come  to  life,  to 47 

Come  to  light,  to 682 

Come  to  naught,  to 47 

Come  to  one's  knowledge,  to  682 

Come  to  pass,  to 47 

Come  to  terms,  to 47 

Come  to  the  ears  of,  to, , .  688 
Come  to  the  front,  to. , . .  47 
Come  to  the  gallows,  to. .   481 

Come  to  the  point,  to 48 

Come  to  the  rescue,  to,  . ,  481 
Come  to  the  same  thing,  to  48 
'Come  under  the  head  of,  to     48 

Come  up  to,  to 48 

Come  up  to  the  chalk,  to,  746 
Come  up  to  the  scratch,  to  300 

Come  up  with,  to 48 

Come  upon,  to 633 

Come  upon    the    parish, 

town,  &c  ,  to 48 

Come  upon  the  stage,  to. .     48 

Commanding  view 48 

Commercial  note-paper  , .  481 

Commercial  world 481 

Commissioned  ofiBcer(i/i7.)  481 
Committee   on  ways   and 

means 481 

Commit  a  bill  {Legislation)  683 
Commit  to  memory,  to, . ,  683 
Commit  to  the  hands  of;  to  481 
Common  carrier  (Zaz^). . .   481 

Common  consent 482 

Common  law 482 

Common  pleas 482 

Common  prayer 482 

Common  school 482 

Common  sense 482 

Common  time  {Mil.) 483 

Commune  with  one's  own 

heart,  to 49 

Compare  riotes,  to 49 

Complimentary  ticket,  con- 
cert, dinner,  ball,  &c, ,.   483 

Composed  of,  to  be 20 

Composed  of,  to  be 766 

Component   part 483 

Compound  interest 483 

Compounding     a     felony 

{Law) 683 

Condemned   out  of. one's 

own   mouth 483 

Condition,  to   483 

Conditions  of  sale ." 484 

Confidential     communica- 
tion.;     484 


Paire. 

Conflicting  evidence 484 

Confusion  worse  confound- 
ed    300 

Congressional  district. . . .  484 

Conjure  up,  to 683 

Connive  at,  to 49 

Conscious  of,  to  be 49 

Conservative  party  (Eng.)  484 

Consist  in,  to 49 

Consist  of,  to 49 

Consistently  with 484 

Consul-general 484 

Consulting  physician  (Med.)  484 
Contents  of  the  larder,  the  485 

Contingent   use 485 

Contraband  of  war 485 

Contrary  to  all  expecta- 
tion  485 

Conversions 762 

Convertible  terras 485 

C;)nvulse  with  laughter,  to  485 

Cook  one's  goose,  to 383 

Cook  up,  to 301 

Cool  as  a  cucumber 299 

Cool  off,  to 485 

Cool  one's  heels,  to 383 

Co-operative  store 486 

Cope  with,  to 49 

Copperliead  (.47n^r.) 383 

Corned 384 

Corner 757 

Corresponding  month. . . .  486 

Cotton,  to 384 

Cotton-lord 486 

Council  of  war 486 

Count  for  any  thing,  to. . .     49 

Count  in,  to 50 

Count  noses,  to 745 

Count  on,  (or  upon),  to  . .     50 

Count  out,  to 50 

Count  upon,  (or  on),  to, . .   684 

Course  of  events 486 

Course  of  things 486 

Court  of  record  (Law)  ...   487 

Courts  of  admiralty 487 

Cousins  german 487 

Cove  {o7-  covey) 384 

Cover  into,   to 50 

Cover,  (or  cover  one's  shorts,) 

to 758 

Crack 301 

Crack  of  doom,  tiie 301 

Cracked  up 301 

Cram,  to 384 

Crazy  bone 487 

Cream  of  the  jest  (or  story)  487 
Cream  of  the  joke,  the. . .     50 

Creature  comforts 487 

Criminal  action  (or  suit) 

(Law) 487 

Crocodile  tears 50 

Crony 301 

Crop  out,  to 50 

Cross  as  two  sticks 739 

Cro!33  examination  (Law).     51 

Crossed  in  love 684 

Crowd  sail,  to 51 

Crowned  with  success. . .  487 
Crush  out,  to 51 


INDEX. 

Page. 
Cry  at  the  top  of  the  voice, 

to '51 

Cry  down,  to 684 

Cry  out,  to 684 

Cry  out  against,  to 684 

Cry  to,  to 684 

Cry  up,  to 684 

Crv"Wolf,"  to 488 

Cry  "Wolf,"  to 766 

Crying  shame ;  burning 

shame 51 

Cudgel  one's  brains,  to  . .  301 

Culminating  point 488 

Curb-stone  broker 488 

Curbstone  brokers 762 

Current  of  events 488 

Curry  favor,  to 51 

Curry  favor  with,  to 384 

Curse  by  bell,  book,  and 

candle,  to 767 

Cursive  hand 51 

Custom  of  merchants. . . .  488 

Custom-house  broker. , . .  488 

Customs  general 488 

Customs  particular 488 

Cut  across,  to. , . .  685 

Cut  a  dash,  to 746 

Cut  a  dido,  to 384 

Cut  a  feather,  to 684 

Cut  a  figure,  (or  a  dash),  to  52. 

Cut  a  passage  througli,  to.  489 

Cut  a  swath,  to 746 

Cut  and  come  again 685 

Cut-and-dried 301 

Cut  and  run,  to 384 

Cut  capers,  to 52 

Cut  down,  to 52 

Cut  in,  (07-  into,)  to 685 

Cut  of  the  jib 384 

Cut  off,  to 52 

Cut  one's  acquaintance,  to  52 
Cut  one's  coat  according  to 

the  cloth,  to 301 

Cut  one's  eye  teeth,  to. . .  301 

Cut  one's  eye  teeth,  to  have  385 

Cut  out,  to' 52 

Cut  out  work  for,  to 301 

Cut  recitation  (or  prayers), 

to  ( College  cant) 385 

Cut  short,  to 52 

Cut  stick,  to 385 

Cut  the  knot,  to 489 

Cut  the  teeth,  to 53 

Cut,  (or  sting,)  to  the 

quick,  to 685 

Cut  under,  to 53 

Cut  up,  to 385 

Cut  up,  to 385 

Cut  up,  to 53 

D. 

Dam  out,  to 685 

"  Damn  with  faint  praise," 

to 489 

Dance  attendance,  to  ... .  53 

Dangle  about,  (or  after,)  to  685 

Dark  as  a  pocket 489 

Dark  as  midnight 489 


889 

Png-e. 

Dark  as  pitch 4'89 

Dark  horse 385 

Dark  lantern 489 

Dash  forward,  to 53 

Dash  off,  to    302 

Davy  Jones's  locker 302 

Day  after  day 489 

Day  after  the  fair,  a 287 

Days  of  grace  {Mercantile 

Law) 54 

Dead  against 746 

Dead-beat,    a 336 

Dead-broke 747 

Dead-head 386 

Dead  language 54 

Dead  letter 54 

Dead  level 685 

Dead-lift 767 

Dead  lock,  a 2 

Deadlock 685 

Dead-reckoning   (Naut.)..  490 

Dead  shot,  a 437 

Deadly  (or  mortal,)  sins 

(Bom.  Caih.  Church)...  490 
Death  staring  one  in  the 

face 55 

Deaf  as  a  post 302 

Deal  by,  to 54 

Deal  in,  to 54 

Deal  out,  to 54 

Deal  with 55 

Dear  me 55 

Death-blow , 55 

Debt  of  honor 490 

Debt  of  record 490 

Declare  one's  self^  to 686 

Declaration   of  Independ- 
ence (Amer.  Hist.) 490 

Decoration  day 491 

Delirium  tremens 491 

Deliver  up  (or  over),  to. . .  686 

Delivery  (good) 758 

Demand  notes 491 

Democratic   party 491 

Demurrer  to  evidence 

(Laiv) 491 

Depend  upon,  to 55 

Depend  upon  it 491 

Depress  the  pole,  to 686 

Deprive  of,  to 55 

Descend  to  particulars, to.  492 

Deuce 386 

Devil's  tattoo 302 

Diametrically  opposed  . . .  492 

Dickens,  the 386 

Die  a  natural  death,  to. . .  55 

Die  out,  (or  away),  to 55 

Differences 757 

Dig 386 

Dig  up  the  hatchet,  to  . . .  56 

Diggings 386 

Dime  novel 492 

Diplomatic  body  or  corps.  492 

Direct  tax 492 

Discharge  an  oflQce,  to. . . .  56 

Dish,  to 386 

Dismount  cannon,  to  (Mil.)  686 

Dispense  with,  to 686 

Dispose  of^  to 56 


890 

Pape. 

Disposed  to 686 

Distant  relation,  a 492 

Do 56 

Do,  to 387 

Do  away  with,  to 56 

Do  brown,  to 387 

Do  by,  to 56 

Do  credit  to,  to 767 

Do  duty,  to 686 

Do  for,  to 387 

Do  honor,  to 687 

Do  honor  to,  to 767 

Do  justice  to,  {or  do  one 

justice),  to 57 

Do  justice  to,  to 302 

Do  no  good,  to 57 

Do  one  a  good  turn,  to. . .  57 
Do  one,  {or  one's  self,) 

credit,    to 67 

Do  one  good,  to 687 

Do  one's  best,  to 687 

Do  one's  bidding,  to 493 

Do  one's  diligence,  to ; 
give  diligence,  to ;  use 

diligence,  to 687 

Do  one's  heart  good,  to. .  493 

Do  over,  to 687 

Do  {or  say)  over  again,  to  687 

Do  the  business,  to 387 

Do  the  honors,  to 57 

Do  things  by  halves,  to. .  302 

Do  up,  to 57 

Do  up,  to 303 

Do  well,  to 58 

Do  well,  to 58 

Do  without,  to 687 

Do  wonders,  to 303 

Dodge 387 

Dog  in  the  manger 57 

Dog-cheap;   dirt-cheap...  387 

Dolly  shop 492 

Dominical  letter 492 

Donation  party 493 

Done  brown 387 

Done  over  {or  up),  to  be. .  387 

Don't  you  see 302 

Dote  upon,  to 687 

Douse,  to 387 

Down  grade 58 

Down  in  the  mouth 303 

Down  on  one's  marrow- 
bones    388 

Down  the  wind 58 

Down  with  the  dust 388 

Down  with  the  helm 

{Naut ) 688 

Draconian  laws 493 

Drag  its  slow  length  along, 

to 493 

Drain  the  cup,  to 493 

Draw  a  bill  upon  one,  to.  58 

Draw  a  cover,  to 688 

Draw  a  line,  to   493 

Draw,  {or  shoot,)  a  long 

bow,  to 58 

Draw  a  parallel,  to 58 

Draw  an  inference,  {or  a 

conclusion),  to 58 

Draw  attention,  to 58 


INDEX. 

Page. 

Draw  back,  to 59 

Draw  cuts,  to 59 

Draw  in,  to 688 

Draw  in  one's  horns,  to. .  59 

Draw  interest,  to 59 

Draw  it  mild,  to 388 

Draw  lots,  to 688 

Draw  near,  to 59 

Draw  near,  to 688 

Draw  off,  to 494 

Draw  on,  to  {Com.) 688 

Draw  out,  to 59 

Draw  over  to 688 

Draw  up,  to 59 

Drawn  battle,  a 3 

Drawn  game  {or  battle)  . .  59 

Dream  away,  out,  &c.,  to.  683 

Dregs  of  the  population. .  60 

Dress  circle 494 

Dress  up,  to 388 

Dress  up,  {or  out),  to 688 

Drink  hard,  to 689 

Drink  in,  to 60 

Drink  off,  to 689 

Drink  (to)  the  health  of,  to  60 

Drink  up,  to 60 

Drive  a  good  bargain,  to .  303 

Drive  a  hard  bargain,  to. .  303 

Drive  at,  to 60 

Drive  away  {or  off),  to  , . .  689 
Drive  feathers  {or  down),  to  689 

Drive  out,  to 60 

Drive  to  the  wall,  to 60 

Drop  a  hint,  to 61 

Drop  astern,  to  {Naui). . .  61 

Drop  down,  to  {Naut) 61 

Drop  in,  to 303 

Drop  in  the  bucket,  a 61 

Drop  off,  to 388 

Drop  the  curtain,  to 61 

Drown  care,  to 689 

Drug  in  the  market 61 

Drum  Major 494 

Dry  as  a  bone 303 

Drj'  goods  {Com) 61 

Dry  up,  to 62 

Dry  up,  to 388 

Ducks  and  drakes,  to  make, 

to  play  at  {with  property)  303 

Due  to 62 

Dumb  creatures 494 

During  good  behavior ....  62 

During  pleasure 62 

Dwell  upon,  to 62 

E. 

Each  other 494 

p]ase  a  ship,  to  {Naut). . .  689 

Base  off  {or  away),  to 689 

Easy  of  belief 62 

Eat  dirt,  to 304 

Eat  humb'ie  pie,  to 63 

Eat  of,  to 494 

Eat  one's  words,  to 63 

Eat  out,  to 689 

Eat  the  bread  of  idleness, 

to 304 

Edge  along,  to 63 


Paffe. 

Eke  out,  to 63 

Elbow-grease 389 

Elbow  out,  to 63      I 

Electoral  college 494 

Electors-at-large  (U.  S.)..  494 

Electrical  attraction 495 

p]levated  railroad 495 

Elevation  of  the  host  {Rom. 

Oath.  Church) 495 

Ember  days  {Bom.   Caih. 

Church) 495 

Employ  one's  self,  to 689 

Empty  one's  glass,  to ... .  495 

End  for  end • 63 

End  in  smoke,  to 304 

Ends  of  the  earth 63 

Ends  of  the  earth  {rep.).. .  495 

End  to  end 63 

Engage  in  conversation,  to  495 

Elnjoy  one's  self,  to 690 

Enlarged  views 496 

Enough  and  to  spare 496 

Entangled  with,  to  be 64 

Enter  a  profession,  to 64 

Enter  into,  to 64 

l<]nter  into  one's  views,  to.  64 

Enter  into  particulars,  to  .  767 

Enter  on,  {or  upon.)  to.  . ,  64 

Enter  one's  head,  to 304 

Enter  the  lists,  to 64 

Epidemic  disease 496 

Equity  of  redemption 

{Law) 496 

Ere  long 496 

Ere  now 496 

Escape  the  lips,  to 496 

Espouse  the  cause,  to. . . .  496 

Essential  part,  the 497 

Estate  in  expectancy 

{Law) 497 

Estate  in  severalty  (iaw) .  497 

Estate  in  tail 497 

Even  now 497 

Even  so 497 

Even  tenor 497 

Ever  and  anon 65 

Ever  recurring 497 

Ever  since 498 

Every  inch 304 

p]very  now  and  then 304 

Every  one 498 

Every  other 65 

Examination  paper 498 

Excepting;  with  the  ex- 
ception of 65 

Exchequer  bills  {Eng)  ...  498 

Exclusive  of 65 

Executive  committee  ....  498 

Executive  council 498 

F]xempt  from 498 

Exert  one's  self,  to 690 

Exhibit  a  foundation  {or 

prize),  to  {Eng.  schools).  65 

Ex-parte 65 

Ex-parte  hearing  {or  evi- 
dence) {Law)  {rep) 499 

Expectation  of  life 66 

Exposed  to 499 

Exposed  to  view 66 


Pa^e. 

p]x  post  facto  law 499 

Express  train 499 

Expurgatory  index 499 

Extending  to 499 

Extenuating  circumstan- 
ces    499 

External  taxes 500 

Extreme  unction  {Rom. 

Cath.  Church) 500 

P. 

Face  about,  to. 500 

Face  it  out,  to 147 

Face  the  music^  to 747 

Face  to  face 500 

Facial  angle 500 

Fahrenheit's  thermometer  500 

Failing  sight 500 

Fair.and  square 304 

Fair  chance 501 

Fair  field  and  no  favor,  a.  438 

Fair  name 66 

Fair  play 66 

Fair  question 501 

Fall  aboard,  to  {Naut.)  ...  690 

Fall  among,  to 690 

Fall  astern,  to  (Naut.)  ...  66 

Fall  away,  to 66 

Fall  back,  to 67 

Fall  back  on,  to 67 

Fall  calm,  to 690 

Fall  dead,  to 501 

Fall  foul  of,  to 304 

Fall  in,  to 67 

Fall  in  love,  to 67 

Fall  in  with,  to 67 

Fall  into  decay,  to 501 

Fall  into  the  ranks,  to  . . .  67 

Fall  oflf;  to 68 

Fall  off,  to 690 

Fall  on,  to 68 

Fall  out,  to 68 

Fall  out,  to 690 

Fall  short,  to 68 

Fall  still-born,  to 68 

Fall  through,  to 68 

Fall  to,  to 69 

Fall  to  one's  lot,  to 69 

Fall  to  the  ground,  to 69 

Fall  under,  to 69 

Fall  under  one's  notice,  to  69 

Fall  upon,  to 69 

Fall  within,  to 69 

False  imprisonment  (Law)  501 

False  light 70 

False  pretenses 70 

Family  connection 501 

Family  tie 501 

Fancy  fair 501 

Fancy  goods 501 

Fancy  stocks 501 

Fancy  store 502 

Far  advanced  in  life  (w  in 

years) 502 

Far  and  near 502 

Far  and  wide 70 

Far  and  wide  (rep) 502 

Far  away 502 


INDEX. 

Pag-e. 

Far  be  it  from  me 502 

Far  from,  (or  off) 691 

Far  from  it 502 

Far  off;  afar  off 502 

Far-fetched 70 

Farewell  audience 502 

Fast 389 

Fasten  itself  on  the  mind, 

to 70 

Father  upon,  to   70 

Fat  of  the  land 70 

Fat  office,  a   373 

Fat  work  (Print) 389 

Fearful  (or  fearfully) 389 

Feast  of  reason  and  flow 

of  soul 502 

Feather  in  one's  cap 71 

Feather  one's  nest,  to. . . .  71 

Feel,  (or  look,)  blue,  to  . .  305 

Feel  cheap,  to 389 

Feel  of,  to 691 

Feel,  (or  grope,)  one's  way, 

to 71 

Feel  the  pulse  of,  to 739 

Fee  simple  (Law) 767 

Fellow-feeling 503 

Ferret  out,  to 71 

Ferry  over,  to    71 

Fetch  one's  breath,  to  ...  71 

Fetch  the  pump,  to i  691 

Fetch  up,  to 691 

Few  and  far  between 503 

Fib 305 

Fiddle,  to 389 

Fiddler's  money 389 

Fiddlesticks! 305 

Field  of  view — Field  of 

vision 71 

Fight  it  out,  to 72 

Fight  one's  battles  over 

again,  to 72 

Figlit  one's  way,  to 72 

Fight  shy  of,  to 389 

Fight  the  tiger,  to 390 

Figure 390 

File 390 

File  a  bill,  petition,  or 

claim,  to "767 

Fill  in,  to 691 

Fill  out,  to 72 

Fill  the  ranks,  to 768 

Fill  up,  to 72 

Fill  up  time,  to 72 

Find  a  clew  ,  (or  clue),  to, 

to 503 

Find  a  market,  to 503 

Find  fault  with,  to 72 

Find  favor  in  the  eyes,  to.  73 

Find  it  in  one's  heart,  to  .  73 

Find  one  in,  to 691 

Find  one's  account,  to  . . .  691 

Find  one's  self,  to 73 

Find  one's  way,  to 73 

Find  out,  to 691 

Fish  out  of  water,  a 305 

Fine  arts 503 

Finishing  stroke 503 

Fire-proof 503 

Fire  up,  to. 73 


891 

Page. 

Firm  as  a  rock 73 

First  and  foremost 504 

First  of  all 504 

First  or  last 74 

Fiscal  (or  financial)  year. .  504 

Fish  for  compliments,  to  .  305 

Fish  up,  to 390 

Fit  out,  to 74 

Fit  up,  to 74 

Fix 390 

Fix,  to 390 

Fix  on,  to 691 

Fizzle,  a 390 

Fizzle,  (out.)  to 390 

Flabbergasted 391 

Flag  of  truce  (Mil.) 504 

Flare  up,  to 305 

Flare  up,  to  (rep.) 692 

Flash 391 

Flash  in  the  pan,  a 287 

Flash  on  the  mind,  to. . . .  74 

Flat-footed  (Amei-.) 306 

Flatter  one's  self,  to 74 

Flaw  in  an  argument ....  504 

Flea  in  the  ear 74 

Fleece,  to 75 

Flesh  and  blood 75 

Flight  of  fancy 75 

Flight  of  stairs ;  pair  of 

stairs 504 

Flight  of  time,  the 504 

Fling  away,  to 692 

Fling  down,  to 692 

Fling  in,  to 75 

Fling  open,  to 692 

Fling  up,  to 75 

Flipper 391 

Flood  of  light 75 

Flourish  of  trumpets  ....  75 

Flowing  periods 504 

Flunk,  to  (College  cant)  . .  391 

Flush  deck 504 

Fly  at,  to 692 

Flyback,  to 505 

Fly  in  the  face  of,  to 76 

Fly  into  a  passion,  to. . . .  76 

Fly  low,  to 747 

Fly  off,  to 692 

Fly  off  at  a  tangent,  to  . .  739 

Fly  off  the  handle,  tOv . . .  391 

Fly  open,  to 692 

Fly  out,  to 76 

Fly  out,  to   692 

Fly  the  kite,  to  (Stock  Ex- 
change)   306 

FJyer 762 

Flying  colors,  to  come  off 

with 76 

Foist  upon,  to 76 

Follow  in  the  footsteps,  to  77 

Follow  suit,  to 76 

Follow  the  dictates  of,  to.  505 

Follow  the  multitude,  to  .  505 

Follow  up,  to 693 

Fool  away,  to 76 

Fool  to  the  top  of  one's 

bent,  to 306 

Foot  a  bill,  to 306 

Foot  it,  to 306 


892 

Page. 

For  a  dead  certainty 391 

For  a  song,  {or  a  mere 

song) 306 

For  all  that 17 

For  all  the  world 77 

For  an  age;  this  age  ....  306 

For  as  much  as 77 

For  a  time,  {or  season). . .  505 
For  aught,  {or  any  thing), 

one  knows 77 

For  aye    77 

For  certain 306 

For  effect 693 

For  example 506 

For  good ;  for  good  and  all  77 

For  instance 506 

For  love  of  money  .......  507 

For  many  a  long  day  ....  507 

For  my  part  . .'. 78 

For  shame! 507 

For  shortness'  sake 507 

For  the  better 507 

For  the  most  part 507 

For  the  nonce 507 

For  the  purpose  of 508 

For  the  sake  of 508 

For  the  time  being 508 

For  the  worse 507 

Foraging  party 505 

Force,  to,  with  a  following 

adverb,  as  along,  away, 

from,  into,  through,  out, 

&c 693 

Forced  march,  a 505 

Fore  and  aft 505 

Forcing  quotations 759 

Foreclose  a  mortgager,  to 

(Laio) 693 

Foregone  conclusion 506 

Forestall  the  market,  to. .  693 

Foreign  attachment  {Law)  505 

Foreign  bill  of  exchange.  506 

Foreign  plea  {Law)   506 

Foreign  to  the  purpose  . .  506 

Forever  and  a  day 306 

Forever  and  ever 506 

Fork  out,  {or  over),  to  . . .  391 

Form  an  estimate,  to 77 

Form  an  opinion,  to 78 

Former  times 507 

Fourth  estate 307 

Fowl  of  the  air 508 

Fox  and  geese 508 

Fractional  currency 508 

Frame  house  {Carp.) 508 

Free  agency 509 

Free  and  easy 739 

Free  from 509 

Free  list 509 

Free  port 509 

Free  wind  {N'aut.) 509 

Fresh  breeze 78 

Freshman  class 510 

Fret  one's  gizzard,  to ... .  747 

Friend  at  court,  a 694 

Friend  in  need,  a 438 

Frightened  out  of  one's 

wits 307 

Frightened  to  death 307 


INDEX. 

Page. 

Fritter  away,  to 78 

From  age  to  age 510 

From  among 510 

From  bed  and  board 

{Laiv) 78 

From  beginning  to  end  . .  510 

From  first  to  last 510 

From  hand  to  hand 510 

From  head  to  foot 78 

From  pillar  to  post 307 

From  stem  to  stern 510 

From  the  bottom  of  one's 

heart 510 

From  the  first;  from  the 

beginning 510 

From  this  time 511 

Fudge 391 

Fugitive  compositions  ...  79 

Full  many  a  time 79 

Fullness  of  the  heart  ....  511 

Full-tilt 307 

Funeral  rite,  {or  ceremo- 
ny.)   511 

Future  existence 51 1 

Future  state 511 

G. 

Gad  about,  to 694 

Gag-law 511 

Gain  a  footing,  to 79 

Gain  ground,  to 79 

Gain  over,  to 694 

Gain  the  day,  to 79 

Gain  the  wind  {Xaut.)  ...  694 

Gain  upon,  to 79 

Gain,  {or  grow),  upon  one, 

to 75 

Gala  day 511 

Gall  and  wormwood 511 

Gallivanting 392 

Galore  {only  used  in  some 
parts  of  England  and  by 

sailors) 392 

Game 392 

Game  at  which  two  can 

plav,  a 287 

Game' leg 392 

Game  of  chance 512 

Game  to  the  backbone. . .  307 

Gammon 392 

Gathered  to  his  people,  to 

be 79 

General,  to  be 80 

General  agent 512 

General  average 512 

General  orders 512 

Gent 392 

Gentle  slope,  a 439 

Get  a  footing,  to 694 

Get  a  mile,  {or  other  dis- 
tance), to 694 

Get  a  set-down,  to 308 

Get  a  sight  of,  to 80 

Get  ahead,  to 80 

Get  along,  to 80 

Get  among,  to 80 

Get  asleep,  to 80 

Get  at,  to 80 


Page, 

Get,  {or  arrive,)  at  the 

truth,  to 80 

Get  away,  to 694 

Get  back,  to 80 

Get  before,  to 695 

Get  behind,  to 81 

Get  better,  to 81 

Get  between,  to 695 

Get  by  heart,  to 695 

Get  clear,  to 81 

Get  down,  to 81 

Get  drunk,  to 695 

Get  for  one's  pains,  to  . . .     81 

Get  forward,  to 695 

Get  home,  to 81 

Get  in  the  harvest,  to. . . .     81 

Get  into  a  row,  to 739 

Get  into  hot  water,  to  . .  .   308 

Get  loose,  to 81 

Get  low,  to •   81 

Get  off,  to 82 

Get  on,  to 82 

Get  on,  {or  go  on),  swim- 
mingly, to 392 

Get  one's  back  up,  to  . . .  308 
Get  one's  dander  up,  to  . .  392 
Get  one's  dander  up,  to  . .   747 

Get  out,  to 695 

Get  over,  to 308 

Get  over,  to 695 

Get  over  the  ground,  to. .     82 

Get  quit  of,  to 82 

Get  ready,  to 82 

Get  rid  of,  to 82 

Get  rotmd,  to 392 

Get  the  better  of,  to 83 

Get  Ihe  hang  of,  to 308 

Get  the  start,  to 83 

Get  the  upper  hand,  to  . .  695 
Get  the  worst  of  it,  to  . , .     83 

Get  through,  to 83 

Get  to,  to.' 83 

Get  together,  to 83 

Get  up.  to 83 

Get  wind,  to 84 

Get  3'ou  gone !  Get  away  I     84 

Gibberish 392 

Gift  of  the  gab 393 

Gild,  {or  sugar,)  the  pill,  to  308 

Gills 393 

Give,  {or  make),  a  call,  to     84 

Give  a  death-blow,  to 84 

Give  a  false  coloring,  to. .     84 

Give  a  guess,  to 308 

Give  a  handle,  to 695 

Give  a  hearing,  to 84 

Give  ahft,  to 309 

G  i ve  a  loose  to  the  fancy,  to    84 

Give  a  party,  to 768 

Give  a  person  his  own,  to  739 
Give  a  rap  on  the  knuck- 
les, to 74 

Give  a  Rowland  for  an  Ol- 
iver   696 

Give  a  thing,  {or  person), 

a  trial,  to 512 

Give  a  thought  to,  to 85 

Give,  {or  lend),  an  ear,  to.  84 
Give  an  entertainment,  to.     85 


Page. 
Give  an  inkling  of,  to.    . .   512 

Give  and  take  512 

Give  away,  to 85 

Give  away,  to 696 

Give  back,  to 696 

Give  battle,  to 696 

Give  birth  to,  to 85 

Give  chapter  and  verse,  to     85 

Give  chase,  to 85 

Give  countenance  to,  to. .     85 

Give  credit,  to 85 

Give  credit  to,  to 86 

Give  currency  to,  to 696 

Give  ear,  to 86 

Give  effect  to,  to 696 

Give  exit  to,  to 86 

Give  hard  measure 86 

Give  heed  to,  to 86 

Give  in,  to 86 

Give  in,  to 309 

Give  in  charge,  {or  custo- 
dy,) to 768 

Give  in  to,  to 696 

Give  it  to,  to 393 

Give  judgment  for,  [or 

against,)  to  {Law) 86 

Give  leg-bail,  to 309 

Give  loose  to,  to 740 

Give  me  leave  to  say  ....  513 
Give  one  a  black  eye,  to. .  393 
Give  one  a  dressing,  to  . .  748 
Give  one  a  good,  {or  bad,) 

character,  to 87 

Give  one  Jessie,  to 393 

Give  one  the  lie,  to 87 

Give  one  the  slip,  to 87 

Give  one  to  understand,  to  309 
Give  one's  self  no  concern, 

to 87 

Give  one's  self  up  to 87 

Give  over,  to 88 

Give  over,  to 697 

Give  out,  to   87 

Give  out,  to 697 

Give  place,  to  c 88 

Give  play,  to 88 

Give  possession,  to 768 

Give  quarter,  to  {Mil.)  ...     88 

Give  rise  to,  to 88 

Give  strength,  to 88 

Give,  {or  turn),  the  cold 

shoulder,  to 88 

Give  the  cut  direct,  to  . . .     89 

Give  the  go-by  to,  to 89 

Give  the  head  to,  to 89 

Give  the  last  finish,  to. . .     89 

Give  the  lie  to,  to 89 

Give  the  mitten  to,  to. . . .   309 

Give  the  refusal,  to 89 

Give  the  reins  to,  to. . . . .   697 
Give  the  reins  to  the  imag- 
ination, to 89 

Give  up,  to 89 

Give  up,  to  {rep.) 697 

Give  up  the  ghost,  to 90 

Give  vent  to,  to 90 

Give  warning,  to 90 

Give  way,  io{Naut.) 697 

Give  way,  to 90 


INDEX. 

Page. 

Given  to,  to  be 87 

Glim 393 

Glory  in,  to 768 

Glut  the  market,  to 90 

Go 309 

Go 393 

Go,  to 90 

Go  a  begging,  to 513 

Go  about,  to 90 

Go  against,  to 91 

Go  against  the  grain,  to. .  91 

Go  against  the  stomach,  to  768 

Go  ahead,  to 309 

Go  ahead,  to 697 

Go  all  lengths,  to 309 

Go  along  I  Go  about  your 

business  I 91 

Go  along  with,  to 91 

Go  astray,  to 513 

Go  astern,  to  {Naut.) 697 

Go  at,  to 697 

Go,  {or  get,)  away,  to  ... .  91 

Go,  {or  come,)  back,  to. . .  513 

Go  back  on,  to 393 

Go  beyond,  to 91 

Go  by,  to 91 

Go  by,  to 697 

Go  by  the  board,  to 92 

Go  by  the  board,  to     310 

Go  by  the  name  of,  to  . . .  92 

Go  down,  to 394 

Go  ftir,  to 92 

Go  farther  and  fare  worse, 

to 310 

Go  for,  to 394 

Go  for,  to 697 

Go  for  nothing,  to 92 

Go  halves,  to 310 

Go  hard  with,  to 92 

Go  heels  over  head,  to. . .  310 

Go  in,  to 740 

Go  in  for,  to 394 

Go  into,  to 698 

Go  into  operation,  to  ... .  92 

Go  it  blind,  to 748 

Go,  {or  sail),  large,  to 

{Naut.) 698 

Go,  {or  come),  near  to,  to.  92 

Go  off,  to ■  93 

Go  on,  to 698 

Go  on  a  fool's  errand,  to  .  310 
Go  on  all  fours,  to  {Rheto- 
ric)    93 

Go  {or  get),  on  board,  to.  93 

Go  one's  way,  to 93 

Go  out,  to 698 

Go  out  of  one's  way,  to. .  514 

Go  over,  to 94 

Go  shares,  to 94 

Go  snacks,  to 311 

Go  the  round,  to 94 

Go  the  rounds 94 

Go  the  way  of  all  flesh, 

to 95 

Go  the  way  of  all  the  earth, 

to 95 

Go  the  whole  figure,  to  . ,  748 

Go  the  whole- hog,  to. . . .  394 

Go  the  whole  length,  to. .  311 


893 

Page. 

Go  through,  to 95 

Go  through  one,  to 748 

Go  through  the  mill,  to  . .  748 

Go  to  bed,  to 5 14 

Go  to  grass 394 

Go  to  law,  to 95 

Go  to  pot ;  go  to  the  dogs, 

to 311 

Go  to  rack,  to 311 

Go  to  school,  to 95 

Goto  the  bad,  to 748 

Go  to  the  dogs,  to 95 

Go  to  the  wall,  to 698 

Go  to  work,  to 698 

Go  to  wreck,  to 95 

Go  under,  to 95 

Go  up,  to 394 

Go  upon,  to 698 

Go  with  the  stream,  to. . .  96 

Go  without  saying,  to  . , .  96 

Go  wrong,  to 96 

Goings  on 740 

God  bless  you 513 

God  forbid 513 

Golden  age 513 

Golden  mean,  the 93 

Good  breeding 513 

Good  cheer 93 

Good  consideration  {Law)  513 

Good  for  nothing 93 

Good  graces 93 

Good  hand  at 310 

Good  hit,  a 439 

Good  nature 514 

Good  ofiices 514 

Good  round  sum,  a 287 

Good  Samaritan 514 

Good  turn,  a 3 

Good  turn 93 

Good  will 514 

Good  word 93 

Gordian  knot 94 

Government  board 755 

Grace  of  God 514 

Graduating  class 515. 

Graduation  exercises  ....  514 

Grains  of  allowance 515 

Grand  days  {Eng.  Law)  . .  515 

Grand  jury  {Law) 515 

Grand  vizier 515 

Grapple  with  a  question, 

to 515 

Grasp  of  intellect 515 

Grate  upon  the  ear,  to  . . .  96 

Grease  the  palm,  to 394 

Greaser 395 

Great  catch,  a 287 

Great  go 395 

Great  gun 395 

Great  seal 516 

Great  seal 763 

Great  way  off,  a 439 

Greek  church  {Ecc.  Hist).  516 

Green  old  age 311 

Green-eyed  monster 96 

Greenhorn 395 

Gregorian  calendar 516 

Gregorian  year 516 

Grit  {Amer.) 311 


894 

Page. 

Grocer's  itch 516 

Gross  weight 516 

Grow  out  of,  to 698 

Grow  together,  to 699 

Grow  up,  to 96 

Grown  up 516 

Grub 395 

Guiding  star 96 

Gulp  down,  to 516 

Gumption 31] 

H. 

Had  as  lief. 97 

Hail-fellow  well  met 312 

Hair's  breadth,  a 439 

Half  seas  over 395 

Half  the  battle 517 

Hammer  and  tongs 312 

Hammer  at,  to 748 

Hand  and  glove 97 

Hand  down,  to 97 

Hand  in  hand 97 

Hand  in  hand  with,  to  be, 

{or  to  go), 97 

Hand  over,  to 395 

Hand  over  hand 769 

Hand  to  hand 97 

Handle 395 

Handle  without  mittens, 

to 312 

Hands  oflf 97 

Handwriting  on  the  wall,   517 

Hang  around,  to 749 

Hang  back,  to 699 

Hang  by  a  thread,  to 312 

Hang  fire,  to 97 

Hang  on 97 

Hang  on  the  lips,  words, 

etc 98 

Hang  out,  to 395 

Hang  out  the  red  flag,  to,  699 
Hang  out  the  white  flag,  to    98 

Hang  over,  to 699 

Hang  round,  to 396 

Hang  the  flag  at  half  mast, 

to 517 

Hang  together,  to 98 

Hang  together,  to 312 

Happen  in,  to 740 

Happen  on,  to 699 

Happen  what  may 98 

Harbor  vindictive  feelings, 

to 517 

Hard  heart 517 

Hard  knock,  a 439 

Hard  lines 396 

Hard  money 98 

Hard  of  hearing 740 

Hard  pan  ( Com.) 396 

Hard  up 312 

Hard  upon,  to  be 98 

Hard  water 99 

Hardly  any 517 

Hardly  ever 517 

Hardness  of  heart 98 

Harp  on  the  same  string, 

to 99 

Hatch  out,  to 699 


INDEX. 

Page 
Haul  over  the  coals,  to. . .  312 
Haul  over  the  coals,  to 

{rep.) 740 

Have  a  b;pe  in  the  head, 

{or  bonnet),  to 99 

Have  a  brush  with,  to  . . .     99 

Have  a  care,  to 699 

Have  a  drop  too  much,  to  313 
Have  a  finger  in  the  pie,  to  313 

Have  a  fling  at,  to 313 

Have  a  good  start  in  life, 

to 99 

Have  a  great  mind  to,  to. .   313 

Have  a  hand  in,  to 99 

Have  a  long  head,  to 749 

Have  a  mind  to,  to 313 

Have  a  run.  to 100 

Have  a  set-to,  to 314 

Have,  {or  get,)  a  shot  at,  to  313 
Have  a  thing  done,  to  . . .    1 00 

Have  a  turn  for,  to 517 

Have  a  voice  in,  to 769 

Have  a  will  of  one's  own, 

to 314 

Have  about  one,  to 99 

Have  an  end  in  view,  to  .   100 

Have  an  eye  for,  to 100 

Have  an  eye  to,  to 100 

Have  an  eye  to  the  main 

chance,  to 313 

Have  an  eye  upon,  to  . . .   100 

Have  at  heart,  to 699 

Have  at  the  finger's  ends, 

to 101 

Have  at  the  tongue's  end, 

to 314 

Have  at  vantage,  to 101 

Have  concern,  to 101 

Have  dealings  with,  to.. .   101 

Have  designs  on,  to 101 

Have  done  with,  to 101 

Have  full  swing,  to 101 

Have  full  swing,  to  {rep.).  769 
Have  had,  {or  seen),  its 

day,  to 104 

Have  hard  measure,  to. . .   102 

Have  high  words,  to 102 

Have  in  contemplation,  to  700 

Have  in  hand,  to 102 

Have  in  prospect,  to 102 

Have  in  the  heart,  to 102 

Have  in  view,  to 102 

Have  influence  with,  to  . .   102 

Have  no  business,  to 314 

Have  no  businsss  there,  to  314 
Have  no  ear  for  music,  to    102 

Have  no  idea  of^  to 518 

Have  not  a  leg  to  stand 

on,  to 314 

Have  occasion  for,  to 518 

Have  on,  to  102 

Have  on  the  brain,  to 

{Law.) 314 

Have  one  foot  in  the  grave, 

to 104 

Have  one's  doubts,  to. . . .  740 
Have  one's  eyes  open,  to.  314 
Have  one's  hands  full,  to.  700 
Have  one's  bands  full,  to.  769  | 


Page. 

Have  one's  own  way,  to..   103 

Have  one's  will,  to 103 

Have  (all)  one's  wits  about 

one,  to 740 

Have  other  fish  to  fry,  to    315 

Have  place,  to 769 

Have  recourse  to,  to 769 

Have  seen  better  days,  to  103 
Have  seen  the  elephant,  to  396 
Have  the  advantage,  to. .   103 

Have  the  blues,  to 315 

Have  the  floor,  to 103 

Have  the  goodness,  {or 

kindness), 518 

Have  the  hands  tied,  to. .  103 
Have  the  last  word,  to. . .  518 
Have,  {or  get),  the  start,  to  104 
Have  the  worst  of  it,  to. .   104 

Have  to,  to 315 

Have  to  do  with,  to 518 

Have  to  do  with,  to 700 

Have  too  high  an  opinion 

of;  to 518 

Have  two  strings  to  one's 

bow,  to 315 

Have  words  with,  to 769 

Hazard  a  conjecture,  to  . .  740 
He  that  runs  may  read. . .   519 

Head-and-ears 315 

Head  and  shoulders 104 

Head  down,  to 700 

Head  off,  to 700 

Head  or  tail 518 

Heal  the  breach,  to 104 

Heap 396 

Heap  up,  to 104 

Hear  a  cause,  to 769 

Hear  say,  to 315 

Heart  and  soul 741 

Heart  in  the  mouth 105 

Heart  in  the  right  place. .   105 

Heart  of  stone,  a 439 

Hearty  as  a  buck 316 

Hearty  eater,  a 763 

Heat  lightning 518 

Heat  up,  to 700 

Heave  a  ship  to.  {Naut). .  105 
Heave  a  ship  ahead,  to, 

{Naut.) 105 

Heave  in  sight,  to 106 

Heave  up,  to 316 

Heave  up,  to 700 

Heavy,  {or  severe),  afflic- 
tion, a 440 

Heavy  fire 105 

Heavy  heart,  a 440 

Hedge  a  bet,  to 700 

Hedge  up,  to 701 

Heft 316 

Heir  apparent  {Law) 519 

Helm  the  midships,  {or 

right  the  helm),  {Naut).   701 

Help  forward,  to 701 

Help  on,  to 701 

Help  one's  self  to,  to. . . .   519 

Help  out,  to 701 

Help  over  to 701 

Help  to,  to 701 

Help  up,  to 701 


Page. 

Helter-skelter 316 

Hera  about,  around,  or  in, 

to 701 

Here  and  there 105 

Here  to-day  and  gone  to- 
morrow   519 

Hermetically  sealed 169 

Hide,  to 396 

Hide-and-seek 519 

Hide  its  diminished  head, 

to 316 

Hide  one's  self,  to 702 

Hide  under  a  bushel,  {or 

in  a  napkin),  to 519 

Higj^ledy-piggledy 396 

High  and  dry 106 

High  and  dry  {rep.) 316 

High  jinks 396 

High  jinks 794 

High  living 106 

High  pressure 519 

High  seas   106 

High  steam,  {or  high  press-- 

ure  steam)   519 

High  time 106 

High  up 316 

Highfaluten 396 

Hinge  on,  {or  upon,)  to  . .  702 

Hint  at,  to 702 

His  holiness  {Rom.  Caih. 

Church) 519 

Hit  off,  to 702 

Hit  on,  {or  upon,)  to 106 

Hit  the  mark,  to 106 

Hit  the  nail,  to, 106 

Hit  the  nail  on  the  head, 

to 702 

Hither  and  thither 520 

Hobnob,  to 316 

Hobson's  choice 317 

Hocus-pocus 397 

Hoist  with  his  own  petard  520 

Hold  a  candle  to,  to 317 

Hold,  {or  keep),  at  arm's 

length,  to 520 

Hold  cheap,  to 106 

Hold  forth,  to 107 

Hold  good,  to 107 

Hold  in,  to 107 

Hold  in,  to 702 

Hold  in  pledge,  to 107 

Hold  in  solution,  to 520 

Hold  off,  to 702 

!        Hold  on,  to 107 

I        Hold  on,  to 397 

Hold  one's  nose  to  the 

grindstone,  to 749 

Hold  one's  own,  to 702 

Hold  one's  peace,  to 107 

Hold  one's  self  in  readi- 
ness, to 108 

Hold  out,  to 108 

Hold  over,  to 108 

Hold  the  market,  to 761 

Hold  the  tongue,  to 108 

Hold  to,  to 108 

Hold  together,  to 520 

Hold  together,  to 703 

Hold  up,  to 108 


INDEX. 

Page. 

Hold  up,  to 703 

Hold  water,  to 317 

Hold  with,  to 703 

Holy  war 520 

Homicide  by  misadven- 
ture {Law) 500 

Honor  a  bill,  to 108 

Honor  bright 317 

Honors  of  war  {Mil.) 108 

Uoodlnms  {Pacific  coa^t)  . .  397 

Hook,  to 397 

Hoosier  {Amer.) 397 

Hop 317 

Horn 397 

Horn  of  the  dilemma 521 

Horse  and  foot 521 

Hot  as  pepper 521 

House  of  correction 521 

House  of  Lords 521 

Household  stuff 521 

How  comes  it 317 

How  comes  it  about? . . . .  317 

How  is  that  for  high?  . . .  749 

Huddle  together,  to 521 

Hue  and  cry  {Law) 703 

Hug  one's  self,  to 749 

Hug  the  shore,  to  {Naut).  703 

Hull  down 109 

Humbug,  to 397 

Husband  one's  resources, 

to 109 

Hypothecate,  to 760 

I. 

I  dare  say 317 

I'll  engage 317 

I  myself 522 

I  tell  you  what 124 

I  would  just  as  soon  as 

not 320 

If  the  worst  comes  to  the 

worst 1 09 

111  turn 109 

Impediment  in  speech  ...  522 

Impose  on,  to 703 

Impregnate  with,  to 109 

In  a  bad  way 318 

In  a  blaze 109 

In  a  body 522 

In  a  box 318 

In  a  fair  way 110 

In  a  few  words 522 

In  a  glow,  to  be 522 

In  a  greater  degree 522 

In  a  high  degree 522 

In  a  line 522 

In  a  manner 770 

In  a  marked  degree 110 

In  a  melting  mood 523 

In  a  moment 523 

In  a  pickle,  to  be 318 

In  a  round-about  way  ...  318 

In  a  row 524 

In  a  second 524 

In  a  short  time 524 

In  a  small  compass 110 

In  a  small  degree 524 

In  a  state  of  nature 110 


895 

Page. 

n  a  stew 318 

n  a  trice 524 

n  a  word 110 

n  addition  to 522 

n  advance 110 

n  all  ages 522 

n  all  directions 523 

n  all  manner  of  ways  . ..  523 
n  all  probability,  {or  like- 
lihood),     110 

n  all  respects 523 

n  alliance  with 523 

n  an  evil  hour 523 

n  an  instant 523 

n  an  unguarded  moment    524 

n  anticipation 524 

n  arrears 524 

n  at  the  death,  to  be 21 

n  ballast,  to  be 704 

n  bass  relief,  {or  low  re- 
lief), {Sculp.) Ill 

n  battle  array Ill 

n,  {or  on,)  behalf  of  ... .    Ill 

n  black  and  white Ill 

n  blank  {Law) 704 

n  bold  relief Ill 

n  bond 525 

n  broad,  {or  open),  day- 
light    525 

n  bulk 525 

n  case Ill 

n  chief Ill 

n  cold  blood Ill 

n  common 704 

n  common  parlance 525 

n  company  with 525 

n  compliance  with 526 

n  concert 112 

n  conclusion 526 

n  conformity  to,  (or  with),  526 

n  connection  with 526 

n  (all)  conscience 112 

n  consequence  of 112 

n  consideration  of 526 

n  contact 526 

n  contemplation,  to  be, 

{or  have), 770 

n  contempt  of 527 

n  countenance 112 

n  course  of  time 527 

n  deference  to 527 

n  defiance  of 527 

n  defiance  of  (rep.) 770 

u  demand 112 

n,  (or  on),  deposit 112 

n  detail 527 

n  dispute 528 

n  driblets 528 

n  duty  bound,  to  be 770 

n  earnest 113 

n  embryo 113 

n  every  one's  mouth. ...  318 
n  every  quarter,  in  all 

quarters 113 

n  every  respect 528 

n  existence,  to  be 113 

nfact;  in  point  of  fact. .  529 

n  fashion 529 

n  favor  of 113 


896 


INDEX. 


Page. 

n  favor  with 113 

u  fine 113 

n  fine  feather 114 

u  for  a  thing,  to  be 397 

n  for  it,  to  be 318 

n  force 704 

n  front  of 529 

n  full  blast 318 

n  full  cry 529 

n  full  feather 114 

Q  full  uniform 529 

n  full  view 529 

u  future 529 

n  garrison  {Mil.) 529 

n  general 114 

n  good  case 114 

n  good  earnest 319 

n  good  part 114 

n  good  time 319 

n  hand 114 

n  harmony  with 530 

n  hiding 114 

n  high  feather 114 

n  high  relief  {Sculp,  and 

Arch.) 115 

n  hot  haste 530 

n  hot  water,  to  be 319 

n  issue 115 

n  its  proper  place 530 

n  jest 115 

n  joke 530 

n  justice  to 530 

n  keeping  with 115 

n  kind 115 

n  leading  strings,  to  be. .  115 

n  league,  to  be 115 

n  less  than  no  time 319 

n  lieu  of 525 

n  hmbo 397 

n  lots 116 

n  luck,  to  be 116 

n  motion 530 

n  name 116 

n  no  degree 531 

n  no  respect 531 

n  no  time 319 

n  no  way 531 

n  no  wise 654 

n  obedience  to 531 

n  one 770 

n  one's  books,  to  be 116 

n  one's  cups,  to  be 319 

n  one's  element 116 

n  one's  employ 770 

n,  (or  into),  one's  hands.  770 

u  one's  power 770 

n  one's  power,  to  be,  {or 

to  lie), 531 

n  one's  right  mind 531 

n  one's  sober  senses 319 

n  one's  teens •. 531 

n  order 116 

n  order 531 

n  ordinary 116 

n  other  words 532 

n  part 532 

n  particular 532 

a  partnership 770 

In  pawn ;  at  pawn 532 


Page. 

n  place,  (or  room),  of 532 

n  plain  English 532 

n  plain  terms,  words,  or 

language 770 

n  person 117 

u  point  of 532 

n  possession  of 533 

n  possession  of  the  house, 
to  be  ;  {Legislative  Ass. 

Eng.\ 117 

n,  {or  into,)  power. .....   533 

n  presence  of 533 

n  print 533 

n  process  of  time 117 

n  profusion 533 

n  proportion 117 

n  prospect 117 

n  public 117 

n  pursuance  of 117 

n  quest  of 533 

u  question 118 

n  quick  succession 533 

n  quiet 533 

u  reason 534 

n  regard  to 534 

n  relation  to 534 

n  request 118 

n  reserve 534 

n  respect  to,  {or  of,) 771 

n  round  numbers 118 

n  sackcloth  and  ashes. ..  534 

n  search  of 534 

n  season 534 

n  secret 118 

n  session 118 

n  seven  league  boots  ...   741 

n  sheets 534 

n  short 118 

n  sight  of 118 

n  sober  earnest 319 

n  some  degree 535 

n  some  measure 535 

n  some  such  way 535 

n  special 118 

n  spite  of 119 

n  spite  of  one's  teeth  . . .   741 

n  sport 119 

n  store 119 

n  strict  confidence 535 

n  succession 536 

n  such  a  case,  {or  contin- 
gency)     536 

n  sunder 119 

n  suspense 536 

n  that  light 536 

n  the  absence  of 536 

n  the  abstract 537 

n  the  arms  of  Morpheus.   319 

n  the  background 537 

n  the  background 771 

n  the  bosom  of 119 

n  the  bud 119 

n,  {or  under),  the  circum- 
stances   537 

n  the  course  of 537 

n  the  dark 119 

n  the  dumps 320 

n  the  event  of 120 

n  the  extreme 120 


Page. 

In  the  eyes  of 120 

In  the  eye  of  the  law  ....  537 

In  the  face  of 704 

In  the  face  of  day 120 

In  the  face  of  the  world  ,    120 

In  the  first  place 537 

In  the  fullness  of  time. . .  537 
In  the  good  graces  of,  to 

be 704 

In  the  grain 120 

In  the  gross 120 

In  the  hands  of 704 

In  the  height  of  fashion  ..  537 
In  the  humor;  in  the  mood  121 

In  the  interest  of 537 

In  the  land  of  the  living..  538 

In  the  long  run 121 

In  the  lump 121 

In  the  main    538 

In  the  main  {rep.) 771 

In  the  mean  time 538 

In  the  middle 538 

In  the  midst  of 538 

In  the  name  of 538 

In  the  nick  of  time 538 

In  the  open  air 538 

In  the  opinion  of 539 

In  the  order  of  things 539 

In  the  ordinary  course  of 

things 539 

In  (the)  place  of 121 

In  the  rough 771 

In  the  same  boat 320 

In  the  same  breath 539 

In  the  second  place 539 

In  the  suds,  to  be 320 

In  the  teeth  of 121 

In  the  thick  of 121 

In  the  third  place 539 

In  the  train  of 771 

In  the  vein 122 

In  the  wake  of 539 

In  the  way 122 

In  the  wind,  to  be 320 

In  the  wind's  eye  {Naut) .  541 
In  the  wind's  eye  {Naut.) 

{rep.) 771 

In  the  wrong,  to  be 122 

In  the  wrong  box 320 

In  time 122 

In  token  of 540 

In  truth 122 

In  turn 123 

In  two 540 

In  unison 540 

In  use 123 

In  vain 123 

In  various  ways 540 

In  view 123 

In  view  of 540 

In  virtue  of 123 

In  vogue 123 

Inasmuch  as 524 

Incident  to 525 

Income  tax 525 

Inconsistent  with 526 

Index  finger 527 

Indian  club 527 

Indian  file 112 


Page. 

Indian  summer 527 

Indirect  tax 527 

Indorse  in  blank,  to  ....  528 

Inductive  method 528 

Indulge  in,  to 705 

Industrial  exhibition 528 

Inexpressibles 397 

Inform  against,  to 705 

Inlying  pickets 530 

Inner  man 530 

Inorganic  matter 531 

In-patient 532 

Inquire  into,  to 533 

Inside  out 534 

Insist  on  {or  upon),  to. . . .  705 

Into  the  bargain 122 

Insolvent  law 535 

Inspector-General  {Mil), .  535 

Institute  a  comparison,  to.  535 

Insurance  policy 536 

Intelligence  {or  employ- 
ment) office 536 

Internal  policy 536 

Interview,  to 393 

Invest  money,  to 771 

Iron  rule 540 

Irons  in  the  fire 123 

Is  to  be 123 

Isothermal  line 540 

It  being  no  object 320 

It  is  not  to  be  (imagined, 

thought,  believed,  &c.).  124 

It  may  be  seen 124 

It  seems 124 

Ivories 398 

J. 

Jabber,  to 398 

Jack  at  a  pinch 541 

Jack  of  all  trades 541 

.lail-bird 321 

Jaw,  to 398 

Jeremy  Diddler 398 

Jiffy 398 

Job's  comforter 321 

Jog  the  elbow,  to 741 

Jog  the  memory,  to 321 

Jog-trot 398 

Join  battle,  to 705 

Join  forces,  to 125 

Join  issue,  to  {Law) 705 

Joint  and  several  note, 
bond,  (or  other  obliga- 
tion)    541 

Joint  claims  commission  ..  541 

Joint  commission 541 

Joint  committee 541 

Joint  concern 542 

Joint  note 542 

Joint  resolution  {Leg.) 542 

Joint  select  committee. , . .  542 
Joint  standing  committee 

{Leg.) 542 

Joint  standing  rules  {Leg.)  513 
Joint  stock  company 

{Law) 543 

Joking  apart 321 

Judge-advocate  {Mil.) 543 


INDEX. 

Page. 

Judicial  power 543 

Jug 398 

Jump  a  claim,  to 749 

.lump  at,  to 321 

Jump  from  the  frying-pan 

into  the  fire,  to 321 

Jump  to  a  conclusion,  to..  741 

Jury  of  inquest 543 

Just  now 544 

Just  so 544 

Just  the  thing 125 

K. 

Keel  over,  to 749 

Keep,  to  (in,  out,  under, 

near,  before,  behind,). ..  544 

Keep  to,  to 129 

Keep  a  jealous  eye  on,  to.  125 
Keep  a  sharp  lookout  for, 

to 544 

Keep  a  stiff  upper  lip,  to  .  750 

Keep  aloof,  to 125 

Keep  an  eye  upon,  to 125 

Keep  at  a  respectful  dis- 
tance, to 544 

Keep  away,  to 125 

Keep  back,  to 705 

Keep  books,  to 125 

Keep  body  and  soul  to- 
gether, to 321 

Keep  clear  of.  to 126 

Keep  close,  to 771 

Keep  company  with,  to. ..  126 

Keep  company  with,  to. ..  706 

Keep  counsel,  to 706 

Keep  dark,  to 399 

Keep  down,  to 706 

Keep  from,  to 706 

Keep  going,  to 126 

Keep  good,  {or  bad,) 

hours,  to 126 

Keep  house,  to 706 

Keep  in  check,  to 126 

Keep  in  countenance,  to. .  126 

Keep  in  sight,  to 545 

Keep  in  view,  to 126 

Keep  in  with,  to  {Naut)...  741 

Keep  off,  to 127 

Keep  on,  to 127 

Keep  one  advised,  to 545 

Keep  one  straight,  to. . . .  127 
Keep,  {or  lose),  one's  bal- 
ance, to 706 

Keep  one's  bed,  to 127 

Keep  one's  footing,  to... .  127 

Keep  one's  ground,  to 706 

Keep  one's  (own)  counsel 

to 127 

Keep  one's  own  counsel, 

to  {rep.) 771 

Keep  one's  powder  dry, 

to 127 

Keep  open  account,  to 

{Com.) 128 

Keep  open  house,  to 128 

Keep  out  of  the  way,  t». .  128 

Keep  pace  with,  to 128 

Keep  quiet,  to 128 

58 


897 

Page. 

Keep  school,  to 706 

Keep  the  field,  to 128 

Keep  the  peace,  to 128 

Keep  the  pot  boiling,  to. .  322 
Keep  the  wolf  from  the 

door,  to 128 

Keep  the  wolf  from  the 

door,  to  {rep.) 545 

Keep  time,  to 128 

Keep  to  one's  self,  to 129 

Keep  under,  to 707 

Keep  up,  to 129 

Keep  up  correspondence, 

to 545 

Keep  up  one's  spirits,  to..  129 
Keep  up  one's  spirits,  to 

{rejx) 545 

Keep  up  with,  to 129 

Keep  watch,  to 129 

Kick,  {or  strike),  the  beam, 

to 13^ 

Kick  the  bucket,  to 399' 

Kick  up  a  dust,  to 322 

Kid   399^ 

Kidney 399 

Kill  time,  to 130 

Kill  two  birds  with  one 

stone,  to 130 

King  of  terrors 772 

Kitchen-garden 545- 

Kite-flying 762 

Kith  and  kin 130 

Knit  the  brows,  to 707 

Knock  down,  to  {Auc- 
tions)     130 

Knock  in  the  head,  to 322 

Knock  into  a  cocked-hat, 

to 750 

Knock  off,  to 131 

Knock  off,  to  {Auctions). .   131 

Knock  under,  to 131 

Knock  up,  to 131 

Knocked  up 322: 

Knock-down  argument. . .   322 

Knotty  point 545- 

Know  better,  to 545. 

Know  on  which  side  one's 

bread  is  buttered,  to. . .  399- 
Know  one's  own  mind,  to  322 

Know  the  ropes,  to 399' 

Know  what  one  is  about, 

to   322 

Know  what  to  make  of, 

not  to 131 

Know  what's  what,  to. . .  323; 
Knuckle  to,  to 131 

L. 

Labor  of  love 131 

Labor  under,  to 132 

Laboring  oar 132 

Laid  on  one's  back,  to  be.   323 

Laid  on  the  shelf 132 

Laid  up,  to  be 132 

Laid  waste 546 

Lamb  of  God  {Scrip.) 546 

Lame  duck  {Stock  Ex- 
change)     399 


898 

Page. 
Lame  excuse  {or  apology), 

a 440 

Lamm,  to 399 

Landscape  gardenino; 546 

Lap  boards,  shingles,  &c., 

to 707 

Lapsed  legacy  {Law) 546 

Lapse  of  time 546 

Large  as  life 323 

Lark 400 

Larrup,  to 400 

Lash  into  fury,  to 132 

Last  resort 132 

Latin  church 546 

Latin  Union 133 

Laugh  at,  to 133 

Laugh  in  one's  sleeve,  to.  133 
Laugh  out  of  the  other 

corner  of  the  mouth,  to.  133 

Laugh  to  scorn,  to 133 

Launch  out,  to 133 

Launched  into  eternity,  to 

be '.,.  133 

Law  of  nations 546 

Law  of  the  land 547 

Law  of  the  Medes  and 

Persians 1 34 

Lay  aside,  to 147 

Lay,  (put,  or  set)  apart,  or 

aside,  to 547 

Lay  at  the  door  of,  to 134 

Lay  a  wager,  to 547 

Lay  away,  to 134 

Lay  bare,  to 1 34 

Lay  before,  to 707 

Lay  by ;  lay  up,  to 134 

Lay  claim  to,  to 134 

Lay  damages,  to  {Law).. .  135 

Lay  down,  to 135 

Lay  down  the  law,  to 323 

Lay  figure 547 

Lay  hands  on,  to 707 

Lay  {or  put)  heads  togeth- 
er, to  135 

Lay  lioldof,  to 135 

Lay  in,  to 135 

Lay  in  for,  to 707 

Lay  {or  spread)  it  on 

tliick.  to   400 

Lay  of  the  land 772 

Lay  on,  to    707 

Lay  on  the  table,  to  {Par- 
liamentary itsage) 136 

Lay  one's  hand  upon,  to..  135 

Lay  one's  self  open  to,  to.  136 

Lay  one's  self  out,  to 136 

Lay  open,  to 136 

Lay  out,  to 136 

Lay  over,  to 707 

Lay  siege  to,  to 136 

Lay  stress  upon,  to 136 

Lay  the  ax  to  the  root  ofj 

to 137 

Lay  the  foundation  of,  to. .  137 
Lay  to ;  lay  at  the  door  of, 

to 137 

•  Lay  to  heart,  to 137 

'  Lay  to  one's  charge,  to.. .  708 

Lay  under  restraint,  to. . .  137 


INDEX. 

Paffe. 

Lay  up,  to 708 

Lay  up  {or  save),  against 

a  rainy  day,  to 323 

Lay  wait  for,  to 708 

Lay  waste,  to 708 

Lead  a  cat-and-dog  life,  to  323 

Lead  a  pretty  dance,  to. . .  324 

Lead  astray,  to 772 

Lead  by  the  nose,  to 137 

Lead  by  the  nose,  to  {rep.)  400 

Lead  captive,  to 137 

Lead  off,  to 138 

Lead  the  way,  to 138 

Leading  question 547 

Leak  out,  to 708 

Leap  year 547 

Leather,  to 400 

Leave  in  the  dark,  to 138 

Leave  in  the  lurch,  to. . . .  138 
Leave  no  stone  unturned, 

to 138 

Leave  off,  to 547 

Leave  off,  to  {rep.) 708 

Leave  one  alone  for,  to. . .  400 

Leave  out,  to 138 

Leave  out  in  the  cold,  to.  400 

Leave  to  one's  option,  to.  547 

Lee  lurch 548 

Lee  side 548 

Left-handed  marriage ... .  138 

Left  to  one's  self,  to  be. . .  138 

Left  to  shift  for  one's  self.  548 

Leg  it,  to 401 

Legal  proof 548 

Legal  tender 548 

Legislative  body 548 

Lend  a  hand,  to 139 

Lend  an  ear,  to 139 

Lend  one's  self  to,  to 139 

Length  and  breadth 548 

Let  alone,  to 139 

Let  be 139 

Let  blood,  to 708 

Let  bygones  be  byeones, 

to .^ 548 

Let  down,  to 772 

Let  drive,  to 709 

Let  drive,  to 750 

Let  fall,  to 139 

Let  fly,  to 709 

Let  go,  to 709 

Let  go  by  the  run,  to 

{Naut) 772 

Let  her  rip,  to 401 

Let  her  shde 750 

Let  in,  to 139 

Let  into  the  secret,  to. ...  139 

Let  loose,  to 709 

Let  me  see,  let  us  see 140 

Let  me  tell  you 324 

Let  off,  to 324 

Let  on,  to 401 

Let  one  know,  to 1 40 

Let  out,  to 140 

Let  pass,  to 140 

Let  slip,  to 140 

Let  the  cat  out  of  the  bag, 

to   324 

Let  up,  a 762 


Page. 

Let  well  enough  alone,  to.  140 

Letter  of  attorney 549 

Letter  of  credit 549 

Letter  of  marque  and 

reprisal 549 

Letters  of  administration 

{Law) 549 

Level  with  the  ground . .  .  549 
Levying  war  {In  criminal 

law) 709 

Liabilities . .' 549 

Liberal  party  {Eng.) 549 

Liberty  of  the  press 549 

Liberty  pole  (U.  S.) 550 

Lick,  to 324 

Lick 401 

Lick  into  shape,  to 401 

Lick  the  dust,  to 141 

Licking 401 

Lie  at  one's  door,  to 709 

Lie,  {or  be),  at  the  root  of, 

to 141 

Lie  between,  to 141 

Lie  by,  to 141 

Lie  down,  to 772 

Lie  hard,  {or  heavy),  to.. .  709 

Lie  in,  to 709 

Lie  in  a  nutshell,  to 324 

Lie  in  one,  to 141 

Lie  in  one's  gift,  to 141 

Lie  in  tlie  way,  to 709 

Lie  in  wait,  to 141 

Lie  on,  {or  upon,)  to 710 

Lie  on  hand,  to 710 

Lie,  {or  rest),  on  one's 

oars,  to 141 

Lie  over,  to 141 

Lie  to,  to  {Naut.) 710 

Lie  under,  to 710 

Lie  with,  to 710 

Life  of  an  execution 

{Laiv) 772 

Lift  up  the  voice,  to 772 

Light  as  a  feather 141 

Light-fingered 325 

Light  of  the  countenance.  772 
Liglit  purse,  {or  empty 

purse) 142 

Light  upon,  to 142 

Like,  to  325 

Like  blazes 401 

Like  one  possessed 325 

Like  tinder 325 

Likely,  {or  like),  enough. .  325 

Likely  to  happen 550 

LL.  D.  Doctor  of  Laws. . .  551 

Limb  of  the  law 402 

Line  bees,  to 772 

Line  of  battle 142 

Line  of  battle  (J/t7.  Tactics)  556 

Line  of  march  {Mil.) 550 

Lion's  share,  the 142 

Liquor,  {or  liquor  up),  to. .  402 

Listen  to  reason,  to 142 

Literary  classes 550 

Literary  property 550 

Little  by  little 143 

Little  one 551 

Live  by  one's  wits,  to. . . .  741 


Fagt. 

Live  down,  to 710 

Live  feathers 551 

Live  from  hand  to  mouth, 

to 143 

Live  in  clover,  to 325 

Live  in  hope,  to 772 

Live,  {or  dwell)  in  the 

memory,  to 143 

Live  on,  to 143 

Live  single,  to 551 

Live  stock 551 

Live  up  to,  to 143 

Live  with,  to 710 

Livelong  daj",  the 551 

Living  rock 551 

Living  soul,  a 440 

Load  one's  self  with  stock, 

to 759 

Load-line 552 

Loading-turn 551 

Loafer 402 

Loan  office 552 

Loan  society 552 

Loaves  and  fishes 325 

Lobster 402 

Local  affection  (Med.) ....  552 
Local  attraction  (Magnet- 
ism)   552 

Local  authorities 552 

Local  press,  the 552 

Lock  in,  lock  up,  to 144 

Lock  the  stable  door  after 

the  horse  is  stolen,  to. .  325 
Lodge  an  information,  to 

(Larv) ' 144 

Log-rolling  (Amer.) 402 

Long  and  short,  the 144 

Long  cloth 553 

Long  clothes 553 

Long  head,  a 288 

Long  home 325 

Long,  (in  stocks), 761 

Long  pull,  a  strong  pull, 

and  a  pull  altogether,  a.  442 
Long  purse,  (or  heavy 

purse), 144 

Long  roll 553 

Long  room 75G 

Long  since 553 

Long-winded 553 

Look  about,  to   710 

Look  about  one,  to 326 

Look  after,  to 144 

Look  after,  to 711 

Look  after  one's  own  in- 
terest, to 773 

Look  aghast,  to 144 

Look  at,  to 144 

Look  black,  to 326 

Look  blank,  to 144 

Look  blue,  to 144 

Look  daggers,  to 145 

Look  down  on,  to 711 

Look  for,  to 145 

Look,  (or  hunt),  for  a 

needle  in  a  hay  mow,  to  326 

Look  full  in  the  face  of,  to  553 

Look  in  the  face,  to 773 

Look  into,  to 711 


INDEX. 

Page. 

Look  on,  to. . .' 145 

Look  on  the  dark  side,  to.  145 
Look  on  the  sunny  (or 

bright)  side,  to 145 

Look  out,  to 326 

Look  over,  to 145 

Look  round,  to 742 

Look  sharp,  to 326 

Look  to,  to 145 

Look  up,  to 742 

Look  up  a  thing,  to 773 

Look  up  to.  to 711 

Look  upon,  to 711 

Loose  one's  purse  strings, 

to 146 

Lope,  to 402 

Lord  high  chancellor  of 

England 554 

Lose  caste,  to 146 

Lose  ground,  to 146 

Lose  heart,  to 711 

Lose  no  time,  to 146 

Lose  one's  heart,  to 711 

Lose  one's  life,  to 554 

Lose  one's  self,  to 146 

Lose  one's  temper,  to. . . .  711 

Lose  one's  tongue,  to. . . .  326 

Lose  one's  way,  to 554 

Lose  one's  wits,  to 146 

Lose  sight  of,  to 147 

Lose  time,  to 147 

Losing  game,  a 442 

Lost  in  wonder,  (or  aston- 
ishment)    554 

Lost  to 711 

Lost  to  virtue 554 

Loud 402 

Lowhfe 147 

Low  steam,  (or  low  pres- 
sure steam) 554 

Lucid  interval 554 

Lump,  to 402 

Lump  together,  to 147 

Lynch,  to  (U.  S.) 402 

Lynch-law 403 

M. 

Made  of,  (or  formed  of;,  to 

be 21 

Made  of  money 326 

Made  to  order 147 

Made  up  of,  to  be 21 

Magic  lantern 555 

Magnetic  attraction 554 

Magnetic  pole 555 

Maid  of  honor 555 

Maiden  assize  (Eng.  Law).  655 

Maiden  name 555 

Maiden  speech 148 

Main  body  (Mil.) 555 

Main  part,  the 555 

Make  a  bed,  to 714 

Make  a  beginning,  to. . . .  148 

Make  a  call,  to  148 

Make  a  cat's-paw  of,  to.. .  327 

Make  a  clean  breast  of,  to.  148 

Make  a  clean  sweep,  to. ..  327 

Make  a  deduction,  to 148 


899 

Page. 

Make  a  fool  of,  to 148 

Make  a  man  of,  to 773 

Make  a  mess  of  it,  to ... .  327 
Make  a  minute,  {or  note,) 

of,  to 773 

Make  a  mock  of,  to 712 

Make  a  motion,  to 149 

Make  a  mountain  of  a 

mole-hill,  to 327 

Make  a  move,  to 712 

Make  a  noise  in  the  world, 

to 327 

Make  a  plunge,  to 555 

Make,  {or  gain),  a  point, 

to 712 

Make  a  point  of,  to 150 

Make  a  port,  a  country, 

the  land,  &c.,  to 712 

Make  a  pretext  of,  to  ... .   773 

Make  a  stand,  to 150 

Make  a  virtue  of  necessity, 

to 150 

Make  a  will,  to 150 

Make  account  of,  to 712 

Make  acquainted  with,  to.  148 

Make  advance,  to 148 

Make  against,  to '. .   711 

Make  allowance  for,  to . . .   149 

Make  amends,  to 149 

Make  an  ado,  to 149 

Make  an  appearance,  to. .  149 
Make  an  appointment,  to.  149 
Make  an  ass  of  one's  self, 

to 327 

Make  an  end  of,  to 773 

Make  an  example  of,  to..  774 
Make  an  experiment,  to. .  556 
Make  an  impression,  to.. .    556 

Make  application,  to 150 

Make  as  if,  to 150 

Make  assurance  doubly 

sure,  to 556 

Make  away  with,  to 150 

Make  believe,  to 151 

Make  bold,  to 151 

Make  both  ends  meet,  to.    151 

Make  choice  of,  to 774 

Make  conscience  of,  (or  a 

matter  of  conscience),  to  712 
Make  default,  to  (Law). . .   774 

Make  faces,  to 328 

Make  fast,  to 151 

Make  for,  to 151 

Make  free  with,  to 151 

Make  friends,  to 151 

Make  friends  with,  to 774 

Make  fun  of,  to 328 

Make  game  of,  to 403 

Make  good,  to 152 

Make  haste,  to 152 

Make  head  against,  to 152 

Make  headway,  to 152 

Make  it  a  condition,  to. . .  774 
Make  it  one's  business,  to.  556 
Make  it  one's  study,  to...  152 

Make  it  pay,  to 328 

Make  its  appearance,  to. .   152 

Make  known,  to 712 

Make  light  of,  to 153 


900 

Page. 
Make  little,(ornothing),  ofj 

to 153 

Make  love  to,  to 153 

Make  merry,  to 774 

Make  mince-meat  of,  to.. .  403 

Make  money,  to  712 

Make  much  of,  to 153 

Make  neither  head  nor 

tail  of,  to 153 

Make  no  bones  of,  to  ... .  403 
Make  no  difference  {or 

matter),  to 774 

Make  no  doubt,  to 153 

Make  no  secret  of,  to 153 

Make  nothing  for,  to 713 

Make  nothing  of,  to 713 

Make  oath,  to  {Law) 713 

Make  of,  to 713 

Make  off",  to 713 

Make  one  believe,  to 154 

Make  one  simdder,  to. . . .  556 
Make  one's  blood  boil,  to.  328 
Make  one's  blood  run 

cold,  to 556 

Make,  {or  take),  one's 

exit,  to 154 

Make  one's  hair  stand  on 

end,  to 328 

Make  one's  manners,  to. .    154 

Make  one's  mark,  to 154 

Make  one's  self  at  home, 

to 328 

Make  one's  self  scarce,  to.  403 
Make  one's  self  under- 
stood, to 557 

Make  one's  way,  to 154 

Make  out,  to 154 

Make  over,  to 155 

Make  peace,  to 775 

Make  progress,  to 155 

Make  ready,  to 713 

Make  sad  work  of;  to 328 

Make  sail,  to  {Naut) 713 

Make  scruple,  to 155 

Make  shift,  to 713 

Make  short  work  o^  {or 

with),  to 155 

Make  suit  to,  to 714 

Make  sure,  to 155 

Make  the  best  of,  to 155 

Make  the  land,  to  {Naut).  714 
Make  tlie  mouth  water,  to  329 
Make  too  much  of,  to. , . .    156 

Make  tracks,  to 403 

Make  trial  of,  to 156 

Make  two  bites  of  a 

cherry,  to 329 

Make  up,  to 156 

Make  up  for,  to. ...:... .  156 
Make  up  one's  mind,  to. .   775 

Make  up  to,  to 156 

^ake  water,  to 157 

Make  way,  to 714 

Malite  aforethought,  {or 

prepense) 557 

Malum  in  se  {Law) 557 

Man  (jf  business,  a 443 

Man  of  letters,  a 5 

Man  of  straw 157 


INDEX. 

Page. 

Man  of  taste,  a 443 

Man  of  the  world 157 

Man's  estate 557 

Manual  exercise,  (J/i7.) .. .   557 

Many  a 157 

Many  a  time 557 

Many  times  over 557 

March  in  procession,  to.. .   557 

Mare's  nest 329 

Margin 756 

Mark  out,  to 157 

Marked  with  the  crow's 

feet,  to  be 329 

Mark  time,  to  {Mil.) 157 

Marry  a  fortune,  to 329 

Martyr  to  disease,  a 443 

Masked  battery  {Mil.) 557 

Master  of,  to  be 157 

Master  of  arts 558 

Master  of  ceremonies 558 

Master  of  one's  self,  to  be.  157 
Master  of  one's  self  {rep. ).   558 

Matter  in  hand 158 

Matter  of  choice 158 

Matter  of  course 158 

Matter  of  courtesy 158 

Matter  of  flict 558 

Matter  of  life  and  death,  a       5 

Matter  of  surprise ...   158 

Matter  of  taste 158 

Maybe;  May-hap 159 

Means  of  grace 558 

Measure  swords,  to 159 

Meet  half-way,  to 714 

Meet  one's  expenses,  to..  558 

Meet  with,  to 159 

Meet  with  a  change,  to ; 

Get  religion,  to 750 

Melt  away,  to 714 

Mend  one's  pace,  to 159 

Mend  one's  pace,  to  {rep.)  558 

Mental  reservation 559 

Mercantile  world 559 

Mere  form,  a 443 

Merge  in,  to *. . . .    159 

Merit-roll  {U.  S.  Naval 

Academy) 559 

Merits  of  the  question  {or 

case) 559 

Meteoric  showers 559 

Mete  out,  to iOO 

Middle  States 559 

Mighty 403 

Military  law 560 

Milk-and-water 329 

Milk-walk  {Eng.) 560 

Mill 404 

Mince  matters,  to. 160 

Mincing  steps 560 

Mind  one's  P's  and  Q's,  to  329 
Mind  what  you  are  about.   330 

Mineral  waters 560 

Mint  of  money 330 

Miss  one's  figure,  to 750 

Miss  stays,  to  {Naut.) 160 

Miss  the  mark,  to 560 

Mistaken,  to  be 160 

Mistake  one  thing  for 

another,  to 160 


Pnge. 

Mixed  action  {Law) 5 GO 

Mixed  up  with,  to  be 330 

Mizzle,  to  404 

Mob  law 560 

Model  after,  to 160 

Modus  operandi  (Z,a^)... .   560 
Molly  grubs  {or  miilli- 

grubs) * 404 

Monetary  unit 561 

Moonshine 404 

Moral  certainty,  a. ..... .  443 

Moral  law 561 

Moral  sense 561 

More  and  more 561 

More  frightened,  {or 

scared),  than  hurt 330 

More  or  less 561 

More  than -a  match  for,  to 

be   161 

More  than  flesh  and  blood 

can  bear 330 

Mosquito  bar,  {or  mos- 
quito net) 561 

Mother  Carey's  chickens. .   561 

Mount  guard,  to  {Mil.) 775 

Move  in  a  rut,  to 562 

Move  the  previous  ques- 
tion, to 161 

Moving  power 562 

Mow  down,  to 161 

Mucous  membrane  {Anat.)  562 

Mug 404 

Municipal,  {or  positive),  law  562 
Murder  in  tlie  first  de- 
gree {Law) 562 

Murder  in  the  second  de- 
gree {Law) 562 

Murder  the  King's  Eng- 
lish, to 330 

Muster,  {or  musta)  {Anglo. 

Indian) 404 

Muster  into  service,  to 

{Mil.) 775 

Muster  out  of  service,  to 

{Mil.) 775 

Muster  up,  to 715 

My  uncle 404 

K 

Nag,  to 404 

Nail  a  lie,  to 161 

Nail  one's  colors  to  the 

mast,  to 161 

Naked  eye 562 

Name  the  name  of  Christ, 

to 775 

Nasty  rain  {Eng) 563 

Nation 404 

Native  tongue 563 

Natural  history 563 

Natural  selection 563 

Natural  theology 563 

Natty 404 

Near  one's  end 161 

Near  relation,  a 563 

Near  side 563 

Neck  and  neck  {horse  rac- 
ing)   775 


Page. 

Neorotiable  note 563 

Neither  fish,  tlesh,  nor 

fowl 330 

Neither  here  nor  there. . .  161 
Neither  one  thing  nor 

another 331 

Neither  rhyme  nor  rea- 
son    162 

Nervous  temperament 564 

Net  cash 564 

Neutral  tint 564 

Never  mind 331 

Never  mind 564 

Never  say  die 331 

Never  tell  me 331 

New  birth 162 

New-fangled  expression. .   564 

New  land 564 

Next  door  to 331 

Next  of  kin 794 

Next  to  nothing 564 

Nice,  {or  subtle),  point. . .   162 

Nice  question 565 

Niche  in  the  temple  of 

fame,  a 444 

Nick  a  horse,  to 775 

Nick  of  time 331 

Nincompoop 405 

Nine  days'  wonder. 162 

Nip  in  the  bud,  to ]  62 

No  end  of 331 

No  go 405 

No  great  shakes 405 

No  joke 332 

No  laughing  matter 332 

No  love  lost  between 332 

No  matter 332 

No  mistake 776 

No  more 163 

No  offense 332 

No  other 565 

No  stranger  to,  to  be 564 

No  such  thing 332 

No  such  thing  {rep.) 566 

Nobby 405 

Nobody  being  the  wiser. .  565 

Nobody  the  wiser 331 

Nod  assent,  to   565 

Noise  abroad,  to 715 

Nora  de  plume  {nong-de- 

ptoom) 565 

Non-commissioned  officer, 

{Mil.) 565 

None  else 565 

Normal  school 565 

Northern  lights 566 

Not  a  bit,  {or  whit), 332 

Not  a  bit  of  it 333 

Not  a  few 566 

Not  a  jot 566 

Not  a  little 566 

Not  a  soul 567 

Not  a  whit  {rep) 567 

Not  a  wink  of  sleep 567 

Not  at  all 163 

Not  at  all  {rep.) 567 

Not  for  the  world 567 

Not  having  a  leg  to  stand 

ou 163 


INDEX.  ■• 

Page. 
Not  having  a  moment  one 

can  call  oue's  own 567 

Not  in  sight 567 

Not  in  the  least 568 

Not  that  I  know  of 333 

Not  to  be  mistaken 568 

Not  to  be  sneezed  at 333 

Not  to  be  spoken  of 568 

Not  to  breathe  a  syllable 

about 568 

Not  to  care  a  pin,  rush, 

fig,  straw,  &c.,  for 333 

Not  to  mention 333 

Not  to  sleep  a  wink 163 

Not  to  stir  a  peg,  {or  step)  333 

Not  worth  a  farthing 568 

Not  worth  a  straw,  a  pin, 

a  fig 333 

Not  worth  powder  and 

shot 568 

Notary  public  {Eng.  and 

Am.  Law) 566 

Note  of  hand 567 

Nothing  loath 567 

Nothing  to 567 

Nothing  to  speak  of 333 

Notion 405 

Notions 405 

Now  and  then 163 

Now — now 568 

Now  or  never 163 

Now  that 163 

Null  and  void,  to  be 568 

Number  of  times,  a 445 

Number  one 333 

Nursery  tale 569 

Nut  to  crack,  a 289 

Nuts 405 

Nuts  on,  to  be 405 

0. 

Obfuscated 405 

Objective  point  {Mil.) 569 

Obtain,  {or  gain),  the  ear, 

to 164 

Obverse  of  the  medal,  the  569 

Occupy  one's  self  with,  to  164 

Odds  and  ends 569 

Of  a  piece 164 

Of  account 776 

Of  age,  to  be 164 

Of  all  sorts  and  kinds 569 

Of  all  things 569 

Of  a  truth 715 

Of  consequence 164 

Of  counsel  (Law) 776 

Of  course 165 

Of  deep,  {or  dark),  dye. . .  165 

Of  good  heart,  to  be 570 

Of  kin 570 

Of  long  duration 570 

Of  long  standing 166 

Of  necessity 166 

Of  no  avail 570 

Of  no  effect 166 

Of  no  use , . . . .  166 

Of  old 166 

Of  one's  own 166 


901 

Page. 

Of  one's  own  accord 166 

Of  passage 167 

Of  small  consequence,  to 

be 167 

Of  the  first  water 167 

Of  the  opinion,  to  be 167 

Of  the  same  mind,  to  be. .  167 

Off  and  on 165 

Off  and  on  {rep.) 569 

Off  duty 165 

Off-hand 165 

Off  one's  guard,  to  be. . . .  165 

Off  one's  hand 715 

Off  one's  mind 165 

Off  side  (U.  S.) 570 

Off  the  hooks 334 

Off  with  you 570 

Offend  against,  to 776 

Offer  to  one's  view,  to. ...  165 

Offer  violence,  to. ...'... .  776 

Office  found  {Eng.  Law). .  776 

Official  circles 569 

Ofor 166 

Oh  that 176 

Old  age 570 

Old  as  Methuselah 334 

Old  as  the  hills 334 

Old  bachelor..! 334 

Old  boy;  old  nick 406 

Olive  branch 571 

Old  catholics 570 

Old  maid 334 

Old  school 571 

Old  style,  {and  new  style,)  571 

Old  times 571 

Old  world 167 

On  a  large  scale 167 

On  a  par 168 

On  a  small  scale 168 

On  a  spree 334 

On  a  sudden 168 

On  account 571 

On  account  of 776 

On  all  accounts 168 

On  all  hands 168 

On  all  sides 572 

On  an  average 572 

On  any,  every,  or  no  ac- 
count    168 

On  bail 715 

On  call 168 

On  credit 572 

On  demand 169 

On  deposit 572 

On  duty 169 

On  every  side 572 

On  file 169 

On  fire 573 

On  foot 169 

On  foot,  to  be 170 

On  good  terms 170 

On  guard 715 

On  hand 170 

On  her  beam  ends 574 

On  high  170 

On  his  own  showing 574 

On  leave..' 170 

On  no  account 574 

On  one  side 574 


902 


INDEX. 


Page. 

On  one's  account 776 

On  one's  high  horse 335 

On  one's  honor 170 

On  one's  last  legs 335 

On  one's  own  hook 335 

On  one's  shoulders 776 

On  one's  side 170 

On  one's  way 574 

On,  {or  under),  penalty  of.  574 

On  purpose.     Of  purpose.  171 

On  sale,  {or  for  sale) 575 

On  second  thought 171 

On  Shanks'  mare 406 

On  sure  ground 575 

On  tap 171 

On  that  account 575 

On  that  ground 171 

On  the  alert 171 

On  the  brink  of 575 

On  the  cards 335 

On  the  carpet,  to  be 171 

On  the  condition  that. ...  171 

On  the  contrary 171 

On  the  defensive,  to  be  {or 

stand) 172 

On  the  edge,  {or  brink),  of 

a  precipice,  to  be 172 

On  the  P^uropeab  plan. ...  575 

On  the  eve  {rep.) 777 

On  the  eve  of : 172 

On  the  face  of  it 17^ 

On  the  fence,  to  be 22 

On  the  ground  of,  {or 

that) 172 

On  the  guard 715 

On  the  high  seas 172 

On  the  line 173 

On  the  look-out 173 

On  the  mending  hand,  to 

be 742 

On  (the)  motion  of 575 

On  the  move;  on  the  go..  406 

On  the  nail 715 

On  the  part  of 173 

On  the  point  of 173 

On  the  point  of  {rep.) 575 

On  the  qui  vive 173 

On  the  rampage,  to  be  . . .  406 

On  the  right 575 

On  the  road 173 

On  the  score  of. 576 

On  the  sick  list 335 

On  ihe  sly. 173 

On  the  sly  {rep.) 335 

On,  (or  upon),  the  spot. . .  173 

On  the  spur  of  the  moment  174 

On,  {or  upon),  the  square.  174 

On  the  stage 1 74 

On  the  stocks 576 

On  the  strength  of 174 

On  the  stretch 174 

On  the  supposition 576 

On  the  trail 174 

On  the  verge  of 576 

On  the  wane 174 

On  the  watch 716 

On  the  way,  on  the  road..  576 

On  the  whole 175 

On  the  wing. 175 


Page. 

On  tick 335 

On  time 175 

On  tiptoe,  to  be 175 

Ou  trial 716 

Only  a  step 335 

Only  from  day  to  day 170 

Once  and  again 572 

Once  for  all 169 

Once  more 572 

Once  upon,  {or  on),  a 

time 169 

One  and  all 572 

One  and  the  same 572 

One  another 573 

One  by  one 573 

One  day 169 

One  way  or  another 573 

One  year  with  another. . .   573 

One-horse 334 

One-sided  view 777 

One's  business,  to  be 573 

One's  bounden  duty 573 

One's  heart  failing  him. . .   573 
One's  own  man,  to  be. . . .  716 

One's  self 573 

Open  a  door  to,  to 175 

Open  sesame 175 

Open  sky 576 

Open  the  ball,  to 335 

Open  the  budget,  to 175 

Open  the  eyes  of,  to 176 

Open  the  question,  to. . . .   176 
Open  the  trenches,  to 

{Mil) 716 

Open  to 576 

Open  to  the  view,  to 176 

Open  up,  to 176 

Opium  farm 576 

Order  arms  {Mil.) 577 

Order  of  the  day  {Legisla- 
tive bodies) 176 

Order  of  the  day  {Legisla- 
tive bodies)  {rep.) 577 

Orderly  book  {Mil.) 577 

Orderly  oflScer  {Mil.) 577 

Orderly  room  {Mil.) 577 

Orderly,  {or  orderly-ser- 
geant) {Mil.) 577 

Orders  in  council 577 

Organic  bodies 578 

Organic  law,  {or  laws) 578 

Ornamental  shrubbery. . .    578 

Other  than 578 

Out 177 

Out  and  out 178 

Out  at  the  heels,  to  be. . .   716 

Out  of 177 

Out  of  all  patience,  to  be.   336 

Out  of  character 178 

Out  of  conceit  with 178 

Out  of  countenance 178 

Out  of  date 178 

Out  of  doors 178 

Out  of  harm's  way 178 

Out  of  hearing. 578 

Out  of  joint,  to  be 179 

Out  of  keeping 179 

Out  of  kilter. 179 

Out  of  order 179 


Page. 

Out  of  place 179 

Out  of  pocket, 179 

Out  of  print 179 

Out  of  reach 179 

Out  of  season 180 

Out  of  season  {rep.) 578 

Out  of  sight 578 

Out  of  sorts 336 

Out  of  temper 180 

Out  of  the  pale  of 180 

Out  of  the  perpendicular. .   578 

Out  of  the  question 180 

Out  of  the  sphere  of 180 

Out  of  the  way 180 

Out  of  the  woods 180 

Out  of  time 181 

Out  of  trim 777 

Out  of  tune 181 

Out  of  use 181 

Out-patient  {Med.) 579 

Outstanding  accounts,  {of 

any  one) 579 

Outstrip  the  wind,  to 336 

Out  with  it 336 

Over,  to  be 181 

Over  again 181 

Over  against 579 

Over  and  above 181 

Over  and  over 579 

Over  and  over  again 336 

Over  the  left 406 

Over  the  way 579 

Overrun  the  constable,  to  742 
Over-shoot  one's  self,  to. .  777 
Over-shoot  the  mark,  to. .   777 

Owe  a  grudge,  to 336 

Owe  it  to,  to 777 

Owe  one  a  spite,  to 181 

Owing  to 181 

Own  to  the  soft  impeach- 
ment, to 336 

P. 

Pack  up,  to 183 

Padding 406 

Paddle  one's  own  canoe,  to  337 

Pair  off,  to 716 

Pale  as  a  corpse "579 

Palm  off,  to 182 

Pampas 579 

Pan  out,  to 406 

Paper  money 579 

Paper  war,  a 445 

Par  of  exchange 182 

Parcel  out,  to 182 

Pardon  me.  I  beg  pardon  580 
Parliamentary  train  {Eng.)  580 
Part  a  cable,  to  {Naut.). . .    777 

Part  and  parcel 182 

Part  and  parcel  {rep.). . . .   580 

Part  company,  to 182 

Part  of  speech  ((?raw.). . .   580 

Part  with,  to 716 

Particular  average 580 

Party  spirit 580 

Pass  a  dividend,  to 762 

Pass  an  opinion,  {or  judg- 
ment), to... 182 


Page. 

Pass  away,  to 580 

Pass  away,  to 777 

Pass  by,  to 183 

Pass  current,  to 183 

Pass  from  mouth  to  mouth, 

to 580 

Pass  in  review,  to 581 

Pass  in  the  mind,  to 183 

Pass  into,  to 71G 

Pass  muster,  to 337 

Pass  oft",  to 71G 

Pass  one's  word,  to 717 

Pass  orders  {Mil.) 581 

Pass  over,  (or  by),  to 183 

Passed  midshipman 581 

Passing  notice 581 

Passive  commerce 183 

Passive  commerce  {rtp.). .  581 

Passive  voice 581 

Patch  up,  to 183 

Patron  saint  (Bom.  Oath. 

Church) 581 

Pattern  after,  to 717 

Paul  Pry 406 

Pave  the  way,  to 183 

Pay  attentions  to,  to 717 

Pay  court,  to,  to 778 

Pay  dear,  to 582 

Pay  dear  for  the  whistle, 

to 337 

Pay  down,  to 181 

Pay  for,  to 717 

Pay  homage,  to 532 

Pay  in  advance,  to 582 

Pay  in  one's  own,  (or  the 

same)  coin,  to 778 

Pay  no  regard  to,  to 183 

Payoff,  to 717 

Pay  one's  addresses  to,  to.  778 

Pay  one's  respects  to,  to..  778 

Pay  one's  way,  to 337 

Pay  out,  to  (Naut) 717 

Pay  the  debt  of  nature,  to  337 
Pay  tlie  forfeit,  {or  the 

penalty.)  to 582 

Pay  the  piper,  to 337 

Peck  at,  to 184 

Peel,  to  (Sporting) 407 

Feeler  (Eng.) 407 

Peep  of  day 184 

Peg  along,  to 750 

Peg  higher,  (or  lower),  a..  745 

Pent  up 184 

Pepper,  to 338 

Pepper  and  salt 338 

Per  annum 582 

Per  centum,  (or  per  cent.)  582 

Perpetrate  a  joke,  to 338 

Personal  action  (Com. 

Law) 582 

Pertain  to,  to 184 

Pervading  spirit 582 

Pesky 407 

Peter  out,  to 407 

Petticoat  government ... .  338 

Pliilosopher's  stone 184 

Philosopher's  stone 582 

Pliiz  (short  for  Physiog- 
nomy)    407 


INDEX. 

Page. 

Physical  education 583 

Pick  acquaintance  with,  to  338 

Pick  a  quarrel,  to 184 

Pick  out,  to 185 

Picked  out 184 

Pick  one's  way,  (or  steps), 

to 185 

Pick  to  pieces 338 

Pick  up,  to 338 

Pickaninny 407 

Piece  of  information 583 

Piece  out,  to   185 

Pigeon  English 583 

Pile 407 

Pillar  box  (Eng.) 533 

Pin  one  down  to,  to 185 

Pin  one's  faith  upon 

another's  sleeve,  to 185 

Pinched  with  hunger 533 

Pins 407 

Pious  fraud,  a 44G 

Piping  hot 338 

Pit  against,  to 185 

Pitted  against 584 

Pitch  in,  (or  into),  to 751 

Pitch  into,  to 339 

Pitch  one's  tent,  to 333 

Pitcli  upon,  (or  on),  to. . .    185 

Pitched  battle 533 

Place  to  one's  credit,  to. .  584 
Play  a  double  game,  to., .    183 

Play  fast  and  loose,  to 18G 

Play  into  the  hands  of,   to  778 

Play  of  colors 584 

Play  off,  to 717 

Play  one  a  trick,  to 18G 

Play  one  false,  to 717 

Play  one's  cards  well,  to..  584 

Play  second  fiddle,  to 339 

Play  the  devil  witli,  to. , .    751 

Play  the  fool,  to 186 

Play  the  hypocrite,  to 186 

Play  truant,  to 186 

Play  with  edge-tools,  to. .   339 

Played  out 407 

Plea  in  bar  (Law) 584 

Plea  in  discharge  (Law). .  584 
Plea  of  abatement  (Law).  584 
Plea  of  justification  (Law)  584 
Plea  to  the  action  (Laiv). .  584 
Pleased  to  do  a  thing,  to 

be 186 

Pleased  with,  to  be 778 

Plenty  as  blackberries ... .   339 

Plough  in,  to 778 

Plough  up,  (or  out),  to. . ,    778 

Pluck  out,  to 187 

Pluck  up,  to 718 

Pluck  up  by  the  roots,  to.    187 

Plume  one's  self  to 187 

Plummet  line 584 

Plunge-bath 584 

Plunging  fire  (Mil.) 584 

Plurality  of  votes 585 

Pocket  an  "insult,  (or  af- 
front), to 339 

Poet  laureate 585 

Point 760 

Point  a  moral,  to 585 


903 

Page. 

Point,  (or  matter),  in  dis- 
pute   585 

Point  of  honor 585 

Point  of  honor 718 

Point  of  view 187 

Point  out,  to 585 

Point  out,  to 718 

Point  to  be  solved 585 

Poke  fun  at,  to 339 

Poke  fun  at,  to 742 

Police  force 586 

Political  economy 586 

Political  world 586 

Poll  a  jury,  to  (Law) 187 

Pontoon  bridge 586 

Pony  (College  cant) 408 

Pony  up,  to 408 

Pool 757 

Poor  as  a  church-mouse. .  339 

Poor  chance 339 

Pop  the  question,  to 340 

Pop  the  question,  to.  ... .  408 

Popular  'belief 586 

Pore  over,  to 187 

Port  of  entry 586 

Port  the  helm  (Naut.) 718 

Possessed 340 

Possessed  of,  to  be 718 

Possessory  action,  (or  suit), 

(Law) 586 

Post  accounts,  to  (Luol- 

keeping) 779 

Post  books,  to 779 

Post  mortem  examination 

(Med.) 587 

Posted,  (or  posted  up)  . .  .  408 

Post-haste 779 

Postal  district 586 

Postal  guide 587 

Pot-luck 340 

Pounce  upon,  to 187" 

Pour  a  broadside  into,  to.  587 

Pour  into,  to 718 

Pour  oil  on  the  troubled 

waters,  to 188 

Pour  out  the  vials  of  one's       , 

wrath,  to 188 

Poverty-stricken 587 

Power  of  attorney 587 

Power,  letter,  or  warrant 

of  attorney,  a 446 

Powers  that  be 340 

Powerful 408 

Practicable  breach  (Mil.). .  588 

Practical  joke 587 

Practice-cruise  (U.  S. 

Naval  Academy) ...  588 

Practice  on  one's  credu- 
lity, to 188 

Pray  in  aid,  to 718 

Preach  up,  to 718 

Precatory  words 588 

Precedent  condition  (Law)  588 

Pre-empt,  to 408 

Preference  shares 779 

Pregnant  with,  to  be 182 

Prepare  the  ground,  (or 

way),  to 188 

Presence  of  mind 188 


904 

Pafre. 

Present  arms,  to  {Mil). . .  779 
Present  in  a  new  light,  to  180 

Present  to  the  nund 588 

Presentation  copy 588 

Preserve  game,  to 780 

Press  forward,  to 180 

Press  into  service,  to 770 

Press  on,  to 589 

Press  one  hard,  to 580 

Pressed  for  time,  to  be. . .  340 
Presumptive  evidence 

(Law) 589 

Pretty  kettle  of  fish,  a..  . ,  280 

Pretty  well 589 

Pretty  well  (accent  on  the 

well) 780 

Prey  on,  (or  upon) 718 

Prey  to  grief]   a 44G 

Prick  up  the  ears,  to 180 

Prick  up  the  ears,  to 580 

Price  current 589 

Prima  facie  evidence  of  a 

f  ict  (Law) 589 

Primary  colors,  (or  primi- 
tive colors),  (Ojjt.) 589 

Prime  mover,  tlie 189 

Prior  to 590 

Prison  limits 590 

Private  act  (Law) 590 

Private  calendar  (Z,c(7.) ,. .  590 
Private  nuisance,  (or 

wrong) 590 

Privileged  communication 

(Law) 590 

Privileged  debts  (Laii') .. .  501 

Privy  to 719 

Probate  court '. .  501 

Probate  duty 591 

Process,  train,  or  chain  of 

reasoning 189 

Produce  an  instance,  to.. .  591 

Productive  of,  to  be 501 

Proficient  in 780 

Profit  by,  to 189 

Prog 408 

Promissory  note  (Law). . .  591 

Proof-sheet  (Print.) 592 

Pro  rata 592 

Pros  and  cons 189 

Protest  a  bill,  (or  note),  to 

(Laiv) 780 

Protest  against,  to 780 

Protracted  meeting 592 

Proud  flesh 502 

Proud  of 710 

Provide  against,  to 780 

Provide  for,  to 190 

Provided  that 592 

Proximate  cause 592 

Public  works 593 

Pucker. 408 

Pull  about  one's  ears,  to. .  190 

Pull  down,  to 780 

Pull  out,  to 190 

Pull  up  stakes,  to 340 

Pull  the  strings,  (or  wires), 

to 340 

Pull,  (or  draw),  the  wool 

over  one's  eyes,  to 751 


INDEX. 

Page. 

Pull  together,  to 340 

Pull  up,  to 751 

Pump,  to 409 

Pummel,  to 409 

Pursuant  to 780 

Push  on,   to 190 

Push,  (or  elbow),  one's 

way,  to 190 

Public  credit 100 

Public  law 502 

Public  opinion 592 

Public  war 593 

Put 7G0 

Put,  to 409 

Put  a  false  construction 

on,  to 190 

Put  a  good  face  upon,  to.    781 

Put  a  rod  in  pickle,  to 191 

Put  a  ship  into  commis- 
sion, to  (Naut.) 719 

Put  a  stop,  (or  an  end),  to, 

to 101 

Put  about,  to 100 

Put  an  end  to,  to 191 

Put  away,  to 191 

Put  back,  to 781 

Put  between,  to 191 

Put  by,  to 719 

Put  down,  to 719 

Put  forth,  to 717 

Put  forth  one's  strength,  to  101 

Put  in,  to 710 

Put  in,  (or  into),  to 101 

Put  in  a  word,  to 341 

Put  in  an  appearance,  to.   400 

Put  in  force,  to 781 

Put  in  irons,  to 102 

Put  in  pledge,  to 102 

Put  in  practice,  to 781 

Put  in  requisition,  to 720 

Put  in  tune,  to 593 

Put  into  the  way  of)  to. . .    102 

Put  it  to,  to 341 

Put  off,  to 102 

Put  on,  to 102 

Put  on  airs,  to 341 

Put  on  one's  good  be- 
havior, to 341 

Put  on  one's  guard,  to...  781 
Put  on  short  allowance,  to  593 
Put  on  the  screws,  to,  . . .  341 
Put  one  in  possession  ofj 

to 192 

Put,  (or  throw),  one  ofif 

his  guard,  to 102 

Put  one  on  his  mettle,  to.    lOIJ 

Put  one's  foot  in  it,  to 341 

Put  one's  head  into  a 

hornet's  nest,  to 593 

Put  one's  nose  out  of  joint, 

to 193 

Put  one's  self  forward,  to.  593 
Put  one's  self  in  the  place 

of  others,  to 593 

Put  out,  to 193 

Put  out  of  humor,  to,...    193 

Put  out  of  sight,  to 781 

Put  over,  to 193 

Put  pen  to  paper,  to 593 


PaffC. 

Put  that  into  your  pipe 

and  smoke  it 751 

Put  the  best  foot  foremost, 

to 341 

Put  tlie  cart  before  the 

horse,  to 432 

Put  the  case 194 

Put  the  great  seal  into 

commist^ion,  to  (Eng.)..  781 

Put  through,  to 720 

Put  through,  to 742 

Put  to  death,  to 782 

Put  to  flight,  to 194 

Put  to  inconvenience,  to..  782 

Put  to  it,  to  be 194 

Put  to  it,  to  be 342 

Put  to  press,  to 194 

Put,  (or  set),  to  rights,  to.  194 

Put  to  rout,  to 720 

Put  to  sea,  to 782 

Put  to  shame,  to 782 

Put  to  the  blush,  to 194 

Put  to  the  proof,  to 503 

Put  to  the  rack,  to 194 

Put,  (or  submit),  to  the 

test,  to 195 

Put  to  the  trumps,  to. . . .  195 

Put  to  the  sword,  to 195 

Put  together,  to 782 

Put  to  vote,  to. 195 

Put  under  the  screw,  to. .  720 

Put  up,  to 195 

Put-up  job,  a 409 

Put  up  the  sword,  to 195 

Put  upon 409 

Q. 

Quaker  gun 196 

Qualified  fee  (Law) 594 

Qualified  indorsement 

(Law) 594 

Qualified  negative  (Legis- 
lation)   594 

Qualified  property 594 

Qualitative  analysis 

(Chew.) 594 

Quantitative  analj'sis 

(Ghem.) 595 

Quantity  of  estate  (Zau'). .  595 
Quarrel  with  one's  bread 

and  butter,  to 342 

Quarter  face 595 

Quartermaster-general 

(Mil), 595 

Queen  consort 595 

Queen-dowager 595 

Queen-mother 595 

Queen  regent 595 

Queen's  bench 595 

Queen's  counsel 595 

Queen's  evidence  (Eng. 

Law) 596 

Queer  fish,  a 342 

Question  at,  (or  in),  issue.  596 
Question  of  privilege  (Par- 
liamentary usage) 596 

Quick  as  thought 342 

Quick  parts 196 


Page. 

Quick  time 596 

Quicken  one's  pace,  to, , .  596 

Quite  a  while '782 

Quite  another  thing 596 

Quite  the  contrary., 596 

Quit  cost,  to.    196 

Quit  scores,  to 196 

Quits,  to  be 342 

Quod 409 

R. 

Rack  and  ruin 343 

Rack  one's  brains,  to 343 

Rag,  shag,  {ur  tag),  and 

bobtail 410 

Railway-plant 597 

Rain  cats  and  dogs,  {or 

pitchforks),  to 343 

Rain  in  torrents,  to 343 

Rain  or  shine 343 

Raise  a  blockade,  to  {Mil)  720 

Raise  a  siege,  to  {Mil). . .  782 

Raise  the  wind,  to 343 

Rake  up,  to 196 

Rake  up,  to 343 

Random  sliot 597 

Rank  and  file  {Mil.) 597 

Rankle  in  the  breast,  to. .  597 

Range  with,  to 196 

Rapscallion 410 

Rate  a  chronometer,  to.. .  782 

Rattling  pace,  a 289 

Reach  after,  (at,  or  unto), 

to   720 

Reach  one's  ears,  to 196 

Read  a  lecture,  {or  ser- 
mon), to 344 

Read  between  the  lines,  to  197 
Reading  of  a  bill,  {Legisla- 
tion)   597 

Ready  money 197 

Ready  to  burst 597 

Ready  to  drop 597 

Rein  in,  to 198 

Relate  to,  to   198 

Relating  to 451 

Religious  liberty 599 

Rely  upon,  to 721 

Remain  at  a  distance,  to,.  198 

Remain  over,  to 599 

Remotely,  {or  distantly), 

related 600 

Real  action  {Law) 597 

Real  estate 597 

Reason  in  a  circle,  to. 

Argue  in  a  circle,  to. . .  598 

Recall  to  life,  to 598 

Receive  the  sacrament,  to.  782 

Receive  with  open  arms,  to  197 

Receiving  office  {Eng.). . .  598 

Receiving  ship 598 

Reciprocity  treaty,  or 
Treaty  of  reciprocity 

{Liternational  Law).  . . .  598 

Reckon  on,  {or  upon),  to,.  720 

Reckon  with,  to 720 

Reckon  without  one's 

host,  to 197 


INDEX. 

Page. 

Reconnaisance  in  force 

{MU.) 598 

Red  as  tire 598 

Red-letter  day 197 

Red  man,  {or  redskin) 599 

Red  tape 197 

Redeem  one's  pledge,  to..  598 
Reduce  a  design,  (tigure, 

or  draft),  to 783 

Reduce  a  fortification,  {or 

fort),  to  {Mil.) 783 

Reduce  to  powder,  to 599 

Reduce  to  the  ranks,  to. ,  783 
Reduce  to  a  skeleton,  {or 

a  shadow) 344 

Refer  to,  to 197 

Reform  school 599 

Regard  to,  with,  {or  in).. .  198 
Regular  as  clock- work. . .   344 

Regular  board 755 

Regular  troops 599 

Regular,  (or  regular  way) .  756 
Regulation  sword,  cap, 

uniform,  &c.  {Mil) 599 

Render  null,  to 198 

Repeat  as  a  parrot,  to ... .   600 

Report  one's  self,  to 198 

Reported  of,  to  be 198 

Representative  govern- 
ment    600 

Republican  party  {U.  S.)..   600 

Repugnant  to 601 

Reserve  fund 601 

Residuary  legatee 601 

Retired  list  {Mil.  or  Naut.)  601 

Resolved 601 

Resolved  into,  to  be 22 

Respect  the  person,  to. . .   '721 

Respecting 451 

Rest  assured 344 

Rest  assured,  to 721 

Rest  with,  to 198 

Result  from,  to 721 

Resulting  use  {Law) 601 

Retail 601 

Retire,  to  {Ainer.) 410 

Retiring  pension 602 

Retroactive  law 602 

Return  ball 602 

Return  the  compliment,  to  602 
Return  to  one's  first  love, 

to 198 

Reverse  an  engine,  to....  783 
Reverse  of  the  medal,  the  602 
Revolve  in  the  mind,  to. .   199 

Rib 410 

Ribbons 410 

Rich  as  Croesus 344 

Ride  and  tie,  to 199 

Ride  at  anchor,  to 602 

Ride,  {or  sit),  bodkin,  to. .   344 

Ride  easy,  to  (iVaw^.) 783 

Ride  hard,  to 199 

Ride  hard,  to  {Naut.) 783 

Ride  one's  hobby,  {or 

hobby-horse),  to 199 

Ride  post,  to 783 

Ride  rough-shod,  to 199 

Ride  Shanks'  mare,  to 410 


905 

Page. 

Rhyme  or  reason 199 

Rig  a  ship,  to  {Naut).  .  .  .    "83 
Right  a  vessel,  to  {Naut.). .   783 

Right  ahead 602 

Right  and  left 344 

Right  and  left 602 

Right  away,  {or  right  off,) 

{U.  S.) 344 

Right-hand  man 345 

Right  of  eminent  domain 

{Law) 603 

Right  of  search  {Mari- 
time laiu) 603 

Right  of  support  {Laiv). . .    603 

Right  of  way  {Laiu) 199 

Right  smart 410 

Right  the  helm,  to  {Naut.)  783 
Rights  and  lefts,  {said  of 

shoes) 344 

Ring  changes  on,  to 200 

Ringing  of,  {or  in)  the  ears 

{Med.) 603 

Rip  open,  to 603 

Rip  out,  to 751 

Rise  in  the  world,  to 721 

Rising  of. 721 

Road-agent 410 

Robbing  Peter  to  pay 

Paul 345 

Rocks 410 

Roll  in  riches,  {or  wealth), 

to 345 

Roll  into  a  ball,  to 604 

Roll  of  honor 721 

Roll  on,  to 200 

Roll  up,  to 604 

Rolling  fire  {Mil.) 603 

Rolling  stock,  {or  plant). .   603 

Roman  candle. 604 

Room  and  to  spare 345 

Root  and  branch 200 

Root  out,  to 200 

Rope  of  sand 200 

Rotgut 411 

Rough,  a 411 

Rough  customer 345 

Rough  diamond 345 

Rough  estimate,  a 289 

Rough  draft 200 

Rough  guess,  a 289 

Rough  it,  to 345 

Rough  on  one,  to  be 411 

Round  a  period,  to 604 

Round  in,  to  {Naut.) 784 

Round  number 200 

Round  of  cartridges 604 

Round  to,  to  {Naut.) 784 

Round  trip 604 

Round  trot 201 

Round  up,  to  {Naut.) 784 

Rout  out,  to 201 

Rowdy 411 

Royal  assent 604 

Royal  road 201 

Rub  down,  to 784 

Rub  out,  to 721 

Rub  up,  to 722 

Rugged  {Amer.) 346 

Rule  the  roast,  to 346 


906 

Page. 

Ruling  passion 604 

Rum  {Provincial  English).  411 

Run,  to 411 

Run  a  church,  to 751 

Run  a  race,  to 604 

Run  a  race,  to 722 

Run  a  risk,  to 201 

Run  a  tilt,  to 722 

Run  after,  to 722 

Run  against,  to 201 

Run  against  time,  to 201 

Run  amuck,  to 201 

Run  away,  to 202 

Run  counter  to,  to 202 

Run  down,  to 346 

Run  down  a  coast,  to. . . .  722 

Run  for  one's  life,  to 605 

Run  foul  of,  to 346 

Run,  {or  fall),  foul  of,  to. .  722 

Run  high,  to 202 

Run  in  a  groove,  to 605 

Run  in,  {or  into),  to 722 

Run  in  debt,  to 784 

Run  in  one's  head,  to 346 

Run  in  the  blood,  to 346 

Run  of  luck, 605 

Run  on,  to 722 

Run  on,  {or  upon),  to 723 

Run  one's  face,  to 411 

Run  out,  to 722 

Run  over,  to 202 

Run  riot,  to 202 

Run  the  eye  over,  to 346 

Run  the  guard,  to 723 

Run  the  rig  upon,  to 202 

Run  through,  to 202 

Run  together,  to 784 

Run  up,  to 203 

Run  wild,  to 346 

Running  days  {Naut) 605 

Running  fight 605 

Running  fire  {Mil) 605 

Running  title 605 

Rush  headlong,  to 203 

Rush  headlong,  to  {rep.). .  606 

Rustic  work  {Arch.) 606 

S. 

Sad  dog 412 

Saddle  with,  to 203 

Safe  and  sound 606 

Sail  under  false  colors,  to.  723 

Sailhig  orders 606 

St.  (Saint)  Valentine's  day  625 

Sally  forth,  to 203 

Salt  as  brine 606 

Salt  down  stock,  to 762 

Salt  water 606 

Salted,  to  be 203 

Sap  the  foundation  of,  to.  203 

Satisfy  all  demands,  to. . .  607 

Sauce 412 

Sauce,  to 412 

Savanna. 607 

Save  appearances,  to 784 

Save  one's  bacon,  to 203 

Save  one's  bacon,  to 412 

Saving  one's  presence 607 


INDEX. 

Page. 

Sawbones 412 

Sawney 412 

Say,  {ur  speak),  a  good 

word  for,  to 784 

Say  good  bye.  Bid  adieu, 

to 204 

Say  grace,  to 723 

Say  over,  {or  tell),  one's    • 

beads,  to 723 

Scalawag 412 

Scale,  {or  scale  down),  a 

debt,  to 204 

Scamp 412 

Scarcely  any 607 

Scarcely  ever 607 

Scare  up 413 

Scatter  to  the  winds,  to . .  347 

Scene  of  action.' 607 

Sconce 413 

Scoot,  to 413 

Scourge  of  the  human 

race 607 

Scrape  acquaintance  with, 

to 347 

Scrape  together,  to 204 

Scratched  ticket 607 

Screamer 413 

Screw  {College  cant) 413 

Screwed 413 

Screw  loose,  a 413 

Screw  one's  courage  to 

the  sticking  place,  to.. .  347 

Screw  out,  to   723 

Screw  up,  to 724 

Scrimmage 413 

Scrumptious 413 

Scum  of  society 204 

Sealed  book,  a 448 

Seal  the  lips,  to 204 

Seal  up,  to 20i 

Search  out,  to 724 

Search-warrant  {Law) 608 

Seat  of  authority 608 

Secondary  evidence 608 

Second  cousin 204 

Second  edition,  a 608 

Second-hand 608 

Second  story 608 

Secure  arms,  to  {Mil). ...  724 

See  at  a  glance,  to 204 

See  daylight,  to 742 

See  fair  play,  to 205 

See  how  the  land  lies,  to.  347 

See  it,  to 347 

See  it  out,  to 414 

See  land,  to 609 

See  one's  way  clear,  to. . .  609 

See  one  paid,  to 205 

See  one  to  a  place,  to 205 

See  service,  to 205 

See  that  a  thing  is  done,  to  205 

See  the  light,  to 205 

See  the  point,  to 205 

See  through,  to 206 

See  to,  to 206 

See  with  half  an  eye,  to. .  347 

Seedy 347 

Seeing 609 

Seed  down,  to 205 


Page. 

Seek  a  clew,  to 784  ' 

Seek  after,  to 724 

Seize  on,  {or  upon),  to. . . .  784 

Self-made  man 609 

Sell,  a 414 

Sell  one's  life  dearly,  to. .  206 

Sell  out,  to 206 

Sell  out  a  man,  to 761 

Sell  short,  to  {Stock  Ex- 
change)    206 

Seller's  option 756 

Semi-oecasionally 414 

Send  about  one's  business, 

to 784 

Send  forth,  {or  out),  to. . .  785 

Send  packing,  to 752 

Send  to  Coventry,  to 206 

Send  word,  to 609 

Sensible  of,  to  be 206 

Sequester  one's  self,  to. . .  206 

Sergeant-major 609 

Serve  a  writ,  {or  a  process), 

to  {Law) ; 207 

Serve  an  attachment,  {or 
writ  of  attachment),  to 

{Law) 207 

Serve  as  a  substitute,  to. .  207 

Serve  one  out,  to 785 

Serve  one  right,  to 348 

Serve  one  the  same  sauce, 

to 414 

Serve  one's  apprentice- 
ship, to 207 

Serve  one's  time,  to 207 

Serve  one's  turn,  to 207 

Serve  up,  to 724 

Service  of  a  writ,  process, 

&c.  {Law) 609 

Set  a  saw,  to 785 

Set  a  trap,  {or  snare),  to. .  785 

Set  a  value  on,  to 208 

Set  about,  to 724 

Set  against,  to 724 

Set  a-going,  to 207 

Set  an  example,  to 610 

Set  apart,  to 785 

Set  aside,  to 785 

Set  aside,  to  {Law) 724 

Set  at  defiance,  to 785 

Set  at  ease,  to 725 

Set  at  ease,  to  {rep.) 785 

Set  at  naught,  to 207 

Set  at  rest,  to 786 

Set  before,  to 786 

Set  before  one,  to 786 

Set  by,  to 208 

Set  down,  to 208 

Set  down,  to  be 348 

Set  eyes  on,  to 786 

Set  fire,  to 725 

Set  foot  on,  to 610 

Set  forth,  to 208 

Set  forward,  to 208 

Set  free,  to 786 

Set  in,  to 208 

Set  in  order,  to 786 

Set  light  by,  to 725 

Set  milk,  to 209 

Setoff,  to 208 


Page. 

Set  on,  to 209 

Set  on,  {or  upon),  to  be. .  .  125 

Set  on  fire,  to 209 

Set  on  foot,  to 209 

Set  one's  cap  for,  to 348 

Set  one's  face  against,  to. .  209 

Set  one's  hand  to,  to 209 

Set  one's  band  and  seal  to, 

to 186 

Set  one's  heart  on,  to. . . .  210 

Set  one's   wits  to  work,  to  348 

Set  out,  to 210 

Set  out,  to 125 

Set  over,  to 125 

Set  rank,  to 186 

Set  right,  to 210 

Set  sail,  to  {Naut) 210 

Set,  {or  settled),  purpose. .  61 0 

Set  speech 610 

Set  store  by,  to 348 

Set  the  fashion,  to 210 

Set  the  hand  to,  to 125 

Set  the  heart  at  rest,  to  . .  125 

Set  the  law  at  defiance,  to  610 

Set  the  river  on  fire,  to . . .  348 

Set  the  table  in  a  roar,  to.  186 

Set  the  teeth  on  edge,  to.  210 

Set  together  by  the  ears,  to  348 

Set  to  work,  to 211 

Set  up,  to 211 

Set  up,  to  be 414 

Settle,  to 211 

Settle  dilferences,  to 211 

Settle  down,  to 211 

Settle  on,  {or  upon),  to. . .  125 

Settle  the  question,  to ... .  610 

Settling  day 159 

Seven-shooter 414 

Seven  wonders  of  the 

world 610 

Sew  up,  to 126 

Shade,  {or  degree),  or  dif- 
ference   610 

Shake  hands  with,  to 181 

Shake  off,  to 212 

Siiake  off  the  yoke,  to. . . .  212 
Shake,  {or  stagger),  one's 

faith,  (or  behef),  to 610 

Shake  one's  sides,  to 348 

Shake  the  head,  to 212 

Shall— will; 212 

Sham  Abraham,  to...     ..  414 

Slianty 414 

Shape  one's  course,  to, . . .  212 

Sharpen  the  wits,  to 611 

Shave  a  note,  to 348 

Shed  blood,  to 213 

Sheepskin 414 

Sheep-walk 611 

Sheer  off,  to   187 

Sheer  up,  to  {Naut.) 126 

Sheet  of  water,  a 449 

Shell  out,  to 349 

Shell  out,  to 415 

Shift  about,  to 126 

Shift  off,  to 126 

Shindy 415 

Shining  light,  a 449 

Ship  of  the  line 611 


INDEX. 

Page. 

Ship  off,  to 213 

Ship  the  oars,  to  {Naut.)...  187 

Shipping  articles 611 

Ship's  husband  (^QM^.)...  213 

Siiip's  papers 611 

Shoe  the  anchor,  to  {Naut.)  181 

Shoot  ahead  of,  to 213 

Shoot  up,  to 213 

Shop  bill 611 

Shore  dinner. 611 

Short  commons 415 

Short  cut,  a 1 

Short  of,  to  be 349 

Short  of,  to  be  {rep.) 126 

Shorten  sail,  to  {Naut.). . .  187 

Short-spoken 349 

Show 415 

Show  a  bold  front,  to 213 

Show  fight,  to 126 

Show  forth,  to 181 

Show  bis  paces,  to 213 

Show  of  hands 612 

Show  of  reason 612 

Show  off,  to 214 

Show  one's  colors,  to 214 

Show  one's  face,  to 214 

Show  one's  teeth,  to 214 

Show  the  white  feather, 

to 214 

Show  up,  to 349 

Shove  by,  to 181 

Shrapnel  shell 612 

Shrink  from,  to 126 

Shrug  the  shoulders,  to.. .  127 

Shuffle  off,  to 127 

Shuffle  up,  to 121 

Shut  down,  to 349 

Shut  in,  to 214 

Shut  of,  to  be,  {or  to  get).  415 

Shut  one's  self  up,  to 181 

Shut  out,  to 214 

Shut  up,  to 215 

Shut  up,  to 415 

Shy,  to 415 

Sick  bay 612 

Sick  headache 612 

Sick  market,  a 161 

Sick  of,  to  be 215 

Side-har  rules  {Eng.  Law).  612 

Side  by  side 612 

Side  with,  to 215 

Siege-train 613 

Sift  out,  to 215 

Sight 349 

Sign  manual  {Eng.  Law). .  613 

Sign  off,  to 121 

Signal  post,  {or  signal 

staff) 613 

Signal  telegraph 613 

Signify,  to 121 

Silent,  sleeping,  {or  dor- 
mant) partner 613 

Simon-pure 415 

Simple  contract  {Law). . . .  613 
Simple  obligation ( Cm7 

Law) 614 

Sinews  of  war,  the 215 

Sing  out,  to 415 

Single  blessedness,  {or 


907 

Page. 
state  of  single  blessed- 
ness)   349 

Sink  into,  {or  penetrate), 

the  mind,  to 215 

Sink  money,  to 614 

Sink  or  swim 215 

Sinking  fund 614 

Sisters  of  charity  {Bom. 

Cath.    Church) 614 

Sisters  of  mercy  {Rom. 

Cath.  Church) 614 

Sit  in  judgment,  to 216 

Sit  it  out,"to   216 

Sit  on  the  fence,  to 152 

Sit  on  thorns,  to 216 

Sit  under,  to 350 

Sit  up,  to 216 

Sixes  and  sevens,  at 350 

Skedaddle,  to 416 

Sketch-book 614 

Skim  the  surface,  to 216 

Skin,  to 216 

Skin-flint 416 

Skip  over,  to 127 

Slacken  one's  gait,  {or 

pace),   to 614 

^lant  of  wind  {Naut) 614 

Slapdash,  to 350 

Sleep  like  a  log,  to 350 

Sleight  of  hand 615 

Slight  over,  to 127 

Slip  a  cable,  to  {Naut.) 216 

Slip  of  the  pen 614 

Slip  of  the  tongue 614 

Slip  on,  to 216 

Slip  the  collar,  halter,  &c., 

to 211 

Slip  through  the  fingers, 

to 211 

Slip  up,  to 128 

Slippery  as  an  eel 350 

Sloop  of  war 615 

Slop  over,  to 152 

Slow  coach 350 

Sluice  off,  to 743 

Slur  over,  to 217 

Small  arms 615 

Small  coin. , 615 

Small  fruits 615 

Small  fry 359 

Small  hours 350 

Smalltalk 217 

Smash-up 152 

Smell  a  rat,  to 350 

Smell  of,  to 211 

Smell  of  the  shop,  to 217 

Smell  out,  to 351 

Smooth  log  {Naut.) 615 

Smooth  the  way,  to 211 

Snake  out,  to 152 

Snap 416 

Snap  one's  fingers  at,  to. .  351 

Snap  one  up,  to 211 

So  and  so 615 

So  called 615 

So  far  as  concerns 616 

So  far  forth 616 

So  forth 616 

So  help  you  God 617 


908 

Page. 

So  much  so 788 

So  much  the  better 617 

So  much  the  worse 618 

So-so 351 

So-so  (rep.) 618 

So  soon  as 618 

So  that 618 

So  then 618 

So  to  speak 218 

Sober  down,  to 218 

Sober  reality 615 

Social  evil,  the 616 

Social  science 616 

Society  verses 616 

Sockdologer 416 

Soft  money 351 

Soft-soap 416 

Soft-soap,  to 416 

Solar  system  {Astn-on.) 617 

Solar  year. 617 

Sold 416 

Some,  {or  one),  of  these 

days 416 

Somehow  or  other 617 

Some  one 617 

Something  else 617 

Sometime  ago 617 

Somewhere  about 351 

Sooner  or  later 618 

Sophomore  class 788 

Sore  subject 218 

Sound  currency  {Com.). . .   618 
Sound  in  damages,  to 

{Laio) 728 

Sound  the  alarm,  to 618 

Sour  grapes 351 

Sovereign  state 619 

Sow  broadcast,  to 218 

Sow  the  seeds  of,  to 218 

Sow  wild  oats,  to 351 

Spanking  breeze 619 

Spare  room 619 

Speak  a  ship,  to 218 

Speak  for  itself,  to 218 

Speak  one's  mind,  to 728 

Speak  volumes,  to 219 

Speak  well  for,  to 219 

Special  damages 619 

Special  deposit 619 

Special  jury 619 

Special  property 619 

Specie 619 

Specific  character  {Nat. 

Hist ) 620 

Specific  duty 620 

Specific  gravity 620 

Specific  legacy  {Law) 620 

Specific  name  {Nat  Hist)    620 

Spell 416 

Spent  ball 219 

Spick  and  span  new 219 

Spike  the  guns,  to 219 

Spin  a  yarn,  to  {Naut). . .   219 

Spin  out,  to 219 

Spin  street-yarn,  to 752 

Spinal  column  {Anat) 620 

Spirit  and  the  letter,  of, 

the 728 

Spirit  farm 620 


INDEX. 

Page. 

Spitfire ■ 417 

Sphce,  to 417 

Splice  the  main  brace,  to 

{Naut    Cant) 752 

SpUt  hairs,  to 728 

Split  the  difference,  to 352 

Split  ticket 621 

Splurge  {Amer.) 352 

Spoiled  child,  a 219 

Spoke  in  one's  wlieel,  to 

put  a 220 

Spontaneous  combustion. .  621 

Spooney 417 

Spoons 417 

Sport,  to 417 

Sport  one's  door,  {or  oak), 

to  {Eng.  Univ.) 753 

Spout,  to 417 

Spread  abroad,  to 220 

Spread  like  wildfire,  to. . .  352 

Spread  one's  self,  to 743 

Spree  it,  to 753 

Spring  a  leak,  to  {Naut). .  220 

Spring  a  rattle,  to 788 

Spring  the  luff,  to  (JVoMi.).  219 
Spring  up  like  a  mush- 
room, to 621 

Spry 417 

Spunk, 417 

Spy  out,  to 220 

Square  by,  to 220 

Square  with,  to 220 

Squeeze  out,  to 788 

Squeeze  through,  to 788 

Slack  arms,  to  {3IiL) 220 

Stage  whisper 418 

Stale  demand 621 

Stamp  out,  to 728 

Stand  a  chance,  to 220 

Stand  aghast,  to 788 

Stand  aloof,  to 221 

Stand  at  the  head,  to 221 

Stand  by,  to 221 

Stand  fast,  to 221 

Stand  fire,  to 788 

Stand  first,  to 221 

Stand  for.  to 221 

Stand  for,  to 221 

Stand  in  fear  of,  to 221 

Stand  in  hand,  to 221 

Stand  in  one's  own  light, 

to 222 

Stand,  {or  be),  in  one's 

shoes,  to 352 

Stand  in  stead,  to 222 

Stand  in  the  gap,  to 222 

Stand  in  the  way  of,  to.. .  788 

Stand  it,  to 352 

Stand  of  arms 621 

Stand  of  arms,  a 450 

Stand  off,  to 222 

Stand  off  and  on,  to  {Naut)  223 

Stand  on  ceremony,  to 789 

Stand  on  end,  to 621 

Stand  on  one's  own  legs, 

to 743 

Stand  one  in,  to 223 

Stand  one's  ground,  to. , .  223 

Standout,  to.... 223 


Page. 

Stand  over,  to 223 

Stand  still,  to 622 

Stand  to,  to 728 

Stand  to  reason,  to 223 

Stand  to  sea,  to  {Naut).. .    729 

Stand  treat,  to 352 

Stand  trial,  to 728 

Stand  up,  to 789 

Stand-up  fight,  a 450 

Stand  up  for,  to 223 

Stand  upon,  to 224 

Standing  dish,  a 352 

Standing  order 622 

Standing  rules 621 

Standing  water. 021 

Staple  commodity 622 

Stare  one  in  the  face,  to. .    224 

Star  it,  to 753 

Star-spangled  banner. . .  .  622 

Start  for,  to 729 

Start  game,  to 353 

Start  off,  to 224 

Start  up.  to 224 

State  paper 622 

State's  evidence 622 

Statute  of  limitations  (iaw;)  622 

Stave  off,  to 224 

Stay  away,  to 224 

Stay  one's  hand,  to 622 

Steal  a  march  upon,  to, . .    224 

Steal  along,  to 224 

Steeled  against 623 

Steer  clear  of,  to 225 

Steer  for,  to 623 

Steerage  passenger 623 

Stem  the  tide,  to 225 

Stem  tlie  torrent,  to 225 

Step  aside,  to 789 

Step  by  step 225 

Step  by  step  {rep.) 623 

Step  in,  {or  into),  to 729 

Step  into,  to 225 

Steppe 623 

Stick 418 

Stick  at,  to 225 

Stick  by,  to 226 

Stick  in  one's  crop,  {or 

gizzard),  to 418 

Stick  in  the  throat,  to. . . .   226 

Stick  out,  to 226 

Stick  out,  to 418 

Stick  to,  to 226 

Stiff  as  a  poker 226 

Still  as  a  mouse 353 

Still  as  a  mouse  {rep.). . . .   623 

Still  less 623 

Still  more 623 

Sting  to  the  quick,  to. . . .   623 

Stir  your  stumps 418 

Stir  up,  to 226 

Stirring  events 624 

Stitch  of  work,  a 451 

Stitch  up,  to 730 

Stock  down.  to.... 226 

Stock  exchange 755 

Stock-exchange 789 

Stock  in  trade 624 

Stomach,  to 353 

Stone  age 624 


Pape. 

Stone's  throw,  a 452 

Stop,  to 353 

Stop  over,  to 743 

Stop  payment,  to 227 

Stop  short,  to 624 

Stop  the  mouth,  to 729 

Storm  brewing,  a 452 

Story 418 

Strai^rht  ticket 624 

Strain,  {or  stretch),  a  point, 

to 227 

Strain  every  nerve,  to 789 

Strain  one's  eyes,  to 624 

Strategic  point  {Mil) 227 

Strategic  point 624 

Straw  bail 227 

Straw  bid 353 

Streak  it,  to 418 

Street  Arabs 418 

Stress  of  weather 624 

Stress  of  weather  {rep.). . .  789 

Stretch  of  imagination. . . .  625 
Stretf'h  on  the  bed  of 

Procrustes,  to 227 

Strickly  speaking. 227 

Strike  a  balance,   to 227 

Strike  a  bargain,  to 228 

Strike  a  docket,  to 729 

Strike  a  docket,  to  {Eng. 

Laiv){rep.} 789 

Strike  a  jury,  to 228 

Strike  dumb,  to 228 

Strike  home,  to 729 

Strike  in,  to 228 

Strike  off,  to 228 

Strike  oil.  to 418 

Strike  one's  colors,  to. . . .  729 
Strike,  {or  take),  one's 

fancy,  to 729 

Strike  out,  to 228 

Strike  out.  to 730 

Strike  root,  to 730 

Strike  the  eye,  to 229 

Strike,  {or  lower),  the  flag, 

to 229 

Strike  up,  to 229 

Strike  while  the  iron  is 

hot,  to. 353 

Strong 625 

Strong  as  a  lion,  {or  as  a 

horse)   353 

Strong-box 353 

Strong  hand,  a 452 

Strong  point 229 

Strong  verbs  {Gram.) 625 

Struck  all  of  a  heap,  to  be  419 

Stubborn  fact,  a 452 

Stuck-up 419 

Stuff;  to 419 

Stuff"  the  ballot-box,  to 

(U.  S.) 229 

Stumble  upon,  to 229 

Stump,  to 354 

Stump,  to 354 

Stump  orator 625 

Stiimp-speech 354 

Stung  to  the  quick 229 

Stunner 419 

Stunning 419 


INDEX. 

Paffe. 
Sub 419 

Subject  of  inquiry,  study, 

thought,  &c 625 

Subject  to  examination,  to  625 
Subject  to  trial,  {or  test), 

to 625 

Submarine  telegraph 626 

Subscription  paper 626 

Such  and  such 626 

Such  as 626 

Such  being  the  case 451 

Such  is  the  case 626 

Sue  out,  to  {Law) 229 

Suit  one's  fancy,  to 230 

Suit,  (or  fit),  to  a  T,  to...   230 

Sum  and  substance 230 

Summit  level 626 

Sum  total 627 

Sum  up,  to 230 

Sum  up,  to 230 

Superior  to,  to  be 627 

Supplemental  bill  {Equity)  627 
Support  arms,  to  {Mil.). . .  790 
Sure  as  fate,  (or  as  death).  354 

Sure  enough 354 

Surprise  party 627 

Surrender  at  discretion, 

to 230 

Suspension  bridge 627 

Suspension  of  arms  (iM) .    627 

Swag 419 

Swallow  up,  to 230 

Swap,  to 354 

Swarm  like  locusts,  {or 

like  bees),  to 627 

Swear  like  a  trooper,  to. .   354 

Swear  in.  to 730 

Swear  off",  to 753 

Swear  the  peace  against 

one,  to 231 

Sweat  coin,  to 231 

Sweat  of  one's  brow 627 

Swell 420 

Swell  the  ranks,  to 790 

Sweep  away,  to 730 

Sweep  the  anchor,  to 

{Naut) 790 

Sweet  tooth 354 

Sweet  upon,  to  be 354 

Swig 420 

Swim  with  the  stream,  to.  231 
Swimming  market 761 

T. 

Table  of  contents 628 

Take  a  course,  to 231 

Take  a  cursor}'-  view  of,  to  231 

Take  a  fancy  to,  to 355 

Take  a  favorable  turn,  to.  790 
Take  a  liberty,  {or  take 

liberties),  to 355 

Take  a  new,  {or  fresh), 

lease  of  Hfe,  to 628 

Take  a  paper,  to 232 

,  Take  a  ride,  to 628 

I  Take  a  risk,  to 232 

1  Take  a  shine,  to 753 

i  Take  a  shoot,  to 790 


909 

Pnire. 

Take  a  snack,  to 753 

Take  a  step,  (or  steps),  to.  732 

Take  a  turn,  to 232 

Take  a  walk,  to 233 

Take  advice,  to 730 

Take  after,  to 231 

Take  air,  to 730 

Take  along,  to 731 

Take  amiss,  to 232 

Take  an  account  of,  to  . . .  232 

Take  arms,  to 232 

Take  at  one's  word,  to, . .  232 

Take  away,  to 233 

Take  breath,  to 233 

Take  captive,  to 731 

Take  care  ! 628 

Take  care,  to 233 

Take  care  of,  to 790 

Take  counsel,  to 233 

Take  credit  to  one's  self, 

to 628 

Take  down,  to 233 

Take  down  a  peg,  to 355 

Take  eff'ect,  to ,  234 

Take  exception  against, 

{or  to),  10 234 

Take  fire,  to 628 

Take  fire,  lo  {rep.) 731 

Take  for,  to 234 

Take  for  granted,  to 234 

Take  French  leave,  to. . . .  234 

Take  fright,  to 235 

Take  ground,  to 731 

Take  heart,  to 235 

Take  heed,  to 235 

Take  heed  to,  to 235 

Take  hold  of,  to 235 

Take  horse,  to 731 

Take  in,  to 235 

Take  in,  to 356 

Take  in  dudgeon,  to 731 

Take  in  good  part,  to 236 

Take  in  hand,  to 236 

Take  in  sail,  to 628 

Take  in  tow,  to 236 

Take  into  account,  to 236 

Take  into  consideration,  to  236 

Take  into  custody,  to 236 

Take  into  one's  head,  to. .  356 

Take  it,  to 356 

Take  it  coolly,  to 356 

Take  it  easy,  to 356 

Take  it  ill,  to 731 

Take  it  out,  to 420 

Take  its  rise,  to 237 

Take  kindly  to,  to 237 

Take  leave,  to 237 

Take  measures,  to 237 

Take  notice,  to 238 

Take  oath,  to 238 

Take  off;  to. 238 

Take  off',  to 356 

Take  off"  the  edge,  to 238 

Take  on,  to 238 

Take  on  trust,  to 240 

Take  one  to  do  a  thing,  to  356 

Take  one's  chance,  to 239 

Take  one's  choice,  to 239 

Take  one's  departure,  to. .   239 


910 

Take  one's  flight,  to 2H9 

Take  one's  own  course,  to  239 

Take  one's  self  off,  to ... .  356 

Take  one's  self  off,  to  (rep.)  420 

Take  one's  stand,  to 731 

Take  one's  time,  to 356 

Take  one's  word  for,  to. . .  240 

Take  out,  to 240 

Take  pains,  to 240 

Take  part,  to 732 

Take  passage  in,  to 732 

Take  place,  to 240 

Take  possession,  to 790 

Take  precedence,  to 240 

Take  rank  of,  to 240 

Take  root,  to 240 

Take  sides,  to 241 

Take  sight,  to;  sight,  to..  241 

Take  stock,  to / .  241 

Take  stock  in,  to 420 

Take  the  air,  to 241 

Take  the  average,  to 628 

Take  the  bull  by  the 

horns,  to 241 

Take  the  cars,  (boat, 

stage),  to 241 

Take  the  field,  to 241 

Take  the  first  step,  to 241 

Take  the  hint,  to 242 

Take  the  initiative,  to. . .  .  732 

Take  the  laboring  oar,  to,  242 
Take  the  law  into  one's 

own  hands,  to 357 

Take  the  law  into  one's 

own  hands,  to  (?-6'p.), . .  628 

Take  the  law  of,  to 743 

Take  the  lead,  to 242 

Take  the  name  of  God  in 

vain,  to 242 

Take  the  offensive,  to 732 

Take  the  place  of;  to 242 

Take  the  part  of,  to 790 

Take,  (or  sign),  the  pledge, 

to 242 

Take  the  reins,  to 732 

Take  the  shine  off,  to 420 

Take  the  stump,  to 242 

Take  the  trouble,  to 243 

Take  the  will  for  the  deed, 

to 629 

Take  the  wind  out  of  one's 

sails,  to 743 

Take,  {or  take  up),  time, 

to 243 

Take  time  by  the  forelock, 

to 243 

Take  to,  to 243 

Take  to  do,  to 732 

Take  to  drinking,  to 243 

Take  to  heart,  to 243 

Take  to  task,  to 243 

Take  to  the  heels,  to 243 

Take  to  the  road,  to 791 

Take  turns,  to 244 

Take  umbrage,  to 244 

Take  up,  to 244 

Take  up  arms,  to 244 

Take  up  one's  quarters  at, 

to 245 


INDEX. 

Pane. 

Take  up  the  cross,  to 733 

Take  up  the  gauntlet,  to. .  245 

Take  up  with,  to 245 

Take  upon  one's  self;  to. .  245 

Take  vent,  to 733 

Take  water,  to  {Boating 

cant) 753 

Take  wings,  to 246 

Taken  aback 237 

Taken  ill,  {or  sick),  to  be.  238 

Taken  up  with 245 

Taking  all  tilings  together  629 
Taking  one  thing  with 

another 357 

Taking  one  thing  with 

another 629 

Talk  big,  to 355 

Talk  of,  to 733 

Talk  one's  self  out  of 

breath,  to 355 

Talk  over,  to 246 

Talk  to,  to 355 

Talk  to,  to  {rep.) 743 

Tall 420 

Tan,  to 421 

Tantrums 421 

Tar  and  feather,  to 629 

Taste  of,  to 791 

Teach  the  young  idea 

how  to  shoot,  to 629 

Tear  asunder,    to 629 

Tear  out,  to 246 

Tear  piecemeal,  to 246 

Teetotally 421 

Tell  its  own  tale,  to 246 

Tell  of,  to 246 

Tell  off,  to 246 

Tell  tales,  to 357 

Tell  tales  out  of  school,  to  357 

Ten  to  one 357 

Ten  to  one  {rep) 629 

Ten  up 762 

Tender  mercies 246 

Tender  one's  resignation . .  629 

Than 630 

Thanks  to 357 

That  being  so 451 

That  far 358 

That  is  to  say 247 

The  adversary 630 

The  arm  of  the  law 630 

The  Baconian  method 630 

The  biter  bit 631 

The  bush 631 

The  cause  ofj  to  be 461 

The  cloth 247 

The  cloven  foot 358 

The  coast  is  clear 247 

The  coat  fits 358 

The  crowning  point 631 

The  dead  of  night 247 

The  death  of,  to  be 744 

The  die  is  cast 247 

The  dog  in  the  manger. . .  631 

The  downs  {Eng.) 631 

The  dust 421 

The  enemy  {Mil.) 631 

The  fair  sex 421 

The  fat  is  all  in  the  fire.. .  358 


Pajre. 

The  forks  of  a  river  {or 

road) 791 

The  gentlemen  of  the 

long  robe 631 

The  Grand  Lama 631 

The  greater  part 631 

The  ground  sliding  from 

under  one 632 

The  heart  in  the  right 

place 633 

The  height  of  one's  am- 
bition    632 

The  horrors 247 

The  Horse-guards 632 

The  infernal  regions 632 

The  inspired  penmen 632 

The  last  stroke 632 

The  length  and  breadth 

of  the  land 633 

The  life  of  the  party,  {or 

company) 633 

The  light-fingered  gentry.  421 

The  like '.   358 

Tiie  long  and  the  short  of 

it 633 

The  man  in  the  moon 358 

The  many 633 

The  march  of  intellect.. . .   633 

The  meridian  of  life 633 

The  milk  of  human  kind- 
ness     633 

The  mischief  is 247 

The  more 633 

The  more — the  more 633 

The  other  day 6.34 

The  other  side  of  the  shield  634 

The  past ". 634 

The  pathetic 634 

The  picture  of 634 

The  pink  of  perfection 634 

The  poor 634 

The  pressure  of  the  times.   635 

The  prime  of  life 635 

The  ranks 635 

The  ranks  {rep.) 791 

The  rather 247 

The  ready 421 

The  regular  list,  {and)  the 

free  list 755 

The  republic  of  letters 248 

The  rising  generation ....   248 

The  same  thing  as 635 

The  shakes 359 

The  shorts 758 

The  signs  of  the  times.. . .   635 

The  smiles  of  fortune 635 

The  sport  of,  to  be 248 

The  sport  of  fortune 635 

The  staff  of  life 248 

The  thin  end  of  the  wedge  248 

The  tug  of  war 635 

The  undersigned 636 

The  ups  and  downs 359 

The  very  thing 636 

The  weed 421 

The  why  and  wherefore. .  359 

The  wicked  (Scrip.) 636 

The  witching  time  of  night  636 
The  worse  for,  to  be 22 


Page. 
The  worse  for  liquor,  to 

be 359 

Theatre  of  war 630 

Their  name  is  Legion. . . .   632 

Thereby  liangs  a  tale 243 

There's"  the  rub 358 

Thick 421 

Thick  as  hail 636 

Thin 421 

Think  aloud,  to 359 

Think  better  of  it,  to 733 

Think  good,  (or  well),  to..    733 

Think  hard  of,  to 359 

Think  much  of,  to 248 

Think  no  more  of,  to 636 

Think  scorn,  lo 249 

This  day  week,  [or  fort- 
night)     249 

Thorn  in  the  side 249 

Three  sheets  in  the  wind.  422 
Throbbing  pain  {Med.).. . .  636 
Through-fare,  ticket,  or 

train 636 

Through  fire  and  water. . .  636 
Through  the  medium  of.  .  637 
Through  thick  and  thin.. .   249 

Throw  by,  to 733 

Throw  cold  water  on,  to. .  359 
Throw  down  the  gauntlet, 

to 791 

Throw  dust  in  the  eyes,  to  359 

Throw  in,  to 249 

Throw  into  the  siiade,  to.  249 
Throw,  {or  shed),  light 

upon,  to 733 

Throw  off,  to 249 

Throw  off  tlie  mask,  to. . .  250 
Throw  off  the  scent,  to. . .  734 
Throw  one's  self  on  {or 

upon),  to 791 

Throw  open,  to 734 

Throw  out,  to 250 

Throw  out  a  feeler,  to 250 

Throw  overboard,  to 250 

Throw  up,  to 250 

Throw  up  the  sponge,  to..  422 
Thrown  on  one's  beam- 
ends,  to  be 753 

Thrust  one's  nose  into,  to.  250 

Thrust  one's  self,  to 791 

Thrust  out,  to 734 

Thundering 422 

Thus  far 637 

Tickle  the  palm,  to 250 

Tide  over,  to 360 

Tie  the  hands,  to 251 

Tie  the  nuptial  knot,  to. . .   360 

Tie  to,  to 753 

Tie  up,  {or  down),  to 734 

Tiger 422 

Tight 360 

Tile 422 

Till  doomsday 360 

Till  now,  {or  until  now). .   637 

Till  then 637 

Time  after  time 637 

Time  gone  by 637 

Time  immemorial 251 

Time  is  up,  the 251 


INDEX. 

Page. 

Time  of  day 251 

Time  of  life 637 

Time  on  one's  hands 251 

Time  out  of  mind 251 

Time-table 637 

Time  to  spare 638 

Time  was 251 

Time  well  spent 638 

Time-worn 638 

Times  are  changed 638 

Tin 422 

Tip  off,  to 754 

Tip  one's  fin,  to 422 

Tip  over,  to 734 

Tip  the  double,  to 422 

Tip  the  wink,  to 422 

Tip-top 422 

Tip  up,  to 734 

Tit  for  tat 251 

Title  deeds  {Lmo) 638 

To  a  certain  degree,  {or 

extent) 638 

To  a  certain  extent 252 

To  a  degree 252 

To  a  hair 252 

To  a  large  extent 252 

To  a  man   252 

To  a  nicety 252 

To  a  turn.' 253 

To  all  appearance 360 

To  all  appearance  {rej).)  . .   638 
To  all  intents  and  purposes  638 

To  and  fro 252 

To  and  ^vo{rep.) 638 

To  be  sure,  {or  Be  sure). .   253 

To  blame 253 

To  boot 253 

To  come 734 

To  make  a  long  story 

short 253 

To  no  purpose 253 

To  one's  face 254 

To  one's  hand,  {or  hands).    734 
To  one's  heart's  content. .    254 

To  one's  knowledge 254 

To  one's  mind 254 

To  one's  taste,  {or  mind). .   639 

To  perfection  '. 639 

To  pieces 254 

To  say  the  least 639 

To  seek 255 

To  some  purpose 255 

To  that  effect 255 

To  the  amount 255 

To  the  best  of  one's  abih- 

ties 640 

To  the  best  of  one's 

knowledge 255 

To  the  contrary 255 

To  the  end  of  time 640 

To  the  end  that 792 

Tothefoce 256: 

To  the  full 256 

To  the  last 734 

To  the  letter. 256 

To  the  life 256 

To  the  minute 256 

To  the  purpose 256 

To  the  teeth 257 


911 

Page. 

To  the  tune  of 361 

To  tlie  utmost 640 

To  this  end 640 

To  wit 640 

To  wit 257 

Toad-eater 422 

To-do 423 

Toe  the  mark,  to 754 

Together  by  the  ears 423 

Together  with 639 

Togs  {or  toggery) 423 

Token  of  remembrance. . .   639 

Tomboy 360 

Tone  down,  to  {Paint) 253 

Too  many,  to  be 360 

Too  many,  by  half 361 

Too  many  irons  in  the  fire, 

to  have 361 

Too  much  of  a  good 

thing 361 

Tooth  and  nail 254 

Top  oft;  to 254 

Topple  over,  to 639 

Topsy-turvy 423 

Toss  off,  to 361 

Toss  up,  to 254 

Toss  up  for,  to 639 

Total  abstinence 640 

Tote 423 

Touch  and  go,  to  {Naut.)..   257 

Touch  at,  to 257 

Touch  off,  to 735 

Touch  on,  {or  upon),  to.. .    257 

Tough 36] 

Touter 423 

Tower  of  strength,  a 257 

Town-talk 361 

Trace  back,  to 257 

Trade  dollar 640 

Trade  sale 794 

Train  up,  to 257 

Tramp 641 

Transmogrify,  to 424 

Traps 424 

Travel  post,  to 257 

Tread  close  upon,  to 257 

Tread  on  the  heels  of,  to. .    258 

Tread  out,  to 258 

Treasure  up  in  memory, 

to 641 

Treat  with,  to 258 

Tremble  in  the  balance,  to  258 

Trench  upon,  to 258 

Trestle  work 641 

Trial  by  record 641 

Trick  out,  to 258 

Trifle  with,  to 258 

Trigonometrical  survey. . .   641 

Trim  a  lamp,  to 735 

Trim  the  sails,  to 735 

Trip  it  on  the  light  fantas- 
tic toe,  to 361 

Triumphal  arches 641 

Trot  out,  to 424 

Trouble  one's  self,  {or 

one's  head),  about,  to..   259 

Trough  of  the  sea 641 

Truck 361 

True  bill  {Law) 642 


912 

Page. 

True  time 642 

True  to  nature 642 

True  to  one's  self, 259 

Trump 362 

Trump  card 362 

Trump  up,  to 259 

Trust  to,  to 259 

Trust  to  a  broken  reed, 

to 259 

Trustee  process  {Law) 642 

Try  it  on,  to 424 

Try  on,  to 259 

Try  one's  hand,  to 259 

Try  one's  luck,  to 735 

Try  the  eyes,  to 259 

Tubular  bridge 642 

Tuck  on,  to 754 

Tuckered  out 424 

Turn 760 

Turn,  to 260 

Turn  a  cat  in  the  pan,  to.   260 
Turn  a  cold  slioulder,  to. .   362 

Turn  a  deaf  ear  to,  to 260 

Turn  a  penny,  to 260 

Turn  adrift,  to 260 

Turn  and  turn  about 792 

Turn  and  twist  to,  to 362 

Turn  aside,  to 642 

Turn  away,  to 260 

Turn  away  from,  to 642 

Turn  down,  to 643 

Turn  in,  to 362 

Turn  in  the  mind,  to 735 

Turn  into,  to 261 

Turn  of  mind 261 

Turn  oft;  to 261 

Turn  one's  coat,  to 792 

Turn  one's  hand  to,  to  . . .    792 
Turn  one's  money,  to. . . .   261 

Turn-out 362 

Turn  out,  to 261 

Turn  out  well,  to 792 

Turn  over  a  new  leaf,  to..   262 

Turn  tail,  to 362 

Turn  tail,  to  {rep) 424 

Turn  the  back,  to 262 

Turn  the  back  upon,  to.. .   262 

Turn  the  corner,  to 262 

Turn  the  edfre  of,  to 792 

Turn  the  enemy's  flank,  to 

{Md.) 735 

Turn  the  head,  to 262 

Turn  the  occasion  to  ac- 
count, to , 262 

Turn  the  scale,  to 263 

Turn  tlie  stomach,  to 263 

Turn  the  tables,  to 263 

Turn  to,  to 735 

Turn  to  account,  to 263 

Turn  to  advantage,  {or 

profit),  to 735 

Turn  under,  to 643 

Turn  up,  to 264 

Turn  up  one's  nose  at,  to.   362 

Turn  upon,  to 735 

Turn  upon,  {or  on),  to 263 

Turn  upside  down,  to 263 

Turned  of,  to  be 261 

Turning  point 260 


INDEX. 

Page. 

Tutelary  saint 643 

Tussle,  a 424 

Tweedledum  and 

tweedledee 362 

Twice-told  tale,  a 457 

Twist  on  the  shorts 758 

Twist  together,  to 643 

U. 

Ugly  customer 424 

Ultramontane  doctrines. .   643 
Unburden  one's  mind,  to.   643 

Under 264 

Under  a  cloud,  to  be 363 

Under  age 264 

Under  arms  {Mil) 264 

Under  ban 265 

Under  bare  poles  {Naut).   265 

Under  cover 265 

Under  easy  sail 644 

Under  fire 265 

Under-ground 644 

Under-ground  railroad 

(U.  S.) 425 

Under  lock  and  key 265 

Under  one's  nose 425 

Under  press  of  sail 265 

Under  sail  {Naut) 265 

Under  sentence 265 

Under  the  apprehension, 

to  be 266 

Under  the  auspices  of . . . .   644 

Under  the  breath 266 

Under  the  lee  {Naut.) 792 

Under  the  hand  and  seal..   266 

Under  the  head 266 

Under  the  head  of 644 

Under  the  mask,  (cloak,  or 
pretense),  of  religion. . .   644 

Under  the  rose 266 

Under  the  seal  of  secrecy .   644 

Under  the  sun 266 

Under  the  sun 363 

Under  the  thumb  of 363 

Under  the  wing 266 

Under  water 792 

Under  way 266 

Unequal  to,  to  be*. 267 

Unheard-of 267 

Unhoped  for 644 

Union  by  the  first  inten- 
tion {Surg.) 645 

Unit  of  heat 645 

Unit  of  power 645 

Unit  of  work  {Mech.) 645 

Unite  with,  to 645 

Union  down 267 

Unlawful  assemVjly 645 

Unload,  to  {Stock  Ex.) 425 

Unload,  to 759 

Unship  the  oars,  to  {Naut.)  792 

Unvarnished  tale,  an 445 

Unwritten  law 645 

Up  and  doing,  to  be 363 

Up  and  down 267 

Up  grade 267 

Up  in  arms 267 

Up  stairs 646 


Page. 

Up  stream 268 

Up  the  country 792 

Up  the  spout 425 

Up  to 268 

Up  to  {rep.) 646 

Up  to  the  elbows,  to  be. .  754 

Up  to  the  hub 426 

Up  to  the  mark 269 

Up  to  this  time 646 

Up  to  snuff" 363 

Up  to  snuft'  {rep.) 426 

Up  with  him,  it  is  all 269 

Uphill  work 363 

Upon  the  alert 268 

Upon,  {or  on),  the  spot.  . .  268 

Upon,  (or  on),  the  whole.  268 

Upon  which 646 

Upper  story 425 

Upper  ten 425 

Upper  works  {Naut.) 646 

Uppermost  in  the  mind. . .  268 

Ups  and  downs 744 

Upside  down 268 

Upside  down 646 

Upwards  of 269 

Use  one's  discretion,  to  .  .  269 
Use,  {or  exercise),  one's 

own  discretion,  to 646 

Use  up,  to 269 

Usher  in 269 

Usual  thing,  a 457 

y. 

Vacant  succession 647 

Valuable  consideiation 

{Law) 270 

Value  received 647 

Vamose,  to 426 

Vantage-ground 647 

Variation  of  the  needle.. .  647 
Varmint  {corruption  of 

vermin) 426 

Vengeance,  with  a 364 

Venial  sins  {Rom..  Cath. 

Thtol.) 647 

Ventilate  a  question,  {or 

subject),  to 647 

Venture  at,  (on,  or  upon), 

to 736 

Versed  in 793 

Very  likely;  most  likely..   364 

Very  many 648 

Vexatious  suit  {Law). . .  .   648 

Vexed  question 648 

Vim 426 

Violent  death 648 

Vis  inertias 648 

Visible  church,  the 648 

Visible  horizon 648 

Visit  the  sins  on,  to 793 

Visiting  committee 649 

Visiting  physician 649 

Vital  statistics 649 

Voice  of  the  tempter. ....  649 
Voluntary  conveyance. . .  649 
Voluntary  escape  (iai^). .   649 

Vote  down,  to 270 

Vulnerable  point 649 


w. 


Page. 


Wabble,  to 426 

"Wager-policy  (Law) 250 

Wait  on,  {or  upon),  to. . . .  270 
Waiting  for  dead  men's 

shoes 650 

Wake  of,  in  the 271 

Wake  up  the  wrong  pas- 
senger, to 754 

Walk  by  faith,  to 271 

Walk  in 793 

Walk  into,  to 427 

Walk,  (or  make),  off  with, 

to 364 

Walk  over  the  course, 

to 364 

Walk  the  chalk,  to 427 

Walk  the  plank,  to 364 

Walking-papers 364 

Wallop,  to 427 

War  department 650 

War  to  the  knife 651 

Ward  off,  to 736 

Warehousing  system 650 

Warm  as  toast 365 

Warm  reception,  to  give 

a 271 

Warrant  of  attorney 650 

Warrant  you,  I'll 365 

Wash  one's  hands  of,  to. .  271 

Washing 759 

Wasteland 651 

Watch  and  ward 271 

Watch  and  watch  (Ndut).  271 

Watch  over,  to 271 

Water,  to 427 

Water  a  stock,  to 760 

Water-privilege 651 

Water-proof 651 

Way  of  thinking 651 

Way  the  wind  blows,  the.  272 

Ways  and  means 272 

Ways  of  God 272 

We  will  give  a  good  ac- 
count of  them  (a  soldiers^ 

phrase) 275 

Weak  side 272 

Wear  and  tear 793 

Wear  away,  to 272 

Wear  off,  to 272 

Wear  one's  heart  upon 

one's  sleeve,  to 365 

Wear  out,  to 273 

Wear  the  willow,  to 736 

Wear  well,  to 273 

Weather  a  point,  to 

{Naut) 273 

Weather  the  storm,  to 273 

Wedded  to  an  opinion 651 

Wedding — golden,  silver, 

tin,  etc 652 

Weed  out,  to 273 

Weekly  tenant 652 

Weigh  anchor,  to 273 

Weigh  anchor,  to  {rep.). . .  736 

Weigh  down,  to 274 

Weigh  on  one's  mind,  to. .  274 
Weighed  in  the  balance, 


INDEX. 

Page. 
and  found  wanting,  to 

be 274 

Welcome  to,  to  be 793 

Well  enough 274 

Well  enougli 652 

Well-founded 652 

Well-nigh 652 

Well-regulated 652 

Well  to  do,  to  be.     Well 

off,  to  be 174 

Well  up 365 

Well  up 365 

Well-worn 652 

Were  I  (or  it) 652 

Wet  as  a  drowned  rat 427 

Wet  blanket 274 

Wet  one's  whistle,  to 365 

Whack  away,  to 365 

Whacking 427 

What — followed  by  a 
preposition — as  with, 
by,  through ,  and  re- 
peated    275 

What  if 275 

What  is  that  to 276 

What's  the  matter 365 

What  is  the  reason  ? 653 

What  it  will  fetch  {or 

bring) 653 

Whatnot 276 

What-not 276 

What  though 276 

What  to  do  with 275 

Wheel  about,  to 653 

Where  the  shoe  pinches. .  366 

While  away  time,  to 276 

Whip  in,  to 736 

Whip  the  devil  round  the 

stump,  to 754 

Whisper  about,  to 366 

Whisper  against,  to 793 

Whisper  in  the  ear,  to. . . .  653 

White  as  a  sheet 653 

White  lie,  a 276 

White  lie  {rep.) 653 

White-livered 427 

White  of  an  e^g 653 

Whitewash,  to 427 

Whole  blood  {Law) 653 

Whole  team 428 

Wholesale  price 654 

Wholesale  store 654 

Whopper 428 

Whopping 428 

Wide  apart 654 

Wide  of 654 

Wide  of  the  mark 366 

Wield  the  scepter,  to 276 

Wife's  equity  {Law) 654 

Wife's  equity  {Law)  {rep.)  793 

Wild  fowl 654 

Wild-goose  chase,  a 292 

Wild  land 654 

Will  do 276 

Win  laurels,  to 793 

Win  one's  spurs,  to 277 

Win  one's  way,  to 736 

Win  over,  to 277 

Wind  a  ship,  to 793 

59 


913 

Page. 

Wind  and  weather  per- 
mitting   277 

Wind  up,  to 277 

Wind  up  one's  affairs, 

to 277 

Wink  at,  to 737 

Wipe,  a 428 

Wipe  off  old  scores,  to. . .  366 

Wipe  out,  to 737 

With  a  bad  grace 655 

With  a  high  hand 737 

With  a  view  to 655 

With  an  eye  to 737 

With  closed  doors 655 

With  dry  eyes 655 

With  good  grace 655 

With  heart  and  soul 655 

With  might  and  main 278 

With  one  accord 278 

With  one  consent 656 

With  one  voice 656 

With  one's  eyes  open.  ...  278 

With  one's  eyes  shut 278 

With,  {or  by),  one's  favor.  278 

With  rapid  strides 657 

With  reference  to 451 

With  regard  to 451 

With  relation  to 451 

With  respect  to 451 

With  the  best  intentions..  G57 

With  the  exception  of . . .  657 

With  the  lark 279 

With  this  understand- 
ing   279 

Within  an  ace  of 3G6 

Within  bounds 277 

Within  call 655 

Within  doors 277 

Within  hearing 656 

Within  range  of 656 

Within  reach 277 

Within  reach  {rep.) 656 

Within  the  bounds  of  pos- 
sibility   656 

Without  a  parallel 656 

Without  ceremony 656 

Without  day  {Sine  die). . .  278 

Without  day  {rep) 657 

Without  exception 657 

Without  fail 279 

Without  limit 657 

Without  measure 657 

Without  recourse 657 

Without  reserve 657 

Without  stint 657 

Wolf  in  sheep's  clothing, 

a 457 

Wood  up,  to 754 

Word  for  word 658 

Word  of  honor 658 

Work  a  passage,  to 279 

Work  against,  to 737 

Work  at,  to 737 

Work  at  arms  length,  to. .  279 

Work  into,  to 279 

Work  off,  to 279 

Work  one's  way,  to 280 

Workout,  to 280 

Worm  out,  to 737 


914 


INDEX. 


Page. 

Work  round,  to 744 

Work  to  windward,  to 

{Naut.) 137 

Workup,  to 280 

Work  upon,  to 737 

Worked  up 366 

Working  account 658 

Working  towards 658 

World  without  end 280 

World's  end 658 

Worm  one's  self  into,  to. .  280 

Worse  for  wear,  the 366 

Worth  its  weight  in  gold.   658 

Worthwhile 280 

Would-be 658 

Would  rather.    Had 

rather 280 


Page. 

Would  that  {Poetical) 281 

Wound  the  feelings,  to. . ..  658 

Wrap  up 281 

Wrapped  up  in,  to  be 281 

Wrapped  up  in  one's  self.  659 

Wringing-wet 367 

Writ  of  entry 659 

Writ  of  error  {Law) 659 

Writ  of  habeas  corpus 

{Law) 659 

Writ  of  possession  (Xaw) .  660 

Write  in  cipher,  to 659 

Written  laws 659 

Wrong  side  out 660 

Wrong  sow  by  the  ear,  to 

have,  {or  get),  the 367 

Wry  face 281 


T. 


Page. 


Tarn 428 

Year  after  year 660 

Year  of  grace 281 

Yearn  for,  {or  towards),  to  738 

Years  of  discretion 281 

Yellow  Jack 428 

Yield  to 738 

Yield  to  temptation,  to.. .  794 

Yield  up,  to 738 

Yield  up  the  ghost,  {or 

the  breath),  to 281 

Yielding  and  paying 

{Laiv) 660 

Your  humble  servant,  or 

Your  obedient  servant. .  660 


Pages. 

English  Proverbs, 799-816 

Chinese  Proverbs, 817-825 

Chinese  Maxims, 827-831 

Latin  and  French  Phrases, 837-846 

Historical  sketch  of  the  Chinese 


Pages. 
Dynasties,  in  which  the  dates  are 
harmonized  with  the  Christian  Chro- 
nology,    853-872 

Sketch  op  the  life  of  Confucius,  . .  873-875 
Sketch  of  the  life  of  Jesus, 877-882 


i5^?!?^ 


Of  THE 


UNIVERSITY] 


I 


WEBSTER'S  UNABRIDGED  DICTIONARY 

OF  THE  ENGLISH  LANGUAGE. 


W£BST£^^   NEW 
^OIGTIONAfhMiippLaiaiTi 


PUBLISHED    BY 

G.  &  C.  MERRIAM, 

SPRINGFIELD,    MASS., 

United  States  of  America. 


1928  Pages.     3000  Engravings. 

CONTAINS 

A  SUPPLEMENT  OF  OVER 
4600  NEW  WORDS  AND  MEANINGS, 

fSEX:  PAGE  1539, } 

AND   A 

NEW  BIOGRAPHICAL  DICTIONARY 

or  OVER  9700  NAMES. 

(SEE   PAGE  1703.) 

Ancient  and  Modem,  ( including  many  now  living,)  giving  the  Name, 
Pronunciation,  Nationality,  Profession  and  Date  of  each. 

IXjiXjXJSTIl.-A.TI03NrS- 

For  the  great  aid  rendered  by  Pictuees  in  defining,  look  at  the  pictures  under  the 
following  words  in  Webster,  each  illustrating  and  defining  the  number  of  words  and 
terms  named : 


Beef,  page  120 15 

Boiler,  page  148 17 

Castle,  page  203 24 

Column,  page  253 26 

Eye,  page  588 11 

Horse,  page  639 45 


Moldings,  page  851 10 

Phrenology,  page  982 37 

Ravelin,  page  1089 14 

Ships,  pp.  1164,  1219 110 

Steam  Engine,  p.  1292... 20 
Timbers,  page  1385 14 


Making  34|:3  words  and  terms  defined  by  the  pictures  under  above  12  words  in  Web- 
ster's Unabridged,  far  better  than  could  be  done  by  any  description. 

Is  there  any  better  aid  than  Webster  to  help  a  family  to  become  intelligent  ? 


GEO.  BANCROFT, 
J.  L.  MOTLEY, 
FITZ-GREENE  HALLECK 
N.  P.  WILLIS, 
ELIHU  BURRITT, 


Warmly  indorsed  by 

RUFUS  CHOATE, 
B.  H.  SMART, 
W.  H.  PRESCOTT, 
GEORGE  P.  MARSH, 
WM.  T.  HARRIS. 


JOHN  G.  WHITTIER, 
JOHN  G.  SAXE, 
DANIEL  WEBSTER, 
EZRA  ABBOT, 
HORACE  MANN, 


MORE  THAN  FIFTY  COLLEGE  PRESIDENTS, 
AND  THE  BEST  AMERICAN  AND   EUROPEAN  SCHOLARS. 

Pablislied  by  G.  &L  C.  MERRIAM,  Springfield,  Mass. 

ALSO 

Webster's  National  Pictorial  Dictionary. 

1040  Pages  Octavo.     600  Engravings. 


UNIVERSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA  LIBRARY 
BERKELEY 

Return  to  desk  from  whic^  borrowed. 
This  book  is  DUE  on  the  last  date  stamped  below. 


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